Stories from Quick Reads and Digital Activism
The Collapse of Civilisation Is Already a Reality for the Children of Ambovombe, Madagascar
A scientific publication in the Journal of Ecological Economics argues that “over-exploitation of either Labor or Nature will result in a societal collapse” if nothing is done to prevent it. Based on a mathematical model, the study explains (via The Guardian) that the convergence of ” the stretching of resources due...
#HackEC15 — An Open Data Challenge in Ecuador
As part of the Second International Conference on Democracy and Digital Government 2015 (ICEDEG 2015), the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers is hosting Hack Ecuador Challenge 2015 (HEC'15). The event welcomes Ecuadorians with open-data apps that promise to deliver needed services in local communities, improving the nation's online ecosystem, especially in the...
#Pyrawebs: Online Activism Against Metadata Retention Bill in Paraguay
The retention of metadata coming from the digital environment has special relevance in Latin America, where throughout history several dictatorships have spied and collected private data to implement a policy of terror. Paraguay is not an exception. Nowadays, Paraguay is a democracy, but the use of data recalls the dangers of...
Video: Campaign to Stop the Sale of Steve Biko's Autopsy Report
Artist and social entrepreneur Nomsa Mazwai (Nomisupasta) and some friends got together to collect signatures for a petition to stop the sale of Steve Biko‘s autopsy report. Watch the YouTube video of the campaign:
You Will Never Find Stories About Famine, Idi Amin or Joseph Kony on This Site
Talented Ugandan writers take to the Internet to tell positive stories about the country: We will be honest with you. Stories about poverty porn, hunger, Ebola, tribalism and all negative stories about Uganda, you will never find them here. This is a site to celebrate the positive stories about The...
Spain and Latin America Celebrate Open Data Day
One again, bloggers, hackers, designers, experts, as well as citizens interested in open data and transparency will meet to celebrate International Open Data Day 2015 all over the world to promote the opening of government data. The event is expected to have online meetings but also in-person activities all over...
Mexican Protesters Show Creative Activism
@faeriedevilish, blogging for Infoactivismo, reflects on the need to be creative in communicating our protests. Along those lines, the author explains the importance of creativity while referring to protesting events in Ayotzinapa, where photocopies of the victims’ faces were used to attract and generate awareness about the terrible incidents. Illustrators...
Macedonian NGO Develops First Ever Android and iOS App to Battle Hate Speech
Macedonian Metamorphosis Foundation has developed a first among mobile applications – an app against hate speech, aiming to bring information from this area to the fingertips of mobile phone users and help them battle this odious occurrence on the Internet. The app, available for free download both Android and iOS users, was...
Facebook Campaign Garners Iranian Journalist Masih Alinejad Women's Rights Award
Iranian journalist wins Women's Rights Award for her Facebook page "My Stealthy Freedom."
Roll Call to Never Forget the Missing Ayotzinapa Students
Since the disappearance of the 43 students from Ayotzinapa, a group of citizens has decided to prevent the case from being forgotten by conducting a roll call of the students' names every day at 11pm Mexico time.
In Defiance of Ebola Rumors, Support for The National Team at 2015 Africa Cup of Nations Spreads to Guinean Social Networks
The current trend in social media in Guinea is posting a selfie on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter with the team's merchandise (shirt, wristband, cap, etc.)
Hijacked Printers in Eastern Ukraine and Russia Print Pro-Ukraine Messages
Ukrainian hackers are fighting the Russian-led occupation of Donbas and Crimea by occupying security cameras and hijacking networked printers in Eastern Ukraine and Russia.
South Korea: Game Mocking the Airplane Nuts Fiasco
Korean Air Lines vice president has made numerous headlines, both locally and internationally, for her arrogant behavior on a recent flight out. She randomly accused a crew member of serving macadamia nuts ‘incorrectly’ and even she ordered a plane back to the gate to remove the crew member out of the plane. No wonder this sensational story has...
Ayotzinapa: Duality of Internet Denunciation
Vero Flores Desentis, blogging for Mujeres Construyendo (Women Building), reflects on Internet users’ behavior regarding the disappearance of 43 students in Ayotzinapa and rubs salt in the wound of those of us who use cyberspace for worthy causes, and calls us to an in-depth examination of our conscience: are denouncing...
Position-ography: ‘I Know What You Did Last Term’
During the economic and political crisis in Argentina in 2001, people shouted in the streets, “Go to hell, everyone (rulers)!” More than a decade after these events, this popular cry was transformed into a digital tool that allows voters to learn about the political background of their candidates. On Infoactivismo, there...
Three Cases that Show Social Networks Are Helping Hold Mozambique's Government Accountable
In spite of the fact that in Mozambique, only 4.3% of the population has access to the Internet, the citizen reporter perspective is valid and useful.
11-Year-Old Girl Starts Petition Calling for Mexican President's Resignation
An 11 year-old Mexican girl decided to collect signatures calling for the resignation of the president of her country, Enrique Peña Nieto, due to his handling of the disappearance of 43 trainee school teachers.
Poetry Project Bridges Language and Cultural Barriers between Arabic and Hebrew Speakers in Israel
The Two Project is a new collaboration between Israeli Jews and Arabs to connect the two cultures through the language of poetry.
Too Many Under Trial Detainees in India's Jails
Indian alternative news portal Beyond Headlines sheds light on the darker side of India's judiciary. In India, of all people detained in lockups and state prisons there are more people under trial than convicts. Because of the slow process of the judiciary process, thousands of people suspected or accused of...
Druze Leader Walid Joumbulatt Takes to Twitter
Lebanese politician and Druze leader Walid Joumblatt is on Twitter – and had a hard time proving it really was him. The account set up on October 27 has attracted about 17,000 followers so far — and a confirmation from the man himself. Yes it is me — Walid Joumblatt...
Your Voice Counts, Don't Be Silent
Mujeres Construyendo (Women building) tries to raise awareness with a message mainly for women. Inequality between men and women is a fact, as confirmed by the Center of Economic Studies of Mexico, where we can see that, in terms of salaries, a woman earns 22% less, but this is just...
