Stories from 21 March 2014
Suspected Government #SelfieMacedonia Campaign Backfires
A Facebook campaign with the hashtag #SelfieMacedonia was launched in March 2014 and Macedonian social media users now suspect that the country's government is behind it all. Bouts of young social media users from Macedonia, individually or in groups, have been taking photos of themselves, typically called “selfies”, and sharing...
As Elections Approach, Denial Runs Deep for Turkey's Erdogan
Turkey's Prime Minister is calling for democratic elections in a democratic state. Meanwhile, media outlets are under attack, Twitter is blocked, and protester oppression is at an all-time high.
Russia's No. 1 Separatist Dead, Again
Doku Umarov was declared dead by the official propaganda arm of the Caucasus Emirate, an armed separatist movement in Russia's south.
GV Face: How to Win the Rising Voices Microgrant
Are you brimming with ideas to help your community tell their story through citizen media? On GV Face the Rising Voices team discusses best practices for winning their microgrant competition.
The Daily Lives of Sub-Saharan Immigrants in Prague
Chadian blogger Réndodjo Em-A Moundona [fr] writes about the daily lives of African immigrants in Prague [fr] : Une petite discussion avec ces Africains suffit pour se rendre à l´évidence que la communauté n´est ni menacée, ni totalement intégrée. Comme fille africaine, il est quasi impossible de trouver un travail conséquent [..] En général, les...
Tajikistan Celebrates the Beginning of Spring
On March 20-21, people in Tajikistan celebrate Navruz (Nowruz), an ancient festival that marks the beginning of spring and is often referred to as the “Persian New Year”. Icekandar congratulates [ru] the readers of his blog: Here comes Navruz, the best and most cheerful holiday! This holiday is not like...
Do US Sanctions Against Putin's Cronies Fuel Russian Patriotism?
So far, it seems the West’s response to the annexation of Crimea has only reinforced Russia’s patriotic frenzy. But could tougher sanctions change that?
An Attempt to Intimidate? Sri Lanka Releases Human Rights Activists
Ruki Fernando and Praveen Mahesa were detained March 16, 2014 and accused of selling information abroad, attempting to damage harmony between communities, and aiding militant separatists the Tamil Tigers.
China Recruits Tencent and Alibaba for Private Bank Pilot
China has named ten companies, including Internet giants Alibaba and Tencent, to set up five privately owned banks. The move has some fearful for state-owned traditional banking.
Smog Insurance China's Latest Air Pollution Band-Aid
Smog insurance, the first of its kind, is targeting travelers and local residents of seven cities in China. Some cities have been plagued by smog for years.
Taiwan's #CongressOccupied Protest, Translated
Hundreds of translators have organized themselves through Facebook to translate stories about protesters' occupation of Taiwan's legislature following the ruling party's passage of a controversial trade agreement with China.
Taiwan #CongressOccupied: Wild Lily Turns into Sunflower
The Wild Lily student movement took place in March 16 1990 at Freedom Square in Taipei is the most significant historical event that marks the democratic struggle in Taiwan. As a result of the movement, temporary provisions effective during the period of Communist rebellion in Taiwan was terminated and the...
