Stories about Citizen Media from August, 2011
Spain: Brutal Police Repression Against Journalists Covering “Secular March”
Pope Benedicto XVI's recent visit to Spain sparked a civil "Secular March" in protest against the use of public funds for religious acts in a secular state. The encounters between secular and religious individuals resulted in a wave of police repression against the journalists covering the events. Global Voices presents a selection of videos of the protests.
Rwanda: Interacting With the Tweeting President
Global Voices Author Gershom Ndhlovu interacts with Rwandan President Paul Kagame on Twitter. Kagame’s Twitter exchange with netizens puts him far ahead of his contemporary African leaders.
Sri Lanka: The Return Of The Grease Devils
In many rural areas of Sri Lanka the mythical figure of the Grease Yaka (Grease Devil) is being blamed for nighttime assaults on women and thefts/robberies. A number of suspects have been arrested and a few of them even mob-lynched by villagers. Rezwan investigates.
Kyrgyzstan: Bloggers Take a Stand Against Manas-pulation
As Kyrgyzstan prepares for its 20th anniversary of independence and subsequent presidential elections, its legendary warrior king Manas is becoming more and more real by the day. Bloggers discuss the phenomenon.
Costa Rica: Slut Walk Reactions, Religion and Women's Rights
Last Sunday 14 August, 2011, the Costa Rican Slut Walk took place in the capital city of San Jose causing both a media and religious backlash due to allegedly violent anti-church chants and performances. The ongoing debate has been covered on both citizen and mass media outlets as people react to the Costa Rican version of this worldwide protest.
Chile: Live Streaming of August 18 March for Education Reform
You can follow today's march for education reform through live streaming via Ciudadano Inteligente and Sentidos Comunes. On Twitter netizens are using the hashtags #18deagosto, #marchadelosparaguas, #marchaestudiantil, and others, to tweet about today's protest.
Pakistan: Youth Gets Justice After Video of Extra-Judicial Killing Emerged
On June 8, 2011, a 19 year old boy was shot dead at point blank by a Pakistan Rangers personnel in Karachi. Video footage emerged showing that the boy was unarmed. After two months, the accused Rangers official who fired the shots has been convicted with the death penalty.
Chile: Students Seeking Education Reform Meet with Senate Education Committee
Leaders of the student movement met with the Senate's Education Committee yesterday, August 16, to discuss profit (“lucro” in Spanish) in education. Alicia Sánchez, executive secretary of the ‘Chilean Association of NGOs’ [es], comments on the session –which was broadcasted on TV Senado– at El Quinto Poder [es].
Nicaragua: A Prediction on the Disappearance of Print Newspapers
Blogger Emila Persola argues [es] that “by Ortega's reelection in 2016, or to be more optimistic by the 2018 World Cup in Russia, there will be no print newspapers in Nicaragua […] because mobile phones will have supplanted reading and information habits.”
Global Voices Partners With Ashoka on Citizen Media Competition
Global Voices is proud to be partnering with Ashoka Changemakers on its ‘Citizen Media Innovation Competition' with Google. Four winners will be awarded US$5,000 each for citizen media projects that make the world a better place.
Dominican Republic: Rita Indiana, “Projects Like Mine Owe a Lot to Social Networks and the Internet”
In an interview possible thanks to a collaborative network of bloggers and friends, Dominican songwriter, singer, writer, and performer Rita Indiana talks about her musical identities, artistic multidimensionality, future projects, and her relationship with social media and the Internet, among other topics.
Argentina: Primary Elections and Future Presidential Candidates
On August 14, Argentina held primary elections to select presidential candidates for the upcoming October elections. The current president, Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, won the absolute majority for re-nomination, obtaining more than 50% of the vote. On Twitter netizens shared all kinds of reactions.
Uganda: Minister Claims Opposition Using Social Media to Prepare for War
Uganda’s Minister for Security claims that Ugandan activists are using Twitter, Facebook and YouTube to wage a campaign against the country's security forces and to prepare young people for war.
Vietnam: Blogger Pham Minh Hoang Sentenced to 3 Years in Prison
On August 10, 2011, Pham Minh Hoang, a math teacher and political blogger, has been sentenced to 3 years in prison and an additional 3 years of house arrest; he was charged with “attempt to overthrow the [vietnamese] goverment” reports Reporters Without Borders [fr]. Hoang, who has been in pre-trial...
Ecuador: President Correa's Tumultuous Relationship With the Media
Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa recently won a libel case against newspaper El Universo, for an article in which journalist Emilio Palacio gives an account of Correa's actions during the September 30, 2010 police uprising. The ruling has caused a greater breach between Correa and the press, raising concerns about freedom of expression in Ecuador.
Malawi: Confusion and Uncertainty Over August 17 Vigil
With hours to go before August 17, the day set aside for follow-up nation-wide demonstrations in Malawi, a cloud of uncertainty hovers over the country. One team has announced a postponement, another team has indicated they are going ahead. Online reactions range from relief to frustration, confusion to defiance.
South Korea: Blood Type Personality Theory, How It Works
The blood type personality theory claims that people's blood type is predictive of their personality and compatibility with others. Nowhere is this belief more popular than in South Korea and Japan. Yoo Eun Lee delves deeper into the theory's history.
Missing Dutchman Returns Home after Detention in North Korea
Robert Neff from Marmot's Hole posted about Van der Bijl, a Dutchman who went to North Korea to buy stamps and painting and ended up missing. He has returned home after being detained in North Korea on charges of anti-state activities. The charges appear to be related to the photos...
Pakistan: Celebrating Independence Day
This year, on August 14, Pakistan's Independence Day was celebrated with jubilation not only in the streets but also in the blogosphere. Netizens posted about Pakistan, praying for its prosperity and success.
Zambia: Netizen Launches Vlog Ahead of Elections
As Zambians are getting ready for the country's September 20 tripartite elections, a Zambian political activist has decided to put across his political and socio-economic messages through videos. He shares his videos on YouTube.
Japan: How to Unplug Your Life and Save Electricity
People in Japan have been unplugging their lives as electricity-saving measures have been implemented to cope with power shortages. The effectiveness of the measures is yet to be proven but many have taken this opportunity to change their power consuming life style.
