24 December 2008

Stories from 24 December 2008

Philippines: Watching Pinoy Big Brother

  24 December 2008

Overwrite views the popular reality TV show Pinoy Big Brother from a Baudrillardian lense: ‘When one watches the show, where is the center-point? Who is watching who? And which side stands on reality? Does it mean that the actors are showcasing reality because they are in the “reality show”? Or...

Singapore Flyer, a white elephant already?

  24 December 2008

Because of the recession, fewer people are visiting the Singapore Flyer (the world’s largest observation wheel). According to Empty Vessel, “if no drastic measures are taken to restore people’s confidence in stepping into the capsules, the Flyer risks becoming Singapore’s biggest white elephant.”

Thailand: Blocked websites

  24 December 2008

The Freedom Against Censorship Thailand has just received a secret list of blocked websites leaked from Thailand’s Ministry of Information and Communication Technology. The report mentioned 1,303 websites which were censored by the government.

Vietnam: Blogging to be regulated

  24 December 2008

Vietnam has introduced some new restrictions on blogging. Blog posts which undermine national security, incite violence or crime, and disclose state secrets are banned. Internet companies are also ordered to issue reports to the government every six months.

Myanmar: Shoes, politics and colonialism

  24 December 2008

Shoes had been a symbol of politics in Myanmar. Aung Zaw of The Irrawaddy writes about a “shoe incident” involving British colonizers who didn't remove their shoes when they met the Burmese king a century ago. This became a national issue.

Japan: The year in Japanese blogs

  24 December 2008

What were bloggers writing about this year in the Japanese blogosphere? The year in Japanese blogs at Global Voices included posts on everything from an American Enka singer making waves in Japan, to debates on the regulation of “harmful” Internet content, to the Olympic torch relay in Nagano.

Bangladesh: A Calm Election

  24 December 2008

Kristin Boekhoff posts some pictures of the street advertisements of the candidates of the Bangladesh election. She comments that so far the election has been quite calm.

All Quiet in Guinea After Coup, Say Bloggers

  24 December 2008

Confusion reigned following the passing of President Lansana Conte and an apparently successful coup led by Guinean General Moussa Dadis Camara. However, despite early fears of bloodshed, all is quiet on the streets of Conakry, according to bloggers.

India: Improve Quality Of Governance To Tackle Terrorism

  24 December 2008

Nitin Pai guest blogs at Death Ends Fun stressing the need to improve the quality of governance of India to battle terrorism. And it can be achieved: “By voting. By giving money, legitimately, to politicians to support their election campaigns. And by holding them to account.”

Angola: On The Lack of Human Rights

  24 December 2008

In the mood for the Human Rights Day celebrations this December, Angolan bloggers have much to say. Angola has still not ceased appearing in reports about violations of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, despite holding a seat on the Human Rights Council.

Trinidad & Tobago, U.S.A.: Sock & Awe

  24 December 2008

Trinidadian blogger Attillah Springer is playing Sock and Awe, “the simply brilliant online game” in which more than 46 million people have pelted shoes at President Bush – but more importantly, she is “plotting ways to pelt intellectual shoes, coming up with ideas on how to bobolise those who would...

Memories of Christmas in Cameroon

  24 December 2008

Expats in Cameroon blog about how they are spending the Christmas holidays in their host country, while Cameroonian bloggers abroad write about their memories of spending those special days back home.