Stories about Citizen Media from July, 2010
Peru: Emergency in Huancavelica Caused by Mine Tailings
The Opamayo River in the Huancavelica region was contaminated with mine tailings when a deposit suddenly yielded and its contents spilled on the waters of the river, which is already quite contaminated because of the mining activity in the area. This caused protests from the residents of the affected communities. Some bloggers also gave their opinions on the incident.
Nigeria: Who changed the President's mind— Facebook or FIFA?
After receiving hundreds of comments on his Facebook page, Nigeria's President reversed a controversial suspension of the country's national football team. But was the President's change of heart really a response to citizens voicing their frustration on Facebook? Or because of pressure from international football's powerful governing body?
Russia-Belarus: Godfather of refused offers
Is it a deliberate provocation, a government-engineered attack on a foreign head of state, a gas-giant's attempt to rock Russian foreign policy - or simply an example of good and critical journalism? Questions abound in the Russian-language blogosphere following Russian TV-channel NTV's 4 July screening of "The Godfather" - a documentary about Aleksandr Lukashenko, omnipotent president of neighbouring Belarus.
Serbia: Bloggers Make Health Care Scandal A Personal Affair
It would seem that Serbia’s bloggers have officially joined the ranks of citizen journalism. This week, just some 48 hours after several Serbian bloggers united to demand the resignation of Serbia’s Minister of health, Tomica Milosavljevic, whom many hold responsible for the corrupt state of medical practice in public health...
India: Selective About Denouncing Violence?
On 4th of July, 2010 a group of unidentified assailants attacked and hacked off the right hand of Mr. T. J. Joseph, a college lecturer from Kerala. He was earlier suspended after accusations by Muslim groups for making some derogatory references to the Prophet in a question paper set by him and had apologized publicly. Bloggers react.
Russia-Belarus-Kazakhstan: Realities of the customs union
LJ user Mestnye discusses [RUS] the recent agreement on a customs union between Russia, Belarus, and Kazakhstan.
Sierra Leone: Sex and STD Awareness through Video
In Sierra Leone, Vickie Remoe hosts and produces a magazine style show that covers a variety of topics: from undiscovered musical geniuses, to a day in the life of different tradespeople, sports and in a recent installment, Sex and STD education among college students.
Peru: Government Expels Paul McAuley, Religious Environmental Activist
Paul McAuley, a British resident in the religious city of Iquitos and president of the "Red Ambiental de Loreto" (Loreto Environmental Network), received a resolution from the Ministry of Interior where he is informed of the cancellation of his residence in Peru. This means that in seven days he would have to leave the country. Bloggers responded by wondering about the reasons for the expulsion and whether this is the government intimidating those who defend the environment.
Malaysia: Blogging To Promote National Unity
The 1Malaysia Foundation recently unveiled a brand new website , Yayasan 1Malaysia, as a platform to generate conversations with young Malaysian netizens on national unity and other current issues.
South Korea: Keyboard Warriors Against Young Women
Young women are struck down by harsh internet vigilantes in the South Korean internet space. Reasonable voices online, who analyze this phenomenon, say it is caused by the growing social power of women, while men are suffering under heaps of social and economic pressure.
Brazil: Critic to Vatican's position on the death of Saramago
Leonardo Sakamoto criticizes [pt] Vatican's position on the death of portuguese Nobel Prize winner José Saramago. He says that “there are people celebrating the death of Saramago”, referring to an article which was published in Italy's main Roman Catholic newspaper “L’Osservatore Romano”.
Japan: Tech-savvy freelancers break down the monopoly in information
While in many countries around the world ordinary citizens learn to take advantage of the new technologies to make their voices heard, in Japan it's the free-lance journalists who take up the battle against establishment media from which they are determined to remain apart.
Ghana: The Black Stars on the brink of making history
Ghana, Africa's only hope in 2010 FIFA World Cup, faces Uruguay today. African bloggers hope that the Black Stars of Ghana will not let Africa down.
D. R. of Congo: Independence Cha Cha
The Democratic Republic of Congo is celebrating the 50th anniversary of independence from Belgian rule. As the state proudly wheeled out some expensive new military hardware for the delectation of visiting dignitaries, bloggers Kakaluigi and Congo Miliki describe the parades in Kinshasa and Lubumbashi, while other Congolese bloggers reminisce about the era of independence.
Chile: Bielsa and Piñera, When Football Meets Politics
Marcelo Bielsa has become much more than a football coach in Chile; he is often admired for his statements, and the media frequently deem his opinions headline worthy. But recently, his actions are speaking louder than his words as his treatment of President Sebastian Piñera has created controversy and mixed opinions. On July 1, "Bielsa" became a trending topic on Twitter where Chileans expressed their feelings about the most recent encounter between the president and the coach.
Fiji: Will new media laws lead to better reporting?
Claiming it will introduce media transparency and responsible reporting, Fiji’s government enacted new media rules, establishing a code of conduct for journalists, strengthening local ownership stipulations and creating a set of fines and prison terms to be levied against reporters and media institutions for potentially breaking guidelines.
Watch The World Cup with Global Voices: Live Chat for Uruguay vs. Ghana
The "Black Stars" of Ghana face the "Charrúas" of Uruguay in a quarterfinal match in the 2010 World Cup. Join Global Voices for a live chat during this match on July 2.
Colombia: Blogs About Colombian Literature
Colombian literature is known around the world because of authors like Gabriel García Márquez and his book "One Hundred Years of Solitude". However, he has become almost the only Colombian author that is referenced when speaking on this subject; but on the web one can find blogs dedicated to discussing other authors and Colombian literature in general.
South Korea: K-Pop Icon Hyo-ri Brings the Plagiarism Issue Up To the Light
South Korean pop queen Lee Hyo-ri’s six song from her fourth album has reignited discussion on the country’s plagiarism. Bloggers are debating over why plagiarism is plaguing the nation’s music industry.
