Stories from 9 April 2011
Indonesian Netizens Support ‘Dancing Cop’
The video of a provincial cop dancing and lip-syncing to the tune of a Bollywood Indian song is now a certified internet and media hit in Indonesia. Authorities reprimanded the policeman for recording the act while on duty but netizens have expressed their support for the 'dancing cop'.
Nicaragua: Experiences of Online Citizen Participation
The web in Nicaragua is increasingly active, with projects for social events or small businesses finding niche markets to serve online. In order to learn a little more about these practices, Rodrigo Peñalba presents five videos considering the topics of tourism and the web, the social integration of migrants and people with limited resources, gender and sexual diversity and initiatives from the free software community in Nicaragua.
Peru Prepares for the 2011 Presidential Elections
On Sunday, April 10, more than 17 million Peruvians will elect the President for 2011-2016, along with 130 congress members (members of the Parliament). The campaign has been long, multifarious, controversial and harshly disputed. Peruvians have turned to blogs, Twitter and Facebook to share their opinions about the candidates and the campaign.
Brazil: Was the shooting of Ricardo Gama politically motivated?
Controversial Brazilian blogger Ricardo Gama was shot in Rio de Janeiro on the March 24. Gama, a "forceful critic" of political power and police in Rio has already left the hospital and promises that his blog "won't change".
Guatemala: Photos of Lent Processions in Antigua
Antigua Daily Photo will be publishing one photo per day for one week of Lent processions in Antigua, Guatemala.
Mexico: March Against Violence or Against the Government?
Thousands of Mexicans - not only in their own country, but also in various cities around the world - conducted simultaneous protests on April 6, 2011. Some took part to express their discontent at the country's violent climate, others showed their disagreement with the government's strategy in the fight against crime.
Singapore: Debate on ‘Pampered’ Soldiers
Are Singapore soldiers ready for battle? This is one of the many questions raised by netizens who are reacting to the photo of a young serviceman whose backpack is being carried by someone believed to be their family domestic helper
Indonesia: Ministry Orders Removal of Buddha Statue
Indonesia's commitment to promote religious tolerance was questioned again after the Religious Affairs Ministry ordered a large Buddhist statue in a monastery in North Sumatra to be removed after Muslim groups in the area protested against its presence.
Nigeria: Tweeting Parliamentary Election 2011
Using the hashtag #NigeriaDecides, Nigerians online talk about today's parliamentary elections that was originally scheduled to be held on 2 April, 2001.
Egypt: Debating the Role of the Media in Covering Blogger's Arrest
Egyptian bloggers discuss the role of the media in shedding light on the case of the detained blogger, Maikel Nabil Sanad, with TV host Yosri Fouda. Tarek Amr sums up the conversation in this post.
Egypt: Remembering Bahr El-Baqar Incident
Forty one years ago, the Israeli Air Force raided a primary school in the Egyptian village of Bahr el-Baqar. About 30 of its students died, over 50 were severely wounded, and many were left with disabilities. And after all those years, Egyptians still remember the massacre.
China: Ran Yunfei’s Blogging for Political Change
A well-known and respected blogger, Ran Yunfei consistently writes about social justice and democratic reforms in China. He has been charged with 'inciting subversion of state power' on March 28 this year. His blog is nominated for the 2011 Deutsche Welle International Blog Awards' Chinese category.
Bhutan: A Young Actress For Organic Farming
Zoltan Valcsicsak at Volunteering in Bhutan highlights Kejang D Wangmo, a young Bhutanese actress, singer, dancer and poet, who dedicates herself as a goodwill ambassador for organic farming in Bhutan.
Russia: “Political Schizophrenia”
A Good Treaty writes about “Russia’s bastard democracy” – which “drives most anyone to a sort of civic manic depression” – and journalist Oleg Kashin's political “mood swings.”
