Stories about Latin America from January, 2008
Brazil: Social blogging against paedophilia
Luz de Luma [pt] is one of the core bloggers at the social blogging that will take place at the Lusosphere next February 14to debate paedophilia. “When I proposed this social blogging and used the very term, I was systematically visited by computers from the federal police. This is a...
Brazil: World's street children in charges
The Iranian website Iran Cartoon began a virtual series on world's street children, featuring artists from dozen countries, such as Mongolia, France, Vietnam, Colombia, Brazil, China. Sérgio Coutinho [pt] will feature some of them among the images usually displayed at the right hand corner of his blog”.
Brazil: The first ever local cyberculture festival
Sérgio Amadeu [pt] on Guarulhos first ever digital festival. “With more than 500 papers published in a collaborative portal, developed entirely using open software, Guarulhos 2.Zero will give its awards at the end of February. You can visit the website and vote. It is cool to encourage the municipalities that...
Bolivia: Place to Study in El Alto
Marisol Medina of Lengua, Cultura y Sociedad [es] celebrates that many more people, especially indigenous women who still dress in traditional clothing, can now have a place to study at the public university in El Alto, without having to worry about discrimination.
Brazil: Amazon, deforestation and the future
“If you want to see what would happen to Amazon if deforestation does not come to a halt, you can see a simulation developed by the Institute of Environmental Research in the Amazon, the Federal University of Minas Gerais and The Woods Hole Research Center”. See the links at the...
Brazil: Veja magazine and the anti-journalism phenomenon
“The biggest anti-journalism phenomenon in recent years is what happened to Veja magazine. Gradually, the largest weekly Brazilian mag was turned into a lampoon with no commitment to journalism, using the lowest of the low attacks against those who crossed their path, getting involved in trade wars and accepting that...
Brazil: Is it time to become media?
Cardoso [pt] is one of the bloggers invited to speak about “The blogs phenomenon – is it time to become media?” on an international summit of digital communication taking place in March in Brazil. He says that this event is important because “blogs are being recognized as “something” (what this...
Brazil: More on the yellow fever panic caused by the media
“If I know well the Brazilian media, far from apologizing for having made a mistake and encouraged Brazilians – all Brazilians – to get vaccinated, there will be an attempt to blame the government ALSO for the instances where there was reaction to the vaccine. There are more people admitted...
Brazil: Police goes Wi-Fi on Carnival
Andre Lemos [pt] reports that the police of Salvador will use wi-fi network to provide security to revelers at the Carnival. There will be 400 computers in 60 points of the city, which the police will avail to consult, in real time, information about accidents, criminal records and data from...
Brazil: Recife is the most violent of the capitals
The report “Map of Violence in Brazilian Municipalities 2008″, launched earlier today by the Latin American Technological Information Network, shows that Recife, capital of Pernambuco, is top of the ranking of capitals with most homicides recorded in Brazil. Rio de Janeiro is in the 6th position on the same ranking....
Cape Verde: Getting read to debate the blogosphere
djoyamado [pt] makes a roundup of Cape Verde blogs, some of them are debating quite hot issues. This is a post preparing to a “virtual” debate on the state of the country's blogosphere.
Paraguay: An Introduction to a Growing Blogosphere
Muna Annahas, a Paraguayan blogger, writes her first Global Voices Online post and provides an introduction to the Paraguayan blogosphere. She provides examples of interesting academic, political, cultural, personal, and bridge blogs written by Paraguayans at home and abroad.
Brazil: 5 years of Filmes do Chico
“I never thought that Filmes do Chico, this plaything of mine, would get this far. I shall thank all of you who have followed me in this 5 years eternity. Those who have always been close by, those who have had a look from far away. I very much like...
Colombia: March Against the FARC
Carlos from Liberal Colombiano [es] explains the reasons why he will attend the February 4th march in protest against the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC).
Guatemala: Ex-Minister of Education's Book
Ronald Flores reviews the newest book written by María del Carmen Aceña called “How to be Minister of Education in Guatemala, Implement Reforms and not Perish in the Process: Self-Help Manual.” Flores recommends this “useful” book about Aceña's experience in the Guatemalan government.
Chile: For Frustrated Journalists
“Don't Be a Frustrated Journalist!” is an information campaign launched by the Chilean College of Journalists. Notas Al Margen [es] takes a look at some of the statistics facing journalists in Chile, such as that there are approximately 1,000 new members entering into this profession each year.
Panama: 2008 Jazz Festival
Tatiana gives her review on the 2008 version of the Panama Jazz Festival [es] and notes that this year the festival featured delicious food booths.
Brazil: 48 murders at the weekend in Pernambuco
Despite the fact that there is no official information from the relevant governmental body, PE Body Count [pt] carries on its independent count of the murder rates in Pernambuco, Brazil. The blogger found out that 46 people were murdered this weekend, although the PR team in charge of feeding the...
Ecuador: Marches in Guayaquil
Marches appeared in full force in the city of Guayaquil for a protest against the recent tax reform approved by the Constituent Assembly. Some have even called for greater autonomy for the city led by Mayor Jaime Nebot. A counter-protest also took place by supporters of President Rafael Correa. These two sides have their share of supporters and critics in the Ecuadorian blogosphere.
Costa Rica: Environmental Rankings
Costa Rica ranked 5th in the world and 1st in the Americas according to an environmental index released by Yale and Columbia universities. The study, which looked at each country's policies in preserving the environment is celebrated by the blog Out of Costa Rica [es]
Mexico: Conditions for Plan Merida
Enigmatario [es] wonders how much more access the US will request for its Drug Enforcement Agency in Mexico under Plan Merida to fight organized crime especially associated with drug trafficking.
About our Latin America coverage
Melissa Vida is the Latin America Spanish-language editor. Email her story ideas or volunteer to write.
Fernanda Canofre is the Brazil editor. Email her story ideas or volunteer to write.
