Stories from 6 October 2011
Cameroon: Controversies Around the Electoral Campaign
The Central African Republic of Cameroon has entered the last week of the presidential campaign. While international election monitors arrived in the country to observe the elections, the electoral campaign activities failed to convince most Cameroonians of the importance of what is at stake.
Caribbean: Remembering the Genius of Steve Jobs
Steve Jobs' death has left a gaping hole in the world of technology. Caribbean bloggers took the opportunity to say “thank you” and talk about the role that Jobs - and the company he helped revolutionize - played in their lives.
Iran:In the memory of Steve Jobs
Alireza Shirazi, head of a leading blog provider, remembered Steve Jobs as a creative human being.
Bolivia: Is Twitter Good for Democracy?
Roberto Laserna [es] blogs about the use of Twitter in Bolivia and argues that Twitter “has enormous potential to facilitate democracy and direct personal contact between citizens and the authorities, especially if authorities manage their own accounts and interact actively and honestly with citizens.”
Uruguay: Concerns About Collecting Census Data Online
The blog Uruguay: click para actualizar [es] (“click to refresh”) lays out several concerns about a website with an online questionnaire that closely resembles the official census survey. The people behind the website say they want to show that census data could be collected online rather than door-to-door.
Nicaragua: Sony Music Tells Ortega to Stop Using Song in Campaign Ad
President Daniel Ortega's campaign jingle is causing controversy abroad, as Erwin C. reports: “The use of ‘Stand by Me’ […] did not sit well with Sony Music, which reportedly sent a cease and desist letter to the head of Ortega’s party in the legislature. […] The statement also claimed that...
Jordan: Prince Hassan Joins Twitter!
Jordan's Prince Hassan has joined Twitter, much to the delight of many Jordanian tweeps. Ali Alhasani takes a closer look at their reactions.
Colombia: First National Evacuation Simulation
Fourteen Colombian cities participated in an exercise of simulating a national evacuation on October 5. The idea was to simulate an emergency (an earthquake) and build awareness of the steps people should assume in the event of an actual emergency.
Bahrain: Dr Ghassan Dhaif Tweets His Jail Experience
A Bahraini doctor is one of 20 sentenced doctors who have taken to Twitter to tell the world their story with imprisonment, torture and harassment in their own words. Mona Kareem brings us the story of Dr Ghassan Dhaif, sentenced to 15 years in prison, in this post. Bahrain has now ordered their re-trial in a civilian court.
Italy: Wikipedia Italia on strike
The homepage of Wikipedia Italia is on strike from the evening of October 4th. Its content is blocked in protest against an Italian bill on telephone interceptions that will mean that all sites and blogs must amend their contents within 48 hours of a request by any applicant who judges it...
Puerto Rico: Internet Leadership
Dondequiera says that “there is no way that Puerto Rico will ever have a chance of building an Internet startup community if we don't enjoy the same freedoms and access that are granted to other leaders on the Internet”, adding: “This isn't about status, it's about opportunity.”
Cuba: Fonseca Told to Get Lawyer
Uncommon Sense finds it interesting that jailed dissidents Sara Fonseca and her husband Julio Leon have been advised to obtain legal counsel, calling it “a suggestion that indicates the regime plans to formally prosecute the couple because of their anti-communist activism.”
Iran: A cartoon for Steve Jobs
Mana Neyestani, a leading Iranian cartoonist, has published a cartoon about Steve Jobs’ death. An old man says to the “Angel of Death” there are many dinosaurs in Iran and you go after “red apples”.
Africa: Famine is Man-made but…
Famine is man-made but….:”21st century solutions should be founded on collective responsibility. Describing famine as “man-made” is a step in the right direction, but let's not just look to foreign governments for handouts let's have the courage to call for responsibility and action from those closer to home.”
Bahamas: Outlaws & Outbreaks
Crime and dengue fever: two pressing issues that have Bahama Pundit‘s Larry Smith concerned.
Jamaica: Vybz Cartel on Murder Charge
Dancehall star Vybz Cartel now faces murder charges in Jamaica; The Caribbean Camera has the details.
Kenya: Movie About Oldest Kenyan Primary School Pupil
Africa Expat Wife writes about The First Grader, a movie about Maruge – the oldest Kenyan primary school pupil: “I am gutted that they didn't call the movie ‘Form One’ – which would have been a lot more apt and less corny, however, it's the true story of a man...
Trinidad & Tobago: Proper Procurement Procedure
Afra Raymond blogs about the importance of proper procurement practices regarding “the development of Invader’s Bay, a 70-acre parcel of State-owned reclaimed land”, saying: “The publication of the [Request For Proposal]…give the impression that a proper procurement process is underway at Invader’s Bay. Nothing could be further from the truth.”
Kenya: Vote for Juliana Rotich for Ultimate Business and Technology Game Changer
Vote for Julian Rotich for Ultimate Business and Technology Game Changer: “This year, Africa’s very own Juliana Rotich has been nominated as one of 10 change makers in the Business and Technology category. Nomination and more importantly winning in any of the categories undoubtedly brings more awareness of the work...
Palestine: Blogger Rasha Hilwi Not Welcome in Tunisia
Rasha Hilwi, a Palestinian citizen of Israel, is a well-known journalist and blogger and was among the Palestinian bloggers refused visas to Tunisia in order to attend the 3rd Arab Bloggers Meeting. Here, Global Voices interviews Rasha.
Tunisia: Arab Bloggers Discuss the Situation in Syria
At the Third Arab Bloggers Meeting in Tunis this week, Syria has been on the minds and lips of many participants. Speakers from Syria are quoted in this piece highlighting several sessions focused on the country.
