Archive for
November 14th, 2005
Stories
Chile's First Bloggers Legal Workshop: Building a New Common Sense
On 12 of November, the first ever Chilean “Taller Legal” (Legal workshop) took place in the brand new “Santiago Library”. More than 170 people attend the event, organized by Digital Rights Organization.
The event began with a round table discussion featuring Roberto Arancibia, Miguel Paz, Arturo Catalán, Manuel Contreras y Soledad Ferreiro; Christian Leal.
Roberto talked about the corporative Blogs and the opportunity they open to talk with people. From a journalistic point of view, Arturo Catalán said that “Everyone can be reporter without studying in the university. It only depends upon you yourself, nobody else”, refers to the editors. “Journalists compete with the World”.
He speaks of the nanomedia Works with a scale economy that allow low cost, because of the smaller workforce.
Manuel Contreras spoke about how Blogs allow one to consider information that newspaper reporters are not used to consider. He also stated that media use more interpretation than information - and in that sense citizens’ Blogs can inform more than media news – and that Bloggers were the thermometer that let us know what the concerns of everyday people are.
Soledad talked about the rights of the author and the ethics of recognising authorship of the other. “This is a space of empowerment of the human being, about identity and community. Is not about the author’s right, is about the authority of the person”.
The event continued with 3 expositions about “Expression, Liberty and Right”,
“Author’s Rights and Creative Commons”, and finally “Laboral Issue of Privacy and the Internet”.
The first topic focused on the responsibility of penal issues in blogging, raising questions such as: what happens if someone comments about a illicit subject, e.g. child pornography; or what is the difference between the social media role and blogging.
“Author’s Rights and Creative Commons” detailed the practice of the author’s right to be respected in the content, and how Creative Commons work towards that goal. The final panel talked about the rights issues in Blogging activity at work; the criteria of blogging about one’s company and one’s rights should the company take action (say, dismissal) based upon this activity.
In Chile there are no particular laws governing these issues, instead generally the law of authors rights (that appears on the Free Trade Agreement with EEUU) is applied. These talks aimed towards defining common criteria that could work for the network of Bloggers, embodying common sense.
The Santiago Library is the biggest public building in Chile, and was inaugurated last November. This exposition opened the auditorium. Regarding the event, organizer Daniel Alvarez said ”We think that Blogs are participation space and we hope they will transform on the public park and we think we have to give the tools to develop the best possible practices.”
This discussion aimed towards building a common sense understanding of Blogging activity on the internet today, as foundation for criteria it will need in the future.
Abdolkarim released
The Egyptian blogger who was detained by secutiry forces on the 26th of October has been released. Previously covered on GVO here, here and here.
Karim wrote about his own release. (Arabic)
In it he announced that he was released yesterday by the Police after spending 18 days under arrest, 6 of which he was arrested by National Security and 12 of which he spent in the Torah priosn. His post is brief, in which he only thanked the people who stood by him and promises to write about what happend to him in prison later on.
This Week in Palestinian Blogs: Bethlehem Issues Call to the World
On behalf of Palestinian Bloggers, I extend my deepest condolences to the people of Jordan. We are all one in this. Those who died are our brothers and sisters, they are in our prayers, their memory will linger forever in our hearts. God bless the souls of those who have left us and help their families, God bless our Jordan. If you happen to be a resident of Jordan, please donate blood
Great News:
Bethlehem will issue its own passport to encourage partnership, economics and tourism of the city in what was called Open Bethlehem Project. Bethlehem city has always welcomed refugees, travellers and pilgrims. Recently, the Apartheid Wall has left the city a big prison with only two gates to the outside world. Bthlehem Bloggers wrote about the initiative, and they have happily announced that the Open Bethlehem Project has been officially launched. They urges to take part of the Open Bthlehem Proiject and spread the word. You can start by leaving a message of peace on the wall.
Nativity Church in Bethlehem, by Sugar Cubes
The third annual Sajeena musical concert will take place on the 25th of November in Toronto, Glenforest Secondary School Auditorium 3575, Fieldgate Drive, Mississauga. Great Arabic music will play in solidarity with the Palestinian child prisoners. For more information check Sumoud
More on cultural events, Ibdaa Dance Troupe in the US has begun.
