25 May 2010
Stories from 25 May 2010
Egypt: On Street Activists and Citizen Journalists
Between online activists, citizen journalists, and street demonstrators, it seems that the cause lost it's purpose and the Internet turned into a soundproof room for cursing and cussing. Marwa Rakha takes a closer look at online activism and its relationship to events on the ground.
Egypt: 30 Days of Blogging
Egyptian bloggers are taking part in an initiative called 30 Days of Blogging, where they should write a new blog post every day for one whole month. The drive started on May 1 and here are reactions from the bloggers.
Jamaica: Citizen Media Follows the Standoff
A study in extremes is perhaps how the last 24 hours in the Caribbean region could be adequately described: As Trinidad and Tobago peacefully went to the polls and elected its first female Prime Minister, Jamaica was facing more violent unrest.
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South Africa: Julius Malema Wants to Kiss and Make Up!
Julius Malema, the president of the ANC Youth League (ANCYL) is no stranger to controversy. In fact, many would argue that it is what he thrives on. He is regarded by some as the voice of impoverished youth in South Africa. By others, he is the personification of the failings of black economic empowerment.
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Egypt: Parliament Votes to Extend Emergency Law
The Egyptian Parliament decision to extend state-sanctioned emergency rule for another two years garnered international criticism and domestic backlash, as the law gives exclusive right to the Ministry of the Interior to detain suspects without charge, monitor communications and wiretap contact networks, restrict newspaper content and impede political assembly and demonstration. Bloggers react to the development.
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Egypt: Crackdown on the Egyptian Da Vinci Code
Dr Youssef Zidane's 2008 Azazeel created a stir, followed by resentment, when it was first published. Today, Dr Zidane is being accused of blasphemy and defaming Christianity and as insulting any of the 'heavenly faiths' is illegal in Egypt, he could face up to five years behind bars. Bloggers react to the development.
France : At Cannes Film Festival, Hors-La-Loi Addresses Taboo, Raises Controversy
"Hors-La-Loi", a film directed by award-winning director Rachid Bouchareb, stirred up quite a controversy before and after its showing at the Cannes Film Festival. The film addresses the often dividing history of Algeria-France relations after the killings of Setif. Bloggers' reactions to the film are reviewed in this article.
==> As Africans we need to let go of our victimhood, inferiority complex & acceptance of the mediocre. We deserve...