Stories about Digital Activism from August, 2009
Sri Lanka: TEDx Colombo
The Ultimate Change posts videos and links of the TEDx Colombo event, which was held last month.
Barbados: Press Threats?
A senior political figure allegedly threatens a newspaper editor, prompting Barbados Free Press to comment: “Bajans know that our country has not enjoyed true freedom of the press in two decades or more.” Keltruth Corp. adds: “The Nation [newspaper] is getting all bent out of shape because somebody threatened to...
Jamaica: Never Can Say Goodbye
Snailwriter says that a recent road trip across Jamaica has been like saying goodbye to so many natural treasures: “I have been an advocate for the natural environment for more than twenty years…and now I must face the fact that still, after all the effort, our natural resources are put...
Armenia: Homophobia turns deadly
Even if homosexuality was decriminalized in Armenia in 2002, society remains largely intolerant and traditional in its values. With blogs providing LGBT activists with a medium through which to voice their concerns, such fears can now be highlighted more openly than before.
Serbia: Threats to LGBT Population
Serbia's gays are facing plenty of problems - and on Sept. 20, they are planning to hold a gay pride parade in Belgrade. Sinisa Boljanovic reviews some pro and contra reactions published on Serbian blogs and in other online venues.
Iran: Tohidloo, a reformist blogger was released
Somayeh Tohidloo, an Iranian female reformist blogger, walked free [fa] from jail today. She had been arrested 71 days ago.
Russia: Flag Day Rally
LJ users daria_mas and alter-gregor post photos (RUS) from the opposition rally that took place in Moscow on Russia's Flag Day and ended with riot police detaining some of the activists.
Iran: Testimonies of torture and rape
The Iranian authorities have been accused by UN experts and the opposition of torturing protesters of the June 12 presidential election results. Iranian civil society activists have been using citizen media to highlight testimonies about the Iranian tragedy.
Puerto Rico: Public News Channel Dismantled
The newsroom of Puerto Rico's only public channel was practically dismantled recently, allegedly due to budget cuts. The Puerto Rican blogosphere has been loaded with comments.
Haiti: A Dissident is Here
“Government authorities in Haiti face recent criticism over allegations that they continue to jail political dissidents”: Wadner Pierre says that calls are mounting for the release of Ronald Dauphin, who was an activist with the Fanmi Lavalas movement of former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide.
Anguilla: Parental Responsibility
“The object is not to punish the parent. The object is to convince the parent that he or she needs to do more to monitor and supervise…their child”: Corruption-free Anguilla makes a case for why parents should be held accountable for the actions of their children.
Afghanistan: Voting Day
Millions of Afghans defied Taliban threats and voted Thursday in the country’s second-ever presidential elections. Afghan bloggers share their experiences and feelings on this historic day.
Iran: March 18 Movement film in competition
March 18 Movement film is in competition in Bitfilm Festival. The March 18 Movement was born out of a tragedy. On this day in 2009, Omid Reza Mir Sayafi, Iranian blogger and journalist, died in Evin Prison in Tehran.
Pakistan: 100Pakistanis
“100Pakistanis is an initiative (and blog) started with the aim of sifting through existing information on Pakistan and presenting it in a concise and revealing way, ranging from simple lists and slide-shows to animated infographics,” informs All Things Pakistan.
South Africa: Register for Digital Citizen Indaba 4.0
You can register for the annual Digital Citizen Indaba taking place next month in South Africa: “It is now possible to register for DCI 4.0 from the Highway Africa website as DCI is a Highway Africa project.”
Iran: Televised Confessions Spur Video Cyber-Activism
Video confessions are serving as a form of cyber activist protest for those against the forced confessions and political drama in Iran.
Syria: On Berkman's Arab Blogs Study
Syrian blogger Razan Ghazzawi shares her thoughts on the Berkman Center’s Internet & Democracy team study that analyzes and maps the dynamics of the Arabic blogsphere.
Haiti: H1N1 Vaccination
“The H1N1 virus is not as deadly as the common cold. The panic and fear being generated…stands to enrich the powerful pharmaceuticals who will make gianormous profits from any mandated vaccination”: The Haitian Blogger examines the issue.
Trinidad & Tobago: Counting the Cost
Trinidadian Rhea Mungal's photo blog entries question the ecological cost of the proposed aluminium smelter.
Georgia, Russia: More on DDOS Attacks
More on the recent DDOS attacks – by Evgeny Morozov of Foreign Policy's Net.Effect – here and here.
Brazil: Newspaper tries to silence a blog and the blogosphere reacts
Roberto Moraes [pt] publishes a list of bloggers who have written in solidarity with his blog, after a lawsuit was filled by Folha da Manhã newspaper [pt]. The blogger asks: “Is a media organization that tries to silence other opinions reliable?”
