Stories about Weblog from April, 2010
USA: Rallying Cries for Immigration Reform
In the United States, immigration reform activists have taken to the streets - and the internet - in order to create momentum for comprehensive changes in immigration law.
Is Ghana’s first-ever Policy Fair a smart move?
On April 19, 2010, Ghana’s Ministry of Information launched a Facebook page dubbed “Ghana Policy Fair 2010,” an event that was slated to begin on April 27th through May 1st. But not everyone has been thrilled with this idea.
Latin America: Free Software Installation Festival 2010
The 2010 edition of the Latin American Free Software Installation Festival (FLISOL) took place and was organized simultaneously in 20 countries and 250 cities all across the region.
Puerto Rico: Amidst protests, students speak up for themselves online
Amidst protests over budget cuts students of the University of Puerto Rico (UPR) have a found an additional space to express themselves: the Internet.
Iran: A ‘Green’ Labor Day (At Least Online)
The Iranian Green Movement is planning to make International Workers Day on May 1 a “green” day. The post-election opposition movement has not held any important demonstration since their last attempts were thwarted in February.
Japan: Kabuki Theatre to be Rebuilt
One of the most recognizable buildings in Japan, the grand, old Kabuki-za in Ginza is closing this month. It will be torn down and become a theater and office complex...
East Timor: Connecting Civil Society
Providing internet access to civil society has been a key priority of the few information and communication technology (ICT) initiatives that exist in East Timor so far.
Global Voices Gets Redesigned: Welcome Back!
As you may have noticed, a few things have changed here at Global Voices. Our old design, beloved as it was, has been replaced. This new design heralds a new era of multi-lingualism in Global Voices, we hope you are as excited as we are.
Southeast Asia: Good Governance Advocacy via Technology
As part of our Technology for Transparency research, Sopheap Chak offers a broad overview of the role of technology and grassroots, online communities in the movement for good governance in Southeast Asia.
China: The 42th anniversary of Lin Zhao's death
Lin Zhao (林昭）, a Peking University student, was arrested in 1960 during the Anti-Rightist Campaign launched by Mao Zedong in 1957 and sentenced to death on 29 of April (today)...
Thailand: Online censorship amid protests
As Red Shirt protesters in Thailand continue to press their demand for the resignation of the Prime Minister, the government is also doing everything to weaken the protests, including the use of emergency powers to block TV stations, community radio stations, and websites that broadcast “subversive” stories.
Sudan: Checking in with Sudan Vote Monitor
On the eve of Sudan's 2010 presidential elections, I interviewed Fareed Zein, who heads the citizen election monitoring project Sudan Vote Monitor. On Wednesday I checked in with Zein to get his thoughts on the project now that the elections have ended.
Ukraine: Chaotic Ratification of the Gas-for-Fleet Deal
Below is some of the Anglophone blog commentary on the ratification of the Ukrainian-Russian gas-for-fleet deal, which took place in a chaotic environment on April 27 in Kyiv. Among other things, security guards were forced to employ two umbrellas to shelter the parliament speaker from the eggs hurled at him by opposition members.
Brazil: Arrest of Indigenous leader increases tension in Bahia
On March 10th, unidentified armed police invaded Serra do Padeiro, a Tupinambá indigenous village, and arrested their leader and later his brother. They are still in prison and their detentions have increased the tension in the region.
Paraguay: Journalist Santiago Leguizamón Murdered 19 Years Ago
Paraguay recently celebrated its annual Day of the Journalist on April 26, which is also a dark day for the profession because Santiago Leguizamón was murdered by hitmen in the border town of Pedro Juan Caballero.
China: New Avatar theme song inspired by forced evictions
Avatar director James Cameron admits he found inspiration for the film in China, and Chinese viewers saw a common story from today's China being told in the film. Somewhere in between, mashup artists have now imagined a theme song for Avatar as one might have been sung in Chinese.
Video: Three Latin American Viral Sensations Unite for Israel
Through the Latin American social networks there is a new video spreading like wildfire: it unites three of the most recent viral video sensations in one. Peruvian La Tigresa del Oriente, Wendy Sulca and Ecuadorian Delfin Quishpe virtually united to sing "I'll dance in your lands", a song about Israel. None of them have visited Israel, but that didn't stop them from singing about the beauty of Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.
Technology for Transparency Review, Part II
Over at the Technology for Transparency Network we have already documented 30 technology projects that promote transparency, accountability, and civic engagement. Here's what we've learned so far.
Ecuador: Latest Unemployment Figures
The National Institute of Statistics and Census released its quarterly report about unemployment in Ecuador. Some are investigating the causes for the increase in unemployment and how the government plans to address the situation.
Sudan Vote Monitor website was blocked for six days
Election monitoring website, Sudan Vote Monitor, was blocked for six days last week. Reporters Without Borders called for a total unblocking of the site.
Global Voices Author Demographics 2010
This post gives an insight into the basic demographics of Global Voices based on our 2010 Author survey. It shouldn't come as a surprise that we are a very diverse and global group of people!