Bad News:
Arabs in Galilee (al-Jaleel) are discriminated against by Israelies whose development plan includes only 4 Arabic communities versus 100 Jewish. In peacepalestine too, a report from Haaretz states that Israel objected on a ceremony to be hold by the Patriarchate to officially instate the new Patriarch Theophilos. Theophilos has replaced Irenios after the scandal, apparently Israel is not too happy with him.
Another Human Rights violation, and one of the most dangerous: Israel used White Phosphorus during the Israeli invasion of Lebanon in the 1982 and subsequent attacks. White Phosphorus can cause severe burns and permanent scars. Israel had tested more sever weapons in Lebanon in addition to White Phosphorus.
Human rights groups prepared a petition to be used in their High Court battle to stop Israel occupatoin forces from terrorising citizens of Gaza Strip with Supersonic Booms.
New Israeli raids on Jenin in the West Bank resulted in the assassination of Shoja Bal’awe, aged 26 after Israeli forces banned ambulances from reaching the victim. Israeli occupational forces opened random fire towards Khoza’ah village in Khanyouness killing and injuring at least one.
Arrests in Bil'in continue as Israel occupational forces continues to crush the non-violent resistance of Palestinians and the International Solidarity Movement's teams. Help us release Bil'in's children from Israeli prisons. Those innocent children's only fault is daring to resist the Israel's illegal barrier which turns their village into a ghetto. Here is how you can you help.
This week also, on November 11 marked the first anniversary of Palestinian President Yasser Arafat. Imaan from Living in Gaza City describes how the streets of Gaza were blocked by police and thirty something masked men with guns appeared out of no where. All in all, people seemed happy and excited, probably in challenging ways.
PalestineFreeVoice says local Palestinian news have reported that 29 new Palestinian ambassadors sworn in Saturday, the 11th of November before President Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah.
Haitham Sabbah asks you to shout in terrorists' faces “I am NOT afraid”. Let them know that terrorism is not acceptable nor tolerated anywhere in the world, and certainly not on Arab land. Haitham helped Jordanian Bloggers Roba , Natasha and Isam in the full-up-to-date coverage of Amman explosions
African women blogging this week
Mama JunkYard who has been on a blogging hiatus is back and is disgusted by the use of vague, incorrect and ‘less offensive words' and images to sanitise women's bodies and emissions when terms such as ‘feminine hygiene products' are used to describe sanitary towels and tampons or when blue liquids are used in sanitary towel television advertisements. She wonders why this is the case and thinks the aim is to ‘is to sell us a product without actually having to delve into the so-called yucky-ness of the matter'.
Mama Junkyard also writes about her love for colloquialisms in the English language while listing her favourites such as ‘let's be ‘avin' u' from Yorkshire which means ‘let's go' and not ‘a challenge to fight or a cheap pick-up line' as one would have thought.
After being described an Afro-French chick by a blogger who tracked back on a post she wrote about the current situation in France, Black Looks writes about her amusement and amazement and while asking whether the blogger has been watching too many re-runs of Pam Grier movies, she wonders at the need to use the word ‘chick' to describe women.
Bronwyn writes to say she has discovered a new love - fast cars - which is surprising to her as she has always been one of those people who thought watching cars going round and round in a circle for hours was boring but now finds motor racing exciting.
One African Woman describes an incredible and inspiring young man who she recently met and who works with other young people in the slums of Nairobi and whose enthusiasm and verve she says reminds her of the idealism of her youth and how jaded she has become.
Molara Wood hopes the writer Atukwei Okai who could not participate at a Ken Saro-Wiwa remembrance event held in London last week was not denied a visa as has been the case for several African writers coming to the UK for special events. She gives a couple of examples when this has been the case.
Kenyan Pundit reports on the latest gossip in the run up to the Kenyan Constitutional Referendum and says the latest is that the Yes Campaign is totally running scared and are seeking to use their influence in court to prevent the Referendum.
While giving an example of how patriarchy works, AfroFeminista describes a particular kind of man, full of braggadocio, chests puffed out who will approach women they have nothing in common with and who they expect to be charmed by their uncalled-for attention and how women have been socialised to accept this behaviour.
