Stories about Digital Activism from November, 2008
Brazil under flood: Bloggers form solidarity networks
While mainstream media was first slow to report news of the grave floods that have devastated the south of Brazil and then sensationalized the tragedy, bloggers responded by creating a network of support. This post explores the difference in the approaches between conventional media professionals and amateur and freelancer produced news blogs.
Blogging Positively: Live Chat about HIV/AIDS on December 3
Rising Voices and Global Voices are holding a live online chat for bloggers and activists on Wednesday, December 3, 2008 (3pm Nairobi time) on how to use citizen media to help improve awareness and information about the AIDS epidemic. The chat will be facilitated by Kenyan bloggers Serina Kalande and...
Japan: Mainichi's Wikipedia Slip-up
Ignoring the fact that Wikipedia timestamps are in GMT and not JST (Japan Standard Time), on the 18th of November the Japanese newspaper Mainichi Shimbun published an article entitled, “Attack on the former vice-Director's home: crime announced on the Internet six hours earlier… hinting at the crime?”, in which a Wikipedia contributor (”Popons”) was erroneously identified as involved in the attempted murder of Kenji Yoshihara, wife of former vice health minister Kenji Yoshihara. Bulletin board commenters quickly spotted the mistake, and bloggers responded with criticism, but the Wikipedia editor in question was apologetic about the ordeal.
Korea: The Birth of Internet Netizen Legend
A new Hong Gil Dong [EN] emerged on the Internet of Korea! A netizen who is just known as “Minerva” started writing his economic analysis in Agora—a Netizens’ panel— in a major portal site, Daum from 2007. He predicted the collapse of Leman Brothers, sudden jump in the foreign exchange...
Macedonia: “The First (!?) Macedonian Webcomics”
Filip Stojanovski of Razvigor :-) reports that “[a]t last an independent Macedonian artist has started publishing a genuine webcomics [MKD].”
The Baltics, India: “The Dangers of Turning a Minority into an Underclass”
Lithuania-based Andrei Khrapavitski of Belarusan American Blog reflects on the events in Mumbai and suggests there might be a “lesson for the Baltics” there: “I know any status comparisons of Muslims in India to a Russian minority in Latvia or Estonia would be more than far-fetched, nevertheless I can see...
Croatia: Creator of Anti-PM Facebook Group Arrested
Svetlana Gladkova reports on Profy on the arrest (and the subsequent release) of a Croatian man who created a Facebook group (HRV) “I bet I will find 5,000 people who do not like [Croatia's PM Ivo Sanader].” The group now has over 9,000 members.
Tunisia: Facebook Case Thrown Out of Court
A Tunisian court threw out a case against the censorship facing Facebook, brought about by blogger and journalist Ziad El Heni against the Tunisian Internet Agency (ATI).
Iran: Do not Execute Farzad Kamangar
Several human rights activists and bloggers warned that Farzad Kamangar, a teacher and trade unionist may be executed in the near future in Iran. Farzad Kamangar, who is from Kurdistan province in Iran, is accused of being affiliated with the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK).
Japan, S. Korea, China: the Second International Congress of Asian Hemp Industry
Blogger Takashi reports [jp] on the Second International Congress of Asian Hemp Industry (第２回アジア大麻産業国際会議) held in Donghae (Korea) at the Hangzhong University from the 20th to the 23rd of November, 7 years after the first congress took place. Participants from Japan, China and South Korea [jp] debated the hemp industry...
Cuba: Youth Activist Jailed
Diaspora blogger Uncommon Sense highlights the plight of a Cuban youth activist who “was sentenced this week to 3 years in prison for ‘offenses against authority.'”
Puerto Rico: Status Quo?
“Our struggle for self-determination, to be free from outside impositions, is ideological and it is not what's best for the majority of the people who live here”: Gil the Jenius answers some tough questions about Puerto Rico's status.
Haiti, Venezuela: Chavez's Change
The Haitian Blogger believes that Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is the driving force behind “a global change agenda that gives voice to the poor and dispossessed.”
Dominica: Sexual Offences Act
Dominica's Speaker of the House thinks that non-consensual sex – even within marriage – should be deemed criminal and Chris at Dominica Weekly agrees: “A lot of men in Dominica believe that once a woman says ‘I Do’ – that she has given up all her rights as a human...
Trinidad & Tobago: Licensing Issue
As the license plate of the Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister's car is deemed “illegal”, Jumbie's Watch writes two scathing posts on the matter, here and here.
Cuba: Indebted
“If Cuba was a household, the repo man would have been sent in a long time ago”: Child of the Revolution examines Cuba's balance sheet.
India: Lack of Original Citizen Media Reporting
Gauravonomics Blog analyzes the role of social media and citizen journalism in the 11/26 Mumbai terror attacks and opines: “The (..) terror attack was a time for first-hand original reporting, and the Indian blogosphere didn’t quite rise to the task.”
Thailand: Airport takeover and Twitter
Twitter has become an interesting and good source of information about what is happening in Thailand. Twitter users in Bangkok have been exchanging travel tips, news updates, and opinions about the current situation.
Iran: Send Love to Iran
Pars Arts presents Bri Olson, an American artist who was recently able to achieve her goal of visiting and seeing the real Iran. She shares her experience in her blog: Send love to Iran.
Bulgaria: Inadequate Media Coverage
Veni Markovski writes about a recent case of misrepresenting Bulgaria in the International Herald Tribune and posts his letter to the editors. He also writes about the European Commission's decision to cut funding to Bulgaria (and so does The 8th Circle), and about Sofia mayor's explanation for a recent earthquake...
Ukraine: Daily Posts on Street Children
A whole month of posts and photos featuring street children in Ukraine – at Scenes From the Sidewalk. Some highlights: a photo report on a visit to a Ukrainian jail; photos of Ukrainian street kids from six years ago – here and here; the ‘before’ and ‘after’ pictures from the...
