Stories about Digital Activism from February, 2013
Southern Brazil Marches in Memory of Nightclub Fire Victims
A week after more than 230 young people lost their lives in a horrific nightclub fire in the southern Brazilian city of Santa Maria, thousands gathered across the southern state of Rio Grande do Sul to pay homage to the victims.
The Bobs 2013: Now in Ukrainian, Too!
Deutsche Welle's 9th annual The Bobs online activism awards are now open for nominations of Ukrainian-language blogs [uk]. Ukrainian journalist Mustafa Nayyem, who is on this year's international jury panel,...
One Billion Rising: Global Day of Action, Fighting Violence Against Women
Every third woman will fall victim to rape or abuse in her lifetime. On February 14, 2013 an action day will take place worldwide to demand an end to the violence against women and girls. Countless events have also been organised in Germany and Switzerland.
Bangladesh: All Roads Lead To Shahbagh
The protests at Shahbagh intersection in Bangladesh's capital Dhaka continue for the fourth day. Protesters demand capital punishment for Jamaat-Islami leader Abdul Quader Mollah and other war criminals on trial.
Mexico's Social Media Love Revolution
By knowing the negative image Mexico has in international media, some people from the international community living in Mexico got tired of seeing how the positive side of the country gets lost and created the hashtag #ForTheLoveOfMexico.
Solidarity Rises from Southern Brazil's Sunday Flames
One day after the tragic fire in the Kiss nightclub, in Santa Maria, which wiped away the lives of more than 230 young people, a siren went off at Vila Liberdade, in the north of Porto Alegre. 90 of the 150 houses were consumed by flames and around 800 people became homeless. The main social networking sites were used as a tool for the gathering of information about the incident, as well as a way of asking for help for the victims.
Bangladesh: Protesters Demand Capital Punishment for 1971 War Criminals
Abdul Quader Mollah, the secretary general of Bangladesh's Islamist party Jamaat-e Islami has been sentenced to life in prison for murder, rape, torture and other crimes committed during the 1971 liberation war. But tens of thousands feel that justice has not been served. They want him hanged. Protests are spreading like wild fire across the country.
RuNet Freedom: a Pirate's Revenge
Amid brazen attempts to censor the RuNet, one group is fighting back. On February 4, the Pirate Party of Russia has announced a new specialized internet hosting service, called the PirateHost, created in retaliation to attacks on Russian internet freedoms.
Open Access and the Complexity of Digital Rights
How do ways of thinking change through time and space? Today, this problem concerning the way the human intellect works is compounded by a new method of transmission - digital. Open Access are calling for free availabilty of digitised publications from publicly-funded scientific research.
One Joke Too Many? Bhutanomics Satire Blog is Suddenly Blocked
Rousing suspicions that Bhutan's government does not appreciate the humor of political satire blog Bhutanomics, the website was blocked on January 12, 2013 from a major internet service provider with no explanation or warning.
Dear PSY, Don't Dance with the Prime Minister of Malaysia
Dear our idol, PSY, we love your song and we love how Gangnam Style could rock the party, however, please do not come to Malaysia. […] If you come to Malaysia,...
Japan's Press Freedom Ranking Drops
Japan has dropped from the 22nd spot to 53rd, recording the biggest drop of any Asian country, on the 2013 Press Freedom Index compiled by Reporters Without Borders. The report highlights lack of transparency and access...
Russia's Internet Censorship “Experiment”
A Russian federal region is about to embark on an "experimental" project aimed at censoring the internet. A joint effort by the Kostroma regional government and an NGO called the League of Safe Internet, it is similar in spirit to Russia's new internet blacklist.
Brazil Without Make-up
Brazilian LGBT activist @Rafucko posted a video on Youtube introducing the website “Brazil without make-up“. The initiative aims at demystifying many Brazilian stereotypes while criticizing the government of the city...
Massive Political Corruption Causes Outrage in Spain
The former treasurer of the governing Popular Party, Luis Bárcenas, is being investigated for paying bonus salaries under the table to well known public officers. The case has caused strong reactions that had led to protests on the streets and on the web.
Portugal: Authorities Bring Charges Against Women Activists
Following a series of demonstrations against austerity in Portugal, the country's national police force and the prosecutor general's office have faced heavy criticism for their decision to bring legal action against several protesters and activists. Among them, three women activists face justice: Myriam Zaluar, Mariana Avelãs and Paula Montez.
Wikipedia in the Hands of Children from Palestina, Peru?
On a video by Wikimedia Foundation, children from the community of Palestina, in Ucayali region, Peru, are shown using laptops from OLPC program, to create an article on Wikipedia about...
South Korea's Spy Agency Takes Criticism to Heart .. and Court
South Korea's most powerful intelligence agency is suing forensic psychologist Pyo Chang-won for defamation. Pyo accused them of serving the political powerhouse for their gains and called them "incompetent" and "declawed".
