Stories about Governance from March, 2015
Watch John Lubbock's ‘Istanbul: The Politics of Architecture’
John Lubbock shares with Global Voices his newly made documentary on contested heritage and cultural legacies in Turkey's largest city.
Croatian Women's Rights Activists Don't Only Take to the Streets—They Rename Them
For International Women's Day on March 8, residents of Croatia's Rijeka woke up to discover activists had changed the names of many streets to honor forgotten female figures.
Look What Large-Scale Mining Did to These Four Beautiful Philippine Islands
"We cannot remain deaf and blind to the excesses of mining while our people suffer the consequences of actions not of their own making.”
#Pyrawebs: Online Activism Against Metadata Retention Bill in Paraguay
The retention of metadata coming from the digital environment has special relevance in Latin America, where throughout history several dictatorships have spied and collected private data to implement a policy of terror. Paraguay is not an exception. Nowadays, Paraguay is a democracy, but the use of data recalls the dangers of...
Leaked Wiretaps Appear to Confirm Election Fraud Suspicions in Macedonia
As Macedonia's wiretapping scandal develops into a full political saga, newly leaked conversations among government officials have revived allegations of fraud during the 2014 election.
Cartoons Condemn State Brutality in Myanmar After ‘Police Thugs’ Attack Student Rally
-"In our country, we train dogs to take care of violent acts." -"In our country, we train people to conduct violence."
The Houthi and Hadi Confrontation is Taking Yemen to a Dangerous Place
Hadi is building a rival power center in the south against the Houthis, a ten-thousand strong tribal militia that forcefully occupied Yemen's capital Sana’a on January 20.
Seeking ‘Brave Journalists’ in Spain to Investigate the TTIP Trade Agreement
Opponents of the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership between the European Union and the US find the lack of transparency concerning. A popular Madrid assembly wants journalists to investigate.
Diary of Journalist Pedro Canché Herrera, ‘Prisoner of Conscience’ in Mexico
Pedro Canché Herrera is awaiting sentencing on sabotage charges, after recording video and interviewing protesters. He describes his experience and thoughts on free expression on social media.
Singapore Blogger Who Criticized Court Case of Anti-Gay Sex Law Fined for ‘Scandalizing the Judiciary’
"The prosecution of Alex Au for speaking out is just one more example of Singapore’s willingness to misuse law to gag its critics."
Why the Roof of the World is Covered in S**t
Foreign climbers and Nepalese authorities share the blame for a famous mountain covered in different kinds of debris, including lots of the human kind.
Spain and Latin America Celebrate Open Data Day
One again, bloggers, hackers, designers, experts, as well as citizens interested in open data and transparency will meet to celebrate International Open Data Day 2015 all over the world to promote the opening of government data. The event is expected to have online meetings but also in-person activities all over...
Macedonia’s Massive Illegal Wiretapping Operation Allegedly Monitored Journalists and Diplomats
As a four-year-long wiretapping scandal unravels in Macedonia, online users draw attention to the lack of media coverage and the history of the characters behind the story.
From a Promising Boxer to a Casualty of the Lyari Gang Wars in Pakistan
Talha Baloch was originally from the coastal Balochistan city of Gwadar. But after a series of career dead ends, he moved to Lyari, Karachi, known for producing excellent boxers.
Indian State Maharashtra’s #BeefBan Means Eating a Burger Can Send You to Prison
"Congratulations Maharashtra: it is now safer to be a cow than a woman, Dalit or Muslim in the state."
Smart Cities Hackathon in Venezuela
Global Datafest is organizing the Smart Cities Hackathon, held simultaneously in 27 different cities around the world. The Venezuelan edition of the Smart Cities Hackathon calls on programmers, big data experts, urbanists, public officers and communications specialists who have an interest in developing technological solutions for issues related with the...
As Floods Inundate Madagascar, Government Is Slow to Provide Relief
Madagascar is going through another extremely difficult time, with a large part of the country being inundated by floods. Residents have uploaded photos of the devastation to social media.
A Move to Recognize Same-Sex Marriage in Japan Reveals Hidden Prejudices
If the statute is passed it will be the first time same-sex unions will be recognized by Japanese law.
Children Having Children: No School for Young Brides in Nepal
Last year, 4,000 Nepalese brides were younger than 15-years-old. In parts of the country's southern lowlands, over half of marriages involve girls younger than 12.
Aggressive Protests and Fake Images Stoke Tensions Between Hong Kong and China
Tensions between Hong Kong and mainland China are on the rise again, a situation that seems to suit Chinese authorities in Beijing.