Stories from April, 2012
Tunisia: Clashes Over Future of State Television
On April 25 a sit-in outside the offices of Tunisia's state television network that had lasted almost eight weeks came to an end. Protestors demanded the “cleansing” of the network of Ben Ali supporters, and also opposed suggestions of its privatisation.
Refugees: Online Media and Technology to the Service of Refugees
Two different organizations are using online media and technology to aid refugees and improve their lives. The first uses online and mobile tools to reunite refugees who have lost track of family members, and the other provides legal information to refugees in Hong Kong through YouTube videos.
India: Protests Against the New IT Rules
In April 2011 the Indian government quietly issued amendments to the IT rules restricting web content that are designated as “disparaging,” “harassing,” “blasphemous” or “hateful.” The Indian netizens are campaigning against it online and are organizing street protests.
Angola: Youth Demonstration Against Alcoholism Violently Repressed
According to Facebook reports, today's youth demonstration against alcoholism, prostitution and domestic violence (April 28), was violently repressed, informed [pt] the blog Angola Resistente. On April 23, an opinion article [pt] from Makuta Nkondo stated that in a year of elections, the ruling party since 1975, MPLA, organizes “food and drinks...
Syria: Television “Confession” of Activist Ali Mahmoud Othman
Ali Mahmoud Othman, head of the media office of Baba Amr in Homs, was arrested in March. Now an exclusive interview, which many believe is a forced confession following his torture, is due to be broadcast on Syrian state television.
Liberia: Charles Taylor Guilty Verdict Received With Mixed Reactions
The Sierra Leone Special Court in The Hague has convicted former Liberian President Charles Taylor of war crimes. Taylor was facing 11 charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity. Liberians have received the guilty verdict with mixed reactions.
Sénégal: a Highly Anticipated Wrestling Match between Eumeu Sène and Balla Gaye 2
123Dakar writes [fr] about the upcoming match between two of the biggest stars of Senegalese wrestling: “The fans have been waiting for this eagerly, the competitors have to define their position and their status in the complex and surprising world of wrestling, this great match-up, which will crown either Eumeu...
Bahrain: Where is Abdulhadi Alkhawaja?
For some days there has been no news of imprisoned Bahraini human rights activist Abdulhadi Alkhawaja, who has been on hunger strike since February 8. It is feared that Alkhawaja is either being force-fed or is in a critical state.
Spain: St. George's Day, Catalan Culture and Protest
Saint George's Day (Diada de Sant Jordi in Catalan) is a unique celebration in Catalonia. Tradition holds that the festival revolves around roses and books. April 23rd has always been a day of protest in the name of Catalan language and culture. This year will see more protest than ever because people will...
China and Hollywood: A Toxic Mix?
Dan Harris from China Law Blog highlights the recent discussion on Hollywood's direct investment in China and bribery scandals.
A look into China's ‘red aristocracy’
The Stream, a social media community with a daily TV show on Al Jazeera, has put together content from different social media sources about Chinese billionaires, known as the ‘red aristocracy’ for their connections with Communist Party leadership.
Philippines: Demolition of Urban Poor Village Sparks Indignation
At least one person was killed and scores were injured after police forces fired on protesting residents of Silverio Compound in Paranaque City, south of Manila, who were defending their homes from being demolished. The violent demolition has sparked a wave of indignation online.
Philippine Education Prior and During Spanish Colonization
Red-ayglasses blogs about the state of Philippine education during pre-colonial times and under Spanish colonial rule.
Philippines: Counterinsurgency Primer
Karapatan, an alliance working for the promotion and protection of human rights in the Philippines, uploaded a PDF copy of its comic book entitled Oplan Bayanihan for Beginners. The book is an introduction to Oplan Bayanihan, the government's counterinsurgency campaign which is being linked by human rights advocates to the...
Malaysia: Rare Earth Processing Plant Creates Backlash
An Australian mining company has established a processing plant in Kuantan, Malaysia. But many Malaysians are incensed that this plant was constructed without consulting the residents. Netizens debate whether the government should stop the operations of the rare earth processing plant
Bolivia: TIPNIS Indigenous March Again
Over 500 members from Bolivian Indigenous organisations gathered in Trinidad, approximately 600 kilometres from La Paz, and began on April 27, 2012, at 8 pm (GMT) a march to Bolivia's Seat of Government for the second time. They are opposing Bolivia's governmental plan to built a road that would cut off right...
Iran: Opposition sites under cyber attack
Several blogs and sites reported [fa] in recent days several Iranian reformist and green sites such as daneshjoonews have been under cyber attack.
Nepal: Asia Pacific Photo-Story Contest 2012
Nepal Youth Task Force On Rio +20 informs about a photo contest titled “Asia Pacific Photo-Story Contest 2012″ to mark the Voices of Youth globally in RIO+20, The UN Conference on Sustainable Development (June 20-22, 2012) in Brazil. This contest is open to anybody aged 15-35 from the Asia Pacific...
Tunisia: Uproar at Kiss of President's Hand
On April 26 a video featuring two men kissing the hand of interim Tunisian President Moncef Marzouki made a buzz on the web. Kissing the hand of the president is seen as a relic of the rule of Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, and against the values of post-uprising Tunisia.
Ethiopia: Netizens Outraged as Ethiopia Steps Up Internet Censorship
Ethiopian bloggers are outraged and expressing their concern on different social media platforms as the Ethiopian government increasingly engages in blocking and surveillance of selected websites, blogs and Facebook pages.
Bangladesh: Citizen's Voice, A Citizen Watchdog for Public Services
Citizen’s Voice (Nagorikkontho.org) is an online project to empower Bangladeshi citizens by having their voices heard regarding feedback on public services.
