Stories from 12 January 2012
Global Voices Aymara: Experiences in Translation in 2011
Some members of the Global Voices in Aymara translation team write about their experiences in 2011, which for them reached a milestone for growth in terms of the number of translators and articles translated. It was also the year where it became an official Lingua site and first indigenous site on Global Voices.
Cuba: Ahmadinejad's Visit
The Iranian president's visit to Cuba has caused much discussion among bloggers, here, here and here.
Haiti: Two Years, Today
Today is the second anniversary of the Haiti earthquake. Regional bloggers post remembrances, here, here and here.
Azerbaijan: Corrupt Cops Captured on Video Dismissed
Radio Free Europe's Tumblr blog reports that a video shot by its Baku Bureau of traffic police taking bribes off motorists in the Azerbaijani capital has led to their dismissal.
Trinidad & Tobago: Drum Culture
In a guest post at Trinidad and Tobago News Blog, rapso artiste Brother Resistance remembers one of the country's “musical pioneers”, percussionist Ja Jah Oga Onilu, who recently passed away.
Guyana: All Kinds of Cowards
“I’s afflicted with the kinda cringing-minging-tiptoeing timidity that people don’t take seriously”: Guyana-Gyal “decide[s] to embrace [her] Inner Coward.”
Cameroon: Essayist and Blogger Arrested and Charged with Robbery
Enoh Meyomesse, a Cameroonian writer and blogger, was arrested on November 22, 2011, at Nsimalen airport in Yaoundé, Cameroon on his way back from Singapore. Charged with robbery by the military court of Bertoua, in the north of the country, he is now detained at Nkondengui prison in Yaoundé.
Madagascar, Ethiopia: Arable Lands on Sale
The association “Collectif TANY” for the Protection of Land in Madagascar has published an exhaustive list of the instances of Land Grab by foreign entities in Madagascar [fr]. They warn the public opinion that sales or leasing of arable lands at discount prices are still taking place in Madagascar (2...
Ecuador: Journalists’ Twitter Habits and Challenges
Christian Espinosa, from Cobertura Digital [es], looks at the way Ecuadorian journalists are using Twitter.
Guatemala: Speaking out Against Mainstream Media's ‘Bad Press’ for President Colom
In a recent editorial, The Guatemala Times is critical of the country's mainstream media, who they say has “unleashed an increased and endless flow of bad press for President [Álvaro] Colom and his government since Otto Perez won the election.” Mike, in the blog Central American Politics, comments on the...
Venezuela: The Impact of Social Networks
In an essay for Centro Gumilla [es], researcher Raisa Urribarri analyzes the impact of social networks, online citizen participation and other changes in the field of alternative communication in Venezuela.
Greece: Criticism of Politicians During Theophany Celebrations
In Greece, January 6 is the national holiday of Theophany. Every year, government and civic officials attend the celebrations and make official statements. However, due to the economic, political and social crisis in Greece, this year's celebrations were marked by strong expressions of disapproval and criticism of politicians.
Yemen: January 12, a Day Without Qat
Today has been declared a 'No Qat Day' by Yemeni netizens, who hope their call will deter their countrymen and women from chewing Qat, an addictive narcotic leaf, chewed by the majority of Yemeni men and women. Noon Arabia sums up online reactions to the day in this post.
Russia: Glasnost 2.0 and a White Revolution
Gordon M. Hahn of Russia: Other Points of View discusses the current thaw in Russian media, why it might result in a Glasnost 2.0, and whether this could cause a White Revolution in the country.
Moldova: New Presidential Candidate Enters the Scene
Zimbru of Morning in Moldova draws attention to the candidacy of centre-left politician Oazu Nantoi for the post of President of Moldova – a post which is indirectly elected by parliament and has proven impossible to fill since the 2010 parliamentary elections, leaving the country with merely acting presidents.
Philippines: Unvisited Corners
Two weeks after coming back from a journey to her motherland Philippines after travelling thirty cities, nine countries, and three continents, Justine Abigail posts about her travel adventures in 2011: “I don't think I've left any part of myself there, but rather I've found pieces of myself”.
Panama: Tropical Hummingbirds feeding
Jane Ellis publishes a video of hummingbirds at the feeder, shot at Pipeline Road in Gamboa town, Panama. She says: “For me, seeing birds like this on my doorstep is one of the major highlights of living in this tropical paradise.”
China: Transformation Snare
China Media Project has translated a news article on an academic report, authored by sociology professor Sun Liping, the former doctoral adviser to now vice-president and successor apparent Xi Jinping (习近平), which argued that China was in the midst of a “transformation snare” in which the energy and impetus to...
