Stories about Citizen Media from June, 2014
Iran's Internet Under Hassan Rouhani: Hope and Disillusionment as Narenji Bloggers Face Prison Sentence
What explains the recent moves to tighten controls within Iran’s cyberspace alongside Rouhani’s liberal Internet ethos? Mahsa Alimardani and Fred Petrossian explain in this exclusive #longread for GVA.
Russia Claims to Have Forced Twitter into Submission Ahead of Crowell's Moscow Visit
Ahead of a meeting between Twitter and Russia’s chief censorship outfit, Moscow is signaling that Internet giants like the world’s most popular microblogging service must conform to Russian sovereignty.
The Humanitarian Tragedy of Children Emigrating Alone
From Mexico, Katia D'Artigues, author of the blog Campos Elíseos (Champs Elysées), writes about the children who see themselves forced to emigrate on their own [es], and calls this a “humanitarian tragedy”: Son niños que son orillados a cruzar la frontera solos. No lo hacen por aventura, sino porque muchas...
Russia's Irresistible Putin Swag
Last week, two fashion designers opened a kiosk in a shopping mall outside Red Square, selling t-shirts celebrating Vladimir Putin. Within a day, they'd sold over five-thousand.
Russia Says the Internet Spreads Extremism
Russia’s Interior Ministry has drafted a ten-year strategy for countering violent extremism. The plan identifies the Internet as the main conduit for extremism and calls for new policing measures.
Beyond the World Cup Headlines: Protests in Brazil, a Jailed Writer in Cameroon and Foul Play From Fans
You have to know more than just football to understand the World Cup. Deji Olukotun gives a play-by-play of the important free expression and human rights issues.
Why Some Cameroonians Protested the Visit of This Cote d'Ivoire ‘Warlord’
National Assembly President Guillaume Soro, who led the rebellion against Ivorian President Laurent Gbagbo that sparked civil war in Cote d’Ivoire, was greeted as a unwelcome "rebel."
The Darker, More Violent World Cup Kick-Off in São Paulo That You Didn't See
Just before Jennifer Lopez and Pitbull performed in São Paulo's Arena Corinthians, dozens of protesters and journalists were injured in a heavy-handed crackdown against anti-World Cup demonstrations.
Urban Pakistani Musicians Jam With a Rural Folk Singer and Create Something Beautiful for the Internet
The video for "Sarak Sarak" was published on Facebook, SoundCloud and Vimeo, but not YouTube - that remains blocked in Pakistan.
Chile Sends Spain Packing in Stunning World Cup Defeat
In a duel of the "Reds", Chile defeated the defending world champion Spain, knocking the latter out of the World Cup.
“We are Leaderless” in Cuba
In an emotional post by Rafael González, author of the blog El Microwave, he questions: Are any of us willing to sacrifice time, prestige, fortune and emotional stability in support of an improbable change in the climate of the state of affairs in Cuba? The author builds on multiple issues...
Russia's Failed e-Democracy?
Last year, the Kremlin launched an online portal where citizens can propose and vote on their own legislative ideas. The e-democracy experiment disappointed many, however.
Analysis: How Pakistani Politicians and Fake Accounts Drove Twitter Trends on Lahore's Rare Political Violence
Twitter users in Pakistan picked up on the unusual violence immediately, and three different hashtags specifically targeted the government.
Celebrations Take Over Chile Following its Historic Triumph Over Spain
Chileans all over the country celebrated their victory over Spain in the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil. From Arica to Antarctica, we've compiled photos from Twitter of the celebrations.
Bermuda: Football, The British & Brazil
120 years ago, two Scots brought a football to Brazil and the rest is history, according to an article written by Breezeblog.
Barbados: No Love in the Cemetery
As a mourner discovers exposed skeletal remains and discarded bits of coffins in a local cemetery, Barbados Free Press laments “the latest indignities to buried friends and relatives”.
Tajik Government Silent on “Disappeared” Global Voices Contributor
Tajik authorities have allegedly paraded University of Toronto researcher Alexander Sodiqov, who disappeared three days ago, on television in an apparent attempt to discredit him and an opposition politician.
Mozambique's President Gives Back Former Leaders’ Laws of Privilege to Parliament
The citizenship in Mozambique comes up as the greatest winner in the process. Nonetheless, it's expected a new analysis of the returned laws to the Republic Assembly House, it could be said that: only a battle has been won and not the war.
A Tale of Two World Cups in Fortaleza, Brazil
Before Brazil and Mexico battled it out in Fortaleza, the streets were taken over by people protesting FIFA and the government and by Mexican fans in high pre-match spirits.
Social Media Loves Mexican Goalkeeper ‘Memo’ Ochoa
The very much lauded performance by Mexican goalkeeper Guillerno “Memo” Ochoa during his national team's World Cup match with Brazil has made him a social media star. The Mexican music band Tres Tristes Tigres dedicated a “corrido” to Ochoa on YouTube: Ochoa has also received a marriage proposal from the well-known singer...
Reasons to Cheer for the Ivory Coast in the World Cup
On the website LaMula.pe, Juan Carlos Urtecho explains his reasons for supporting the Ivory Coast in the World Cup match with Colombia on Thursday, June 19: Desde que les ganaron a Japón en su debut, los marfileños se han vuelto mis preferidos en este mundial. […] Uno escoge a sus...
