Stories about Digital Activism from December, 2010
Mexico: Indigenous People Denounce Mining Project on Sacred Site
The Indigenous Huichol People of Mexico are denouncing a Canadian mining project that is threatening one of their sacred sites and that, if completed, would endanger their health and water supply.
Poland: Blog Forum Gdansk
Arzu Geybullayeva writes about this year's Blog Forum Gdańsk, highlighting Polish bloggers' views on some of the issues discussed at the event.
Iran: “Security forces broke passwords and control emails”
Moslehi, Iran's Minsiter of Intelligence, says [fa] that Islamic Republic's security forces brokes protesters’ passwods and control their emails.
Trinidad & Tobago: A Vote vs. Human Rights
Trinidad and Tobago bloggers are upset about their country's abstention on a UN vote regarding an amendment to a resolution “condemning extrajudicial, summary, or arbitrary executions” which “restores a reference to sexual orientation in the list of groups of people particularly targeted in extrajudicial killings.”
Cuba: A Cuban Christmas
Iván's File Cabinet says that “although the city does not have a Christmas atmosphere…in their way, Cubans celebrate Christmas.”
Brazil: Act in support of WikiLeaks
The video of a debate in support of WikiLeaks, with the participation of its Brazilian representative, Natália Viana, and many cyberactivists, is available at the blog Maria Frô [pt]. The event was promoted by Intervozes [pt] – an organization advocating for freedom of expression and the democratization of communication.
Global: New ‘Digital Rights Watch’ Wiki
Digital RIghts Watch is a new wiki for mapping legal issues like censorship, surveillance and intellectual property around the world.
Caucasus: The Year in Review
With 2011 nearly upon us, the year in new and social media in Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia during 2010 was surprisingly positive. So, what did the past year hold in store for the South Caucasus? Read on.
Michael Anti: Blogging the gap between China and Japan
GV Japan interviews Chinese journalist and activist Michael Anti.
China: Legal action threatened over #netfreedom violation
Sina blogger Wu Fei has written a letter to Tencent CEO Ma Huateng threatening legal action over the company's specific practice of filtering from QQ one term protected by the constitution and used across the Chinese Internet, government websites included: “freedom of speech”.
Belarus: More on the Post-Election Situation
Democratist and Jamestown Foundation Blog discuss the post-election situation in Belarus; Information Policy writes about the hijacking of “independent media sites” during the election.
Hungary: New Media Law and Censorship
BloggingPortal.eu and Hungarian Spectrum (here and here) discuss Hungary's new media law. According to BloggingPortal.eu, “[u]nder this new law, a National Media and Communications Authority (NMHH) will be set up – a body that Reuters reports will be ‘dominated by people loyal to the ruling Fidesz party.’ Members of this...
Cuba: “The Year of Zapata”
Uncommon Sense has declared 2010 “The Year of Zapata”. Read the blogger's full Top 10 List of Cubans who made a difference this year, here.
Haiti: Behind Cholera
“Cholera is a disease of the poor, of the disenfranchised. Poor people in poor countries. Cholera thrives where there is no clean water, where there is inadequate sanitation, where there are poor health systems”: Haiti Grassroots Watch takes an in-depth look behind the cholera epidemic.
Russia: Newspaper Announces Its Partnership with Wikileaks
Russian newspaper Novaya Gazeta known for its critical stance toward Russian authorities announced today its official partnership with notorious Wikileaks. This came as a punch toward less-known magazine Russian Reporter that, until now, claimed to be the official partner of Wikileaks.
Cuba: Making a Difference
Diaspora blogger Uncommon Sense continues his list of the Top 10 Cubans who made a difference this year.
Côte d'Ivoire: Online Campaign for Peace and Candlelight Vigil Launched
Responding to the call of Diaby Mohamed for a brainstorming on the crisis in Côte d'Ivoire, Ivorian Internet users decided to take action for peace in their country. The Facebook group “For Peace, nothing but Peace in Côte d'Ivoire” was created to promote “Opération Bougie et symbole blanc pour la paix“(fr)...
Cuba: Economics or People?
Laritza's Laws blogs about “economic readjustment…at the expense of the welfare of Cubans.”
Cuba: More Top 10
Uncommon Sense continues his list of the Top Ten Cubans who made an impact in 2010, here and here.
Côte d'Ivoire: Ivorian Internet Users Fear a New Era of Terror in Abidjan
The political crisis in Côte d'Ivoire is getting increasingly violent. According to the UN, 50 people were killed and 200 injured for the past three days. Traditional media were shunned from showing scenes of violence during some of the skirmishes but internet users managed to publish some video footage of the violence around the country.
Belarus: Tweets and Pictures of Another Post-Election Rallies
Despite Twitter has been blocked in Belarus, the Twitter hashtag #electby is updated every second. Lots of photos of the Belarus events available at picfog at the same hashtag.
