Growing up in the south (Georgia, United States), I am now enjoying a whole different type of “south”. After cutting my teeth on Spanish through Central America, I taught English in Ecuador. Now I work in Bogotá, Colombia.
My interest in the Latin American region and the Spanish language led me to Global Voices. Global news distribution and actual reaction by people (or blogs) on the ground make this site enjoyable and educational to read.
Latest posts by Stephen Cairns
Colombia Answers with New Promotional Campaign and Slogan
"Where are foreigners welcomed with courtesy, friendship and love? #TheAnswerIsColombia." A new promotional campaign and video was launched by the Colombian government with the slogan "The Answer is Colombia." Countless responses, positive and negative, have been appearing under the hashtag #LaRespuestaEsColombia.
Spain: How Social Networks are Cleaning Up TV
For several years low-quality content has been broadcast in Spain. Called "telebasura" in Spanish or simply trash TV, it has been a very profitable business model for its low cost production and wide audience reach. However TV trash is in serious danger thanks to an active audience that has used the power of social networks and digital campaigns.
Colombia: Painter and Sculptor Fernando Botero Celebrates 80
On April 19, 2012 the Colombian sculptor and painter Fernando Botero will turn 80 years old. The celebrations for his birthday have already started in Colombia and other parts of the world. On the internet citizens share their opinions and analysis of Botero and his works.
Colombia: Lawmakers Rush Bill on Author Rights and Intellectual Property
On March 20, a bill was hurriedly presented to reform the legislative and regulatory framework of authors' rights and intellectual property as part of the government's implementation of the requirements for a Free Trade Agreement with the United States. Activists and citizens on social networks have rejected the lack of debate on what many are calling a new version of the "Lleras law."
Colombia: FARC Announces End to Kidnappings, Release of Hostages
On February 26, the FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia) announced they would release ten military hostages they currently hold. Despite hope the announcement generated, there are doubts and other uncertainties over what will happen now.
Internet Radio and Podcasts from Ecuador
Juan Arellano shares some video interviews from Campus Party Quito with the people behind several podcasts and internet radios in Ecuador.
Nicaragua: Telecom Company CLARO Censors Clients
The perseverance of Nicaragua's internet community through social networks in denouncing the censorship act by CLARO Nicaragua was the reason the company stopped stonewalling and lifted the access block on the website claroqueno.com.
Colombia: El Puente_lab Making a Difference in Moravia, Medellin
In Medellín, Colombia, the project Hiperbarrio (Rising Voices project) is being developed along with other interesting projects that attempt to improve social inclusion and citizen media training. One project we highlight in this article is the El Puente_lab, a production platform for art and culture.
Blog Carnival: Mexico – Verbalizing the Violence
Our first 2011 Blog Carnival had the theme "Mexico - Citizenry, Violence and Blogs". In this first part of the final summary, we showcase what Mexican bloggers thought about past violent events happening in their country and how they handle and express their pain when violence has affected them.
Colombia: Citizens Speak Out Against Government Corruption
In Colombia, several corruption cases have surfaced that date back to the government of former president Álvaro Uribe Vélez. The Internet and social media sphere has reacted, calling for Colombians to join a Masked March against corruption.
Chile: Nurse Expedites Organ Transport Using Twitter
Cristina Bizama, a nurse at Talca hospital in Chile, has devised a way to speed up the transport of organs from the city of Talca to the capital, Santiago, some 260 kilometers away. Everything started with one tweet: "Incredible! There is no way to transport 5 organs to [Santiago]."
Colombia: Citizens Reject Proposal to Reform Higher Education Law 30
Colombian President Santos' proposal to reform the Higher Education Law 30 has not been received well. Despite some accepting it, the loudest voices heard, online and in the streets, have been the opposition. This past April 7 a national march was held; at the same time, netizens share their concerns on blogs, videos, web pages and other social media.
Peru: Gay Marriage Becomes Presidential Election Issue
Same-sex marriage has been debated for some time, and its possible legalization has become a part of the election platforms of presidential candidates in Peru. This follows the rejection of the matter by a representative of the Catholic Church. The issue has generated many diverse reactions.
Chile: Citizens respond to natural gas crisis in Magallanes
The announcement to raise natural gas prices in the southern region of Magallanes in Chile generated an immediate reaction from citizens that forced the government to modify the measure. Protests, barricades, and mobilized citizenry were followed minute by minute on social networks in Chile.
Panama: Fire in Youth Prison Sparks Controversy
A fire in a correctional facility for juvenile offenders has generated all types of reactions on Twitter and Panamanian blogs. The police officers involved are trying to defend themselves and explain what happened, and on the other side the Panamanian people are divided between those that want heads to roll among the prison guards and those that justify the police actions.
Dominican Republic: Demanding 4% of National Budget for Education
In the Dominican Republic there is a heated debate about the quality of education that focuses on the fact that the General Law of Education establishes that annual public funding on education must reach at least 4% of the GDP. Actually, only around 2% is destined to education. The Internet and social media networks have become important spaces for grassroots campaigns and communication.
Nicaragua-Costa Rica Conflict, Revisited: Part II
This is the second part of a walk-through of the Nicaraguan and Costa Rican blogospheres discussing the recent border dispute between the countries. The conflict, which started November 2nd, has become more complex. In this second part, we cover three parts of the crisis: Nationalism in the media, "the X word", and self-assessment and analysis from Nicaragua.
Colombia: Floods in Riosucio, Chocó
The recent winter weather in Colombia has been picked up by traditional media and social networks are talking about the flooding, landslides and uprooted trees happening there. The national news reports that 28 of the 32 departments in Colombia have been affected; on Territorio Chocoano's Twitter account, people have been following the difficult situation in the Chocó department of northeast Colombia, especially in the Riosucio municipality.
Colombia: Twitter Users Report On Clashes Between Armed Groups in Medellín
On the night of November 9th, in the Manrique Santa Inés sector of Medellin, Colombia, several loud shots were heard that the majority of inhabitants associated with gunfire. Quickly Twitter messages appeared, including some from the official Twitter account of the mayor of Medellin Alonso Salazar.
Chile: Students Walk More Than a Thousand Kilometers for Public Education
Three Chilean university students began walking this past September 30th. They walk for Chilean education and will cover more than 1000 km through Chile until they arrive in Santiago, the capitol. They march in a peaceful protest against the privatization of education in their country.
Ecuador: Keeping Traditions Alive on Day of the Dead
Ecuadorians recently finished celebrating the Day of the Dead with liters of colada morada and many, many guaguas de pan, the traditional drink and food for the holiday. The special drink and bread are prepared and consumed on November 2nd, celebrating an ancestral tradition. The tradition was also celebrated through the blogosphere, where a campaign has appeared to keep Halloween from the traditional celebration.
