Stories about Citizen Media from September, 2014
Ice Bucket Challenge, Meet Ukraine's ‘Blood Bucket’ Challenge
A group of European youths are raising awareness of the conflict in Ukraine with a gory twist on the infamous Ice Bucket Challenge. The buckets are filled with metaphorical blood.
Bollywood Actress Deepika Padukone: ‘Yes! I Am a Woman. I Have Breasts and a Cleavage! You Got a Problem?!’
An entertainment news portal tweeted a screenshot of Padukone in the film "Finding Fanny" along with the comment "Deepika's cleavage show." The actress and numerous others hit back on Twitter.
After US Ambassador to Ukraine's Twitter Gaffe, RT Says ‘World Won't Be Duped Again’
America’s social media outreach on the Ukraine crisis has always been flawed, if only because Uncle Sam is up against an adversary that frequently camouflages online propaganda as “grassroots” activism.
Why the Construction of an American Military Base in Henoko Is Being Described as Japan's Ferguson
A US Marine Corps Air Station Futenma is being relocated from the central part of Okinawa Island to pristine Henoko. Authorities have broken up protests using aggressive methods.
To Go or Not to Go? Scotland Votes on Independence from UK
Twitter and Facebook have been flooded with heated discussions, with the #indyref hashtag mentioned over 2.6 million times just in the past 30 days.
Ebola Hasn't Reached the Gambia, and People Are Working to Keep It That Way
The deadliest Ebola outbreak in history has killed nearly 1,900 people so far. In the Gambia, a social media campaign and a specially composed song are trying to raise awareness.
Trinidadian Diaspora Blogger Appeals to Domestic Violence Victims After Seeing Rice Viral Video
Once the video of Ray Rice (the American football player for the Baltimore Ravens) hitting his wife went viral, Trinidadian diaspora blogger Afrobella couldn't get the incident out of her mind. “The video where he spits and hits the woman who would go on to be his wife, where he...
Why Is It Such a Controversy to Start the School Day at 9am in South Korea?
Some schools in South Korea have adopted a new "9am late-start system," provoking a nationwide debate about reforming the way children are educated and mature.
About Homeland, Lanterns, Parades and Independence in Costa Rica
On her blog Anchas Alamedas, Solentiname remembers how she used to spend Costa Rica independence day, September 15, when she was a schoogirl, and the parades with lanterns and flags: Teníamos estandarte y era un honor reservado para los mejores estudiantes de todo el colegio y solo tres: el que...
The Internet Helps Double Russia's Number of Extremism Cases
The number of criminal cases opened on extremism charges in Russia doubled during 2014, and the Internet is responsible for the growth, as more political activity and activism happen online.
Nearly 70% of Young Iranians Use Illegal Internet Circumvention Tools
According to Iran’s list of Computer Crimes, the distribution of both circumvention technology and instructions to use such tools are both illegal. Violating these laws can result in severe punishment.
Presenting the 2014 Rising Voices Amazonia Grantees
Rising Voices welcomes seven new grantees from the latest microgrant competition for citizen media outreach projects in Amazonian communities.
Was a Popular Saint Lucia Blog Taken Down by Google Hateful or Just Outspoken?
The no-holds-barred, muckraking blog had become both notorious and controversial among people interested in local politics -- and then it was blocked, without warning.
How a Vote for Scottish Independence Could Affect the Caribbean
How could something as seemingly remote as the issue of Scottish independence have an effect on Caribbean states? The long arm of colonial history connects more than you might think.
Why One Trinidadian Father Will Never Hit His Kids
Corporal punishment has, for a long time, been ingrained into the fabric of Caribbean societies, with some making the connection between the region's harsh colonial history and its modern day bent towards violence. In many cases, the recipients of such beatings are the most defenseless members of society – children....
Trinidadians Concerned Over “Largest Ever Budget”
As the Trinidad and Tobago government, in anticipation of national elections next year, serves up a massive budget, two political bloggers take the country's leaders to task. Afra Raymond, whose blog keeps a close eye on politics, corruption and transparency, provided some disturbing financial context: The Minister of Finance has...
Frustrated by a 2-Hour Delay, Passengers Refuse to Let Pakistani Politician Rehman Malik Board Plane
Flight delays because of politicians or well-connected individuals is not uncommon in Pakistan.
Take a Musical Tour of Latin America's Talented Subway Performers
Some cities ban them, but the musicians found in the subways of Buenos Aires, Quito, Caracas, and Mexico City liven up an otherwise dull commute on public transportation.
Fiji's Pacific Climate Warriors Are Ready to Stand Up for Climate Change Action
A photo series offers a glimpse of Fiji's "Pacific climate warriors" as they prepare to fight for their very existence against climate change.
Togolese Bloggers Poke Fun at President for Over the Top BillBoard
Someone sure wanted people to know that he was thankful for Togolese President Faure Gnassingbé generosity. This week, a giant billboard was raised in Lomé, Togo that praised the president's action in favor of providing lunch for school children. The billboard seen below reads in french :” Thanks Daddy Faure for...
Pakistan's Government, Industry Complain of Economic Losses Due to Protests
Protesters from two very different political camps in Pakistan have staged a peaceful sit-in in Islamabad since August 14 with a common demand for the resignation of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif due to charges of corruption and rigging in the election 2013. In response, the government has blocked all routes with sand-filled containers...
