Stories about Digital Activism from October, 2008
Jamaica: Abuse of Power
As a Defence Force corporal already under investigation is involved in another shooting incident, Long Bench says: “This episode ought to go down as a classic case of how police brutality in Jamaica is aided and abetted by everyone who has had the power of the state to back them...
Kelele '09: African Bloggers’ Conference
Kelele is the Kiswahili word for noise. It is the name given to a gathering of African bloggers in the tradition of historical African societies where everyone has a voice. With too many voices marginalised or simply ignored in Africa society today for a variety of reasons, the organisers believe that the Internet in general and grassroots media tools such as blogs in particular represent the most powerful way in which to give Africans back their voice.
Russia: Dozens of LJ Blogs Suspended, Then Restored
Several dozen Russian LJ blogs – including quite a few top-ranking ones – got suspended for no obvious reason tonight, causing a massive LJ outcry. LJ user tarlith-history compiled a list of suspended blogs (RUS), calling the incident a “Blogocaust Night.” LJ user oleg-kozyrev called (RUS) what happened a “blogocide.”...
Egypt: Laila Echoes Reverberate in the Land of the Nile
In its third year, the Kolena Laila (We Are All Laila) campaign took a different turn, reaching out to women with no access to the Internet and giving them a chance to speak to the world. Nermeen Edrees reviews some of the voices which had a chance to be heard.
Russia, U.S.: LJ User Drugoi in NYC
LJ user drugoi, one of the most popular and prolific Russian bloggers, shares his wonderful photos of New York City - and his thoughts on some of the issues discussed on Oct. 17 at the Russian-language blogosphere conference at Columbia University School of Journalism - "Russia Online: Mapping the Russian-Language Blogosphere and Participatory Internet."
Haiti, U.S.A.: Powell's Edorsement
Far from being impressed by Colin Powell's endorsement of Barack Obama, The Haitian Blogger says: “In Haiti, Powell was the ‘Head Negro in Charge’ of dismantling Haiti's democracy and installing the Bush administration's goon, Gerard Latortue.”
Barbados, Trinidad & Tobago: Bad Publicity
As news surfaces of another tourist attack in Tobago, Bajan Global Report says: “Whether minor or major, we just can’t afford the publicity on tourist attacks. As guests in our region, the onus is on us to safeguard their stay…and make their desired destination a safe haven to be in.”
Barbados: Retail Prices
Barbados Underground thinks that consumers are being taken for a ride by retailers: “The time for bold strategies to tackle the issue of providing reasonably priced food to our PEOPLE has come.”
Jamaica: “Old Boy”
Jamaican Geoffrey Philp is brimming with pride over his alma mater.
Japan: Outlawing Illegal Downloads
id:seshiapple picks up [ja] comments from a thread on Japanese bulletin board 2-Channel in which IT journalist Daisuke Tsuda asks 2-channelers: “The outlawing of [illegal] downloads is almost finalized, do you have any questions?” As reported in an IT media article [ja] from Oct. 20th, Tsuda was the only member...
Japan: Insiders foretell Yamato Life's bankruptcy on 2-Channel
The effects of the American subprime loan crisis have arrived in Japan, and the first company fall victim to the outfall is Yamato Life Insurance Co. The Japanese mid-size insurer filed for bankruptcy on the 10th of October and applied to the Tokyo District Court for bankruptcy protection. Many bloggers, however, have been writing about a different angle to the story: at a thread on 2-Channel, Japan's largest bulletin board, insiders apparently reported the bankruptcy before it actually happened.
Hong Kong: Banana Politics
The Chief Executive Donald Tsang's policy speech last week didn't give people any surprise. The hottest subject is about Legislator Raymond Wong Yuk-man, Chair of the League of Social Democrats, throwing a banana at Tsang in the Legislative Council during the Q & A session. It marks the beginning of...
Afghanistan: Sayed Pervez Kambakhsh's Sentence Commuted to 20 Years
At least it's not death: An Afghan appeals court overturned a death sentence Tuesday for a journalism student accused of blasphemy for asking questions in class about women's rights under Islam. But the judges still sentenced him to 20 years in prison. The case against 24-year-old Parwez Kambakhsh, whose brother...
China: Microsoft vs. netizens
A hard battle is looming. Microsoft vs. millions of piracy users, international corporation vs. developing state, who will win the final victory?
India: Fail Camp
After successful Bar Camps an innovative “Fail Camp” is being organized in India, reports Kiruba Shankar. FailCamp is a friendly unconference where people get-together to share and learn from failures.
Cuba, U.S.A.: More than Politics
“Whatever you might think about Barack Obama or his economic plan, doesn't it diminish the suffering of the Cuban people to transform it into a mere debating point in order to discredit Obama's proposals?” Uncommon Sense says that Cuba deserves better.
Jamaica: Senseless Murders
“The government and the security forces just seem powerless in the face of these heartless crimes that are being committed in our small island”: Jamaican blogger Stunner says that the violence is hitting too close to home.
Cuba, U.S.A.: Havana & Obama
Havana-based blogger Circles Robinson comments on the US presidential campaign: “Most Cubans made up their minds on who they favor shortly after the Democratic Party primary ended. Not that people are enamored with either of the two major parties, but they at least see a ray of hope for improved...
Jamaica: Anti-Corruption Crusade
Kadene Porter of Abeng News Magazine blogs about Jamaica's Commissioner of Customs, who seems intent on rooting out corruption in his department: “He will need not only the unequivocal backing of the government, but the full support of the public and the endorsement of opinion leaders in the society.”
Guyana: Road Deaths
As a young reporter is killed in a road accident while on assignment, Living Guyana calls on her company to take some measure of responsibility for her death. Signifyin’ Guyana agrees: “It could just be the kind of thinking needed to curb road deaths in Guyana.”
Kazakhstan: LiveJournal Blocked
On October 7th, the Kazakhstani users have found themselves unable to access popular social network LiveJournal. This website is the most popular blogging platform in the Russian-speaking communities on the post-Soviet space. Bloggers in the neighboring Kyrgyzstan were also cut off – particularly, those whose ISPs use the facilities of...
