Stories about Citizen Media from June, 2011
Zambia: Chiluba Funeral Donation Call Raises Eyebrows
Zambian netizens have received an appeal by their government to donate money towards an estimated US$1 million of funeral costs for the late former president Frederick Chiluba with incredulity, considering that barely two and half years ago there was massive abusive of resources for the funeral of the then incumbent president Levy Mwanawasa.
Mexico: Blogosphere Analyzes the State of Mexico's Electoral Process
Mexican bloggers analyze the local electoral process in the State of Mexico looking towards the presidential succession of 2012. There are reflections about the candidates, their campaigns and proposals, but there is also a consensus in the national relevance that the election for the next Mexican governor has acquired.
Global Voices Co-Founder to Head MIT's Center for Civic Media
Global Voices co-founder and and long time fellow at Harvard University's Berkman Center for Internet and Society, Ethan Zuckerman, has been named director of MIT's Civic Media Center in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Congratulations Ethan!
Bangladesh: Rumana Manzur – A Grim Reminder of Domestic Violence
On 5 June, 2011, Rumana Manzur, an Assistant Professor at the Dhaka University, became the victim of a horrific case of domestic violence when she was brutally attacked by her husband Hassan Syed. This incident has shocked the Bangladeshi society and bloggers too have lent their voice in this demand for justice, expressing anger, outrage and shock.
Zambia: Violence at Chiluba's Funeral Gathering
Zambia’s second President, Frederick Chiluba is every bit as controversial in death as he was alive. Chiluba’s funeral wake, a tradition in Zambia where mourners gather from the day a person dies up to the time of burial, has been marked with violence and political manoeuvrings.
Argentina: The Flag Day Ceremony and Cristina Fernández's Bid for Re-Election
President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner was the only speaker during the Flag Day ceremony in Argentina, an event celebrated every June 20; a patriotic holiday full of Argentine and political party flags. Argentines are beginning to find out who will run for president in this year's elections.
Argentina: Puyehue Volcano Ash Unstoppable in Argentine Territory
Ash from the Chilean volcano Puyehue is affecting a large part of the Argentine territory, causing officials to declare a state of emergency in the Patagonia area. The eruption will probably become one of the greatest natural disasters that the country has gone through in recent years.
Colombia: Satisfaction and Scepticism for the Victims’ Law
On June 10 the Victims' and Land Restitution Law in Colombia was approved. The law seeks to make amends with victims of violence and displacement. Some netizens have expressed their satisfaction with the law, while others show scepticism towards the measure.
Ghana: Let Them Be Gay
The Bureau of National Investigations in Ghana has begun investigations into the growing rate of homosexuality in the Western and Central regions. About eight thousand homosexuals have been registered by a non-governmental organization in the Western and Central regions. This has prompted a heated debate in the Ghanaian blogosphere about homosexuality.
South Korea: Actress-Activist Spearheads Protests with Social Media
In South Korea, entertainers are changing the political landscape by spearheading protests in social media. Among several influential comedians and actors, actress-activist Kim Yeo-jin, has been the most controversial figures for several weeks now for her active on and offline political engagement.
Venezuela: Arguments For and Against the Smoking Ban
It is no secret that smokers and non-smokers argue over issues regarding health, air and the freedom of choice. However, many people have used different modes of citizen media to comment, protest and debate the reasons behind the Venezuelan government's recent introduction of a new anti-tobacco law, which had been repealed in February.
E Day: Discovering Celebrities’ Favorite Words
What do singer Shakira, actor Gael Garcia Bernal, chef Ferran Adria and writer Mario Vargas Llosa have in common? They are all part of the group of 30 celebrities who have shared through video their favorite word in Spanish as part of the celebrations for E Day by the Cervantes Institute.
Cuba: Twitter Users Will Meet for the First Time
The first meeting of Cuban Twitter users was announced by @leunamrguez (Leunam Rodríguez), for July 1st starting at 4pm on central 23rd street and 12 La Habana. The event has had a tremendous welcome in and outside of Cuba.
Colombia: Dissatisfaction With TEDx Event in Medellín
Juan David Escobar [es] writes about his experience [es] with TEDx Medellín, which he could not enter because, according to what he narrates, he was not part of any of the companies sponsoring the event –but he did have a ticket. He links to an article in GeekPlanet [es] which...
Senegal: University women's group helps the needy
On the blog dakar.bondyblog.fr, Mamadou Sané presented the initiative of a group of female students from the University Cheikh Anta Diop in Dakar. “The association called ‘Regard de femme [A Woman's Look]’ is aiming to collect as many foodstuffs as possible to distribute to those in greatest need through a...
Russia: Ministry's Online Blunders
Russia's Ministry of Internal Affairs has recently started to mobilise on the Internet and in the past weeks two important events have taken place in the Internet world which have drawn attention to Ministry's activities.
Africa: Bloggers Remember the International Day of the African Child
June 16 marks the International Day of the African Child. The day was initiated by the Organisation of African Unity on June 16, 1991. The day honors those who participated in the Soweto Uprising in 1976 on that day and raises awareness of the continuing need for improvement of quality of life for African children. Bloggers remember...
Estonia-Latvia-Lithuania: 70th anniversary of deportations
Otto's Random Thoughts commemorates the 70th anniversary of deportations from Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania following the June 1940 Soviet occupation of the countries, whereas Itching for Eestimaa reflects upon the political and social legacy of the deportations for Estonia.
Lebanon: Lady Gaga's Latest Album Sparks A Rumor
Lady Gaga's latest album, Born This Way, stirred a small storm on Lebanese social networks. An article published by the Sun on June 4th, 2011, and commented by one of the Los Angeles Time blogs , stated that Lebanese authorities had banned the album. Lebanese fans immediately mobilized against this decision forcing the Sûrete Générale in Lebanon to deny the ban.
Lebanon: Raving about Goran Bregovic's concert
Famous Serbo-Croatian musician and composer Goran Bregovic performed in Lebanon on June 12 during the Beirut Music & Art Festival – BMAF. His performance is hailed by his Lebanese fans as “unbelievable” and “amazing”.
Peru: Reactions Following Ollanta Humala's Electoral Victory
More than a week following the close victory of nationalist candidate Ollanta Humala in the Peruvian presidential elections, reactions of all sorts continue to arise in the press, blogosphere, and Peruvian social networks.
