Stories about Governance from December, 2008
Uganda: Being a journalist is unpredictable
Daniel Kalinaki, an editor at the Ugandan daily The Monitor, explains that being a journalist in Uganda is an unpredictable profession: this week the paper has received a letter to...
Morocco: “We Are All Gaza”
Rabat is 2,393 miles away from Gaza as the crow flies, but that doesn't stop Moroccans from feeling a strong sense of solidarity with Palestinians. As Israel's attacks against Gaza continue to worsen, Morocco's bloggers continue to speak out.
Egypt: The other side of Gaza’s story
"The Arab world decided that it will take a stand, and place the full blame on one party, and, here is the twist, it wasn't Israel or Hamas. They instead chose to blame Egypt" writes an Egyptian blogger in this post by Lasto Adri that illuminates the conflicting viewpoints and struggles felt by Egyptian bloggers over the recent Israeli Attacks in the Gaza Strip.
Bermuda, Grenada: Freedom of Information
Bermudian blogger Vexed Bermoothes reports that Grenada is in the process of introducing a Freedom of Information Act and public sector integrity legislation, with additional plans to “establish a common...
Iran: A new blog and military intervention in Gaza
Flight Destination: Gaza is a new blog created by Iranian Islamists who ask Iranian government for a military intervention in Gaza. Several Islamists also protested in Mehrabad airport against Iranian...
Iran: Two bloggers in jail
Iranian judicial authorities announced that Hossein Derakhshan was being held in prison in connection with his comments about key figures of the Shiite faith.In the same time several bloggers such...
Thailand: Revenge of the reds
Forget the yellow protesters who occupied Thailand’s airports last month. Today’s anti-government protests in Bangkok are organized by supporters of the ousted government. They have vowed to launch bigger street actions “to restore democracy.” Do not confuse them with the Left. They just like the color red.
Thailand: Text messages from the Prime Minister
On his first day in office, Thai PM Abhisit Vejjajiva sent SMS to his constituents. A sample of the text message: “I am your new PM. I would like to...
Myanmar: Nine activists arrested during peaceful march
It’s not a happy new year for nine members of the National League for Democracy who were arrested near the Parliament building in Rangoon, Myanmar on Tuesday while demanding for the release of Aung San Suu Kyi.
Egypt: Down sizing Car factory
In the middle of everybody's talk about Gaza's siege and Israeli brutal attack on Palestinians, Egyptian blogger Zeinobia is asking people not to forget Egyptian internal affairs. In her new...
Bangladesh: A Landslide Victory Is Not A Mandate For One Party Anarchy
Shada Kalo reminds the Awami League led Grand Alliance after their win in Bangladesh elections held yesterday: “A landslide victory does not mean a license to mess with the constitution...
Barbados: Football Match Mayhem
As four people are shot at a football match, Barbados Free Press says that this is “what happens when you combine no rule of law with no effective police force...
Southeast Asia: Controversies and tragedies of 2008
In the previous post (Southeast Asia: Newsmakers of 2008), I wrote about the major events that took place in Southeast Asia. In this article, I will highlight other stories which became controversial as well.
Israel: Consulate Holds Twitter “Press Conference”
Twitter gains 5,000 to 10,000 new users each day. One new user is the New York Israel Consul General, which is holding the first known Twitter government "press" conference on December 30 from 1-3 pm.
Korea: Raising New Candles against ‘7 Evil Laws.’
While welcoming 2009, Korea has another series of candlelight vigils against the government. The major political party, the Grand National Party, and the government presented new and revised bills. Among...
Serbia: Blogger Krugolina Borup Wins Disruption Prize
On Dec. 18, Sinisa Boljanovic wrote about Serbian blogger Krugolina Borup and her "Mother Courage" initiative. A few days later, Krugolina Borup (whose real name is Branka Stamenkovic) became the fifth laureate of the Disruption Prize, which Luna TBWA Agency has been awarding to individuals or organizations from Serbia for social liability and changing of social conventions.
The Current State of the India-Iran Pipeline
The New Horizon writes on the recent state of the ‘India-Iran Pipeline through Pakistan’ on the wake of the Mumbai attacks. The Acorn thinks: “It’s a bad idea to interlock...
China: Guarantee happiness
Joel Martinsen from DANWEI translated a local report on the government manipulation of a happiness survey in a local town so as to achieve the state targets for improving the...
Paraguay: The President's Name and Nepotism
Carlos Rodríguez of Rescatar [es] wonders which is Paraguayan president Fernando Lugo's true viewpoint regarding nepotism and relatives receiving help to find employment.
Iran Review 2008
According to the Berkman Center for Internet and Society there are around 60,000 active Iranian blogs. In 2008 they have been creative, dynamic and active in their diverse fields of interest. Here are a few of them.
The Global Twittersphere Discusses Gaza
Twitter is the new blogging, or so the story goes. Never has that been more apparent than in times of crisis: During the Mumbai attacks, Twitter users provided up-to-the-minute coverage, and today, as Israeli airstrikes continue to hit Gaza, the Twittersphere is deep in discussion.
