Stories about Citizen Media from September, 2012
Singapore: Charity Group Targets Poor Children in Laos and Vietnam
A group of seven professional Swedish women based in Singapore have formed the charity organization Together for Charity. Today, the group gathers donations to support an orphanage in Laos and an English school in Vietnam. The group's founders discussed with Global Voices how their charity work is helping poor children in the region
Afghans Show Restraint Over Anti-Islam Film
In spite of fears, Afghanistan saw relatively muted protests a result of the anti-Islam film Innocence of Muslims. On the internet front, YouTube was blocked and Afghan hackers targeted a Christian website.
Georgia: ‘Broom Revolution’ as Elections Approach
Thousands have protested in the Georgian capital, Tbilisi, after videos showing physical abuse in the country's prison system aired on some television stations and were shared on YouTube.
The Pain of Being Physically or Mentally Challenged in Pakistan
Being a physically or mentally disabled person in Pakistan is a very painful existence because society finds it exceedingly hard to accept people who are a bit different, and who need a little special care. In this post, differently abled people from Pakistan talk about their experiences.
Philippines: TEDxDiliman Trends on Twitter
More than 100 attendees trooped to the University of Philippines campus in Diliman to witness TEDxDiliman 2012. Several recognizable personalities were invited as this year's speakers. Meanwhile, on the internet, netizens eagerly followed the event via livestream. The hashtag #tedxdiliman quickly became a local trending topic.
Chinese ‘Soft Power’ Expands in Africa with CCTV
Chinese state-controlled media, China Central Television (CCTV), launched its African regional bureau in Nairobi, Kenya on January 11. While its presence has diversified the media landscape in Africa, some have been rather skeptical of its journalistic independence.
Chile: Netizens tell Mexican President-Elect to “Go Away”
The President-elect of Mexico, Enrique Peña Nieto, started his visit to Chile on September 20, 2012. Between protocol visits, dinners and protests, netizens made a call on Twitter for him to leave the country.
Environment: World Rhino Day
22 September 2012 is World Rhino Day. Currently there are an estimated 4,800 black rhinos and 22,000 white rhinos in Africa.Current poaching levels could see both species extinct in the wild by as early as 2025! Here is an animated clip about the rhino horn trade.
Zimbabwe Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai’s Controversial Wedding
Zimbabwean Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai’s controversial wedding on 15 September continues to spark debate and discussions online. After his planned civil wedding was blocked by the court, Tsvangirai went ahead with a traditional ceremony.
Uganda: Teenage Girl Becomes Africa's Youngest MP
Africa is truly rising and African women are rising with it. Currently, Malawi and Liberia have female presidents. Now Uganda has elected the youngest Member of Parliament in Africa - she is 19 year old Proscovia Alengot Oromait.
Brazil: Reflections of a Country Searching for Peace
Brazil is 83rd among 158 ranked nations in 2012's edition of the Global Peace Index, having fallen nine places since last year's. In the wake of International Peace Day Global Voices shares reflections and initiatives by Brazilian bloggers on the subject.
Belarus: Early Voting Boosts Turnout Amid Calls to Boycott Elections
The parliamentary election in Belarus is to take place on Sunday, Sep. 23, but the early voting has already begun, and the turnout may end up being high, despite calls to boycott the vote.
UK: A Geeky Marriage Proposal
Dan Braghis proposed to Global Voices Author, Sylwia Presley in a pitch session at Oxford Geeks event, #OGN28, and she said yes! Congratulations!
El Salvador: Reflecting on the Future of Blogs
Like many netizens around the world, Salvadoran bloggers are discussing the future of blogs. Prompted by a blogger who has decided to put his blog "on hold", bloggers Fernando Marroquin and David Mejía react to the changing Salvadoran blogosphere.
Russia: Activist Journalists or Bolshevik Bloggers?
Anyone following the Russian protest movement cannot help but notice the degree to which many Russian journalists are involved with the opposition. In the age of Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, such interpersonal relationships are clearly visible to outside observers. But what does this overlap say about Russia's journalist culture?
Portugal: Demonstrations During Presidential Meeting with State Council
Following September 15's massive anti-austerity protests around Portugal ‘Screw troika! We want our lives’, new demonstrations were organized for September 21, the day President Cavaco Silva is holding a meeting of his advisory State Council at the Belém Palace. Follow hashtags #15sPT, #CE21s and #QueSeLixeaTroika on Twitter for updates.
Guinea: Fightings Between Peuls and Malinkes Erupt in Conakry
Guinée TV1 reports that clashes between Peuls and Malinkes [fr], two of the largest ethnic groups in Guinea erupted in Madina, a borough of Conakry. Protesters blocked Conakry’s main bridge and barricaded other roadways, according to witnesses, who said security forces were deployed but did not intervene right away.
Togo: Waves of Women in Red March Down Lomé for Political Reform
Several thousand women dressed in red marched in Togo's capital Lome on September 2Oth demanding political reforms. The Association Let's Save Togo posted several photos [fr] from the march.
Mozambique: Musician with a Cause
Ruben Mutekane invented Ndjerendje, a musical instrument that he uses to accompany social intervention songs while singing around Maputo, Mozambique. In the following video by Miguel Mangueze (@FotoMangueze)…
Senegal: ‘Completely White’ Whitening Cream Stirs Outrage
Lightening the skin is a common practice in Africa where the sale of skin lightening products is legal in many countries. In Senegal, a product named 'Khess Petch' is creating controversy on the web, as its name means 'complete whitenesss'.
Mexico: #YoSoy132 Tackles Media Democratization
The Mexican youth movement #YoSoy132 has presented a document on media democratization. Marco Antonio Gómez Lovera in the blog Vivir México [es] outlines and analyses the group's proposals.