Stories about Citizen Media from August, 2014
‘We Are All Numb': Gazan Woman Recalls Israeli Attack That Made Dozens of Her Neighbours Homeless
"Within the minute we heard two huge bombs. We were all in shock. My brother went to check and immediately came back downstairs to announce that it's completely gone."
Neighbours Tweet the Terrifying Moment Israeli Forces Destroy a 12-Storey Gaza City Apartment Tower
Twenty-two civilians, including 11 children, were injured. Israel used its infamous 'knock on roof' method to warn residents.
‘Revolutionary’ Band Laal Speaks Out Against Pakistan's Facebook and YouTube Bans
As Pakistan continues to restrict access to YouTube and Facebook, activist band Laal discusses the silencing effect that these bans have on artists, and discusses the future of free expression.
Critics Fear Bangladesh's New Media Monitoring Policy Will Stifle Free Expression
Questions have been raised by many about the new draft broadcasting policy of Bangladesh. Such a policy was much due, but analysts say its regressive and will control the media.
Google Docs in Amharic: A Security Tool for Ethiopian Bloggers
Cyber Ethiopia explains why Google Docs in Amharic is an important internet security tool for Ethiopian bloggers and how to enable it: The Ethiopian government uses many methods to spy on bloggers, but by far the most invasive involves the covert installation of malware on their computers, which captures keystrokes,...
A “Liter of Light” to Brighten the Poorest Homes
After downing a bottle of water, most people are probably inclined to toss it. Those people, however, don't realize that they're throwing away an ingenious means of lighting a home.
Indian News Portal Says Thomson Reuters Has ‘Unethical’ Understanding of Copyright
Thomson Reuters sent an email to MediaNama saying it would use and redistribute the portal's content if MediaNama didn't refuse consent within 14 days.
From Cats to Military Parades: Photoblogger in Sevastopol Reflects Crimea's Patriotic Euphoria
These days, Crimean photoblogger Natalya Golovan is more likely to document a military ceremony or a celebratory fireworks display than the cats she photographed before.
Crowdsourcing the Investigation of Eastern Ukraine's Russian Ghosts
Armchair military experts, social-media archive spelunkers, and ideologues all work together in creating conflicting versions of events in eastern Ukraine, making disinterested analysis and verification very difficult.
Iranian Photojournalist Arrested Alongside Washington Post Reporter Is Released
An unidentified female Iranian-American photojournalist was released on Thursday, Aug. 21 after being held in police custody at an unidentified location since July 22. The photojournalist had official accreditation from the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance, and was arrested alongside her husband and on the same day that Iranian-American...
Ukrainian Daredevil Climber Admits to Painting the Moscow Star in Ukraine's Colors
The story of Russia's colour revolution has taken a new turn: a famous Ukrainian roofer Mustang Wanted admitted painting the star atop a high-rise in Moscow yellow and blue.
Iranian Minister Says Government ‘Never Promised’ to End Web Censorship
ICT Minister Vaezi's words contradict President Hassan Rouhani's pledge to lift bans on popular social media sites like Facebook and Twitter.
Massive Leak Opens New Investigation of FinFisher Surveillance Tools in Pakistan
Unknown hackers released 40 gigabytes of data uncovered about the use of FinFisher, the malicious digital spyware kit, in Pakistan. The Digital Rights Foundation reports on first findings.
Colombia’s Medellín Metro Says No to Music and Poetry, But Passengers Say Otherwise
Columbians are thinking twice about the treatment of passengers aboard the Medellín Metro, after several incidents publicized online have raised awareness about the metro's draconian treatment of riders.
Indian Broadcaster NDTV's Report on Gaza Rocket Launch Becomes Fodder for Propaganda
NDTV journalists caught militants assembling a rocket in Gaza on camera, but the story has been "distorted by the twin forces of internet virality and the Israel-Palestinian spin machine."
Why Bahrain's Largest Opposition Bloc Wants People to Have More Babies
Al Wefaq says native Bahrainis could become a minority. Bahrain's Sunni Muslim monarchy has been accused of naturalising foreigners to prop up their own rule of the Shia Muslim-majority country.
Inuit Filmmakers Are Documenting Their Traditional Way of Life in the Small Canadian Hamlet of Arviat
Since 2010, the Arviat Film Society has been creating videos to promote Inuit language and culture in the Arviat community. Rising Voices interviews Eric Anoee, Jr. about his work.
Why Protesters in Trinidad & Tobago Are Against the Proposed Constitutional Reform Bill
With general elections due next year, some suggest it is an attempt to boost the government's approval ratings before citizens go to the polls, while others see more sinister motives.
Arrests Made in Man's Fatal Beating Have Not Renewed Faith in Jamaica's Police
The case has continued to fuel protests and discussions in Jamaica, which has a history of police brutality and other similar forms of violence.
Tens of Thousands of Pakistanis Breach Security Barrier Around Prime Minister's House Asking Him to Step Down
Popular cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan and Pakistani-Canadian Sufi scholar-turned-politician Tahirul Qadri allege that the May 2013 general election was rigged.
Words From a Patient Who Got a Second Chance
Some months ago, on her blog Anchas Alamedas, blogger Solentiname started to share the different stages she's gone through, since the moment she found a lump in her breast. On her latest blogpost, she writes to someone she calls Mimí and she tells her how she felt after the surgery...
