Stories about Media & Journalism from April, 2015
A Chilean Real-Time Video App Launches at the Boston Marathon
The application RhinoBirdTV, developed by the Chilean Felipe Heusser, who founded the NGO Ciudadano Inteligente, allows users to share video experiences in real time. The makers of RhinoBirdTV hope their product will help facilitate a more democratic world by breaking down boundaries and connecting people through simple-to-distribute live videos. RhinoBirdTV chose to launch its Android version on...
An Unexpected TV Rerun Sends Serbia's Social Media Into Censorship Panic
Satirical news show 24 Minutes was supposed to air a new episode with Serbia's embattled ombudsman as a guest, but a rerun ran instead. Censorship-weary viewers feared the worst.
What Has Happened to Russia's Best Independent Radio Station?
It's still one of the few outlets where you’ll find independent reporting and analysis, but Echo of Moscow has become Russia’s liberal radio station that Russian liberals love to hate.
Chernobyl Is Burning, But Who's to Blame?
As first responders fought the wildfire near the Chernobyl exclusion zone in Ukraine, panic and the conspiracy theories bloomed fast on social networks.
TV Reporter Sacked Over Less-Than-Rosy Tweets About Australia’s War Memorial Day
Scott McIntyre tweeted about the "execution, widespread rape and theft committed by these ‘brave’ Anzacs." "We've gone from #JeSuisCharlie to #SackScottMcIntyre in 4 short months." one observer remarked.
Southeast Asian Activists Unite in ‘People’s Walk’ Ahead of Regional Leaders’ Summit
More than 1,000 activists and leaders from various civil society organizations across Southeast Asia declared their position on human rights and growing economic inequality.
Guyana's Health Minister Assails Women's Activist, Says He Would ‘Slap Her Ass’
The Minister of Health's tirade against a women's rights activist raises questions about gender equality, human rights and the political status quo in Guyana.
Are Blogs an Endangered Species?
This text is part of the 46th #LunesDeBlogsGV (#MondayBlogsOnGlobalVoices) on March 23, 2015. On #LunesDeBlogsGV (#MondayOfBlogsOnGlobalVoices), we work to preserve blogs as an “endangered species”, confronting the challenges that threaten their existence in today's digital jungle. In a similar effort, the blogger Iván Lasso compiles stories about the future of blogging and the problems bloggers face today, when their...
Angola: Award-Winning Journalist Faces Trial Over ‘Blood Diamonds’ Investigation
Jonathan McCully contributed to this report. Last month, Rafael Marques de Morais was awarded the Index on Censorship Freedom of Expression Award for Journalism for his “impactful, original, and unwavering investigative journalism” in his home country of Angola. Tomorrow, he will face trial on multiple charges of criminal defamation because of...
‘We Want Answers': Mexico’s Federal Police Accused of Massacre at Apatzingán
An investigative report debunks the Mexican government's version of a shooting in January. "Friendly fire" among civilians didn't leave 16 people dead. Federal police firing into a downtown plaza did.
Bangladeshis Stand Up to Sexual Violence Following New Year's Assaults
Netizens have used social media to try to identify the assailants, who were captured on film in the act. Meanwhile, social media is brimming with protests against sexual violence.
Bulgaria's First Crowdfunding Journalism Project
Bulgaria, a member of the European Union, has a big problem with freedom of the media. The Balkan country is ranked 106 out of 180 countries in the 2015 World Press Freedom Index by Reporters Without Borders. Against this unpleasant background, a new media project was established with the ambitious task...
Singaporean Teenager Arrested for Making Videos Deemed ‘Offensive’
"Apart from the problems of using handcuffs on minors, is this really a proportional response to a YouTube video?"
Syrian Blogger Stabbed in His Istanbul Home After Receiving Threats Online
Threatened online by different Syrian factions, Global Voices author Asaad Hanna was last night stabbed four times in his home in Istanbul, Turkey. He is now recovering.
The 7th Summit of the Americas in 35 Tweets
Global Voices collects 35 tweets by representatives of the 35 countries that participated in the 7th Summit of the Americas, held in Panama.
Mexican Women Are Being Called on to Help Transform Their Portrayal in Mexican Media
WACC, SocialTIC, WITNESS, La Sandía Digital, and Subversiones have called on women interested in telling the stories of strong women in their communities with the purpose of changing the way women are represented in the media. As one of the representatives of the project told Global Voices, in Mexican media there...
Malaysian Cartoonist Vows to Continue Fighting Government Abuses Despite Sedition Charges
"I will not keep quiet. How can I be neutral, even my pen has a stand!"
Latin America Mourns Eduardo Galeano, One of the Continent's Greatest Writers
Best known as the author of celebrated book “The Open Veins of Latin America”, the Uruguayan writer and journalist died this Monday, April, 13 in Montevideo.
Japan's ‘Vagina Artist’ Denies Obscenity Charges
Japanese artist Megumi Igarashi, nicknamed "The Vagina Artist" by the Western media, says there's nothing obscene about artwork based on her genitalia.
Battle-Weary Colombians Demand Peace on Day for Armed Conflict Victims
On National Day of Memory and Solidarity with Victims of the Armed Conflict, Colombians turn out in droves to march for peace, a goal that overcomes traditional differences.
Kuwait, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia Silence Anti-War Voices on Yemen
Gulf Arab countries are stepping up the war on anti-war activists in the region. Both Kuwait and Bahrain have jailed activists for speaking up against the Saudi-led war on Yemen.
