Archive for
August 10th, 2007
Stories
Uganda: Happy hour unrest, Blogumentary and Sam Cooke
Ugandan blogger/hip-hop artist Saving a Generation Endangered (S.A.G.E.) stirred up controversy this week when he lashed out at Uganda Bloggers Happy Hour (BHH) attendees in a Blogging a Blogger interview conducted by Country Boyi:
He (S.A.G.E.) further lashes at the Blogger Happy Hour logo that describes Ugandan bloggers as “intelligent, witty, sexy and occasionally ridiculous.” He finds an alternative description for the Ugandan blogging scenario.
“I'll just call it the theatre of the absurd,” he says, “because the ‘best' bloggers are the same guys that have been setting themselves the goddesses and gods -the idols they worship. They don't want anyone to make negative criticism about these goddesses/gods; the whole thing is basically absurd!”
Bloggers were quick to respond, both in comments and on their own. From Dennis Matanda:
I fully understand that there is need to be open and direct - but to sour a club you found in existance is a little absurd. I was there for the first BHH and intend to keep going….
Magoola was a bit less tempered in his reaction, which took the form of a letter to S.A.G.E.:
I am not sure what got into you, but broadcasting your ignorance as featured on Country boy’s blog is uncool. Not only is it played out, it’s disgusting….
Blogging is such self-indulgence that you shouldn’t be harboring such opinions about it. Besides for all the preaching you do, what were you doing at those Blogger Happy Hours held at a bar?
Cheri defended BHH:
That’s why it’s called a blogger happy hour. They go there to meet Witty, intelligent, sexy and ridiculous people. People that will sit down and have a laugh at the end of the day. Oh, c’mon, they do it only once a month. Does it need to be a conference of sorts. Do we always have to discuss World Politics? It’s called a happy hour because we wanna just go to hang out. Not to wear hear phones and broker peace agreements.
S.A.G.E. managed to a find supporter in Phantom, who commented on Cheri's post:
i read SAGE’s blog and scoff at some of the things he says. but i also find some gems over there.
Without mentioning the blogger uproar, Ivan brings S.A.G.E. and BHH while live-blogging the Ugandan Blogumentary, a short film produced by four Danish students who came to Uganda in April:
Oh look its Sage, and Dee… and Rev returning the Nokia…and wrong-looking candle holders. Bad Mateos, BAD!!
Ladies and Gentlemen: Happy Hour!!
Expat blogger Kelly calls attention to another recently published documentary:
Yesterday they had a show on called “Return to Uganda”. It featured a young (strikingly beautiful) Canadian/Indian journalist whose parents were expelled from Uganda by Idi Amin when she was a child returning to the family home and taking stock of current race relations and politics between Asian Ugandans and Black Ugandans. If you have any interest in Uganda it was a great little special. Paul got really angry watching it, especially when Idi Amin's son, Taban Amin, was being interviewed. It brought tears to my eyes to see the recent violent riots on television. Filmed after the Mabira Forest riots in Kampala, it was the first time I had actually seen video footage of the anti-Asian protestors in action, burning cars and beating up Indians. Crazy to think that is my little Kampala. You can supposedly watch the special on YouTube.
And Iwaya closes the week with a tribute to Sam Cooke:
Switch that phone off. Let the curtain drapes down or throw them off! Fix me that drink. Hey, take off your shoes and let your feet get some air. Ain’t no need to be formal here. Cooke is in the house. I have been listening to Cooke since the beginning of this week. I have been reveling, drinking in, marveling, sitting back and then jumping up and stomping to a voice so pure, so rich, so varied, so beautiful, I can hardly believe it has taken me this long to listen to Cooke.
Bolivia: Wishes and Relief on Independence Day
August 6th marked the 182nd anniversary of the independence of the Republic of Bolivia. The occasion was marked with the usual civic acts and festivities. Bloggers wished their country a happy birthday, but others wished for something greater. It was also a time to reflect upon their hopes for their country, while recognizing that there have been some bumps along the way.
Miguel Esquirol of El Forastero [ES] writes:
182 años no son mucho para construir un país, pero es bueno poder decir que la gente es boliviana porque lo ha decidido y lucha para conseguir la Bolivia que desea, y aunque esto a veces traiga problemas, a veces sentirse parte del país es suficiente.
182 years is not much to build a country, but it is good to be able to say that the people are Bolivian because it has decided to fight for the country that it wants, and even though that this sometimes brings problems, that sometimes just to feel part of the country is enough.
Andres Pucci, a blogger from Santa Cruz, has often felt discriminated against and laments some of the comments in earlier blog posts.
