Far-Right Party Performs Strongly in Ukrainian Vote

While the results of the Oct. 28 elections in Ukraine are still being finalized, netizens are already discussing the anticipated outcome. Many are paying special attention to VO Svoboda, a far-right party, and its victorious leap over the 5% threshold necessary to get any Parliament seats.

Puerto Rico: Political Parties Reap the Benefits of Social Media

Social media have become a key part of daily life in Puerto Rico, a fact which has not escape the attention of the country's various political parties. Each of these has tried to capitalise on the enormous potential that social media offer, some with greater success than others.

Arab World: Sandy Unleashes Wrath of God on Infidel America

As the world turned its eyes to New York and New Jersey to follow the news of hurricane Sandy, and the destruction it has caused, many across the Arab world debated whether the storm was the embodiment of the wrath of God - unleashed against the infidels and in retaliation to US foreign policy. Seriously.

Japan: Election Tweeting Forbidden

Even though Japanese is the second most active language in the world on Twitter, for the country's political candidates, tweeting during election campaigns is forbidden. A group of young activists is seeking to change this situation.

Transcript of Catalan Journalists’ Video Against Their Libel Fine

Discover the transcript of some parts of the video that the editors of the Catalan magazine Cafè amb Llet uploaded to YouTube to comment on their recent libel sentence and fine.

Spain: Journalists Fined After Revealing Corruption in Catalonia

Marta Sibina and Albano Dante, editors of the citizen media magazine Cafè amb Llet, have been fined 10,000 euro for libel. They uploaded to YouTube a video strongly criticizing the lack of transparency in public healthcare financing in Catalonia, implicating Josep Maria Via, president of Barcelona MAR Health Park Consortium and healthcare advisor to Catalan President Artur Mas.

Afef Abrougui, Blogging From Tunisia

Afef Abrougui, a contributor for Global Voices in Tunisia, tells us about her experience in the demonstrations that took place in her country in 2011 and what she expects for the immediate future of Tunisian politics. She also shares with us some of her daily life and chores.

Syria Destruction in Photos

Syrian photographers are using social media to share images of destroyed neighborhoods and streets. Despite the limited media resources, what comes out shows the horrific reality that Syria is under destruction.

Protest Against Rohingya Persecution in Myanmar

Panama: Statements After the Chaos Unleashed by Law 72

The impressions of Panamanians and foreigners living in the country were immediate after the chaos unleashed by the approval of Law 72. This law, without consultation, promoted the sale of land in the Colón Free Trade Zone, a source of income for the country and this province that practically lies in ruins after having gone unnoticed by the government. The protests against the law have left four dead and dozens injured and detained.

Greece: Public TV Journalists Fired After Criticizing Minister

On October 29, two journalists, Kostas Arvanitis and Marilena Katsimi, were fired by the Greek Public Television (ERT) after analyzing claims by British newspaper The Guardian of police torture of Greek anti-fascist protesters in Athens, and criticizing the Greek Minister of Public Order. Explore this and other recent censorship examples.

Philippines: Online Shame Campaign Against “Epal” Politicians

With less than a few months before the 2013 national elections, various groups have launched an online shame campaign against the common practice of Filipino politicians to attach their names to government projects that are funded or assisted by their office. These politicians are labelled “epal,” a Filipino slang term meaning “attention grabber”

Chad: President's Plane Botched Landing in Kalait

Blogger Malaika reports [fr] that the plane carrying Chad president Idriss Deby botched its landing in the Kalait region. No one was hurt in the accident. The president was to take part in a forum on development and peace in the region.

Chile: The Day After the Municipal Elections

Last night's municipal elections were unusually interesting. First, they took place in the context of social unrest and mobilization. Second, polls aside, they were a real test of the government's popularity. Third, they were the first elections to take place under a new system of automatic registration and voluntary voting....

Greek Journalist Arrested for Publishing List of Alleged Tax Evaders

Greek journalist and editor of Hot Doc magazine, Kostas Vaxevanis, tweeted his arrest and posted a video message [el] a few hours after his magazine published a leaked list of over 2,000 names of Greeks with bank accounts in Switzerland, allegedly the “Lagarde list” that Greek governments had misplaced for years.

Ukraine: Election Monitors’ Websites Under DDoS Attack

Ukrainian domestic election monitoring organizations and projects using crowdsourcing for mapping election violations (see GV post) reported [uk] being DDoS-ed on the day of the vote: […] web-sites of election monitoring organizations are experiencing DDos attacks. Maidan, OPORA, ElectUa.

Indonesia: ‘Jokowi’ Phenomenon in Jakarta

Meet Jakarta’s new governor: Joko Widodo or Jokowi. His recent electoral victory surprised many people who now regard him as Indonesia’s most charismatic leader. His phenomenal political achievement and soaring popularity is seen by many analysts as a positive development for Indonesian democracy

Guinea-Bissau: Suspected Coup Leader Pansau N'Tchama Captured

 Zenaida Machado posted on her twitter feed: “@zenaidamz: #GuineaBissau: Pansau N´Tchama, the man who allegedly plotted Sunday attack to army barracks which killed six, has been captured”

Gambia: Dramatic Increase in Executions

Nine prisoners were put to death on one day in August 2012. The sudden increase in capital punishment over the last few months as well as confusing declarations from President Jammeh have worried citizens of Gambia as well as those in neighbouring countries. The death penalty was abolished in 1993 but reinstated by Yahya Jammeh one year after the coup of July 1994.

Ukraine: Election Votes for Sale Via Social Network

Odessablog draws attention [en] to a VKontakte page [ru] used by those who are willing to sell their Oct. 28 election votes. Roma Lexikov, one of the very few users who posted on the page to protest the practice, wrote:

Spain: The Minister of Education's Many Gaffes

The Minister of Education, Culture and Sport of Spain, José Ignacio Wert, has sparked controversy after controversy since taking up his position less than a year ago. Netizens have not turned a blind eye.