· May, 2011

Stories about Technology from May, 2011

Kenya: East Africa's Biggest Mobile Tech Event

  26 May 2011

East Africa's biggest mobile tech event is taking place in Kenya next month: “The next big thing in African Tech has arrived. Pivot 25 is here!The region’s top 25 mobile tech startups pitch against each other June 14-15 in Nairobi, Kenya at the Ole Sereni Hotel.”

Bhutan: Facebook Poll Suggesting Discussion Topic In National Assembly

  26 May 2011

The leader of the Opposition in the Bhutanese National Assembly Mr. Tshering Tobgay asked his Facebook followers to participate in a poll to decide “What the National Assembly should discuss during the coming session.” Mr. Tobgay will try to include the top questions in the discussions at the next Assembly...

Nepal: Codes Of Ethics For Bloggers

  26 May 2011

Considering the growing popularity of blogs in Nepal and some recent issues, Nepali journalist and blogger Ujjwal Acharya has taken steps to initiate talks about a code of ethics for bloggers in Nepal and is inviting suggestions and comments from netizens.

Thailand’s First Female Prime Minister?

  25 May 2011

Yingluck Shinawatra, who is the sister of deposed leader Thaksin Shinawatra, has emerged in the past week as a popular candidate in the coming July election in Thailand. She could be Thailand’s first female Prime Minister.

South Korea: Social Media Controversy Surrounds Sports Broadcaster's Death

  25 May 2011

The suicide on May 23, 2011, of national television channel MBC sports announcer, Song Ji-seon in South Korea has sparked considerable controversy regarding social media in the country. South Korea has one of the highest suicide rates in the world, but this latest case has opened a new debate on the public health issue.

Bolivia: New Ministry of Comunications Raises Doubts

  25 May 2011

Rodrigo Reque Mejía, owner of the blog Puro Papo [es], compares the Bolivian government's newly created Ministry of Communications with the fictitious Ministry of Truth in Geroge Orwell's 1984 novel. His concerns have to do with potential Internet censorshio, among others.

Cuba: Students Need Internet

  24 May 2011

“The more often I read about the internet from the Cuban government perspective the more I feel like we need to do a better job of explaining to them why the internet is necessary”: Graham Sowa, blogging at Havana Times, makes a case for why the Internet is a critical...

Cuba: Rojas Detained

  24 May 2011

Cuban bloggers focus their attention on Luis Felipe Rojas, who was reportedly detained this past weekend, allegedly for blogging about the beating of three women.

Brazil: Crowdfunding Potential

  24 May 2011

Interest in crowdfunding, a form of online fundraising, has exploded in recent months in Brazil. We survey the scene and the potential of crowd fundraising in a country known for world-renowned social organizing, and creativity.

Cuba: Cultural Center Closed

  23 May 2011

Generation Y blogs about “the shock of the correctives” in the form of “the closure of the cultural center run by the painter Pedro Pablo Oliva”.

Technology for Transparency: Final Report

  22 May 2011

The Technology for Transparency Network is proud to announce the release of its final report, "Global mapping of technology for transparency and accountability". The report is being published by the Transparency and Accountability Initiative (@TAInitiative) along with a over a dozen other reports on the global transparency movement.