Jillian C. York

Latest posts by Jillian C. York

Syria: Virtual Sit-In Garners Global Support

  12 November 2011

As the uprising in Syria enters its eighth month, activists are getting creative to ensure global attention toward the situation does not cease. An initiative by the Sham News Network asks individuals to submit videos to YouTube expressing their solidarity with the Syrian people.

World: Mourning the Execution of Troy Davis

  22 September 2011

The state of Georgia has executed Troy Davis, despite a brief reprieve. Twitter users from around the globe are expressing their feelings about Davis's case, as well as about the state of capital punishment in the United States.

World: Twitter Rallies for #TroyDavis

  21 September 2011

With the execution of Troy Davis looming, Twitter users from around the world rally for clemency. Davis was granted a temporary reprieve, but the cries continue. Jillian C. York reports.

Syria: Can Tweets Prevent a Massacre?

Following the worst day of violence Syria has seen since protests broke out across the country in February, Syrian opposition and their supporters around the world have begun an attempt to raise global awareness of events in the country, utilizing a hashtag, #RamadanMassacre, that was started on Sunday to keep track of reports from the city of Hama.

Syria: ‘Gay Girl in Damascus’ Seized

Amina Arraf has seen a quick rise to fame. Blogging pseudonymously, as Amina Abdullah, she writes about politics, the recent uprising, and being a lesbian in Syria. A dual citizen of the United States and Syria, her powerful words have shown the reality on the ground in Syria over the past few weeks. Today, on Amina's own blog, it was reported that she had been kidnapped by authorities.

Global: Bloggers Take Issue with Anti-Niqaab Punditry

On April 16, 2011, France's ban on the niqaab and burqa went into effect, re-stirring emotions on the subject and sparking protests in the European country and beyond. In cyberspace, bloggers are taking issue with popular pundits on the subject, focusing particular attention on Egyptian journalist Mona Eltahawy's pro-niqaab ban stance.

Syria: Bread and Propaganda

As protests in Syria continue into their third week, the Assad government is making concessions in hopes of appeasing protesters. The government is asserting power via propaganda, some of which is finding its way to the most unlikely of places...

Bahrain: Blogger “Emoodz” Detained

On March 30, 2011, Bahraini blogger Mohamed El-Maskati, better known in the blogosphere as "Emoodz" was arrested. According to Reporters Without Borders, El-Maskati's arrest came after threats from a member of the royal family occurred on Twitter.

An Interview with Andy Carvin

With 40,000 Twitter followers and a dedicated stream of local sources, Andy Carvin has become a first stop on Twitter for news throughout the Middle East and North Africa. In this interview with Carvin--an early Global Voices contributor and current NPR strategist--we find out how he uses Twitter to spread the news.