Stories about Digital Activism from August, 2013
South Korea: 4500 Catholic Leaders Protest Against the Spy Agency Scandal
Prominent citizen journalist Media Mongu posted a Youtube video of Catholic leaders denouncing the state spy agency's interference in the presidential election. His description read ‘an unprecedented number of 4502 clergy members have gathered at Sogang University, the alma mater of the current President Park, to release a manifesto that calls on President...
UNICEF India Sounds the ‘Red Siren’ to #ENDviolence Against Children
While gender-related violence continues to rock India, with rape frequently making the headlines, a new campaign by UNICEF India turns the lenses on increasing sexual violence against children.
South Koreans Call for Medical Checkups for Rescue Workers Dispatched to Fukushima
As it turns out radioactive water leaks at Japan's Fukushima plant are ‘much worse than‘ the authorities are willing to admit, South Koreans call on government to provide regular and thorough medical checkups for 108 Korean rescue workers dispatched to Fukushima immediately after the crisis. An online petition [ko] urging medical care for the...
“Me & My Shadow”: Protecting Data on the Net
The Internet, mobile phones, and other such achievements of progress have become essential aspects of human existence, and have simplified communication between people and integrated them into a new space.
A Historian's Pessimistic Farewell to Macedonia
Historian, analyst and blogger Harald Schenker, who has lived in Macedonia since 1999 and is now moving to Switzerland, created social network buzz with his farewell post, addressed to a “failing Macedonia”, in which he provides a diagnosis for the country's demise and a plea for rebuilding Macedonian society. The...
Choosing ‘Exile’ Over Break-up, US Citizens Follow ‘Banned’ Spouses Abroad
Families tell their stories online through social media, where they also raise awareness about their cases and pressure US legislators to include their families in the much anticipated immigration reform.
Crowdfunding Project in Brazil Seeks to Finance Independent Reporters
Non-profit journalism agency Publica is launching a crowdfunding projecy to support independent investigative jounalism.
Chelsea Manning Case Surfaces Issues of Transparency, Security, Journalism, and Sexuality
What Chelsea (formerly Bradley) Manning's case means for whistleblowers, journalism, state secrecy, security, and the transgender community.
Are Female Vigilantes The Answer To Stop Rapes In India?
India, reeling from the news of another woman gang-raped in Mumbai, is searching for a way to stop these sexual crimes.
Leaked Chinese Document Warns Against the Evils of Western Values
The directive reaffirms President Xi Jinping's political conservatism despite his economic reforms and tough stance on corruption.
Charges Dropped for South Korean Indicted for Retweeting North Korean Messages
Park Jeong-geun, a photographer/activist who was sentenced to 10 months jail term for satirically re-tweeting messages from a North Korean official account, was found not guilty [ko]. A flurry of tweets congratulating him were sent to Park's Twitter account (@seouldecadence), who tweeted after the verdict [ko] that there is a chance the prosecutor may...
Jailed Blogger's Mother Begins Hunger Strike
The mother of jailed Iranian blogger Hossein Ronaghi Maleki has now joined him in a hunger strike to raise awareness for his plight.
Special Probe into South Korean Spy Agency's Electioneering Falls Flat
The investigation does not seem to be enough to quell public anger, which continues to grow over the agency's campaign of Internet posts that smeared the opposition.
Regional Elections Offer Russian Opposition No Escape from Internecine Conflict
As regional races heat up with less than a month to go before the September 8, 2013 election day, Russia's opposition parties are engaging in their usual tactics of attacking each other.
‘Dark Is Beautiful’ Campaign Questions India's Skin Colour Prejudices
Skin-bleaching products are a multi-million dollar industry in India, where fair skin is believed to be a precursor to success and dark skin is viewed as ugly.
Death Threats Follow Cartoonist Latuff's Criticism of Brazil's Military Police
Known for political cartoons drawn with simple strokes and acidic humor, cartoonist Carlos Latuff believes he is in danger due to his recent jabs at the military police.
Iran: Jailed Blogger on Hunger Strike
Hossein Ronaghi Malki a jailed blogger who is serving a 15-year sentence in prison started his hunger strike last week.A Facebook campaign has been launched to support him.
Spanish Government's Complaint Box Causes Boomerang Effect
Why has the Spanish government's "complaint box" caused such controversy? Elena Arrontes explains.
School Teacher Becomes Target of Political Prosecution in Hong Kong
Pro-Beijing groups and the Hong Kong government are going after a school teacher who swore at police officers as they allowed a group of Falun Gong protesters to be harassed.
30 Years Ago: Remembering The Anti-Tamil Pogrom And Riots In Sri Lanka
To remember Black July, the anti-Tamil pogrom and riots in Sri Lanka during July 1983, citizen journalism website Groundviews launched a special online publication titled “30 Years Ago“. It consists of an array of contents, from mixed media triptych to info-graphics, audio podcasts to video, photography to compelling write-ups. According...
Saudi Judge to Jailed Activist: You Need a Lawyer? Aren't You a Man?
Umar Al-Saeed is the youngest ACPRA member to face trial and imprisonment for his opinions and activism. He is in jail because he refused to be interrogated without a lawyer.
