Stories about Weblog from July, 2009
Russia: Riot Police Break Up Opposition Rally
Some 100 protesters gathered for an unsanctioned opposition rally in central Moscow on Friday. At 6 PM, hundreds of riot police broke up the rally, detaining 47 people, some of whom were said to be journalists and passerby.
Put it On: Global Online Contest for Filmmakers
Put it On is awarding a scholarship to the New York Film Academy and a cash prize of $5000 USD in its contest for the best short and feature films from around the world. [This is a paid promotion].
Pakistan: Handling The Return Of Refugees
The Government of Pakistan has finally announced a schedule for the Swat refugees outlining their return to home. Pakistani bloggers feel that a lot more needs to be done to ensure their safety and for their rehabilitation.
Iran: Mourning the Victims of Protest
Thousands of Iranians gathered in Behesht Zahra cemetery in Tehran on Thursday to commemorate Neda Agha-Soltani and the victims of the protest movement. Dozens have been killed and hundreds jailed.
Global: George W. Bush as Middle East Envoy?
An opinion piece written for Newsweek suggesting George W. Bush make an excellent complement to U.S. President Obama as Middle East envoy has made waves in the blogosphere.
Gabon: Presidential Candidate Uses Social Media in Historic Election
As Gabon prepares for its first election since the death of Omar Bongo, one candidate, whose rivals who include the current prime minister, Jean Eyeghe Ndong, and Bongo's own son, is using social media to level the playing field.
Fiji: President announces retirement
Forum posters and bloggers are reacting to the announcement that Fiji’s president will step down. Ratu Josefa Iloilovatu Uluivuda announced his retirement after nearly nine years in office. At 88, he leaves office as the world’s oldest statesman.
Brazil: Fighting for more recycling with the Electronic Waste Manifesto
In Brazil, a bill regarding the disposal of solid residuals has been amended to exclude electronic waste. As a first step to fight this change, an Electronic Waste Manifesto has been created to gather netizens' support for more recycling of electronics.
Bangladesh, India: Tipaimukh Dam And Transparency
The controversy surrounding the Tipaimukh Hydroelectric Project currently continues to dominate the politics, media, and intellectual and civil society’s discourse in Bangladesh.
Colombia: Hiperbarrio Featured at Periodismo Ciudadano
The citizen media project HiperBarrio from Medellín, Colombia continues to receive worldwide attention. They were recently featured in a series of videos created by the Spanish website Periodismo Ciudadano.
Hijablogging: On Burqas and Bans
Although the practice of wearing hijab has been around since pre-Islamic times, the debate surrounding it has increased in recent years. Whereas in some countries, hijab is mandated, in others, it has been banned in schools, workplaces, and sometimes altogether. But whether required or forbidden, Muslim women's dress is almost always a topic of hot debate.
Global Voices develops alternative revenue streams
Like all other media organizations in times of economic crisis, Global Voices has to be creative and innovative when it comes to thinking of ways to sustain our organization.
Belarus, Russia: Bloggers React to Graphic Chechen War Video
On July 3, Belarusian blogger Tatsiana Elavaya posted a provocative video showing the assassination of captive Russian soldiers by Chechen guerrillas during the 1999 war in Chechnya. The video had been available elsewhere before, but when Tatsiana posted it on her blog, the reaction of the Cyrillic blogosphere was unprecedented.
Kenya: Fibreglass Lions to go ‘Wild’ in Nairobi
As Kenya's lions continue to face persecution and the population continues to dwindle, a campaign to raise funds and awareness about the lions was launched on 17 June 2009 in Nairobi.
Taiwan: Racist cartoon causes controversy
Taiwan's Ministry of Economic Affairs published a booklet featuring two cartoon characters to inform the public about the proposed free trade agreement between Taiwan and China, commonly referred to as ECFA. The cartoons quickly attracted criticism as they were considered derogatory to certain ethnic groups.
Africa: New dates for African Bloggers Conference announced
New dates for African Bloggers Conference, Kelele ‘09, have been announced. Kelele ‘09 was scheduled for August 13th-16th, 2009. The conference, which will bring together African bloggers for the first time, will now take place from 29th October - 1st November 2009 in Nairobi, Kenya.
United Kingdom: Barcamp Transparency in Oxford
Around 50 people gathered for Barcamp Transparency at the Oxford University Club last Sunday to discuss issues of transparency in open government, social media and cyberactivism.
Philippines: Reactions to the 9th State of the Nation Address
Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo gave her 9th State of the Nation Address last Monday, July 27, 2009. This post is a sample of the varied responses to the speech in the Philippine blogosphere.
Japan: Parental child abduction
Given the rise in cases where children born to a Japanese mother and a foreign father are abducted by the Japanese mothers and brought to Japan without the father's consent, the U.S., France, Canada and the U.K. have recently urged Japan to sign the Hague Convention.
Cuba: Interview with Blogger Lizabal Mónica
Cuban writer Lizabel Mónica has been blogging since 2007 and has been using her blogs to "build bridges between literature and national and international art, as well as to explore the relationship between art and life." Claudia Cadelo interviews her about her Project Desliz and her project to bring more artists online.
DRC: Rape Epidemic Fuels Fistula Cases
Ongoing fighting in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) continues to take its toll on women's health. One consequence is more cases of a health condition called fistula, which is being caused by brutal rapes.
