· February, 2009

Stories about Governance from February, 2009

Colombia: Another Illegal Wire Tapping Scandal

  25 February 2009

The news magazine Semana recently revealed that the "secret police" of Colombia had been illegally wire tapping politicians, journalists, magistrates, intellectuals and even government officials close to President Álvaro Uribe. Even worse, some of these agents allegedly had been “selling to the highest bidder” the information obtained to guerrillas, paramilitaries or drug traffickers. Colombian bloggers react to these revelations.

Bangladesh: BDR Mutiny And Gunfires

  25 February 2009

Unheard Voice is live blogging and posting pictures of gunfires and battles inside the headquarters of Bangladesh Rifles (BDR), the paramilitary forces of Bangladesh. Apparently this is a mutiny and senior officers were reported killed. More roundups and news are available at The 3rd World View and BDfact.

Fiji: Samoan PM criticisizes Fiji's government

  25 February 2009

Bloggers in Fiji and around the Pacific are remarking on recent comments by Samoa’s Prime Minister harshly criticizing Fiji’s military government. Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi said in an interview that he believes Fiji’s self appointed Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama has no intention of relinquishing power. He also called on the people of Fiji to reclaim its government

China: Control 2.0 Mastermind

  25 February 2009

David Bandurski from China Media Project gave more background about the propaganda event in the “eluding the cat” case, especially on the mastermind behind the control 2.0 strategy.

Hong Kong: Defending freedom of speech

  24 February 2009

On 22 Feb 09, more than a hundred Hong Kong people took on the street to voice out their concerns about the alarming shrinking of freedom of speech in Hong Kong. The protest was proposed by the Citizens’ Radio and supported by other democratic institutions including Save RTHK Campaign, Hong...

New Zealand: Blog ‘Blackout’ protest stalls anti-pirating law

  24 February 2009

A large swatch of New Zealand’s political blogosphere shut down its websites for a half-day on Monday, February 23 in protest of a copyright law that could have required internet service providers from disconnecting users who download pirated materials like movies or music

Brunei: The nation turns 25

  24 February 2009

Brunei Darussalam celebrated it's twenty-five years of independence yestderday. To celebrate the Silver Jubilee, a grand parade was held at the National Stadium. Brunei blogs are buzzing with colourful photos of the historic occasion and many bloggers are sharing their aspirations for the nation.

Afghanistan: Prison, Poverty and Politics

  23 February 2009

While the Obama administration has announced that an additional 17,000 troops will be sent to Afghanistan to confront the rising insurgency, Afghan bloggers keep talking about the daily challenges facing Afghans such as a women in prison, poverty and political tensions. Baktash Siawash, a Kabul-based journalist and blogger writes [en]...

Global: Convoy to Gaza Makes History

  23 February 2009

History was made yesterday in the Maghreb as a convoy headed from the UK to Gaza was allowed to pass through the border between Morocco and Algeria, which has been closed for nearly 15 years. The border closed in 1994 after Morocco suspected Algerian involvement in the attack of a Marrakesh hotel.

China: Closer Look at the 50 Cent Party Member

  23 February 2009

If you want to take a closer look at the 50 cent party members, read RConversation. Last month, Beijing Association of Online Media held a meeting regarding illegal content, in which “40 representatives of Internet supervision volunteers” had attended.

Ukraine: Obstacles and Hope for Museums

  23 February 2009

Linda Norris of The Uncataloged Museum lists legal and other obstacles that Ukrainian museums are facing, but concludes her post on a positive note, writing about some of the museum employees she has met: “They make minimal salaries, work in conditions that are hard to imagine (no heat, for instance,...