Bolivia hoy cumple 182 años de vida independiente, 182 año con mas bajos que altos, Canada tiene 76 años de independencia con mas altos que bajos, las comparaciones son odiosas, de acuerdo, pero, ¿por qué estamos asi? repito, por la actitud, la actitud de mirar hacia atras, criticar la colonización (que no existió, fue conquista), criticando al que tiene apellido “extranjero” a pesar de tener padre y madre bolivianos, abuelos nacidos y criados en provincia, tatarabuelos que donaron bienes a su pueblo y antepasados que murieron por la independencia de este país.
Today, Bolivia celebrates 182 of independent life. 182 years with more lowpoints, than highpoints. Canada only has 76 years of independence, but with more ups than downs. The comparisons are unfair, but why are we here? It is because of the attitude of looking at the past, criticizing the colonization (which did not exist, it was a conquest), critizicing those with a “foreign” surname even though one might have a Bolivian father and mother, grandparents born and raised in the provinces, great grandparents that gave land to their country and ancestors that died for this country's independence.
Some bloggers like Carlos Hugo Molina of Agora [ES] paints a picture of a Bolivia that he wishes to see.
El MAS deberá aceptar, una vez más, que ofreció lo que sabía no podía cumplir. Al hacerlo, estará demostrando madurez política y sentido de realidad.
La derecha deberá aceptar que fracasó en los modelos de estados que propuso, y que no queremos volver al país de las transas, los latifundios, el cuoteo del 60/40 y la corrupción.
MAS (Government political party) should once again accept that it offered much more than it knew that it accomplish. By doing this, it would show politicial maturity and a sense of reality.
The right-wing should accept that it failed in the state models that it proposed and that we do not want to return to a country of dealings, feudalism, the 60/40 quotas and corruption.
The anonymous bloggers at Morir Antes Que Esclavos Vivir [ES] continues:
Por un país sin marchas ni bloqueos, que respeta y asume su diversidad y multiculturalidad y que más allá del credo, cultura y color de la piel acoje a cada uno de sus habitantes.
Por un país sin odios, ni rencores, que no busca revanchismo ni venganza con enemigos imaginarios y que se maneja en la línea del respeto y la tolerancia.
For a country with neither marches, nor blockades that respects and embraces its diversity and multiculturalism and that includes each of its citizens irrespective of their creed, culture or skin color.
For a country without hatred or bitterness that does not look for revenge with imagined enemies and that maintains the line of respect and tolerance.
Finally, an independence day parade in Santa Cruz, which featured indigenous groups from outside the city was predicted to bring conflict. However, journalist José Andrés Sánchez of El Pais de las Maravillas [ES] was relieved and writes:
Muchos de ellos flameaban la bandera y a cada paso exhibían un civismo pocas veces visto. Debo reconocer que me emocioné como pocas veces frente a un televisor. Me sentí no solo maravillado sino orgulloso de que esta demostración de apertura y unidad se de en mi ciudad. Debo reconocer que me agradó mucho ver a Evo Morales y García Linera al lado de Rubén Costas y Percy Fernández. Los cuatro aplaudían y sonreían. Debo reconocer (aunque a algunos no les guste) que me gusta la paz y no la tensión del conflicto
Many of them waved the flag and at each step demonstrated a civid price seldom seen. I must admit that not too often have I been as moved in front of a television screen. I felt not only amazed, but proud of this demonstration of unity in my city. I must also admit that I felt grateful to see Evo Morales and Garcia Linera (Bolivian Vice-President) side by side with Ruben Costas (Santa Cruz Prefect) and Percy Fernandez (Santa Cruz mayor). The four applauded and smiled. I admit (even though some do not like to admit it) that I like peace and not conflict and tension.
Tunisia: Baklava Newspapers
This is an ad which appeared in a Tunisian paper, urging readers to subscribe in return for a package of almond baklava. Blogger Boudourou has something to say about this ad in this post (Ar), entitled the Press of Baklava.
على كل حال بادرة طيّبة تفتح المجال أمـام المنافسة و اكتساح الأسواق و تخلّينا نأملو في ما خير , من قبيل “مع هذا العدد اطلبو الملحق و كعبة الغريّبة ” أو ” صحفة عصيدة للي يعمل اشتراك قبل المولد” “و الاّ “مرتك باش تولد ؟؟اعملها اشتراك و اربح الزرير بلاش”
At any rate, it is a good move which opens the door for competition, overtaking the market and makes us aspire for better things such as “with this issue ask for the supplement and a free cake” or “more dessert for whoever subscribes before the Prophet's Birthday” or “Is your wife expecting? Subscribe now and win a gift for free.”
Women bloggers targets for filtering in Iran
Mehdi Mohseni's blog Jomhour [Fa] (means Republic in Perisan) is a definitive source of information about social and political issues in Iran. If you “chase” Iranian blogs, you shouldn't miss this one. Around 1000 people visit daily.
Q: Would you introduce yourself and your blog ?
