Stories about Digital Activism from April, 2014
Censorship Forces Navalny to Abandon LiveJournal
Russia's most famous blogger (or as he describes himself: "corruption fighter, son, husband, father") has been forced to move away from the blogging platform that launched him to fame.
Trinidad & Tobago Water Recycling Project Not “Crystal Clear”
Despite the attributes presented by this project, there are grounds for serious concern as to the process adopted and the actions of the various public officials involved. Afra Raymond has concerns about the plan by the Water and Sewerage Authority of Trinidad and Tobago, in conjunction with the National Gas...
Ecuador: Civil Society Takes On Private Copying Levy
In Ecuador, the debate over private copying levies continues, and the prospect of an additional tax on data storage devices for music and videos is on the table.
Jailed Iranian Blogger's Letter Speaks of Torture
The blogger known as Siamak Mehr writes an open letter from a small cell with 40 inmates. He is serving a 4-year sentence for writing a blog.
Russian Internet Hipsters Are Out For Blood
A cautionary tale about the dangers of ill-conceived Facebook status updates, or perhaps about the growing threat of RuNet's epistemic closure.
In Havana, a Book in Exchange for Nothing
"This book belongs to whoever finds it in exchange for giving it away again after reading it so that other people can enjoy it."
Remote Hubs in Asia for NETmundial Internet Governance Meeting
NETmundial, which will bring together people from a variety of backgrounds to discuss the principles of Internet governance, is set to be held in São Paulo on 23 and 24 April 2014. It will also have 33 remote hubs in 31 cities spread throughout 22 countries that will allow for...
Inmate at Greece's Infamous Korydallos Prison Commits Suicide
Prisoners have used Twitter to publicize the conditions at the prison, so horrible that a prosecutor once refused to enter and inspect the hospital ward because she “has family”.
Satirist’s ‘KFC’ Podcast is Litmus Test for South Korean Free Speech
A satirist and prominent social critic has returned to the airwaves in South Korea after being acquitted on charges of defaming the president.
Top 10 Russian-Language Tweets, Week 14 of 2014
At the end of each week, RuNet Echo collects the top ten Russian-language tweets and curates them for Global Voices readers.
Donations Prolong Life of Opposition TV Station
The week-long telethon that started at the end of March has collected enough funds to maintain broadcasting for just over 53 days.
GV Face: The USA's Secret “Cuban Twitter”
A secret US plan to support regime change in Cuba with a Twitter-like messaging service called ZunZuneo has now come under the spotlight with news reports that thousands of Cubans were duped into signing up for the service under false pretenses. Will there be consequences for digital activists worldwide? Some...
Campaign to Unfollow “Occupied” Opposition Twitter
Many @lentaruofficial fans were incensed at the perceived usurpation, and started a mini-campaign to get people to unfollow the "zombie" impostor.
Online Protest as Trinidad Muslims Detained in Venezuela
Protests in front of the Venezuelan embassy in Trinidad have also gone virtual, after local Muslims were detained over an alleged plot to overthrow the government of President Nicolas Maduro.
Coming Soon! Rising Voices Microgrants for Amazon Communities
Rising Voices will be launching a microgrant competition next month for digital citizen media projects in the Amazon region which is home to many indigenous communities. Thanks to Avina Americas, Fundación Avina, and the Skoll Foundation, we'll be offering this support with ongoing mentorship from the Global Voices community. Read...
Environmental Emergency: Drought Kills Thousands of Animals in Colombia
More than 20 000 animals are reportedly dead due to the drought in Casanare, Colombia. Citizens and activists are using social networks to attract attention to this environmental emergency.
Mozambique Wants to Criminalize ‘Insulting’ Texts, Emails and Internet Posts
The proposed law, soon to be submitted to parliament, would criminalize text messages, emails and other types of online posts that "jeopardize the security of the state".
Delayed Construction Works in Brazil Fuel “(un)Happy” Video
The contagious feeling triggered by Pharrell Williams’ viral music video “Happy” inspired citizens of Porto Alegre, Brazil, to take advantage of the fact that their city holds the Portuguese word for “happy” in its name — but rather to express what's making them unhappy. The video shows people dancing joyfully in front...
The Joke is on the Media: April Fool's in Ethiopia
Ethiopians on Twitter are celebrating April Fool's day with fake news headlines that imitate the lies of state owned media. Says one Ethiopian tweep: “They broadcast black deceptions 365 days a year, and we are giving back to them dozens of false headlines as much as we can”. Follow and...
