Stories from 21 September 2012
North Korea's Parody of K-Pop Sensation ‘Gangnam Style’
North Korea uploaded a video entitled “I'm Yushin style!” in its government website Uriminzokkiri as a parody of South Korean pop sensation, ‘Gangnam Style‘. The parody lambasts Park Geun-hye, South Korean ruling conservative party's presidential candidate. Ms. Park is a daughter of former President Park Chung-hee, whose “Yushin” system brutally suppressed democracy...
UK: A Geeky Marriage Proposal
Dan Braghis proposed to Global Voices Author, Sylwia Presley in a pitch session at Oxford Geeks event, #OGN28, and she said yes! Congratulations!
El Salvador: Reflecting on the Future of Blogs
Like many netizens around the world, Salvadoran bloggers are discussing the future of blogs. Prompted by a blogger who has decided to put his blog "on hold", bloggers Fernando Marroquin and David Mejía react to the changing Salvadoran blogosphere.
India, Pakistan: Let People Meet
Visa restrictions prevent citizens of India and Pakistan from visiting families in the other country. There isn’t even a tourist visa protocol between these two biggest neighbours of South Asia. Journeys To Democracy promoted the Aman ki Asha Milne Do petition to change this.
Sri Lanka: The continuing occupation of a school by the Navy
The villagers living at the Malankaadu temporary resettlement camp were evicted in 2007 by the Sri Lankan Navy. Most of them are being resettled in an adjoining village, however, the Mullikulam Roman Catholic Tamil Mixed School continues to be occupied by the Navy. Groundviews has more.
Saint Lucia, St. Vincent: Going to Canada? Got to get a Visa!
Early last week, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) imposed visa requirements for entry on five countries, including two from the Caribbean - Saint Lucia and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Bloggers were not entirely surprised, but they had a lot to say about it.
Russia: Activist Journalists or Bolshevik Bloggers?
Anyone following the Russian protest movement cannot help but notice the degree to which many Russian journalists are involved with the opposition. In the age of Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, such interpersonal relationships are clearly visible to outside observers. But what does this overlap say about Russia's journalist culture?
Portugal: Demonstrations During Presidential Meeting with State Council
Following September 15's massive anti-austerity protests around Portugal ‘Screw troika! We want our lives’, new demonstrations were organized for September 21, the day President Cavaco Silva is holding a meeting of his advisory State Council at the Belém Palace. Follow hashtags #15sPT, #CE21s and #QueSeLixeaTroika on Twitter for updates.
Bolivia: One Killed as Rival Miners’ Conflict Escalates
The unresolved conflict between tin miners in Bolivia has escalated this week. On Tuesday, September 18, nine miners were injured and one died of his wounds after the use of dynamite during a clash between rival groups seeking to take control of the Colquiri zinc and tin mine.
Angola: Police Puts End to Protest
The Angolan collective @Central7311 informed on Twitter that some of its members were detained on September 20, 2012, “for holding a peaceful demonstration” which intended to “pressure the opposition not to take their place in parliament after clearly fraudulent elections”. The demonstrators were released six hours after the detention, Maka Angola...
Guinea: Fightings Between Peuls and Malinkes Erupt in Conakry
Guinée TV1 reports that clashes between Peuls and Malinkes [fr], two of the largest ethnic groups in Guinea erupted in Madina, a borough of Conakry. Protesters blocked Conakry’s main bridge and barricaded other roadways, according to witnesses, who said security forces were deployed but did not intervene right away.
Thailand’s Lese Majeste Law: ‘A Strange Legislation that Needs Reform’
Article 112 of Thailand’s criminal code is often described as the world’s harshest Lese Majeste (anti-royal insult) law. The controversial law is often invoked to censor web content and shut down websites. A contributor of Global Voices went to Bangkok and interviewed a former staff of the Committee to Investigate Lese Majeste Cases in the Royal Thai Police.
Togo: Waves of Women in Red March Down Lomé for Political Reform
Several thousand women dressed in red marched in Togo's capital Lome on September 2Oth demanding political reforms. The Association Let's Save Togo posted several photos [fr] from the march.
Bangladesh: Jibon Tari – A Floating Hospital for the Poor
Jibon Tari is a floating hospital in Bangladesh, which sails to remote regions within the country - taking medical services to the poor people in places where medical help is otherwise not easily accessible.
Mozambique: Musician with a Cause
Ruben Mutekane invented Ndjerendje, a musical instrument that he uses to accompany social intervention songs while singing around Maputo, Mozambique. In the following video by Miguel Mangueze (@FotoMangueze)…
Global Voices Seeks Caucasus Editor
Global Voices is seeking a part-time Editor to oversee our ongoing coverage of citizen media in the Caucasus.
Senegal: ‘Completely White’ Whitening Cream Stirs Outrage
Lightening the skin is a common practice in Africa where the sale of skin lightening products is legal in many countries. In Senegal, a product named 'Khess Petch' is creating controversy on the web, as its name means 'complete whitenesss'.
Mexico: #YoSoy132 Tackles Media Democratization
The Mexican youth movement #YoSoy132 has presented a document on media democratization. Marco Antonio Gómez Lovera in the blog Vivir México [es] outlines and analyses the group's proposals.
Macedonia: Activist's Trial to Continue in November
On his Facebook page, activist Žarko Trajanoski wrote [mk] about the latest session of his trial (started in 2010): ‘The Process’ continued – the accused presented his defense in absence of ‘the brave’ plaintiff, whose attorney said he did not know his whereabouts. The Court was allegedly informed that he...
Costa Ricans Debate In Vitro Fertilization
After several years of social and political debate on the issue of in vitro fertilization, and after the Legislature did not reach a consensus on the matter, Costa Rica was sued in the Inter-American Court of Human Rights for prohibiting its citizens from obtaining this type of fertilization to have children. The country is awaiting the court's final verdict.
