Stories about Governance from March, 2011
Russia: Reaching Out to the President
Many projects have been recently created in Russia on the basis of crowdsourcing (or user-generated content (UGC)), when information on any particular topic is collected by internet users. Almost each one of these projects signalizes about a problem. Marina Litvinovich analyzed them and proposed a thesis that the success of these projects depends on their ability to establish their contact with the officials.
Syria: Protests for Release of Political Prisoners, 38 Detained
On March 15, following a "day of rage" in Syria, a group of around 150 protesters gathered outside of the Interior Ministry in Damascus, demanding the release of political prisoners. So far, at least 38 have been detained.
Russia: Tweets From State Duma “Internet Law” Hearing
Inna Smbatyan, analyst at “Social Networks” Agency, tweets [ru] from the Russian State Duma “Internet Law” hearing. The draft of the law that would regulate online activity in Russia can...
East Timor: Why is Transparency Important?
Curt Hopkins, from the blog ReadWriteWeb, comments on the Timor Leste Transparency Portal [en, pt, tet], recently launched by the Timorese Government. Hopkins raises some questions on the relevance of...
China: Netizens Admire Japan’s Post-Earthquake Behavior
Fauna from ChinaSMACK translates Chinese netizens comments on the orderly reaction of Japanese people to the earthquake.
Russia: Election monitors harassed
Putin Watcher reports on the threats, harassment, arrests, and beatings election monitors from the organization Golos have received while monitoring the recent regional elections in Russia.
China: Controversial Speeches from Party Members
The Fourth Session of the 11th National People's Congress (NPC) and Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) closed yesterday (March 14 2011) in Beijing. One-Party leadership was not a subject up for debate, so people have turned their attention to the speeches and proposals made by the so-called "people's representatives".
Jamaica: Enquiry Stalemate?
Jamaican bloggers discuss the latest developments in the Manatt Dudus Enquiry.
Russia: Will Prosecutor's Office Use Crowdsourced Data To Fight Illegal Gambling?
While discussing the issue of illegal gambling with the Prosecutor General, President Medvedev has stated that the Prosecutor's office can use crowdsourced data of gdecasino.ru, a mapping portal offering users...
Hong Kong: Panic Over Milk Powder Shortage
Hong Kong has been hit by a shortage in infant milk powder due to mainland Chinese customers buying large amounts of the territory's baby milk formula. Local Hong Kong parents have called for intervention policies from the government, such as a milk powder departure tax to stop smugglers from reselling for profit.
Afghanistan: Stinging critique of development aid
Nick Fielding reviews a former World Bank and French development agency director's stinging critique of international donors’ mistakes in Afghanistan between 2002 and 2010, emphasizing the lack of a coherent...
Brazil: Reactions to Egyptian and Middle Eastern Crises
From January 25, 2011, the world followed the course of the Egyptian revolutionary conflict, awaiting the fall of Hosni Mubarak, which finally arrived on 11 February after weeks of protest. In the wake of Egypt's crisis, the Brazilian blogosphere was filled with analysis, celebrations and prognoses for the future.
China: Microblogs Can’t Give Us Justice
China Media Project‘s fellow, Zhang Ming argues that microblog cannot give people justice, on the other hand, it may reinforce the myth of benevolent official come to deliver justice upon...
Azerbaijan: Great People's Day a pointless adventure?
In a critical post Analoqu olmayan bloq :) [AZ] comments on the 11 March pro-democracy protests staged by youth in Baku, capital of of Azerbaijan. The blog says that the event failed...
Cape Verde: Country's Development in a Year of Elections
Cape Verdeans headed to the polls to vote for members of Parliament on February 6. Global Voices recaps on how bloggers perceived the event, considering social issues to face, and how citizens envision their country's development.
Albania: “The Civil Alternative” Website
The Albanian Blogger writes about a new website, The Civil Alternative (ALB), which aims at “engaging people in dialogue and raising awareness as well as producing action about major issues...
Puerto Rico: Another senator convicted of corruption
Historian and blogger Ivonne Acosta reflects [es] on the recent conviction in the federal district court in Puerto Rico of the pro-statehood senator Hector Martínez on charges of corruption.
Iran:”Basij hackers will attack enemy websites”
Ali Fazli, a Basij leader, said that Basij (Islamic Republic's militia) hackers will attack enemy web sites.
Myanmar: Fishing at a no-fishing lake
Blogger dawn-1o9 posts a picture of a person fishing in Inya Lake in Myanmar. Fishing is not allowed on this lake.
Myanmar: Building of dams to defeat rebels
The Shan Herald quotes from green groups which describe the plan of the Myanmar government to build seven dams in the country as part of the junta strategy to defeat...
Myanmar: Issues discussed by parliament
State media New Light of Myanmar has published the transcript of the first regular session of Myanmar's parliament. According to the report, Myanmar has five newspapers, 170 journals, and 182...
