Stories from 24 June 2012
South Korea: Broadcasters’ Battle for Fair Journalism Continues
In South Korea, an indefinite strike by broadcasters has continued for almost five months in the nation's largest TV network, MBC. Journalists and producers are urging the company president to step down, accusing him of incapacitating investigative new programs that criticize the government by firing or reprimanding reporters and producers.
Brazil: Anti-Corruption Bill Revoked
The Brazilian anti-corruption bill known as Ficha Limpa (No Criminal Record), had its immediate effect revoked by the Supreme Federal Court with 6 votes against 5, as Marcos Bahé, from the blog Acerto de Contas, informs [pt].
Brazil: Second Round of Occupy Belo Monte Started
Marcelo Salazar, a Brazilian engineer who works for the [river] Xingu Program of the Instituto Socioambiental, posted on Facebook a series of photos from the second round of “occupy” Belo Monte, which started on June 22, 2012, in the construction site of the hydroelectric power plant.
Puerto Rico: Artist Nora Maité Nieves
The digital magazine that covers issues of the Puerto Rican diaspora in the United States, En Punto, interviews artist Nora Maité Nieves [es], who lives in Chicago.
Puerto Rico: Impunity Island
Blogger Ed Morales comments on recently released American Civil Liberty Union's (ACLU) report (PDF) on police brutality in Puerto Rico: “The report echoes a previous, scathing one on police brutality and abuse of civil rights in Puerto Rico released last September (PDF) by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), which put the island commonwealth’s...
Puerto Rico: Goodbye, Mara Negrón
The digital magazine 80 Grados dedicates [es] it's edition to scholar and professor of the University of Puerto Rico Mara Negrón, 51, who died in Paris due to a very recently diagnosed leucemia.
Egypt: The New President of Egypt is Mohamed Morsi
Mohamed Morsi was named the new president of Egypt. Netizens were on their toes awaiting the announcement of Egypt's next president.
Cuba: Havana Hosts Social Networking Festival
The Festival Clic or "Click Festival" was hosted last week in Havana, Cuba, organized by bloggers on the island, most notably Yoani Sánchez, author of the blog Generación Y.
UAE: Dress Code Campaign Urges Extra Inches of Clothing
Two female Emirati nationals have launched a Twitter campaign to urge expatriates and tourists to respect the cultural sensibilities of the Emirates regarding dress. Their campaign has pushed the Federal National Council to propose a law regarding dress code.
Lebanon: Protesting Shalala's Honorary Degree
Rami reported and posted a video of demonstrators who disrupted the Master’s graduation ceremony at the American University of Beirut to protest against awarding an honorary degree to Donna Shalala. The demonstrators protested Shalala's support for engagement with Israel.
Kenya: Human-Wildlife Conflict in Urban Jungle
Angry residents of Kitengela, an outskirt of Nairobi, killed two lions and four cubs on 20 June who attacked a dozen of livestock. A pride of lions invaded a homestead the following day killing goats and sheep. We took a trip around Twittersphere to find out interesting reactions about the incident.
Egypt: The Problem with Sharia
Just An Egyptian discusses his problem with Sharia – Islamic law – in this post.
Bahrain: After Twitter
Bahraini blogger Ahmed Habib tweets [ar]: “They have completed the stage where we have become birds who tweet on Twitter. They are now in the next stage and that is to find cages … for all of us!”
Armenia: A Slow Descent Into Fascism?
Following the 8 May firebombing of a gay-friendly bar in Yerevan and the disruption by ultra-nationalists of a march for diversity two weeks later, the Huffington Posts asks if Armenia is slowly sliding towards fascism? In recent months nationalist actions have become more evident in the predominantly mono-ethnic country, including...
Sudan: Unshackling the Sudanese Revolution
Unlike other countries in the region, Sudan is grossly underreported, and this was ever so evident during Friday and Saturday’s street demonstrations. The Sudanese government keeps a tight grip on local media and bans journalists from reporting on issues of human rights and corruption.
Yemen: Attacks on Southern Yemen Jeopardize National Dialogue
While a National Dialogue is under way to discuss many of Yemen's issues, central security forces attacked Mansoura's square, where separatist activists staged sit-in protests for over a year, destroying their tents and using live ammunition to disperse them, killing and injuring some.
Israel: Violent Protests Across Tel Aviv #J14
Thousands rushed to the streets of Tel Aviv Saturday evening, June 23rd, after violent clashes erupted between protesters and cops the previous day. On Friday, June 22nd, social justice (#J14) protesters attempted to re-occupy Tel Aviv's Rothshield boulevard with tents and were met with heavy violence from police.
Will a Unified Time Zone Work for Indonesia?
Indonesia, the world's largest archipelagic country, plans to synchronize its three time zones on October. The business sector is supporting the plan but netizens and religious leaders have many questions.
