Stories from 29 May 2011
Nepal: Constituent Assembly Term Extended For Three Months
Phanindra Dahal at United We Blog! for a Democratic Nepal informs about the latest drama at the current Nepali parliament session where the Constituent Assembly was extended for three months.
Philippines: Digital Media Wiki
A wiki page provides a rich source of information on the state of digital media in the Philippines.
Philippines: Novelist Mired in Plagiarism Controversy
Alfred "Krip" Yuson, an award-winning Filipino novelist, achieved notoriety for allegedly plagiarizing an article by his subordinate in a mainstream news agency. Here are some reactions from the Philippine blogosphere
Southeast Asia Funk Music
Mr. Brown shares his collection of 60's and 70's Southeast Asia Funk music from Cambodia, Vietnam, and Singapore.
Philippines: Short films of Kidlat Tahimik
Francis Cruz reviews the notable short films made by Filipino filmmaker Kidlat Tahimik.
Indonesia: Tweeting a trial on religious violence
The twitter account @cikeusiktrial was created to monitor the trial of a mob attack against an Ahmadi congregation in Cikeusik Sub District in Indonesia. The attack was witnessed by 30 police officers who did nothing to prevent the religious violence.
Thailand: American blogger arrested for insulting royals
A Thai-born American citizen was arrested in Thailand for violation of Lese Majeste. How did he insult the King? He linked and translated some parts of a banned book in his blog in 2007.
Cuba: On Emails and Blogs
Due to limited acces to the Internet in Cuba, blogger Yasmín Portales Machado has decided to publish on her blog En 2310 y 8225 [es] the comments on her posts that have been circulated through email, which is more easily available in Cuba.
Cuba: Reflections on the Conference Against Homophobia
Blogger and gay activist Francisco Rodríguez Cruz reflects on the most recent Cuban Conference Against Homophobia [es].
Cuba: Five Intellectuals Analyze the 15-M
The blog La Pupila Insomne [es] has convened five intellectuals [es] to discuss and analyze the social movement 15-M (May 15) that has developed in Spain in recent weeks.
Puerto Rico: Fractal is Looking for an Intern
The art blog The Fractal [es] is looking for an intern [es] to work on their project “Be Kind, Digitalize” [es].
Puerto Rico: Book by Julieta Munoz
The digital magazine 80 Grados [es] publishes a fragment of Julieta Muñoz Alvarado's most recent book [es] “Tarareando en clave el son de los 70.”
Puerto Rico: Debate on Media and Politics
Journalist Sandra Rodríguez Cotto analyzes the recent debate [es] on the alleged donations of the largest and most influential newspaper in the Island, El Nuevo Día [es], to the politician Jorge De Castro Font, convicted of federal charges on corruption.
Puerto Rico: Video on the Gas Pipeline Route
Historian and blogger Ivonne Acosta posts the video of a reportage on the beautiful route [es] through which a proposed gas pipeline will run through. Environmentalists and community activists are opposing the state-sponsored project.
Honduras: Former President Manuel Zelaya Returns
Ousted president Manuel Zelaya returned to Honduras from exile nearly two years after he was removed from office through a coup. Bloggers report on the atmosphere before and after his arrival, and analyze what his return means for the country.
Russia: Famous Sci-Fi Writer's Blog Removed for ‘Anti-Semitism’
Following President Medvedev's speech on extremism in the Russian Internet, security services began a campaign against online neo-Nazis and vocal nationalists. On May 28, 2011, the campaign against racial and religious extremism found an unusual enemy – Leonid Kaganov, one of Russia's oldest bloggers, a poet, and a science fiction writer.
Azerbaijan: Twitter as a tool for activism
Global Voices co-founder Ethan Zuckerman comments on the use of Twitter in last week's campaign by Amnesty International to call for the release of prisoner of conscience Eynulla Fatullayev. Although the imprisoned journalist was released, argues Zuckerman, several questions have been raised by the online action and not least in...
Japan: Photoreport of volunteering in Ishinomaki
Photographer Irwin Wong spent days in Ishinomaki in Miyagi Prefecture to take part in relief support. Read his photo report: (Part One and Two).
Costa Rica: Sex Abuse Prison Sentence Raises Concerns About Justice System
The sentencing of a 39 year old cabinet-maker to four and a half years of prison for sexually assaulting a woman during the daytime by touching her genitals in public has divided Costa Rica: while some applaud this decision, others believe this points to a failed justice system and a third group considers it excessive.
Russia: Moscow Pride 2011
This year's Moscow Gay Pride event ended in clashes almost as soon as it began, at least 18 gay rights activists and 14 of their opponents are reported to have been arrested, and a journalist who had blogged about her reasons for attending the rally ended hospitalized with a concussion.
