· December, 2010

Stories about Weblog from December, 2010

Tragedy bookends Year 2010 for Francophone Citizen Media

  26 December 2010

It appears that tragedy will bookend yet another year rich in remarkable events in the world of francophone citizen media. The month of January set the tone with the fallout from the earthquake in Haiti and December saw the elections in Cote d'Ivoire take a dramatic turn. Here is the year 2010 reviewed through the lenses of francophone citizen media users.

Philippines: Filipinos welcome new year with new banknotes

  26 December 2010

The Philippine Central Bank has issued a new set of generation bank notes which features not only improved security measures, but more so it heralds a new design highlighting historical events, figures in history and tourist spots in the country. But experts instantly detected errors in the new banknotes. Bloggers react

Pakistan: The Blasphemous Use Of Blasphemy Law

  25 December 2010

The interpretation of Blasphemy law in Pakistan has, for long, aroused controversy and has been criticized and questioned by the human rights activists. It has been used as a tool to spread violence and incite fear specifically among the minorities. Neitzens call for amendment of the law.

India: Doctor Gets Life Sentence On Sedition Charges

  25 December 2010

On 24th December, 2010, a Sessions Court in Raipur, Chattisgarh, convicted civil rights activist Dr. Binayak Sen on charges of sedition and conspiracy. The court found Dr. Sen guilty of aiding Maoist rebels in the State and have sentenced him to life imprisonment. Netizens reacted to the verdict.

Dominican Republic: Demanding 4% of National Budget for Education

  24 December 2010

In the Dominican Republic there is a heated debate about the quality of education that focuses on the fact that the General Law of Education establishes that annual public funding on education must reach at least 4% of the GDP. Actually, only around 2% is destined to education. The Internet and social media networks have become important spaces for grassroots campaigns and communication.

Caribbean: Defining Moments of 2010

  24 December 2010

Many landmark events happened in the Caribbean this year, prompting reactions from the regional blogosphere. Here's a look back at some of the most important stories of 2010...

South Africa: Corrective rape is a hate crime

  24 December 2010

Corrective rape is a criminal practice, whereby men rape lesbian women, purportedly as a means of “curing” the woman of her sexual orientation. Despite South Africa being the first nation on earth to outlaw discrimination based on sexual orientation, the first African country to legalize same-sex marriage and the world’s first republic to guarantee LGBT citizens equal rights in all realms of life (including adoption and military service), cases of corrective rape have been on the rise.

Cyber Scout: Thailand’s internet police?

  24 December 2010

The government of Thailand is recruiting young people to join the ‘cyber scout’ program which is tasked to defend the royal institution in the internet. Is it an initiative to bridge the digital divide as the government claims or is it a censorship tool?

“In the beginning was the Word”: Blogs by Bible translators

  24 December 2010

This week Christians will celebrate the birth of Jesus. Christianity appears in many forms around the world and has around 2.2 billion adherents. In this post we take a look at the blogs of the people trying to make sure Christian scripture can be understood in as many languages as possible – Bible translators.

Christmas Recipes in Global Food Blogs

  23 December 2010

Christmas means ‘coming home’ to many people - but if this isn’t possible, preparing a magic meal can be a consolation. Bloggers of many continents have shared their favorite holiday recipes. With these you can dream yourself back home or even visit a place, you’ve never been to before. Where are you celebrating Christmas this year and what are you serving?

Caucasus: The Year in Review

  23 December 2010

With 2011 nearly upon us, the year in new and social media in Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia during 2010 was surprisingly positive. So, what did the past year hold in store for the South Caucasus? Read on.

Tunisia: Unemployed Man's Suicide Attempt Sparks Riots

  23 December 2010

An unemployed Tunisian set himself on fire in protest against his joblessness, sparking a wave of riots on the ground and solidarity and support on social networking platforms. While the fate of Mohamed Bouazizi, aged 26, from Sidi Bouzid, in southern Tunisia, remains unclear, Tunisian netizens ceased the incident to complain about the lack of jobs, corruption and deteriorating human rights conditions in their country.

Zambia: 1964 Independence Agreement Threatens to Split Nation

  23 December 2010

Zambia has in recent weeks been faced with clamours of secession by one of its regions with which it merged at independence from Britain in October 1964 to form a unitary state. The region now known as Western Province (formerly Barotseland) was an autonomous region before independence headed by the Litunga, king of the Lozi people.

Sudan: Happy holidays and a peaceful referendum

  22 December 2010

Here's a roundup of latest blog posts about Southern Sudan Independence Referendum 2011. According to the 2005 Naivasha Agreement between the central government in Sudan and the Sudan People's Liberation Southern Movement, South Sudan will hold a referendum on whether or not to remain part of Sudan on 9 January 2011.

China: Gold farming couple handed down heavy sentence

  22 December 2010

The verdict this month of a fine of USD 450,000 and several years in prison for one couple who ran a gold farm throughout 2007 has left those following the trial shocked, angered and wondering how something so common in China could suddenly be punished so heavily.

Malawi: Citizens’ take on vice-president's dismissal

  21 December 2010

In early 2009 Malawi’s President Bingu wa Mutharika was fighting for his political life with an opposition that frustrated his every move in parliament and looked strong enough to unseat him. The majority of Malawians were very impressed with the president’s economic and infrastructural development, and were very sympathetic to...