Stories from 27 September 2013
“You Can Kick Female Flight Attendants” in Kazakhstan
A former government official in Kazakhstan recently kicked a female flight attendant, reportedly because she did not speak Kazakh. The story has caused a stir on social media. Blogger Pivovar offers [ru] the most interesting and most widely shared Twitter posts on this incident, such as the one below: Казахстан-2013: бить...
GV Face: Retweeting Terrorists? The Westgate Mall Attacks
In this week's edition of our Google Hangout series GV Face, we discuss the role of social media in the aftermath of the devastating attack in Kenya.
Developing Latin America 2013: An ‘Apps Challenge’ for Social Impact
This year Developing Latin America goes from being a Hackathon to an Apps Challenge, an event to think of better ideas, obtain more concrete solutions, and achieve more sustainable applications.
Russia’s Hunger Games
There are two hunger strikes in Russia today, one by a famous Pussy Riot member and another by a mothers' group. What do the different receptions online say about Russia?
Tajik President's Reelection Bid Finds Support Online
With less than six weeks to go before presidential elections, Tajikistan's incumbent leader has found unexpected support from some bloggers.
Kyrgyzstan: “It is Impossible to Propagandize Homosexuality”
Prominent Kyrgyzstani blogger Bektour Iskander reflects [ru] on on the recent law banning gay ‘propaganda’ in Russia and speculations that some Kyrgyz human-rights NGOs are engaged in such propaganda: It is impossible to propagandize homosexuality. Because a heterosexual cannot turn into a gay, even if she/he communicates with hundreds of...
Praise and Criticism for Uruguay's Proposed Media Law
The bill, which has received the praise of several journalism and freedom of expression organizations, is not as controversial as the one recently approved in Ecuador or as contentious as the one currently in the hands of Argentina’s Supreme Court. However, it is not without its critics. While it has been lauded for its intention to set...
“An e-Book is a Book” – Nigerian Poet and Linguist
"An e-Book is a Book" - Sticklers for traditional modes of publishing will lament this as retrogression, but they will be wrong, says Nigerian writer Kola Tubosun.
Documentary Films Tackle Child Sexual Abuse in India
Indian documentary films are heightening awareness about child abuse. By talking to children, responsible adults and even abusers, these films are helping open up an erstwhile shuttered space.
Brazil Becomes Hot Market for Surveillance Technology Ahead of World Cup
Giants of the surveillance sector get contracts in a number of Brazilian cities to monitor citizens during the games of 2014 - from security scanners to remote tracking software.
Online Petition Got Sea Turtle Released in the Philippines
Captive sea turtle was used as photo-op to attract tourists. More than 1,500 signed petition to release the sea turtle.
