19 February 2013

Stories from 19 February 2013

Russian Opposition, What Are You Doing? Stahp.

RuNet Echo  19 February 2013

The Coordinating Council of the Russian Opposition has been a fascinating eDemocracy experiment, conducted in the shadow of Russia's competitive authoritarian status quo. Yet, a recent decision not to nominate candidates for any elections—local or regional—has intensified doubts about the KSO, making it a target for one of the RuNet's more vicious attack memes.

Mexico: Urgent Need for Digital Security Skills

  19 February 2013

A survey completed by 102 journalists and bloggers in 20 Mexican states found that vulnerable reporters and bloggers lack digital and mobile security skills. Jessica Weiss reports for the IJNET blog: The report, “Digital and Mobile Security for Mexican Journalists and Bloggers,” shows that nearly 70 percent have been threatened or...

Pope’s Resignation Echoes in Africa

  19 February 2013

The announcement by Pope Benedict XVI of his intention to resign with effect from February 28, 2013 provoked many reactions in Francophone Africa, both in traditional media and on social networks. Admiration for the Pope predominated, and was combined with the desire that certain African leaders would follow his example.

New UN Envoy Blogs from Guinea-Bissau

  19 February 2013

Ex-President of East Timor, UN representative and Nobel Peace Prize winner José Ramos-Horta is blogging from Bissau, the capital of Guinea-Bissau. He writes of his warm reception by people at a marketplace. He republishes his posts on his Facebook page where they are widely commented on.

VIDEO: Harlem Shakes Ukraine

  19 February 2013

Popular Internet video meme Harlem Shake [en] has reached Ukraine. On February 16, 2013, YouTube user Vladislav Stankevich [ru, en] shared a video of several costumed people dancing to the “Harlem Shake” [en] song on what appears to be Kyiv subway.