Stories about Citizen Media from March, 2017
In Northern Sri Lanka, Incidents of Military Intimidation Threaten Reconciliation
"There was clearly anger from the side of the military that people were getting their land back."
Alleged Attacks on Online Media Follow the Tragic Death by Fire of Young Women in Guatemala
A local media outlet that published testimonies of some of the victims of the shelter fire suffered a DDoS attack.
A Young Policewoman's Murder Leaves Trinidad & Tobago With More Questions Than Answers
"Should we march as if we have never marched before? Write to the newspapers? Pray? I do not have any of the answers, but I fear far worse."
Guatemala Mourns Dozens of Girls at a Children’s Shelter Left to Die in a Fire
“The girls rebelled and set fire to their mattresses so they would be allowed out of their rooms.” But they weren't.
Donald Trump Was Right: Iranians Do Play With Fire
The ancient Iranian festival of fire, known as Chaharshanbe Suri, proves that Donald Trump was absolutely right — albeit unwittingly — when he recently accused Iran of “playing with fire.”
Syrian Civil Society in Douma Navigates a Tough Crackdown
Fundamentalist backlash to a magazine article has thrown civil society in Douma and Eastern Ghouta into turmoil, as activists and journalists struggle to get back to work.
Late-Season Snow Brings Joy to Bhutan
"only in #bhutan...police making snowman at the main roundabout. wonderful"
India's Cashless Villages: Not Really There Yet, But the Journey Has Begun
The Lanura village lacks basic facilities, like electricity infrastructure, water and other amenities of life. The people were stunned to learn that the village was declared a "cashless village."
Georgian Town of Batumi Suffers Riots Over a Parking Ticket, Local Grievances
Social media users have been tweeting about the situation in the city under the hashtag #BatumiRiots.
Live Streaming at Trinidad & Tobago Carnival Brings Issue of Copyright Infringement Into Focus
"While this live streaming option has been praised in providing unique perspectives for current events and breaking news...[it] has provided more opportunities for infringement of copyright laws."
Egypt's Revolution: Between Lost Hopes and Growing Apathy
"I have always dodged casual conversations about the Egyptian revolution from people who know little about it, fearing that words would fail me."
The Heartbreaking Digital Search for Migrants Who Go Missing Crossing the US-Mexico Border
Many migrants crossing the US-Mexico border go missing, leaving their families desperately searching for clues online of what happened.
Latin Americans Hit the Streets to Strike on International Women's Day
Latin America is expecting a rush of civic demonstrations on Wednesday, following promises by an array of civic groups to join a labor strike on International Women's Day
Silicon Valley Giant Uber Caught up in Kazakhstan Wooden Stool Scandal
"Uber. Are you completely nuts? Is this what a Californian startup looks like?"
France Sees Sharp Rise in Blocked and De-Listed Websites
Authorities have blocked or de-listed more than 2,700 websites in the fight against child pornography and terrorism, but with little oversight.
India’s Government Plans to Refuse School Lunches to Students Without National ID Cards
Beginning this summer, the Indian government will controversially start requiring more than 100 million school children to show their Aadhaar (national identity) card in order to claim their lunches.
Hong Kong's Worker News Wins Award for Series Debunking Myths About Refugees
"In recent years, Hong Kong society has developed very strong prejudice against people coming from other countries."
As Starbucks Mulls Entry Into Jamaica, a Look at Coffee Culture (or Lack Thereof) in the Land of the Blue Mountains
Jamaica produces one of the world's highest quality coffee brands -- but does the country itself have enough of a coffee culture to support an international chain?
Vybz Kartel Supporters Threaten Former Jamaican Culture Minister Over Remarks About Dancehall's Violent Lyrics
"I pray that Jamaicans who value common decency will push back against this new normal and defend Jamaica’s true culture. If we lose this battle, we will have lost Jamaica."
Ukraine Will Blacklist Websites That ‘Undermine Ukrainian Sovereignty’
The list, like Ukraine's new Information Security Doctrine, is directed at countering the dissemination of pro-separatist and pro-Russian information.