Afromusing has a remarkable quiz quiz on her blog, Understanding Prejudice which I attempted and whose results left me stunned just as much as she and other people who have done the quiz were.
KenyanSphere This Week
FreakEngineer objects, and objects again to how Yahoo categorizes the news on its news page, specifically those to do with Africa, finding the rationale decidedly wanting:
It seems that everything sad or disheartening or whatever bad thing that is happening on in the world is bunched up in the Yahoo Africa news section
For example today’s page (10.21.2005) contains headlines such as:
- US wants action against Syria in Lebanese killing
- Bush Calls for U.N. Action Against Syria
- Bush calls UN report on Hariri “deeply disturbing”
- NATO to Send Engineers, Medics to Pakistan
- U.S. Diplomat Defends Iraq War
- North Korea Could Return to Nuclear Talks
- NATO commander says drugs Afghanistan's top threat
- Iraqi, U.S. Courts Bear Some Resemblance
- Bush Confident of Arab-Israeli PeaceThese headlines CLEARLY HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH AFRICA
The automated reply from Yahoo news makes some interesting, though pointless, reading
Africa Bullets & Honey decides to take a break from ranting about the ills of AID and offers an idea how to grow rich off the Nairobi Stock Exchange
Bankelele reflects on the Kenyan Government’s wealth declaration exercise, and like many Kenyans, finds it about as useful as the proverbial chocolate teapot.
Returns of senior officials are sealed and can’t be opened e.g. a minister could have submitted a blank return and no one will ever know or check
After reading a notice mentioning “feminine hygiene products” Mama Junkyard wonders why perfectly natural processes have to be sanitized
I am sure the people who came up with the “blue liquid” idea would say that decency and television licensing standards dictate they use blue as opposed to red. This to me however is bullshit especially when one thinks of the countless times blood and gore are depicted on television
The Kenyan Prodigal Daughter finally ends up home in Nairobi, and speaks blogs about her first impressions
its crazy how much has changed since i was home. less than three years ago. there are so many people on the road. so many cars. so many cyclists. so many pedestrians. and its a public holiday!
MentalAcrobatics gets a sense of deja vu with the impending referendum on the constitution that will be held on the 21st of November, and wonders if there has really been any change in the political climate.
Links for Mon, 2005-11
Do away with the military? Anarchogeek links to a poll which says that 55% of Uruguayans say the military is unnecessary.
The Devil's Excrement, Alex Lanz (ES), and Daniel Duquenal comment from the Venezuelan blogosphere on the recent diplomatic spat between the Venezuelan and Mexican governments while Goleech (ES), World News A La Mexicana, and Eduardo Arcos (ES) comment from Mexico.
Caribbean Free Radio has plenty of links (and a podcast) on reaction to Trinidad and Tobago's latest match against Bahrain.
Tinta Digital by Eugenio Martínez has been selected as the first blog of the week (ES) in Puerto Rico's new blog directory, PuertoBlogs. Cultural Agents describes the first Winter Institute in San Juan.
neweurasia has a roundup of the week's political news from Azerbaijan.
Carpetblogger reports on the need for elivator ettiquette in Baku.
Mirsuljan Namazaliev discusses youth policy in Kyrgyzstan.
A Kazakh official says that his government does not rule out the possibility of bringing charges against Sacha Bara Cohen a.k.a. Ali G because of his character, Borat, who poses as a Kazakh. KZblog discusses the reactions to Borat in Kazakhstan.
Olesya of neweurasia discusses the Sunshine Coalition, an Uzbek opposition party, and a representative of the coalition responds in the comments.
This site is licensed under a
Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License
Please read our attribution policy.
Ethan Zuckerman93 posts 
Sara Moreira13 posts 
Winglok Hung10 posts 
Michael Kan2 posts 
Rodrigo Peñalba13 posts 
Riyadh Al Balushi39 posts 
Sinisa Boljanovic36 posts 
Ayesha Saldanha460 posts 
Marina Noordin1 posts 
John Liebhardt69 posts 
Gina Cardenas4 posts 
Carolina Rumuat16 posts