Stories about Digital Activism from March, 2015
#Pyrawebs: Online Activism Against Metadata Retention Bill in Paraguay
The retention of metadata coming from the digital environment has special relevance in Latin America, where throughout history several dictatorships have spied and collected private data to implement a policy of terror. Paraguay is not an exception. Nowadays, Paraguay is a democracy, but the use of data recalls the dangers of...
Video: Campaign to Stop the Sale of Steve Biko's Autopsy Report
Artist and social entrepreneur Nomsa Mazwai (Nomisupasta) and some friends got together to collect signatures for a petition to stop the sale of Steve Biko‘s autopsy report. Watch the YouTube video of the campaign:
You Will Never Find Stories About Famine, Idi Amin or Joseph Kony on This Site
Talented Ugandan writers take to the Internet to tell positive stories about the country: We will be honest with you. Stories about poverty porn, hunger, Ebola, tribalism and all negative stories about Uganda, you will never find them here. This is a site to celebrate the positive stories about The...
Gender Perspective Comes to Puerto Rico's Public School System
"Even though it isn't an end in itself, this step is a tremendous instrument in favor of human rights in Puerto Rico."
Diary of Journalist Pedro Canché Herrera, ‘Prisoner of Conscience’ in Mexico
Pedro Canché Herrera is awaiting sentencing on sabotage charges, after recording video and interviewing protesters. He describes his experience and thoughts on free expression on social media.
International Women's Day: One Date, Billions of Contexts
Although International Women's Day was first spearheaded by socialist groups, and focused on working women, the day has now taken on distinctive forms in different locations all over the world.
Spain and Latin America Celebrate Open Data Day
One again, bloggers, hackers, designers, experts, as well as citizens interested in open data and transparency will meet to celebrate International Open Data Day 2015 all over the world to promote the opening of government data. The event is expected to have online meetings but also in-person activities all over...
Macedonia’s Massive Illegal Wiretapping Operation Allegedly Monitored Journalists and Diplomats
As a four-year-long wiretapping scandal unravels in Macedonia, online users draw attention to the lack of media coverage and the history of the characters behind the story.
#FragaWantsToPost: A Brazilian Activist Has Been Forbidden From Protesting for Two Years
Ricardo Fraga’s right to protest has been legally suspended for the last 728 days. He cannot post or mention anything about the high-rise construction project that is changing his neighborhood.
Blogger Law Violations Go Unpunished in Russia
Since the infamous 'blogger law' came into power in Russia seven months ago, Roscomnadzor documented 67 violations, but not a single blogger has been punished for swearing or religious offenses.
‘Eat My S***, Mother****ers!': A Newly-Elected Councillor Causes a Stir in Tajikistan
A city councillor who struggles in Tajikistan's state language, Tajik, has used the language to hit back at her critics in a rather rude way.
Mexican Protesters Show Creative Activism
@faeriedevilish, blogging for Infoactivismo, reflects on the need to be creative in communicating our protests. Along those lines, the author explains the importance of creativity while referring to protesting events in Ayotzinapa, where photocopies of the victims’ faces were used to attract and generate awareness about the terrible incidents. Illustrators...
Madagascar's Citizens Save Themselves As Country Floods
Global Voices profiles four citizen initiatives that are providing relief to populations affected by Madagascar's new floods.
As Floods Inundate Madagascar, Government Is Slow to Provide Relief
Madagascar is going through another extremely difficult time, with a large part of the country being inundated by floods. Residents have uploaded photos of the devastation to social media.
Fact Checking the Conflict in Eastern Ukraine
The citizen activists fact checking the conflict in eastern Ukraine believe their approaches are more honest and revealing than the narratives spun by either the Ukrainian or Russian state-controlled media.
Macedonian NGO Develops First Ever Android and iOS App to Battle Hate Speech
Macedonian Metamorphosis Foundation has developed a first among mobile applications – an app against hate speech, aiming to bring information from this area to the fingertips of mobile phone users and help them battle this odious occurrence on the Internet. The app, available for free download both Android and iOS users, was...
