Stories from 14 March 2009
Pakistan: Media Muzzled Again
All Things Pakistan reports that GEO News (a private TV news channel) was blocked in different cities of country as crackdown on the Long March continued in Pakistan.
Armenia: Anti-corruption student protest?
Unzipped comments on an apparent anti-corruption action staged by members of a pro-government youth movement against allegedly corrupt university lecturers in Armenia. Global Voices Online's Caucasus editor also reports on the action on the Frontline Club blog.
Iraq: Increasing Violence and Fragile Security
A new wave of bombings is rocking Baghdad after a period of relative quiet. Salam Adil digs into the Iraqi blogosphere for the reactions of bloggers on the recent developments on the ground.
Colombia: Insecurity at Antioquia University
A former student at Antioquia University in Medellín, Colombia was killed with six shots to the head by two masked men. Juliana Rincón of Medea Material [es] provides some of the reaction in forums and email lists to the insecurity at the university.
Peru: Death Threats to Journalist Julio Vásquez
Angela of Desde Mis Ojos [es] writes about the death threats being received by Peruvian journalist Julio Vásquez, who had uncovered the torture of townspeople by the national police and the security staff of a local mine in Piura.
Serbia: Anti-Discrimination Law Controversy
Belgraded writes about a proposed new anti-discrimination law: “In short, The Churches don’t like two articles – one concerns person’s right to change religion. This is the same reason we can’t keep our mobile phone number if we switch to a different mobile carrier here in Serbia. Both the Churches...
Czech Republic, Russia: Klaus, Putin and the Environment
CzechFolks.com writes about Vaclav Klaus’ views on global warming and other issues. The Reference Frame thinks that Vladimir Putin has become “the ultimate green messiah.”
Hungary: Subtitling vs Dubbing
Csíkszereda Musings is campaigning against Hungarian TV dubbing – and in favor of subtitling: “My problem is that saying that you are the world’s best dubbers is akin to saying that X is the world’s best instant coffee. It may be true, and you may even be proud of it,...
Ukraine: Memorial Flat of Mikhail Bulgakov
The Uncataloged Museum writes about the Memorial Flat of Mikhail Bulgakov in Kyiv.
Czech Republic: Naming Rules and Laws
The Czech Daily Word writes about “the rules on how first names and last names of Czechs shall be given, used, written, etc.”
Czech Republic: The Crisis and the Media
The Czech Daily Word doesn't like the Czech media's approach to the coverage of the crisis: “But I think it is more than obvious by now that the more extensive and detailed coverage of anything where the word crisis is mentioned, the more people will, well, freak out.”
Ukraine: Dnipropetrovsk
An account of a trip to Dnipropetrovsk – at Petro's Jotter.
Serbia: 18th Anniversary of Anti-Milosevic Protests
Belgraded writes about the 18th anniversary of the first anti-Milosevic protests in Belgrade.
Czech Republic: “We care about Tibet”
The Czech Daily Word writes: “The famous flag can be seen on various buildings all over Brno once again. Institutions, public or private companies and even individuals display it to say We care about Tibet.”
Estonia: Conflicting Views on Economy
AnTyx disagrees with Edward Hugh and other “experts” on their assessment of Estonia's economic situation.
Latvia: Ban on March 16 Rallies
Free Speech Emergency in Latvia writes about the ban on “the right to free assembly near the Freedom Monument [in Riga] on March 16, a date associated with commemorations of the World War II Latvian Legion as well as counter-demonstrations claiming the Legion memorials glorify Nazism.”
Poland: “The Brothers K”
Raf Uzar, whose “theory” is “that contemporary Polish politics will be fashioned by the strength (or weakness) of the relationship between the twins,” writes about “the Brothers Kaczyński.”
Russia: Drug Abuse; Pancakes Recipe
Windows to Russia writes about drug abuse in Moscow. On a positive note, here's a link to a Russian pancakes recipe.
Russia: New Minister of Agriculture
At CrisisCrunch, Adrian Erlinger writes about Yelena Skrynnik, Russia's new minister of agriculture.
Jordan: Bloggers Come Together in Celebration
Jordanian bloggers came together to mark the second Blog About Jordan Day on March 12, an initiative started in 2008 by Qwaider. Jordanian and expat bloggers wrote about Jordan's perks and advantages, about its problems and future, and some were inspired to reflect on their personal attachment to the country.
Ukraine: Banks Not Trusted
Ukrainiana explains why people are reluctant to entrust their money to Ukrainian banks: “Bring the money to the banks? Only to have the banks refuse to give the money back when you need it? Hasn’t the government poured billions of hryvnias into troubled banks without demanding equity stakes from them?...
