Stories about Digital Activism from September, 2010
Venezuela: Using Crowdsourcing to Report on Elections
Through video, pictures and links, citizens can report on any event or incident related to the upcoming September 26 elections in Venezuela thanks to Dale Poder A Tu Voto [es] (Give your vote power), a site modeled after Ushahidi. The site uses crowdsourcing to promote transparency, participation and education.
Iran: Jailed blogger, Hossein Derakhshan (“Hoder”) may face death penalty
Tehran's prosecutor is seeking the death penalty for jailed Iranian blogger Hossein Derakhshan ("Hoder"). The judge has not yet ruled. Derakhshan stands accused of “collaborating with enemy states, creating propaganda against the Islamic regime, insulting religious sanctity, and creating propaganda for anti-revolutionary groups.” He was arrested 22 months ago.
Iran: Prosecutor seeks death penalty for Derakhshan
A knowledgeable source told Global Voices that Tehran's prosecutor seeks death penalty for Hossein Derakhshan, jailed blogger. Judge Salavati hasn't ruled yet. He has been accused of “collaborating with ennemi states, doing propaganda against Islamic regime, insulting religious sanctities and doing propaganda for anti-revolutionary groups.”
Lebanon: Bloggers with Battle Scars
“It was always embarrassing to attend Arab bloggers’ conferences as a “Lebanese” blogger. Everyone else had real battle scars… So we really had nothing to contribute to discussions of activists who really put their neck on the line facing Arab tyrants,” wrote Jamal who was commenting on the arrest of...
Russia: “Luzhkovectomy”
The Moscow Diaries, The Power Vertical, and The Kremlin Stooge weigh in on the Moscow mayor Yuri Luzhkov scandal.
Ukraine: “Let's Make Kyiv Clean!”
Info on the upcoming Let's Make Kyiv Clean! volunteer initiative, scheduled for Sept. 25 – at letsdoit.org.ua (UKR). During the previous clean-up event, held on June 5, some 500 volunteers worked in 18 Kyiv's parks and gathered 2,280 kg of glass and 371 kg of plastic bottles.
Bahamas: Petition Power
“It is good to be reminded that the environmental movement in my country is on the watch and bringing pressure to bear when this kind of threat is looming”: Womanish Words is signing a petition against the establishment of a shark fishery.
Ecuador: Twitter Campaign Against Car Accidents
#sitomasnomanejes [if you drink, don’t drive] is the recent Twitter campaign to reduce the number of deaths from traffic accidents in Ecuador. Twitter users have been hashtagging #sitomasnomanejes amidst the nationwide commotion caused by recent and fatal car accidents and a discussions regarding the country’s new traffic law.
Colombia: The Case of J.J. Rendón, ‘he who can't be named’
Tomáz Garzía, a Colombian blogger and cartoonist, revealed through his blog that he had received an email from the legal representative of controversial Venezuelan Juan José Rendón, demanding that he erase the content where he refers to Rendón's participation in the recent Colombian presidential elections. Twitter users and bloggers have reacted to the email, emphasizing the right to freedom of speech.
Azerbaijan: Bloggers to require registration?
As the use of new and social media starts to surface in the run-up to the 7 November parliamentary election in Azerbaijan, In Mutatione Fortitudo reports that there are now calls for bloggers to be considered similar to journalists. While on the surface such a suggestion sounds positive, the accompanying...
Azerbaijan: As elections approach, social networking steps in
On 7 November, Azerbaijan will once again head to the polls to cast their ballots in the upcoming parliamentary elections. The pre-election campaign won't officially start until 23 days before election day itself, but there already some signs of activity appearing on Facebook.
Chile: Bloggers and Social Network Users Question Bicentennial Celebrations
On September 18 Chile commemorates 200 years of its Independence from Spain with a Bicentennial celebration. But the date has generated reactions from bloggers and Twitter users who are relating the celebrations to a prolonged hunger strike by the Mapuche indigenous group and other current issues of concern for the Chilean people.
Jamaica: Palisadoes’ Defeat
Snail Writer blogs about the “environmental defeat” of the Palisadoes spit, “that jointed arm that holds Kingston Harbour in loose embrace”; Labrish echoes her “lamentations for Jamaica’s special places of natural beauty and the alarm at the lack of environmental consideration given to these places that are the heritage of...
Palestine: Sending A Message With Social Media
Arjan El Fassed made headlines last year for having a street in a Palestinian refugee camp named after his Twitter account, and has been involved with an online initiative in which people can request messages to be spray-painted on the West Bank wall. In this interview with Global Voices he talks about the potential of social media to help the Palestinian cause.
Hungary: Another Silence Decree Blows a Gasket
Marietta Le reports on how Budapest residents are resisting the newest 'silence decree' that requires bars, restaurants and 24-hour shops in one of the city's districts to close early.
China: Online Game: Nail House Vs. Demolitionists
ESWN translates a local report introducing a recent hot online game in China – Nail House Vs. Demolitionists.
Nicaragua: Sexual Diversity in the National Blogosphere
In the middle of the debate over legalizing same-sex marriage in Nicaragua, a blogosphere showcases the view of sexual diversity and provides information on issues affecting the LGBTI community in the country.
I Paid A Bribe: An Endeavor in India
“Bribed? Didn't bribe? Powerless? Victimised? Angry?" I Paid a Bribe is encouraging citizens in India to tell their stories of bribery and corruption and is using these stories to identify the most corrupt departments and processes in the country.
Russia: Paid and Unpaid Bloggers Against the Moscow Mayor
An ongoing TV and online campaign against Moscow mayor Yuri Luzhkov is now one of the most discussed topics both in the mainstream and citizen media. Most bloggers appear to support the attack on the politician. Alexey Sidorenko analyzes the main patterns of the discussion.
Blog Carnival: Ecuador: Internet, Society and Participation
Global Voices in Spanish is pleased to announce a new Blog Carnival, which this time targets bloggers from Ecuador, with the topic: "Internet, Society and Participation." Find out about how, when and where you can participate or get involved.
Afghanistan: Kabul Bank on the brink of collapse
Financial crisis is not a luxury reserved for rich countries. Kabul Bank in Afghanistan, which is part-owned by the brother of Afghan President Hamid Karzai, is on the edge of a $1 billion collapse.