My name is Mehdi Mohseni and I was born in 1979 in Qom. I studied civil engineering. I am a sort of independent journalist. I published my first blog in 2002.
Q:You are based in South-West Iran. Can we talk about local bloggers? I mean bloggers that just talk about their own towns?
As you know blogs are borderless media. Bloggers can write from any place in Iran and have an audience anywhere in the world. They can talk about anything. I think there are local blogs that just give information about their town or location in their blog, but in general this kind of local focused blogging is not taken much into consideration.
Women in the line of fire
Q: What is the main problem of Iranian bloggers besides filtering? Do hackers create any problems?
Bloggers, like others, faces several difficulties in Iran. Many Iranian websites in general, and political ones in particular, have been filtered. In the last two years filtering and censorship has become worse. Especially many blogs by women were filtered. It is not really important what you blog about. If you are a woman, there is a real risk that your blog will get filtered. Political sites and blogs written by reformists and nationalist-religious people are targeted too. But the blogs hit the worst by filtering, belong to civil society activists such as students, women, and worker activists.
Hacking has not really been a problem for bloggers. So far only official sites have been hacked. In general, people also suffer form slow internet connections, high costs, and low quality technical problems.
Beyond imagination
Q: How do you evaluate the evolution of Iranian blogs in these recent years?
I can express my own ideas based on personal observation rather than a scientific analysis. I think there is a lot of pressure on people in society, and blogging is a good instrument to help people to express themselves in society. This may be the reason so many women and girls are blogging. Recently many middle aged people have started to use blogs to express their opinions too.
Q: How you see the influence of blogs in society?
There is growing censorship in Iran and in the absence of journals and news websites, blogs accomplish something beyond imagination even though we can not trust all the information that we find in them. Bloggers can transform a topics into hot issues in society, and force government to react.
Madagascar hosts Indian Ocean Island Games
The Indian Ocean Island Games are underway in Madagascar and people are quite thrilled about it.
Harinjaka gives us a preview of the anticipation back home:
“C’est parti pour le 7 ème Jeux des îles de l’Océan Indien (JIOI).
La flamme olympique arrive aujourd’hui au stade de Mahamasina (Tananarive) pour annoncer l’ouverture des 7èmes JIOI, qui se tiendront du 9 au 19 août à Tananarive.
Plus de 200 athlètes originaires de sept îles de l’océan Indien, à savoir les Comores, les Maldives, l’île Maurice, Mayotte, La Réunion, les Seychelles et Madagascar, participeront à 16 différents sports pour cette competition.[..]j’ai pu ressentir l’excitation des malgaches dont l’émotion est vraiment palpable [..]
Sachez quand même que 86 pays vivront en direct la plupart des compétitions. ”
« the 7th Indian Ocean Island Games are underway (IOIG).
The Olympic flame arrives today at the Mahamasina stadium (Antananarivo) to signal the opening of the 7th IOIG, which will be held from the 9 to the 19th of August in Antananarivo.
More than 200 athletes from seven islands in the Indian Ocean: the Comoros, Maldives, Mauritius, Mayotte, Reunion, Seychelles and Madagascar, will take part in 16 various sports for this competition. [.]
One can sense the excitation of the Malagasy people whose enthusiasm for the event is undeniable[.]
Note that 86 countries will be able to follow live most of of the matches.”
Su adds in the comment section that the event is so important that the day of the opening ceremony has been declared a national holiday.
( Ravi, the official mascott of the Indian Ocean Island Games. Photo credit: http://www.jioi2007.mg/)
Part Two: Defending online free speech and environmental rights in Bulgaria
In Part One of this article, I outlined recent threats to the Bulgarian environment and the vibrant web-led protest movement that developed in response. In this article I speak to Milena Bokova, BlueLink Information Network executive director, who talks about the intimidation against her colleague, blogger Michel Bozgounov, the threats to the freedom of online expression in her country, and the Bluelink Freenet Campaign:
Sami: Why did the General Directorate for Combat against Organized Crime target Michel Bozgounov for blogging about the Strandja issue even though other Bulgarian bloggers were doing the same thing? And can you explain why this has been treated as “Organized Crime”?
Milena: This is a big mystery. So far the Bulgarian police authorities didn't give a relevant explanation on these questions. We can only make a guess. One of the reasons might be the fact that Michel is an average citizen without any political, financial or other protection. The other might be the fact that he is a BlueLink employee - a network that gives an alternative opinion and in some cases contradicts to the governmental one (like for instance a campaigning site BeleNE against the construction of a second NPP in Bulgaria). It might be an attempt to deafen our voice. Or it might be a random selection, we don't really know.
Sami: Does this investigation against your colleague Michel Bozgounov set a bad precedent for politicians to control what you can and cannot blog about?
