8 January 2009

Stories from 8 January 2009

A Dark Past in East Timor for Obama's National Intelligence Nominee

Citizen journalists from East Timor have been busily tweeting about the nomination of Admiral Denis C. Blair for the post of US director of National Intelligence. The nominee faces serious accusations of backing the Indonesian occupation of East Timor in the 1990's, an invasion which led to the killing of approximately 1,400 Timorese and the displacement of 300,000 people.

8 January 2009

Cuba: Interview with Blogger Miriam Celaya

Miriam Celaya is a Cuban blogger, whose blog Sin Evasión [es] is celebrating its one year anniversary. She started writing under the pseudonym "Eva González," but six months later she decided to use her real name. In this interview with Claudia Cadelo, she talks about how she started blogging, the decision to leave her pseudonym behind, and about her participation in the recent blogger gatherings on the island.

8 January 2009

Iranian government uses Gaza conflict to repress

While several Iranian bloggers (including Islamist ones) multiplied their posts and digital initiatives, such as a “Google bomb” to condemn Israel's invasion of the Gaza Strip, some other bloggers are saying the Iranian government is using the “Gaza conflict moment” to repress media and civil society inside the country.

8 January 2009

Sri Lanka: Assassination Of A Journalist

Sri Lanka remains as one of the world’s most dangerous countries for independent journalists. Indi.ca reports that Lasantha Wickremetunge, one of Sri Lanka’s best known journalists was shot in the...

8 January 2009

Chile: Videoblogging daily life

From Chile, Paloma Baytelman brings us snippets of daily life and other not-so-common events through her videoblog. Santa driving a bus, voting, and harrassment by costumed characters are only part of what she has uploaded on her site.

8 January 2009

Taiwan: Focus on the justice system

Taiwan's justice system has constantly been in the news over recent months. The trial of former President Chen Shui-bian has focused people's attention, however it has also sparked broader criticisms...

8 January 2009

Cuba: Dealing with Racism

As a documentary on racial discrimination in Cuba is released, Havana Times.org republishes a mainstream media article on the debate, while Babalu Blog says: “I guess this reporter figured out...

8 January 2009

Azerbaijan: Day of Ashura

Yesterday marked the Day of Ashura, a religious festival commemorating the martyrdom of Hussein, grandson of the Prophet Mohammad, at the battle of Karbala. Often associated with images of flagellation using chains, the day is observed in Azerbaijan, a predominantly Shia but secular Moslem country in the South Caucasus, differently.

8 January 2009

Malawi: Gas prices remain high despite global plunge

There are growing calls in Malawi for the government to reduce the price of gas, following a global drop in prices in recent weeks. While many countries have seen reductions in gas prices, in Malawi it has stayed the same as when it reached the highest prices in July 2008. Bloggers and forum users in Malawi discuss the problem.

8 January 2009

Laos: Plain of Jars

Maikulian posts a picture of “Plain of Jars” taken in Phonsavan, Laos. “Plain of Jars” refers to historic sites in Laos containing thousands of stone jars.

8 January 2009

Cambodia: “Victory over Genocide”

Cambodia celebrates the 30th year of the fall of the Khmer Rouge regime. The theme for this year’s anniversary is “Victory over Genocide.” But Modern Progressive Khmer insists Cambodia was...

8 January 2009

Philippines: Phenomenal video protests

‘Juana Change’ protest videos are the newest YouTube sensation in the Philippines. The videos were introduced last month when various groups were opposing the proposal to amend the 1987 Philippine Constitution. Thanks to the internet, Juana Change (played by artist Mae Paner) is now a popular figure in the Philippines.

8 January 2009