Stories about Freedom of Speech from September, 2007
Oman: Rent Law and Life in Muscat
Oman's bloggers are ranting about increasing rent and driving in Ramadan in this round up of Omani blogs. Also, how was life before the opening of mega malls and are you interested in attending Oman's first bloggers meeting on October 3?
Ukraine: “Who's Who in Political Advertising”
Taras of Ukrainiana has collected videos of campaign advertising by seven Ukrainian blocs and parties – and has translated their messages into English. An invaluable resource for anyone who would like to experience the 2007 parliamentary election campaign the way ordinary Ukrainians have.
Iran: Ahmadinejad's Speech at Columbia University
Iranian President,Mahmoud Ahmadineajd’s speech at Columbia University in New York and university president Lee C. Bollinger’s criticism and tough words during his introduction remarks on Monday 24 September have become a hot topic in media throughout the world. Several Iranian and American bloggers have reacted to the incident. NikAhang Kosar,a...
Maldives: Facebook and blogs used to organize vigil to remember torture victim
On 19 September 2003 a conflict among some inmates of Maafushi Jail in the Maldives led to 12 of them being isolated from their cells. Among the isolated was Hassan Evan Naseem, a 19 year-old boy imprisoned because of drug-related charges. Evan insisted that he was not part of the...
Egypt: Ramadan Musings
It's fair to say the month of Ramadan provides a unique experience for all parties involved, the fasting followed by excessive eating, the excessive eating followed by excessive partying and the scathing eye of everyone around you, writes D B Shobrawy, who brings us the latest from Egyptian blogs this week.
Jamaica: Grateful Day
In light of the situation in Myanmar, Montego Bay Day By Day writes: “Although this little rock called Jamaica isn't perfect, I am indeed grateful that, as of this date, we can criticize our government quite harshly without fear.”
Egypt: Beware of US Tapping
“Now that the U.S. is tapping domestic phone calls people need to watch what they say, not because they have anything to hide but because in the course of an innocent conversation you can draw a lot of unwanted attention,” cautions D B Shobrawy, from Egypt.
Syria: Sad State of Journalism
Sasa from Syria laments the sad state of journalism in the Arab world, citing examples from Jordan and Egypt in which journalists are jailed and fined.
China: Should Citizen Reporter Get Sponsor For News?
The first self-claimed citizen reporter in China, Zoula, tries to engage in a discussion on whether or not citizen reporter should get sponsor for their reports (zh). Zoula has been reporting on news about nail house and forced land expropriation. From time to time, he receives cash and material sponsor...
China: Bloggers side with Burmese monks
Chinese government talk of non-intervention in the violent crushing of democracy protests this week in the Myanmar capital Yangon hasn't resonated much with a number of high-profile Chinese bloggers, with several taking the risk of openly joining the Red Shirt for Burma campaign and calling for their readers to do the same.
Czech Republic: “Tabloid Transitions”
Dr. Sean's Diary critiques Transitions Online‘s “confused tabloidy democratization writing” on the Czech politics.
Jordan: Letter to the Censor
Jordanian blogger Hareega writes an open post to the censor here, and sarcastically notes: “We need you here. Our Jordanian blogsphere is polluted with cracked, uneducated, totally rude, unpatriotic, anti-freedom ignorant Jordan haters. I need you here. I need you to teach me to love my country, to watch my...
Cuba, Jamaica: Under Siege in Burma
Uncommon Sense blogs about the struggle in Burma, while Montego Bay Day By Day says: “Freedom is not a thing that is earned. It is a right that is obtained at the very moment that one is deemed alive.”
China: TV Series Banned
A popular TV series called Red Question Mark was banned by SARFT – more from DANWEI.
Egypt: Demonstration Planned on Thursday
A demonstration will be held in Cairo, Egypt, at 9pm on Friday in protest against the jailing of journalists and in solidarity with the workers on strike, reports Abna Masr (Ar). The demonstration has been called for by opposition movement Kifaya.
Egypt: Hunt-the-Editor Season!
It’s “hunt-the-editor” season! In two weeks 5 editors-in-chief and 3 journalists working for opposition newspapers have been arrested and sentenced to jail and/or a big fine, reports Hatshepsut from Egypt.
Russia: Nashi
Darkness at Noon writes about the pro-Kremlin youth movement Nashi and the impact they may have on Russia's political development.
Trinidad & Tobago: Blogging Against Abuse
“Abuse is all over, in many forms. If anything, citizen media can highlight abuse…”: KnowProSE.com gets a jump on Blog Against Abuse Day, which will be observed tomorrow.
Russia: Kasparov; “The Italian”
The Accidental Russophile comments on the New Yorker 12-page piece on Garry Kasparov, and writes about The Italian, a Russian movie by director Andrei Kravchuk.
Myanmar: Voices from the Region
Myanmar's government is warning the protesters to stay off the streets following a large demonstration in Yangon yesterday. The protesters are being led by monks and they are demanding more freedom and roll-back of price hikes announced earlier this month. Bloggers from the neighboring countries are posting their thoughts and...
The Baltics: Unity Day; Latgallia
Marginalia writes about Latgallia, and the history and politics of the Baltic Unity Day, marked on Sept. 22.