Stories about Feature from October, 2012
Global Voices Seeks Advocacy Editor
Global Voices is seeking an Advocacy Editor to manage its online freedom of expression content. Global Voices Advocacy seeks to build a global anti-censorship network of citizen media and online activists throughout the developing world. Find out more...
Beijing's Intervention on Radio License in Hong Kong Leaked
A leaked tape exposes that a commercial radio station in Hong Kong has been pressured by Beijing to wind up the company and return the license back to the Hong Kong government.
Lebanon: Who Killed Intelligence Chief Wissam Al Hassan?
Syria, Iran, Hizbullah and Israel are all suspects in the death of Lebanon's chief intelligence chief Wissam Al Hassan, who was killed in a bomb explosion, which claimed the lives of eight people and wounded around 80 people, in Beirut yesterday [Oct 20].
Colombia: The “Lleras Law” and Content Creation
We talk with Pilar Sáenz of the Karisma Foundation about the evolution of the controversial Lleras Law, which changes the framework for legislation and regulation of copyrights and intellectual property. Furthermore, we present a video with producer Armadillo Media TV about how the creativity of Colombian internet users could be affected by this law.
Russia: Opposition Distracted by Virtual Elections, Loses Real Elections
In August, Global Voices reported on several activists from Russia’s protest movement running for office in local elections. They hoped it would be easier to win these small-scale contests, which took place last weekend. They were wrong, and the Coordinating Council election might be partly to blame.
Ministers Caught Browsing ‘Zambia's WikiLeaks’
Zambia's Finance Deputy Minister Miles Sampa and Minister in Charge of Chiefs Nkandu Luo were recently caught on camera during a Lusaka council meeting browsing the online news website Zambian Watchdog. The online publication, known for its investigative reporting, was this month threatened with de-registration by the Registrar of Societies.
Global Voices Introduces New Advocacy Director, Hisham Almiraat
We're very excited to announce that Hisham Almiraat, a long-time member of the Global Voices community, is the new Director of Global Voices Advocacy.
Pakistan: Malala Yousufzai And The Drone Attacks
Ever since the young school going peace activist Malala Yousufzai was attacked by armed gunmen in Swat, Pakistan, numerous questions over the efficacy of the ongoing drone attacks in the region have surfaced.
Siege of Portuguese Parliament: “This is not our budget”
Amidst growing austerity and cuts to social welfare, citizens mobilized a siege of the Portuguese parliament, on October 15, 2012, the day the government officially submitted the draft proposal of the state budget for 2013 to the Assembly of the Republic.
The Stateless People of Egypt
Stateless people are those who do not have a nationality. According to the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR), there are up to 12 million stateless people in the world. Ahmed Awadalla introduces us to some of the stateless people of Egypt in this post.
Haiti: Yéle Haiti Facing Allegations of Financial Impropriety
Various allegations of financial impropriety have been directed at musician and activist Wyclef Jean's charity Yéle Haiti. The allegations are centered on the millions that the defunct charitable organization received in donations after the Janury 2010 earthquake period that devastated the island.
Controversy over Nobel Peace Prize to European Union
The awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to the European Union (EU) has sparked a lively debate in the media and on social networks in Europe and the rest of the world.
Costa Rica Advances in Legislation for Wildlife Protection
Costa Rica is advancing in legislation to protect wildlife. On October 10, President Laura Chinchilla signed a decree that strengthens the controls on shark finning in Costa Rican waters. Furthermore, on October 2, the Legislative Assembly approved the first reading of a reform for the Wildlife Conservation Law, which proposes the elimination of hunting sports in the country.
Sierra Leone: Is Ami Musa the Saddest Pinterest Page in the World?
One blog, Lovelyish, considers a Pinterest campaign about a 13-year-old girl Ami Musa from Sierra Leone by UNICEF UK to raise awareness about children living in poverty in Africa "the saddest Pinterest page in the world." Another blogger, Tom Murphy, argues that Pinterest represents a bit of a brave new world for NGOs to reach newer audiences.
Sri Lanka: The Future In The Hand Of Young Leaders
Sri Lanka Unites (SLU) is a youth reconciliation movement led by a team of young professionals drawn from different ethnicities and religions in Sri Lanka who are working towards reconciliation, peace, change and are kindling hope. It is organizing workshops, leadership conferences and school tours across the country.
Czech Republic: Přednádraží Forced Eviction Struggle Continues
The movement against forced evictions of Roma families at Přednádraží has suffered several severe blows over the last month, but as the pressure keeps rising, alliances also continue to grow. Daniela Kantorova reports.
Russia: Democratic Public “Outraged” by Release of Pussy Riot Member
It now appears that Samutsevich’s gamble has paid off, as she was freed after today’s hearings, her two-year prison sentence reduced to two-years probation. The other two imprisoned Pussy Riot members, Maria Alekhina and Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, were not so lucky.
Pakistan: Religious Extremists Attack Malala Yousufzai
Malala Yousufzai, a 14 year old girl, was shot and severely wounded by Taliban for her activism. She is famous for her ‘Diary of a Pakistani School girl‘ which reveals the onslaught of the Taliban against girls education in Swat, Pakistan. Netizens condemn this horrendous act.
China: ‘Are You Happy?’
During a recent national holiday news story feature broadcast by Chinese state-run television, reporters were filmed asking ordinary people questions including whether or not they were happy. Some the quite literal answers have quickly drawn the attention of netizens.
Arab World: The Plight of Syrian Refugee Girls
As the Syrian Revolution continues, its consequences continue to affect refugees who have fled the violence in the country, especially women. Syrian refugee girls in Jordan, Libya, Turkey and Lebanon are subject to the pressures of forced marriages from Syrian or other Arab nationals under the pretext of protecting their virtue.
Puerto Rico: Boxer Orlando Cruz Is Proud to Be Gay
Puerto Rican boxer Orlando 'The Phenomenon' Cruz is breaking stereotypes with his recent announcement about his sexual orientation. Cruz, currently the number four featherweight boxer in the world, is the first in the history of boxing to publicly declare his homosexuality while active professionally.
