Google Maps of North Korea Has Caught World's Attention

Within less than few days since its release, Google's new, crowd-sourced map of North Korea is gaining traction worldwide. There are even fake reviews of North Korean gulags and many bloggers, such as One Free Korea, posted satellite images of the regime's iconic landmarks.

Japan Gears Up for the Open Data Revolution

Following the death of Aaron Swartz, an open data activist, the issues around open access and data ownership have been reignited around the world. But for Japan, the seeds of open data just started being planted in the beginning of 2013.

‘Student Hair Revolution’ in Thailand

Kaewmala writes about the complaint of many Thai students against the official school hair policy of “crew cut for boys and ear-lobe-length bob for girls.” Some student groups want to scrap the hair policy which is criticized as a violation of children's rights. The author added: “If Thai teachers had...

Indonesian Hackers Strike Again

Several Indonesian websites were hacked by individuals who are supporting Wildan Yani Ashari, the person who was arrested by the police for hacking the website of the Indonesian president. Enricko Lukman translates the message left by the hackers in the defaced websites: …unlike corrupt officials, hackers shouldn’t be arrested. The...

Myanmar: Biggest Barcamp in the World

At over 6,400 participants on January 19 and 20 this year, BarcampYangon not only dwarfs every barcamp in the region but even exceeds last year’s number by over one thousand attendees. Myanmar is now the envy of every barcamper in Asia. Anh-Minh Do reviews Barcamp Yangon 2013 in Myanmar.

Two Versions of Mao's China: History Retouched as Propaganda

A collage of historical photos showing two versions of Chinese history during the Mao's era (1949-1976) published by micro-blogger @Pongyoung with a brief comment: "How history has been amended?", has been retweeted 13362 times with 2237 comments within one day.

Thai Transgenders Hit IKEA Ad

Survey of China's 24 most corrupt officials in 2012

Barry van Wyk from DANWEI highlighted a survey conducted by the Crisis Management Research Center at Renmin University which looked into 24 cases of corruption that became public knowledge on the Chinese Internet in 2012. The objective of the survey is to generate some trends and patterns in corrupt behavior...

China: Air Pollution in Major Cities

Jacky Huang from China Hush translated a local media feature on the problem of air pollution in major Chinese cities. According to a report published by National environmental analysis of the People’s Republic of China: only 1% of China’s 500 largest cities meet the recommended standard set up by WHO....

Google Debuts Crowd Sourced Map on North Korea

Google revealed on Jan 29, 2013 its newly revised, crowd-sourced map of North Korea. There are drastic changes of Google's North Korea map and instant web reactions have followed.

Google Maps Targets Hermit Kingdom, North Korea

Google debuted its Google Maps program for one of the world's most secretive countries, North Korea, as part of its crowd sourcing map initiative. North Korea Tech blog posted several pictures of it with some background information.

North Korea: A Sign of Change or the Same-Old Rhetoric?

Kim Jong-un’s New Year message emphasized, among other issues, the importance of inter-Korean relations. While many observers read this as a signal that North Korea plans to open-up in 2013, others say it contained the same old rhetoric of the past half century.

China: Campaign to Halt the Execution of a Woman Victim of Domestic Violence

Amnesty International launched a campaign against the execution of a Chinese woman, Li Yan, who shot her husband to death in self-defense. Li had been abused by her husband since they were married in 2009.

China: Land collapses in Guangzhou

A 300 sq metres piece of land sank suddenly in Guangzhou Kangwang Road on 28 of January, dragging surrounding buildings underground. The 9 meters deep is near a subway construction site. Shanghaiist has collected a number of photos showing the collapsed site.

Chinese apologize to Tibetans

A Facebook Page: Chinese Apologize to Tibetans has been set up by a group of overseas Chinese activists to collect information about the human right situation in Tibet.

Tibetans Outraged by Chinese TV Drama on Tibet

A recent TV drama, Tibet's Secret, has outraged many Tibetans who criticize that the director Liu Depin for distorting Tibetan culture and religion. As the drama was broadcasted in the state-run China Central Television (CCTV), the conflict is inevitably political in nature.

Naming the Victims of the Algerian Hostage Crisis

If the press have the energy to expose the names of victims and their pictures, why can't they pour the same energy into covering the information and wisdom that would prevent further tragedies? A professor of Islamic studies Naito Masanori commented on Twitter [ja] about the press coverage of the Aménas hostage crisis...

Peace March: ‘Stop Violence in North Myanmar’

A peace march was organized in Myanmar to call for the end of hostilities between government troops and Kachin rebel forces. Renewed clashes in recent weeks have displaced more than 90,000 civilians.

Hong Kong: Law Amended to Hide Company Data

The revision of company ordinance in Hong Kong will allow corporates to hide significant company data and the public is worried that the decision has been made under the influence of Chinese government. (via Asia Sentinel)

Search for Missing Boy Unites Malaysia

News about the disappearance of six-year old William Yau triggered a widespread campaign in Malaysia to help find the kid. Netizens helped in spreading news about the case. There was an outpouring of grief for William’s family on social media when the death of the boy was confirmed by the police on January 28

Video: China's Social Media Landscape

TeaLeafNation editor David Wertime speaks at Harvard University about China's social media landscape and challenges and advantages with social media reporting.