Stories about Citizen Media from February, 2015
New Minister Threatens to Shut Down Zambian Independent News Site
The site has been blocked within Zambia on numerous occasions, and reporters have been arrested because of suspected associations with the website.
35 Years Later, Óscar Romero’s Martyrdom Is Recognized
The Vatican has formally canonized Salvadoran priest Monsignor Romero, who was murdered in 1980 for speaking out against the police.
Trolling Russia's Hearts and Minds
Last week, users of the image-board 2ch.hk launched a campaign to test Russians’ gullibility, when it comes to information about the Donbas separatists’ “fallen heroes.”
A Social Media Timeline of the Copenhagen Killings
Two people were shot dead in Copenhagen during separate events over one weekend. See how the violence unfolded through the lens of social media.
Creating a Media of Empathy One Letter at a Time
How can we, as media makers, help create more empathy through our reporting? How can we stop punishing people by our failure to make their stories relevant to everyone?
Film: The Art of Ama Ata Aidoo
The Art of Ama Ata Aidoo is a film by filmmaker Yaba Badoe: The Art of Ama Ata Aidoo, explores the artistic contribution of one of Africa's foremost women writers, a trailblazer for an entire generation of exciting new talent. This feature-length documentary charts Ama Ata Aidoo's creative journey in...
Moroccan Forces Accused of Abusing Sub-Saharan Migrants
"There were six buses waiting for us, we were ordered to climb. Then we drove for several hours into the desert. We had no indication where we were going."
Nepal Is Home to the World's Leading Tiger Conservation Park
Chitwan National Park has become the world's first tiger refuge to be accredited by the new Conservation Assured Tiger Standards (CA|TS) from the Tigers Alive Initiative.
Despite Prosecutor's Mysterious Death, Argentina's President Faces Charges Over Alleged Terrorist Attack Cover-Up
Argentina's president and foreign minister stand accused of interfering with the investigation into the 1994 AMIA bombing in Buenos Aires and helping to cover up Iranian involvement.
Ecuadorian President Threatens Internet Satirists
On television, Correa recently mentioned CrudoEcuador, claiming it's part of a network "paid by the opposition to discredit the government." Correa even threatened to expose the identity of CrudoEcuador's writers.
Ukrainian MP Pushes for Carbon Copy Of Russian Blogger Law, Meets Resistance
A member of the Ukrainian parliament suggested bloggers in Ukraine should be required to verify information in their posts and disclose their personal data to the authorities.
The African Union is Failing South Sudan
David K. Deng argues that the African Union is failing South Sudan after deciding that the African Union Commission of Inquiry on South Sudan (AUCISS) should not release its report: On the evening of 29 January, African heads of state gathered in Addis Ababa for a meeting of the African...
Social Media Is Changing How Consumers in India Interact With Companies
Got a complaint? When consumers in India do, around 25% of them post their grievances online before lodging their complaint in court.
Turkey Mourns a Female Student's Brutal Death
News of the horrific murder of a female student last week opened up the discussion about gender-based violence in Turkey, and public anger came steaming out.
Egypt in Mourning Over Brutal Execution of 21 Coptic Christians by ‘ISIS in Libya’
Egyptians mourn the loss of 21 Coptic Christians after Libyan branch of ISIS posts gruesome video of their beheading.
Greeks See Reason for Hope After Anti-Austerity Syriza's Election
The debt crisis hit Greece hard, and the country has limped along under unpopular austerity measures. For many Greeks, Syriza's electoral win has given them a reason to hope again.
Emerging Threats in Cybersecurity Legislation in Africa
Access, an international human rights organization is troubles by emerging threats in cybersecurity and data protection in Africa. Ephraim Kenyanitto explains: The Convention was originally scheduled to pass in January 2014, but was delayed for modifications after protests by the private sector, civil society organizations, and privacy experts—all of whom...
Is Nigeria's Postponed Presidential Election Really About Security?
Security forces will be conduct a six-week special operation against Boko Haram so "they would rather not be distracted by the elections." Some think the postponement is a political strategy.
Wave of Arrests in France for ‘Advocating Terrorism’ After Charlie Hebdo Attack
Over 100 criminal charges have been filed for "terrorism advocacy" since the attacks, occasionally against minors, oftentimes for reasons that have little to do with the true fight against terrorism.
Mozambique Governor Becomes Target of Backlash—Simply Because She's a Woman
Stela Pinto was nominated as Gaza province's first woman governor, but ever since she's endured attacks on her reputation, including the circulation of obscene photos said to be of her.
Leaving With the Hope of One Day Returning: A Dominican Man in Spain
"At first I slept on the street, always in parks, but without fear because when you have nothing you're not afraid. Then things got better."
