Global Voices · Citizen media stories from 2010 April 18

18 April 2010

Daily archive · 5 posts

Stories from 18 April 2010

Philippines: Online indignation over massacre case

Written by Karlo Mikhail Mongaya · East Asia

The government's recent decision to drop multiple murder charges against two members of the Ampatuan clan involved in the November 2009 Maguindanao massacre of 57 people, including 31 journalists, has sparked the indignation of Filipinos.

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China: Verdict announced in Fujian Three netizen trial

Written by John Kennedy · East Asia

The three netizens in Fujian province arrested last summer for their role in seeking the truth behind the death of Yan Xiaoling were given sentences on Friday ranging from 1-2 years. One retired senior official sees the charges as part of a larger crackdown on social activism.

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Japan: People live longer, so do TV shows

Written by Saeko Robinson · East Asia, North America

Japan may be known for the longevity of its people, but the TV programs have a rich and long history as its population. There are some series that have been...

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Bhutan: South Asian Leaders Meet For SAARC Summit

Written by Sonam Ongmo · South Asia

Bhutan is in a flurry of activity, gearing up for the upcoming SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) Summit. Here the South Asian leaders will discuss about issues like climate change, poverty alleviation, economic cooperation and curbing terrorism and will try to find a common ground.

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Russia: Volcanic Eruption Provokes Cooperation and Jokes

Written by Alexey Sidorenko · Eastern & Central Europe

Two days passed since Mother Nature showed its power to mankind letting the Icelandic volcano with unpronounceable name “Eyjafjallajökull” fill the European aerospace with ashes. As the ash cloud went...

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Updates from 18 April 2010

Thailand

Richard Barrow posts pictures of Songkran 2010 festivities in Thailand. Songkran is the start of the traditional Thai New Year.

• Mong Palatino

Myanmar (Burma)

Speaking Out Loud writes about Yan Byae Island located near the coast of Rakhine State in Myanmar. The island was listed by a website as one of the “top ten places you don't want to visit in the world.”

• Mong Palatino

Myanmar (Burma)

At least 170 people were injured in three bomb blasts in Rangoon, Myanmar during the celebration of the Burmese New Year last weekend.

• Mong Palatino

Philippines

Durianburgdavao reports on the death threats received by veteran Filipino journalist Marites Vitug after the publication of her book, Shadow of Doubt: Probing the Supreme Court which is critical of the inner workings of the Philippine judiciary.

• Karlo Mikhail Mongaya

Philippines

The Longest Way Home blogs and posts photos on his encounter with the coconut farmers of the Philippines.

• Karlo Mikhail Mongaya

Madagascar

After the Minister of the Armed forces was fired on April 7th under allegation of a Coup attempt, Achille52 wonders what the April 18th allegation of another Coup and the ensuing arrests really mean (fr). He is especially suspicious of the timing of these arrests because they happened just before international mediations including Rajoelina and ex-president Ravalomanana were supposed to resume in Johannesburg.

• Lova Rakotomalala

Senegal

Yakhya Massaly wonders whether the rapid growth of citizen movements is due to the failure of political parties or a genuine need for citizen participation as advocated by famed musician Youssou Ndour (fr).

• Lova Rakotomalala

Maldives

Rehendhi supports the recent decision of the Maldivian government to “arm the police with bicycles” and advocates for more use of bicycles.

• Rezwan

Lebanon

Lebanese Laïque Pride will hold a rally for secularism on April 25. They are a group of citizens who are calling for the full implementation of article (c) of the Lebanese Constitution's preamble: “Respect for the freedom of opinion and belief,” “social justice,” and “equality of rights and duties between all citizens without discrimination or preference”.

• Moussa Bashir

Lebanon

The 24/7: Campaign is a new online campaign working to alter the servant stereotype established between an Asian/African person and a Lebanese person. It is raising awareness to the fact that migrant workers are business persons from sophisticated cultures. The campaign aims at improving work conditions which, despite the recently approved laws, are still deplorable in many cases. Some employers, for example, require their employees to work 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with few hours of sleep.

• Moussa Bashir