Stories about Citizen Media from July, 2011
Tunisia: Time to Register for Elections
Registration for electoral lists in Tunisia started on July 11 and will be closed on August 2, but statistics have shown that Tunisians are reluctant to register on the lists. A group of Tunisian bloggers have launched an online campaign to urge people to register for the October elections.
Argentina: What Irritates Argentinians?
Argentinians and Twitter: a means to express what irritates them. On July 22, the hashtag #irritante (#irritating) became a local trending topic with protests and irritations about politics, traffic, neighbors and even family and social networks.
Saudi Arabia: New Anti-Terror Law Crushes Protests
Amnesty International's leaked draft of the new Saudi anti-terror law has prompted a strong reaction to the proposed legislation. Twitter users are using the hashtag #SaudiTerrorLaw to voice their opinions.
Turkey: Ethnic Tension Rises Further as Street Clashes Erupt in Istanbul
In the aftermath clashes between army and separatist Kurdish PKK militants earlier this month, ethnic tension in Turkey continues to grow. Marches in the Zeytinburnu district of Istanbul broke out into larger scale street fighting on the night of July 21.
Norway: The Online Traces of a Mass Murderer
Bloggers and journalists in Norway and abroad continue to look for any online traces of murder suspect Anders Behring Breivik in hopes that it could help explain his actions on Friday, 22 July 2011.
Colombia: 201 Years of Independence
As we announced in a recent post, Colombia commemorated its day of independence this past July 20. The Internet, as expected, was the scene of many opinions and events that varied from pride of having been born in said country to political criticism.
Egypt: Clashes in Abbasseya
On July 23, Egyptian demonstrators marched from Tahrir Square to the Ministry of Defense demanding the stoppage of military trials for civilians, the trial of Mubarak and his former regime, and asking their military rulers to speed up reforms. The initially peaceful protest ended with violence.
Malawi: Interview With Frederick Bvalani, Creator of Malawi Fuel Watch
Global Voices' Steve Sharra talks to Frederick Bvalani, the creator of Malawi Fuel Watch Facebook page. Malawian netizens use the page to inform each other about where they can find fuel.
Guinea: Guinean Music Mourns Manfila Kanté
The passing of Manfila Kanté, a Guinean music star, has been announced via the Facebook account La Presse guinéenne en ligne [fr]. Aly Cherif (Prince Cherif) wrote [fr]: “The Guinean cultural scene is in mourning. Manfila Kanté died in Paris this Wednesday, July 20, following a long illness. A huge...
China: Outrage at High-Speed Train Crash
A collision between two high-speed trains in China in the evening of July 23 killed at least 35 people and injured over 200. C. Custer at ChinaGeeks has written about the government's cover-ups of the tragedy and railway safety issues, and the outrages that are pouring in China's online community.
Zambia: Facebook Group Leads 2011 Poll Debate
Can a Facebook group, 'Zambian People’s Pact', tip the Zambian elections due in the next few months against the ruling Movement for Multi-Party Democracy (MMD), which has been in power for 20 years now? Gershom Ndhlovu investigates.
Argentina: 17 Years After AMIA Attack, Case Remains Unsolved
July 18, 2011, commemorates one more year of the attack against the Israelite Argentinean Mutual Aid Association (AMIA) in 1994. Currently the case is open without resolution, yet the families of the victims and the Argentine community are still calling for justice for the 85 people killed.
South Korea: Women-Only Subway Car Meets Strong Opposition
As the subway sexual harassment is on the rise, especially during rush hours and late nights, Seoul city government has decided to launch women-only subway compartment to cut down the crime rate. However, the move has prompted fierce debate amongst South Korean netizens.
Malawi: Malawi On The Brink
Malawi on the brink: “Contrary to stereotypes about the docility and peaceful nature of Malawians, Malawi has a long history of mass protests going back to the colonial era including the struggles against the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland that saw the demise of the federation and the country's independence...
Zambia: Football Icon's Facebook Account Faked
Kalusha Bwalya is probably one of the most recognised Zambian faces because of his outstanding achievements in football. However, when it comes to Facebook, it is difficult to tell whether an account in his name is genuine or not.
Guatemala's DipuKids: A New Generation of Candidates for Congress
A new generation of Guatemalan politicians under 30, dubbed the 'Dipukids', are causing controversy. Well educated and well travelled, many from the country's upper class - can they truly represent the people who may be electing them?
Armenia: Corruption
With Armenia ranking 123 out of 178 countries in a 2010 Transparency International report measuring corruption, Life in the Caucasus, a blog maintained by a Peace Corps volunteer in the country, notes that bribery take place at all levels of society and in every sphere of life.
Pakistan: Demanding Justice For Saleem Shahzad
Many suspect that Pakistan's intelligence agency was behind the May 2011 abduction and murder of Pakistani journalist Syed Saleem Shahzad, bureau chief of Asia Online. The judicial commission set up to investigate the murder is struggling from lack of help, and many fear that justice will be denied.
Panama: Presidential Insults Online
Panamanian President, Ricardo Martinelli, sparked controversy on Twitter after allegedly insulting a user who criticized him in a rude manner. But the President denies that any insult was intended. Netizens discuss the furore.
Chile: Students Take Over Schools Demanding Education Reform
Students have taken over hundreds of schools throughout Chile, turning their classrooms into temporary homes while they demand free and higher quality education. They are sharing their movement online through video and blogs, giving us a glimpse of what it is like to be on the inside of a student-controlled school.
Twitter and Latin American Presidents: Does It Make Them Closer to Us?
Twitter use among the presidents of Latin America is gaining momentum. Whether used as a form of press release, to communicate with citizens or to cheer for a soccer team, Twitter has established itself as a new tool for heads of state to interact in both their public and private lives.
