Stories about Citizen Media from June, 2016
The Wild World of Telegram Stickers
It’s Friday and today we’re going to write about stickers—not just any stickers, but the stickers that have been flooding the instant messenger app Telegram for the past year.
The Layered Graves of Syria's Douma City
Douma graves have taught us that death has its own art forms in this war.
Who Was Jalaluddin Rumi, and Whose Rumi Is He?
As Hollywood unleashes a Di Caprio-coloured plot to appropriate the life of a famous Persian poet, older battles over his legacy are coming to the boil.
World Refugee Day: Fear of Arrest Drives Journalists Into Exile
"I was paralyzed by the idea of exile. This is the first time I had decided to flee the country without knowing exactly when I would return."
Chile Is Battling an Environmental Crisis Called ‘The Red Tide’
The phenomenon known as the “red tide,” seen across the country has claimed the lives of more than 24 million salmon and hundreds of other marine species.
The Diaspora Comes Together to Contribute to Madagascar’s Development
"I’ve spent most of my life in France, but my whole family is...Malagasy. I think there’s a desire for us to gather and talk about our mixed cultural identity."
Climate Change Threatens Qoyllur Riti, a Festival That Mixes Catholic and Indigenous Beliefs in Peru
The Peruvian celebration of Qoyllur Riti shows the religious syncretism typical of the region, but it's being threatened by climate change.
Ramadan in Sri Lanka Is More Than You Think
Although Sri Lanka has grappled with divisions along ethnic and religious lines, in challenging times citizens do come together to help each other, casting aside their differences.
Jamaica's Attorney General Condemns the Orlando Massacre, But Thinks the Rainbow Flag Goes Too Far
Her tweet saying it was "disrespectful of Jamaica's laws" for the US Embassy to fly the rainbow flag sparked a discussion on Twitter of LGBT rights in Jamaica.
Most of the Lives Lost During the Orlando Massacre Were Puerto Ricans
Puerto Ricans mourn the loss of loved ones in one of the most popular destinations for Puerto Ricans who emigrate to the US looking for better opportunities.
Harold La Borde, the First Trinidadian to Sail the World, Remembered for His Sense of Adventure
"There are heroes in name and then there are heroes in legend who will live on through the ages. The late Harold La Borde was the latter."
The Less Sleek, More Timeworn ‘Bits of Tokyo’
'Bits of Tokyo' is a Twitter photo blog devoted to capturing the minute details of surviving postwar life in Japan.
A Joint Photo Exhibition Between Greece and Turkey Brings These Neighbors Closer Together
They believe that peace and friendship is the best way to overcome problems and that art, especially photography, is a medium that can bring people closer together.
‘There Are Increasingly More and More Positive, Strong and Motivating Representations of Black Women’
The author interviews American filmmaker, scholar and activist, Beti Ellerson.
‘HiviSasa’, a Kenyan Citizen Media Project for Mobile Web
"Accessible, diverse, transparent information empowers both governments and citizens. Better informed citizens make better decisions about their lives and their government."
Japan's Love Affair With Capybaras
In Japan, there is an online subculture devoted to capybaras, the friendly giant rodent from South America.
What It Means to Reclaim Indigenous Knowledge in a University Setting in Bolivia
"The University [...] exists thanks to the struggle of our grandparents"
Talk of Spanish as an Official ‘Second Language’ Has Jamaicans Asking, What About Patois?
"English language must be taught as a second language. Let us take care of home before we look abroad."
Indian Court Condemns Film Board for ‘Censoring’ Movie on Drug Abuse
With numerous instances of censorship and bans targeting ‘freedom of expression’, Indian filmmakers are up in arms in an attempt to see this Bollywood film released soon without major cuts.
Is the #ThisFlag Online Campaign Reshaping Political Activism in Zimbabwe?
"If the #ThisFlag campaign ends as just being an anger-venting space, so be it. That is valid too."
Health in Venezuela Remains in the Hands of its Citizens
Medication shortages are at around 85%. Low income and indigenous groups requiring healthcare have been hit the hardest.