Stories about Citizen Media from February, 2011
Pakistan: Protests Against Impunity for US Diplomat Raymond Davis
Raymond Davis, an American diplomatic staff, is under investigation for the double murder of two Pakistani motorcyclists in Karachi, Pakistan. Following the US demand to release Davis, the protesters took to the streets in a country which already has increasing anti-US sentiments.
Bangladesh: Proposed International Airport Stumbles Over Environment Controversy
A recent venture by the Bangladesh government to takeover 25000 acres of wetlands (Arial Beel) 60km South of the capital city of Dhaka, for a proposed International airport and satellite city led to protests and violence in the area. Netizens too, reacted strongly to the government proposal citing the environmental impact and damage to the livelihoods.
Zambia: Mines Audit Reveals Massive Tax Evasion
The issue of windfall tax on Zambia’s main export, copper, refuses to go away for the current administration of President Rupiah Banda which it removed a couple of years ago apparently because of low international copper prices at the time. The latest issue is the revelation that mine companies, or at least one of them, Mopani Copper Mines is involved in a massive tax evasion scam.
Sudan: May the wind of change sweep through the Upper Nile
Following the triumph of the Egyptian people, tweets are flowing from Sudan to Egypt with one clear message, "May the wind of change sweeps toward the valley of the Upper Nile.”
Argentina: 26 Years Since the Death of Julio Cortázar
Today, February 12, 2011, marks 26 years since Argentine writer Julio Cortázar died of leukemia. Simon Kofoed writes about the author's life in argen-times.
Peru: Inambari Hydroelectric Project Generates Rejection
The Inambari hydroelectric project in the Peruvian Amazon jungle has sparked public debate and generated rejection due to its potential impact on the local ecosystem and because 80% of the energy produced will go to Brazil. Inambari would be the fifth largest central in the region, with an installed capacity of 2,200 megawatts, and its construction will require an investment of U.S. $4 billion.
Gabon: Students Protest, Army Deployed
Gabon's political crisis reached new heights on February 10, as students protested at Omar Bongo University in the capital city, Libreville. Whereas riots last week involved mainly the opposition, the confrontation appears to be developing into a wider social conflict.
Bangladesh: Tea Shops In Bangladesh
Bangladesh Unlocked reports with pictures about the different tea shops found in Bangladesh.
Venezuela: Hugo Chávez Marks 12 Years in Office
On February 2, 2011, President Hugo Chávez celebrated 12 years in power. Venezuelans have made Twitter their platform to discuss the country's situation and what for one side means 12 years of the government's mistakes, and for the other the revolution's accomplishments.
Sudan: Southern Sudan becomes Africa's newest nation
Southern Sudan has officially become Africa's newest nation after Southern Sudanese voted for secession from the north. Official referendum figures released on Monday showed that 98.83 per cent of voters from the south chose to secede from the north. This is a roundup of reaction to referendum results.
South Korea: Backlash After '30 Minute’ Pizza Delivery Death
A popular Domino's Pizza marketing strategy promising pizza delivery within 30 minutes of an order has met with a public backlash in South Korea, following the deaths of several young delivery personnel.
Russia: Citizen Bloggers of 2010
After a decade in the wilderness, Russian civil society is finding a powerful voice online. Alexey Sidorenko and Oliver Carroll profile seven citizen bloggers who are leading this charge. A co-publication with openDemocracy Russia
Egypt: Tahrir Square's Mini Utopia
There is another side to the ongoing revolution in Egypt, which is the daily life of those people sitting in on Tahrir Square. For the past 12 days, they have remained on the square, eating, drinking, chanting, cheering - simply living there day and night. Life here has its own rhythm now, and the spirit on diplay is of a mini Utopia.
El Salvador: The Left Assumes Presidency of Legislative Assembly
Repudiation, joy or indifference have been the various reactions of the Salvadoran blogosphere in the face of a representative of the leftist FMLN party assuming the presidency of the Legislative Assembly - the Salvadoran congress - for the first time since the party has parliamentary representation.
Egypt: Citizen Media Exposes Violence During Media Black Out (Graphic)
During the five-day long media and communications black out in Egypt, activists succeeded in circumventing censorship, filtering out videos that captured the violence occurring on the sidelines of the "revolution," away from the peaceful scenes of ordinary traffic in downtown Cairo broadcast by State TV. Videos are graphic in nature. Viewers discretion is advised.
Nepal: At Last a New Prime Minister
Pradeep Kumar Singh reports that Jhalanath Khanal becomes the 34th prime minister of Nepal after numerous election attempts since the resignation of Madhav Kumar Nepal on June 30 last year.
Colombia: Car-Free Day in Bogotá
On February 3, the city of Bogotá held a Car-Free Day --a day when restrictions are placed on the circulation of private vehicles. The day is designed as a strategy to raise environmental awareness and improve vehicular traffic. Twitter users from Bogotá tweeted their opinions and reports about the day.
China: The coming of age of Political Confucianism?
The unveiling of the Confucius statue in Tiananmen Square last month has renewed the debate about Political Confucianism as the state ideology of China.
‘You're next, Kim Jong-il!’ Korean Peninsula Watches Egypt
News of the Egyptian revolt has reached the Korean peninsula, and speculations are rising in South Korea about whether it could spark mass protests in North Korea. South Koreans overthrew their own military regime in the 1980's with mass public protest, and are voicing their support for the Egyptian protesters.
Mexico: Reactions to “Racist” Remarks on BBC's Top Gear
Comments on the BBC's popular car show Top Gear calling Mexicans, "lazy, feckless, flatulent," and "overweight" have caused mixed reactions among Mexican bloggers.
Georgia: Blogger action in support of evicted IDPs
Following the eviction of IDP families from Abkhazia and South Ossetia, bloggers in Tbilisi, Georgia, have joined ranks with protesters demanding an end to their often forcible relocation and demands for proper housing.