Milena: It definitely does. The problem is that all these reflects on them badly. The case became really very visible in Bulgaria with its absurdness. The police absolutely has no right do tell people what they can and can not blog about. It is in violation of the Bulgarian Constitution guaranteeing freedom of expression.
Sami: What was the role of the Internet in general and the blogsphere in particular in organizing the flash-mobs and the environmental protests that some like to describe as “the largest since those against the Socialist government in 1997″?
Milena: The main tool for organizing flash-mobs was through discussion mailing lists (many of which BlueLink maintains and provides to users to communicate between each other). The organizers used these tools as a fast and direct way to reach many people at their private e-mail addresses. They also used SMS-s through the mobile operators. At most of the flash-mobs there was a ban on publicizing it until one or two hours before the events, in order to guarantee that authorities will not have enough time to prevent the events. Actually the blogsphere was mostly covering the flash-mobs after they really happened, not prior the events. There was one specially created site for publishing information about the upcoming flash-mobs (http://savestrandja.ludost.net/). The information there was usually published about 2-3 hours prior to each flash-mob.
I wouldn't say that these environmental protests are the largest since those against the Socialist government in 1997 - it is pretty much exaggerated, since the biggest protest gathered not more then 2000 people and it was not a flash-mob, but one that was previously announced at the municipality. But this is not the most important thing. The most important is that a very little group of people managed to make such a great impact on the media, government and the whole population of Bulgaria.
Sami: Do you think that the Strandja Mountain Nature Park is now safe and that the Bulgarian internet community has achieved its goal in protecting Strandja Nature Park?
Milena: I am afraid that it is just temporarily safe. Unfortunately the Parliament took a decision in changing the law for protected areas in a way which many jurists define as judicially inconsistent and might be attacked in court. Also jurists say that other Bulgarian parks are not protected either. But this is not the main issue here. Many of the laws in Bulgaria are quite good and strong and they envisage measures for nature protection. The problem is the implementation of the laws. There comes the authorities’ corruption, there are the doors ‘gray' business uses to avoid the law and to benefit from it unpunished.
Sami: From an environmental e-network created and run by green activists, we are witnessing, with the launch of the Freenet Campaign, how the BlueLink network is becoming involved in defending online freedom of expression. What is the reason for the switch and what are your future plans regarding this issue?
Milena: Actually it is not a switch at all. BlueLink, apart from being an environmental network, works on the field of information and communication policy since its establishment. We are a part of the international movement contributing to the WSIS process and lately to Internet Governance Forum. We even created a special portal ‘Bulgarian ICT policy monitor‘ . The issue of freedom of expression on the internet is something that we have been working on establishing it in Bulgaria since 1998. BlueLink is the Bulgarian member of the Association for Progressive Communication (apc.org) through which network we are able to connect with like minded people from all around the world.
Sami: Did the Bulgarian blogsphere and the environmental web-led movement get any support from other European communities or blogspheres? Does the dissemination of the information about the Strandzha issue via video and photo sharing sites like Youtube and Flickr helped somehow in attracting the attention of mainstream and/or citizen media outside the country?
Milena: The EU and world communities of blogsphere started to support us just after BlueLink started the FreeNet campaign. I have no info for any support before that. The dissemination of information about the Strandja and other environmental cases in Bulgaria via video and photo sharing sites helped a lot in attracting the attention of the Bulgarian mainstream media. So far we have no info on interest expressed from foreign media
Links for Fri, 2007-08
Lyndon of Scraps of Moscow posts his old translation of the intro to Nikolai Modestov's Criminal Moscow: A Documentary Chronicle of the Lawlessness of the '80's and '90's.
A wonderful story of an attempt to experience “something cultural” in the middle of “a mostly peasant summer” in Sofia - from Petya of Bighead: “Nothing can make a falafel taste better than a little bit of violin in the background.”
A link to the post on “Slovinglish” as well as other picks - in this week's Best of the Slobs roundup at The Glory of Carniola.
Eternal Remont takes a guess at what might be Russia's reaction to the following incident: “…last night, three drunk Belarussian youths have done what the Germans could not 60 years ago, by extinguishing the Eternal Flame dedicated to World War II soldiers in Minsk's Victory Square.”
TOL's Belarus writes about “colonial thinking” of some bloggers, Mick Jagger's message for the Belarusians, and a Russian military base near Vilejka.
Adam Goodman of Being Had shares a story of a man who seems to have benefited from “a law against homelessness” that is said to exist in Belarus: “I think you can imagine how startling it is to have your friendly neighborhood bum come to you and say he now has a better apartment to live in than you do.”
Itching for Eestimaa shares the techniques of “battling Russian nationalists” on the Web: “…a tutorial on how to flip their arguments on their head, and move the discussion into territory so foreign to them, they will find themselves actually agreeing with you because they have no idea what you are talking about.”
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