Stories from 13 July 2012
Venezuela: The Blogosphere Discusses the Campaign
As the Venezuelan opposition finally manages to get a visible space in the upcoming elections, the blogosphere reflects rising expectations from both sides.
Greece: Online Petition Against the Privatization of Greek Water
An online petition [el], entitled “Save Greek water from privatization” has begun after Prime Minister Antonis Samaras’ announcement calling for an aggressive programme of privatisation, including water. Main arguments of the petition...
Tajikistan: Blogger Urges Young People to Be Politically Active
Ahead of the 2013 presidential elections in Tajikistan, Post Scriptum suggests [ru] that the country's young people should be more active in articulating their political preferences. “We should not silently nod in...
Panama: ‘Songo’, a Cultural ‘Cyber-Promoter’
The Panamanian Edilberto González Trejos navigates social networks and the blogsophere with the pseudonym 'Songo'. His work as a cultural promoter is known by all those who are involved in one way or another with blogs and social networks in Panama. In this interview Edilberto speaks to us about his love for culture, his multiple blogs, how he sees the Panamanian blogosphere and his long term goals.
Spain: Supporting the Miners: “Yes, Yes, They Do Represent Us!”
Thousands joined in and showed their support for Spanish miners when they arrived in Madrid after walking 400 kilometres from the north of Spain. The miners were surprised at the scale of the mobilisation, which added to the intensity of what is now known as #nocheminera (mining night).
Iran: A jailed blogger released on $500,000 bail
Human rights activists and social networking sites reported that Hossein Ronaghi Maleki released on $500,000 bail.
Mauritania: Anger at Foreign Minister's Support for Assad
In his speech at the Friends of Syria conference on July 6, the Mauritanian foreign minister Hamadi Ould Hamadi described what was happening in Syria as "violence and counterviolence". This comment was considered to be an expression of support for Bashar Al Assad's regime, and angered activists.
Ethiopia: Where is Meles Zenawi?
Rumors about the health and whereabouts of Ethiopia’s Prime Minster Meles Zenawi have dominated the Ethiopian social media sphere for weeks. Netizens have been sharing their thoughts about the rumors wondering why this story has been overlooked by the mainstream media.
Zambia: Police Thwart Xenophobic Attacks Against Congolese Traders
The Zambian law enforcement agencies prevented what could have been deadly retaliatory and xenophobic attacks on neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo citizens living in Zambia following the burning to death of a Zambian driver in the border Congolese town of Kasumbalesa.
DR of Congo: Controversial Sentence for Thomas Lubanga
On 10 July, the International Criminal Court convicted Congolese Thomas Lubanga Dyilo to 14 years in prison. He was found guilty of war crimes for having recruited and enrolled children under 15-years-old. Congolese bloggers lament over the restrained sentence.
Slovakia: Catholics Protest the Sacking of Popular Archbishop
A concert in support of Róbert Bezák, the popular archbishop of Trnava who was sacked for unknown reasons, took place on Tuesday and was the next step in various protests,...
Tajikistan: Big Brother to Watch Internet Activity in the Country
Authorities in Tajikistan plan to "track down and identify" individuals who publish materials and leave comments deemed insulting to the country's leadership. Netizens respond with a flurry of angry comments.
St. Lucia: The Global Voices Summit from a Caribbean Perspective
The recently concluded Global Voices Summit in Nairobi, Kenya featured many discussions which are particularly relevant to the Caribbean. Here's a quick rundown of topics that citizen journalists and bloggers from the region may find relevant...
France : World Forum for Democracy Will Take Place in Strasbourg in October 2012
The World Forum for Democracy is organized by the Coucil of Europe in Strasbourg from October 5th to 11th, 2012. The blog Démocratie réelle à Nîmes maintenant [fr] republishes the post of blog...
Syria: Traymseh Massacre Evokes Rage and Sorrow
Last year, on the eve of the holy month of Ramadan, Syrian forces loyal to the regime of Bashar al-Assad, killed around 45 civilians in the central town of Hama. This year, the bloodshed is in a village in the vicinity of Hama, Traymseh, but the death toll is believed to be several times higher.
Hong Kong: Foreign Domestic Workers Protest Mandatory Live-in Policy
A popular singer's outrageous treatment of her maid, who is forced to sleep in a customized bed on top of a toilet bowl, sparked protests outside the immigration office against Hong Kong's mandatory live-in policy which makes foreign domestic workers vulnerable to ill-treatment.
Afghanistan: American-Handpicked President a “Terrible Idea”
In a recent op-ed piece in the Washington Post, American scholar Michael O’Hanlon (who also advises the CIA) argued that the US should pick the next president of Afghanistan. Ahmad Shuja, an...
Kyrgyzstan: Blogger Suggests “Ethnicity Should Die”
Ilya Karimdjanov, a prominent Kyrgyzstani blogger, argues [ru] that ethnicity as a criterion for dividing people up into groups “should simply die”. “I really don't understand why people tend to...
