Stories about Citizen Media from December, 2008
Shaping the Future of World Indigenous Education
Last week 3000 delegates from around the world shared their experiences at The World Indigenous Peoples' Conference: Education at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne. There has been little coverage by the mainstream media and surprisingly little activity in the global blogosphere that I’m aware of.
China: Commissioner scrutinized by netizen detectives
Zhou, Commissioner of Housing Bureau in Nanjing, stopped developers from cutting down the real estate price, claiming it was for the sake of people. But rebukes never stop as what people expect is right the opposite. Netizen detectives set out to run after clues of corruption from past news reports and pictures, from which two crucial evidences show up: cigarettes and watches. They even find out that he has a brother who is exactly a developer.
New film on Philippine revolution
FeudArt posts trailers and a backgrounder of Baler, a new film based on events during the Philippine revolution against Spanish colonizers at the end of the 19th Century.
Central & Eastern Europe: Trademark on ;-) and Other Internet News
Below is a selection of recent posts by bloggers from around Central and Eastern Europe on social networking, participatory media, online activism and other related issues.
Israel: Who Were the Weirdest Terrorists of 2008?
Who were the weirdest terrorists of 2008, asks an Israellycool poll. Among the contenders are: Hairstyle Man, Big Bicep Guy, Popsicle-of-Violence Guy (pictured), and the Naqba Dwarf. Whom do you choose?
Barbados, Trinidad & Tobago, U.S.A.: Ducking the Issue
West Indian bloggers continue to comment on the Bush shoe-throwing incident. Barbadians Jdid and Cheese-on-bread! are unimpressed with the Secret Service's response time, while Notes from Port of Spain says: “It's a pity that the journalist Muntazar al-Zaidi isn't a better shot.”
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AIDS: Orphans, Marches and Reminders
Following up on past AIDS coverage such as the AIDS Conference 2008 and the World AIDS Day 2008, we bring you a video that shows the plight of orphans in South Africa whose parents have died from AIDS, the AIDS day celebrations in Bangladesh, a reminder from Mexico to get tested from SexualidadIntegral podcast and the AIDS impact report from the 2008 Conference in the Mexico City as well.
Egypt: Is Obama Palestinian?
An Arab tribe in Al Jaleel claims President Obama to be one of them and they will prove it. Sandmonkey commented saying: “The fears of the American Right and the Zionist Movement have now been confirmed: A Palestinian tribe from Al Jaleel has claimed that Obama is one of its...
Nepal: Rumors Surrounding The Captured Mumbai Terrorist
Rumors surrounding the background and identity of Ajmal Amir Kasab, the only terrorist involved in Mumbai attacks captured alive by authorities, is swirling around the internet. This time along with India and Pakistan, Nepal’s name has been dragged in.
Brazil: Manifesto For The Immediate Release of Graffiti Painter
While a police officer who mistakenly killed a boy of just three has been acquitted of murder, a graffiti painter arrested on October 26 for spraying the walls of the Art Bienal of São Paulo's pavilion spent her 24th birthday in jail. Bloggers comment on the ironies and discrepancies of the Brazilian judicial system.
Politician bloggers in the Philippines
Filipino internet users are increasing every year. Majority of those who use the internet are reading blogs. It is not surprising that politicians and political parties in the Philippines are now bringing their campaigns in the internet.
Burkina Faso: 10th Anniversary of journalist Norbert Zongo's Murder
On the 10th anniversary of the murder of Burkinabé investigative journalist Norbert Zongo, a campain blog and a petition to reopen the case have been launched, while bloggers reflect on the anniversary.
Angola: A country with huge, untapped tourism potential
Angola boasts an amazing interior landscape, rich and varied fauna, bountiful wildlife, and an extensive national park system, offering something for every visitor. However, most of its potential is still untapped, and if well explored, could make Angola the biggest tourist destination in Africa.
Japan: Controversy over Imperial Succession
On the 1st of December, the seventh birthday of Princess Aiko (official title: 敬宮愛子内親王殿下, Toshi no miya Aiko naishinnō denka) [en], while the mainstream media in Japan were busy reporting that the princess had a cold and could not attend a birthday party organized in her honour, some bloggers were...
Madagascar: French Authorities Censor Play on Historic Independence Battle
A theater performance to commemorate a historical date in the battle for independence of Madagascar, March 29, 1947 has been banned without explanation in the Southern region of Africa the Indian Ocean by French regional authorities. Discussion of the play and its subject matter continues on the internet.
Malawi: First Web Awards & Presidential Facebookers
The popularity of social media in Malawi is on the rise, as shown by the first Malawian web awards taking place this month, and by both the current President of Malawi and the previous one having Facebook profiles and fan pages.
Middle East: Snapshots of Eid
For millions of Muslims around the world, Eid Al Adha was a time for celebrations, family gatherings and reflections on the occasion. Here's a snapshot of reactions from bloggers in Tunisia, Kuwait, Egypt and Turkey.
Taiwan: The government could not wait to harvest wild strawberries
The forced eviction of Wild Strawberries Movement at the Freedom Square this morning (Dec 11), just a few hours after the International Human Rights Day, shows the Taiwan government's hypocrisy in the implementation of human rights .
Egypt: Inanities on Homosexuality
Sarah Carr, blogger and journalist addresses how a published feature titled “Honey, I’m homosexual” and online comments perpetuate myths about homosexuality and, in doing so, contributes to the culture of intolerance in Egyptian society.
Thailand political crisis: Reactions from the region
Thailand’s airport takeover has affected hundreds of thousands of passengers from nearby countries. What are the reactions of bloggers in the region? What is the situation in Thailand today?
