Stories about Digital Activism from January, 2009
Barbados: Journalists Concerned
The Barbados Association of Journalists writes in its blog that it is “concerned by the recent notices issued by the Labour Department requiring freelance media personnel to register with the Chief Labour Officer and pay fees of $550…this action is unprecedented in the history of our island and in our...
Bahrain: Bloggers united against decision to block websites
Bloggers in Bahrain are fuming at a decision by the country's Minister of Information to block access to scores of websites, as well as prevent access to proxy sites which enable surfers to get to sites in a round about manner. Ayesha Saldanha reviews reactions from Bahrain.
Arab World: “We Stopped Saying Israel…”
A message on Twitter calling upon Arabs to stop saying Israel has snowballed into a movement across the Arab world, in this latest twist of the ongoing online war following the Israeli bombing of Gaza. Anas Qtiesh reports from the front lines.
Bulgaria: Martin Borilski Petition
Maya's Corner writes about an online petition to “[demand] just sentences for the culprits and punishments for prosecutors and judges responsible for the outrageous acquittal” of two Bulgarians implicated in the murder of Martin Borilski, a Bulgarian student, in Paris in 2000.
Egyptians are Going Local
Inji, an avid Egyptian blogger and young economist who is distraught by the numerous emails and SMS messages calling for boycotting products, decided to “boycott the boycott” and take it to a positive extent. Nermeen Edrees brings us the story.
Bahamas: Planting Trees
“One million new trees planted in the Bahamas by October. Its an ambitious goal, and the most worthwhile always are”: Womanish Words has joined the campaign.
St. Vincent & the Grenadines: Call for Justice
“Let the courts speak loudly on behalf of all the little children whose voices are silenced by these criminals”: Blogging from St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Abeni is all for throwing the book at sexual offenders.
Cuba: Political Prisoners
Diaspora blogger Uncommon Sense reports on the experience of some of Cuba's political prisoners because he believes that “it is a truth that one day will set them, and their country, free.”
Haiti, U.S.A.: Obama & Abortion
Haitian diaspora blogger Finian says: “This is where Obama loses my support. I believe abortion on demand is wrong.”
India: What Is Info-activism?
Aparna Ray at Newsmericks explains ‘info-activism’ with a limerick. Read it here.
Russia: Anastasia Baburova's Blog
Excerpts from the blog of Anastasia Baburova, a 25-year-old journalist killed in Moscow last week, translated from Russian – at OpenDemocracy.net.
Russia: “Should People of Color Go to Russia?”
Moscow Through Brown Eyes wouldn't advise “a young person of color” to come to Russia for long-term study: “The world is large and there are many options. You shouldn't have to fear for your life every day.”
Poland: Back Home From the UK
the POLSKI blog writes that due to the crisis, many Poles are returning home from the UK – and others are encouraged to by a UK-based organization called “Poland Street.”
Latvia: Riga Riots Followup
A followup on the Riga riots: Free Speech Emergency in Latvia reports on “an informal movement of non-violent resistance, called The Penguins (Pingvini).”
India: A New Blog School
Gautam Ghosh reports that the India blog school has organized a training program for Bloggers in Agra recently.
Bulgaria: School Access for Disabled Kids
Maya's Corner translates excerpts from Mogilino, a Bulgarian-language blog, on how the “Bulgarian authorities deprive disabled children of education.”
EU: The Launch of Bloggingportal.eu
Kosmopolito announces the launch of Bloggingportal.eu: “The new place to read EU blogs and keep yourself updated on the EU blogosphere.”
Russia: LJ and “the Western Powers”
IZO writes that “the importance of the Russian LiveJournal blogosphere is leading the Western Powers to suck up to the leading bloggers and infiltrate the discussion sites.”
Hungary: New Flickr Group With CC-Licensed Photos
Antal Dániel of Central Europe Activ writes that he has started a Flickr group that “has only Creative Commons licensed photographs taken in Hungary.” One of the photos there was taken by Flickr user vi4kin at the Great Market Hall in Budapest, and is accompanied by a description (ENG, RUS)...
Madagascar: More reports President Ravalomanana has fled
Several bloggers and a Malgasy media website report that President Ravalomanana has fled the country. Still others say the rumors of Ravalomanana's departure are false.
Live Tweeting Madagascar: Antananarivo on fire, rumors of president fleeing
Citizens in Madagascar, twittering via internet and SMS, report that several buildings in Antananarivo, the capital, are burning and the President has left the country following days of protests.
