Stories about Digital Activism from June, 2011
Vietnam: Online patriotism versus China's ‘intrusion’
A rising number of Vietnamese netizens are expressing their patriotic sentiments in various social media platforms against what they describe as Chinese intrusions in Vietnam territories in South China Sea.
Hackers attack Vietnam websites
More than 1,500 Vietnam websites were reportedly attacked by hackers this month. Even the www.hvaonline.net, a popular forum for “web security technicians”, was attacked.
Macedonia: Half a Decade of Blogging
Zoriv has just celebrated [mk] five years of blogging. During that time, he has produced 2,031 post and received 16,793 comments, showing by example that a regular citizen can maintain...
Kazakhstan: Fighting Internet Piracy
Kazakhstan is undergoing a new scandalous development with regards the Internet – this time about regulation of copyright online. On 29 April, 2011, a special roundtable that brought together lawyers, industry representatives and state bodies took place, where the “three strikes method” of fighting piracy was presented.
South Korea: Actress-Activist Spearheads Protests with Social Media
In South Korea, entertainers are changing the political landscape by spearheading protests in social media. Among several influential comedians and actors, actress-activist Kim Yeo-jin, has been the most controversial figures for several weeks now for her active on and offline political engagement.
Russia: Video Reports From Anti-Seliger, Opposition Summer Camp
Oleg Kozyrev publishes a series of video reports [ru] from Anti-Seliger, a summer camp situated in the endangered Khimki city forest park. “The bloggers’ Woodstock” united digital activists, environmentalists, and...
Macedonia: Pro-Government Media Promote Protest Impostors
On the eve of the big protest against police brutality scheduled for Sunday afternoon in Skopje, several pro-government media outlets tried to manipulate the public by showing an anti-opposition announcement by a fake group of protestors.
China: Attack on a #netfreedom Blogger
For all the talk of Internet freedom, little of it takes into account the bleaker reality of inhabiting Chinese cyberspace. Influential tech blogger William Long addresses this with a post criticizing the destructive bent to China's hacker communities, which then brought on a multi-front attack against Long.
Saudi Arabia: Women Behind the Wheel
Several Saudi women took the wheel yesterday to break the siege on driving in Saudi Arabia, where women are banned from driving cars. The campaign to drive was announced on Facebook, and fueled by conversations on other social media platforms, such as micro-blogging site Twitter. Laila Sindi, from Jeddah, shares her experience in a series of tweets.
Malaysia: Hacktivist Group Attacks Government Websites
At least 50 other government websites in Malaysia were attacked by international ‘hacktivist’ group Anonymous last Thursday over the government’s proposed censoring of several file sharing websites. Online reactions were mixed.
Macedonia: Gathering Prohibited in a Public Space?
Vnukot informs that the Ministry of Culture has forbidden the protesters to gather on a small square behind the memorial house of Mother Teresa, violating their right to free assembly...
Azerbaijan: Jailed activist's mother detained
whatwaswritten translates a RFE/RL Azeri Service report saying that mother of Bakhtiyar Hajiyev, an imprisoned youth activist responsible for a Facebook page calling for pro-democracy protests in Azerbaijan, was detained...
Moldova: +1 Vote Campaign Buzz Ahead of Local Elections
Moldova’s capital Chisinau is set to witness another democratic exercise on June 19, when the final round of the local election will decide whether the city will have a liberal or a communist mayor. A group of bloggers has launched an online campaign to mobilize young people to go out and vote.
Cuba: Twitter Users Will Meet for the First Time
The first meeting of Cuban Twitter users was announced by @leunamrguez (Leunam Rodríguez), for July 1st starting at 4pm on central 23rd street and 12 La Habana. The event has had a tremendous welcome in and outside of Cuba.
Macedonia: Protest Achievements So Far
As more people act upon the awareness that the increasing visibility abroad or among foreigners within Macedonia is an important aspect of the ongoing protests, translations and original tweets/blog posts in various languages begin to appear, providing a more comprehensive picture of the developments.
Macedonia: Twitter as a Vehicle for the Protests
NewMediaMk has published an infographic about the use of Twitter by members of the Macedonian protest movement against police brutality.
Macedonia: Concerns Over Anti-Protest Collusion of Facebook and Police
The people currently protesting against police brutality in Macedonia have published an Open Letter to Facebook, expressing concern over “swift deletion policy” of their Facebook pages and events on behalf...
Chile: More than 70,000 March in Santiago Demanding Improvements in Education
According to the online version of Chilean daily El Mercurio, more than 70,000 people [es] are marching in downtown Santiago demanding improvements in education. Using the hashtag #junio16 (“June 16,”...
Cuba: Cervantes Continues Strike
“Protest by suicide is never an acceptable option,” says Uncommon Sense as he blogs about the failing health of a hunger striker, “but it is important to remember that Cervantes...
Iran: “One year suspended jail sentence for being a Facebook user”
Several sites reported[fa] Mostafa Akhavan was sentenced one year sentenced jail sentence by an Iranian court. Among his accusations we can read acting against national security,publishing slogans in Facebook, sharing...
Syria: 2.3km Flag at Pro-Government Rally in Damascus
Supporters of Syrian president Bashar Al Assad held a pro-regime rally today, carrying a 2.3km long Syrian flag in Mezzeh, in the capital Damascus, and chanting "The People Want Bashar Al Assad." Here are reactions from social media networks.
