20 May 2011

Stories from 20 May 2011

Australia: Journalist Arrest Over Facebook Photo

Australian journalist arrested and iPad seized! No it’s not Julian Assange. But Ben Grubb’s brief encounter with Queensland authorities raised several serious cyber issues including social media privacy and security, police powers of arrest and confiscation of digital devices, plus journalists’ rights.

20 May 2011

Bhutan: Another Royal Wedding

Bhutanese Member of Parliament Sangay Khandu informs in a blog post about the royal address of His Majesty King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck (31), in which he declared his wedding...

20 May 2011

Portugal: Uncovering Transparency in Parliament

With the backdrop of prolonged economic crisis, which contaminates social and political life, portuguese citizens demand for public governance transparency. Today an important step was taken in this direction, with...

20 May 2011

Africa: Will Land Grab Help Africa?

Ken argues that the latest land grab in Africa might help the continent: “This latest land grab on the continent maybe the catalyst of an African green revolution. Most African...

20 May 2011

Spain: “Yes We Camp,” Mobilizing on the Streets and the Internet

Since May 15, people in Spain have taken the streets to demand democracy in advance to the upcoming elections, with thousands camping out in cities across the country. Protesters and supporters are organizing in decentralized and horizontal networks, and employing social media tools to share and spread information, tell their stories, and collaborate on ideas, proposals and initiatives.

20 May 2011

Cuba: Reforms vs. Reality

Laritza Diversent looks at some of the impending changes coming out of the Communist Party Congress, but says: “There is far too much optimism towards the announced changes made by...

20 May 2011

Bahamas: Help with Crime?

“Mr Dwayne Cartwright, an employee of the Department of Environmental Health has been murdered by senseless thugs that are running wild on our streets”: Jerome Pinder at Weblog Bahamas wonders...

20 May 2011

Brazil: Future of Forests at Stake

Across the past few weeks, the Brazilian National Congress has been abuzz with the pressure to vote on a new Forestry Code. The project based on proposed changes of the existing Code is backed by a coalition of Deputies of the so-called “Ruralist Front”. Environmentalists have mobilized against the new Code, and scientists demand more time to analyze the project.

20 May 2011

Azerbaijan: Manatvision

Global Voices author Leyla Najafli posts an English translation of a blog post commenting on Azerbaijan's victory in last weekend's Eurovision Song Contest. Playing with the name of the local...

20 May 2011