8 September 2011

Stories from 8 September 2011

Cambodia: State of Human Rights

  8 September 2011

The latest report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Cambodia is now online. The report expressed concern about the violations on the “freedom of expression and land and housing rights” in Cambodia

East Timor urged not to borrow

  8 September 2011

Debt-free East Timor must resist the urge to borrow and avoid the curse of other developing nations whose huge foreign loans have stunted progress. This was the message of 117 organizations based in 28 countries and 20 groups in East Timor who signed a statement addressed to the government.

Morocco: The Twitter Opposition Party

  8 September 2011

On Monday, the Moroccan government launched a campaign to showcase its "achievements" since attaining power. A website was created to spearhead the campaign which comes only two months before a much expected parliamentary election later this year. Moroccan Twitter users used the platform to mock their government's claims.

Bolivia: Interview With Blogger Hugo Miranda

  8 September 2011

Daniel Calbimonte interviewed [es] blogger Hugo Miranda of Angel Caído [es]. In the interview Hugo explains what it means to be a Community Manager, lists his favorite blogs, discusses the future of the Internet, and answers other related questions.

Mexico: The Importance of Literacy

  8 September 2011

Ismael Flores at Vivir México [es] blogs about the importance of literacy. He provides some historical background and looks at current challenges related to literacy in Mexico.

Brazil: Does Crime Pay? The Truth About Reclusion Benefits

  8 September 2011

The Brazilian government’s initiative to offer a benefit to prisoners’ family members and dependents has sparked the debate in online citizen media because of a propaganda email chain against the initiative, which still today circulates on the web. Some bloggers have decided to seek the truth behind the affirmations.

Cambodia: ‘Avatar’ Rally to Protect Country’s Forest

  8 September 2011

Prey Lang, the largest lowland forest in Cambodia and home of more than 200,000 indigenous peoples, is threatened by the plan of the government to transform the area into plantations and mining sites. In protest, villagers dressed up like the Na'vi tribe from the film Avatar to express their sentiments

Russia: Crowdsourced Map of Electoral Violations Launched

RuNet Echo  8 September 2011

Electoral monitoring association “Golos” together with gazeta.ru had launched Kartanarusheniy.ru, a crowdsourced mechanism for collecting user data on electoral violations. Ushahidi-like map (although developed on a different software) allows users to report agitation violations, administrative and police pressure, bribery, misuse of power, violation of candidates’ rights.

Madagascar: Singles, Beware of Bloggers !

  8 September 2011

Andriamihaja, a young blogger from Toliara (a city in southern Madagascar) lists  ten reasons not to date a blogger. [fr] One of the reasons is: “the rare times they will ask you for advice, it is probably to get materials for their blogs.”

Israel: Stop Motion Inside Stop Motion

  8 September 2011

Eran Amir produced a stop motion video showing 500 people around Israel holding up more than 1500 developed pictures. You'll have to see it twice, once to focus on the story told through the black and white pictures the people hold, and the other to enjoy watching the people and...