Stories from 25 May 2012
Mexico: #YoSoy132, the Beginning of the Mexican Spring?
The visit of presidential candidate Enrique Peña Nieto to the Iberoamericana University was marked with protests by students who rebuked the candidate in several occasions. This, along with the media coverage of the event, unleashed an explosive mixture that first found an outlet in social media and has now taken its energy to the streets of major Mexican cities.
Jamaica: Re-introducing Calabash Litfest
Two Jamaican litbloggers are thrilled that the Calabash Literary Festival is back!
Trinidad & Tobago: Same Sex Issues
Globewriter comments on a Senate debate about a clause of the Children's Bill “involving a clause that includes buggery”; B.C. Pires adds: “The People’s Partnership of UNC [United National Congress] MPs [Ministers of Parliament] yesterday refused, despite urgings from Independent senators, to decriminalize same gender sexual activity between minors –...
Trinidad & Tobago: Government Partnership a Leaky Ship?
A handful of Trinidadian bloggers seem disillusioned with the People's Partnership government and are being rather vocal about their reasons - especially in light of the country's upcoming 50th anniversary of Independence.
Azerbaijan: More Arrests Despite ‘Eurovision Effect’
On the eve of the final of the Eurovision Song Contest, held this year in Azerbaijan, police in Baku, the capital, have arrested dozens of pro-democracy activists protesting against human rights violations in the oil-rich former Soviet republic.
Global Voices Citizen Media Summit 2012: Countdown to Nairobi
In 38 days' time, on July 2, 2012, over 250 people from the four corners of planet Earth will gather in Nairobi, Kenya, for the Global Voices Citizen Media Summit 2012. Shouldn't you be one of them?
Argentina: Controversy Surrounding Labour Conditions in Production of Yerba Mate
The Province of Misiones, where the famous Iguazú falls can be found, is the current subject of controversy because of the working conditions of yerba mate workers. The AFIP (Federal Administration of Public Income) has discovered slave labour in a yerba mate field.
Africa: Celebrating Africa Liberation Day on Twitter
Africa Liberation Day is the annual commemoration on May 25 of the 1963 founding of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU). In 2002 the OAU established its own successor, the African Union (AU). Africans and friends of Africa celebrate African unity and freedom on Twitter.
The Internet, a Space for Information on Sexual and Reproductive Health
Female sexual and reproductive health is key for development. However, health services are not always accessible and, in the worse cases, disregarded. As a result, innumerable feminist organizations have taken to the Internet to encourage discussion, activism, to clear up doubts and share information.
Mali: A President Assaulted, a Nation in Turmoil
A rapidly escalating crisis has taken over Mali, including a recent assault on the interim president in his palace. All indicators seem to point towards a prolonged situation, although voices are calling for unity.
Spain: How Social Networks are Cleaning Up TV
For several years low-quality content has been broadcast in Spain. Called "telebasura" in Spanish or simply trash TV, it has been a very profitable business model for its low cost production and wide audience reach. However TV trash is in serious danger thanks to an active audience that has used the power of social networks and digital campaigns.
Costa Rica: Discipline Reaps Success for National Cyclist
Blogger ‘stwartmendez’ from La Tinta del Ocio [es] highlights the success of Costa Rican cyclist Andrey Amador who is participating in Giro d'Italia, the Tour of Italy cycling race. Amador came in third in the twelfth stage and first in the fourteenth stage. The blogger attributes this success to the...
Puerto Rico: “Revuelo,” a Beautiful Commotion
"Revuelo" (Commotion) is the name of a breathtaking artistic and architectural project in the National Gallery in Old San Juan. The architect and photographer Raquel Pérez-Puig has shared some of her beautiful photos with Global Voices.
Brazil: Will President Dilma Veto the Future of Forests?
Online social media has been abuzz since the approval of the new Forestry Code in Brazil by the National Congress. In the spotlight is President Dilma Rousseff, who can use her legal right in congress to veto the future of forests up until May 25.
Africa: Talking About Africa's Digital Future
Will Mutua talks to CEO and co-founder of buni.tv, a new internet video platform specifically focused on content created in Africa or about Africa.
Côte d'Ivoire: Controversy during 2012 Tech Conferences
Between May 15 and 18, 2012, Côte d"Ivoire played host to two important tech conferences. Covering IT and communications technology (ICT), among the themes intended to be covered were cybercrime and the inclusion of women in the world of ICT. ‘Google Days’ and the JNTIC 2012 conference caused controversy and debate, with many people on the Ivorian blogosphere reacting passionately to the issues raised.
Germany: Wanted Posters Against Delivery of Tanks to Saudi Arabia
The Center for Political Beauty in Germany is creating a buzz with its "wanted" campaign. Its goal is to convict shareholders of the weapons manufacturer Krauss-Maffei Wegmann and to put a stop to planned tank deliveries to Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia: Censorship of Wikipedia
Saudi Arabia, one of Reporters Without Borders’ Internet Enemies, has blocked access to many articles on the free encyclopedia Wikipedia. The Saudi Communications and Information Technology Commission has censored over 130 articles in Arabic and English, including articles relating to sex and sexuality, the human body, and the theory of...
Mauritania: Student Scandal Rocks Presidential Palace
On May 3 a group of Mauritanian students made a surprise revelation at a press conference. They announced that the president's chief of staff Isselkou Ould Izidbih had attempted to bribe them to give up their struggle for students' rights as well as to stop sit-ins and protests.
Ghana: Make Petroleum Revenue Management Bill Public
Seth Bokpe reports that a coalition of civil society organisations in Ghana has called on the government to make the draft Petroleum Revenue Management Bill public.
Armenia: US Embassy Condemns Attack on Gay-Friendly Bar
Ararat has more on the firebombing of D.I.Y., a gay-friendly bar in Yerevan, in a post by Global Voices’ Caucasus Regional Editor while Unzipped: Gay Armenia publishes a statement from the U.S. Embassy in Armenia condemning the ultra-nationalist attack.
