Stories about Technology from April, 2012
Colombia: “Lleras Law2.0 ” Taken Before Constitutional Court
The “Lleras Law 2.0”, which was hastily approved to fit requirements for a Free Trade Agreement with the United States, was taken before the Constitutional Court on April 18 by Senator Camilo Romero [es], who argued it contains parts that threaten rights enshrined in the Constitution. Netizens [es] are invited [es]...
This Week in the Caribbean Blogosphere
In last week's summary of the regional blogosphere, a young comtemporary artist from Barbados made the observation that the region is “more than the beach and coconuts.” Here's a round-up of what Caribbean netizens were talking about this week, with not one mention of beaches or coconuts...
India: Imagining The iWife
Maria Francis introduces us a new App, iWife, an worthy successor of your wife.
Cuba: New Video Series “Just Another Cuban”
Penultimos Días alerts readers to a series of videos, “Un Cubano Más,” produced and posted on YouTube by Eliécer Avila, the University of Information Sciences student who famously questioned former president of Cuba's National Assembly Ricardo Alarcón about why Internet access is heavily restricted in Cuba.
Senegal: An Innovative Way to Monitor the Presidential Elections
During the second round of the Senegalese presidential elections, journalist Papa Alé Niang of channel 2stv was able to give results trends as early as 9pm thanks to the work of monitoring team Sunu 2012. This project was devised and created by Cheikh Fall in 2008 and has proved an invaluable tool in monitoring practices during this campaign.
North Korean TV Announcer Appears with Double “Kim Pins”
North Korea Tech wrote a post on a new lapel pin made for the country's young dictator, Kim Jung-un. The “Kim pins” with the face of North Korean former leaders, are worn almost all the time by North Koreans and the new version debuted on its state TV.
North Korea Timeline in Storify
In the midst of North Korea's failed rocket launch, @StandfordCISAC posted a storify story with a summary of North Korean major events happened during recent decades.
Russia: Astrakhan in Turmoil
In Astrakhan, opposition leaders have relied on social media to mobilize and coordinate protestors. Technology, however, is not a panacea for Astrakhan's struggling opposition. Many in the city are still strangers to Internet technology, and others are utilizing it to support the state.
Egypt: Country's First Research University At Risk
Since last year the fate of Nile University, Egypt's first research university, has been uncertain. Its purpose-built campus has been “conceded” to the Zewail City of Science and Technology, an initiative of Nobel Chemistry Prize winner Ahmed Zewail, and netizens are fighting to save it.
Nigeria: Nigerian Bloggers and Tweeps #SavedOke
Nigerian bloggers fought for the legs and life of diabetic youth #Oke and won the battle to keep him alive through social media advocacy. The successful #SaveOke campaign was ignited by some Nigerian bloggers and tweeps – spearheaded by Linda Ikeji to save Oke’s life.
Bahamas: Election Discussion
Bahamaians go the polls on May 7 in the country's 2012 general election. Bloggers have already started talking about it. In this post, the discussion continues…
Cuba: Diaspora Blogs About Dissidents
The plight of prisoners of conscience is a front-burner issue with Cuban diaspora bloggers. This week, they are talking about two in particular: Jose Daniel Ferrer Garcia, a former member of the Black Spring “Group of 75″ and Andres Carrion Alvarez, the man who was detained after shouting, “Down with Communism!” prior to the start of a mass during Pope Benedict XVI's recent visit to the island.
Arab World: Technology in the Time of Revolution
The Arab uprisings have created a debate about the role played by social media and mobile technology in bringing change. Whatever conclusion you come to on that subject, activists certainly make use of a wide range of new technologies, and Tarek Amr takes a look at some of them in this post.
Indonesia: Popular Minister Starts His Twitter Account
Dahlan Iskan, the popular State Enterprises Minister of Indonesia, has caused another hype in the virtual world after starting his Twitter account. In the past week, some netizens were able to express their concerns directly to the Minister through Twitter.
Ecuador: New “Conectándonos” Blog Announces Gathering in May
The Ecuadorian version of the blog Conectándonos [es] (“getting connected”) announces the upcoming gathering in Loja, Ecuador on May 24-26. Rising Voices and a local university -the Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja [es] (UTPL).- are co-organizing this event which aims “to promote [digital] integration and participation of groups and individuals...
Ethiopia: PEN Awards Top Prize to Jailed Journalist and Blogger
Ethiopia journalist and dissident blogger is the recipient of 2012 PEN/Barbara Goldsmith Freedom to Write Award: “Nega, a leading advocate for press freedom and freedom of expression in Ethiopia, was arrested on September 14, 2011, and is currently being tried under the country's sweeping anti-terror legislation…. He could face the...
Iran's “Electronic Curtain” Animated by U.S. State Department
The U.S. Department of State's Bureau for International Information Programs has released a short animation about Iran's "electronic curtain" on YouTube.
India: Administration Backlash over a Political Cartoon and it's Aftermath
The recent arrest of an university professor in West Bengal, India, over a humorous political cartoon has been met by stiff resistance and protest both online and offline. On his blog Pabitraspeaks, blogger Pabitra Mukhopadhyay discusses how the incident is another in a slew of recent incidents that have negatively...
Thailand: Free Apps for Tourists
Thailand's tourism authority has launched a website where visitors can download apps for a wide range of smartphones to help them plan their stay in the country
Colombia: Approval of “Lleras Law 2.0″ Ignites Netizens’ Indignation
The approval by the Colombian Congress of a law popularly known as 'Lleras Law 2.0,' which reforms the framework to legislate and regulate copyright and intellectual property, sparked indignation among Colombian netizens.
This Week in the Caribbean Blogosphere
It has been another interesting week in the Caribbean blogosphere, with netizens discussing everything from crime to upcoming elections…
