Global Voices · Citizen media stories from June 2010

June, 2010

Monthly archive · 180 posts

Stories from June, 2010

29 June 2010

China: Gamers need not worry over new real name rules

This summer will see the introduction of real name regulations for e-commerce entrepreneurs and online gamers. With a series of past failed attempts in China at implementing similar rules, one blogger looks at the logistics of real name requirements and doesn't expect these new regulations to stick.

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Philippines: Dancing Prisoners' Tribute to Michael Jackson

Written by Karlo Mikhail Mongaya · East Asia

And they've done it again. Convicted criminals from Cebu Province in the Philippines danced to the tunes of the late Michael Jackson in a tribute performance marking the first death anniversary of the famous music icon.

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28 June 2010

Russia: New Initiatives Indicate Government's Fear of the New Media

Written by Alexey Sidorenko · Eastern & Central Europe

Alexey Sidorenko writes about the Russian government's attempts to control cyberspace - and its apparent fear of the new media.

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Peru: A Bill on Obscene Content

Written by Juan Arellano · Translated by Silvia Viñas · Latin America

A few days ago the news broke of a bill that had been approved by the Justice Comission in Congress, proposing an amendment to section 183-B of the Penal Code, which sanctions the media publication of obscene and pornographic displays. As a result, opponents of the bill raised the banners of "Freedom of the Press" and "Freedom of Speech." Bloggers and internet media users are debating whether this bill really gets rid of these freedoms, or if it serves as a protection for minors and others who don't want to see that content.

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Japan and the World Cup: Silencing the critics

Written by Chris Salzberg · Japan, Denmark

Ranked near the bottom of the 32 teams on the field in South Africa, facing odds estimated at 400-to-1 and four straight pre-tournament losses to boot, Japan was not even expected to win a game in this year's World Cup. But with their convincing 3-1 win over Denmark, perceptions have completely changed, propelling coach Takashi Okada from the butt of all jokes to a national hero.

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Armenia-Azerbaijan: More Conflict Voices

Written by Onnik Krikorian · Central Asia & Caucasus

As mentioned in previous posts on Global Voices, new and social media is increasingly playing a role in facilitating communication between Armenians and Azerbaijanis online. Locked into a bitter conflict over the disputed territory of Nagorno Karabakh, there are few other possibilities for connecting other than meeting in third countries.

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Morocco: The Henna Experience

Written by Jillian C. York · Middle East & North Africa

Henna as an art form has existed for thousands of years. Peace Corps volunteer Emily recently experienced it firsthand in Morocco. Jillian C York takes us on Emily's journey.

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China: Debate over RMB evaluation

Written by Oiwan Lam · East Asia

One week before the G20 summit, the Chinese central bank announced the increase of flexibility of RMB exchange rate. The People's Bank of China asserted that the exchange rate regime reform could help China, but not everyone is convinced in online forums.

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27 June 2010

Malaysia: Historic jail demolished

Written by Mong Palatino · East Asia

Despite the protest of concerned citizens, artists, and historians, the Malaysian government has decided to demolish the 115 year old Pudu Jail, a historical landmark in Kuala Lumpur. Bloggers react

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Australia: Dramatic Fall of Prime Minister Kevin Rudd

Written by Kevin Rennie · Oceania

It was swift and secret. Kevin Rudd has been replaced as Prime Minister of Australia by his deputy Julia Gillard. She is the nation’s first female PM. Here are reactions from bloggers who rarely post about politics.

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Updates from June, 2010

30 June 2010

Cape Verde

In an interview for blog Café Margoso [pt], musician Bau shares his dream of creating a music school for the children of Cape Verde. The artist says that because he is based in “such a small country”, he finds many restrictions to the possibilities of growing as an artist.

• Sara Moreira

Laos

Sabydee Lao blogs about the opening of a radio station in Vientiane, Laos. It’s newsworthy because it is only the second radio station in the nation's capital.

• Mong Palatino

Malaysia

jelas.info from Malaysia uploads a letter from labor groups highlighting the case of a migrant worker who was fired by an employer after lodging a complaint with the labor department.

• Mong Palatino

Cambodia

The website of the Club of Cambodian Journalists seeks to provide information to promote press freedom and media rights in Cambodia.

• Mong Palatino

Malaysia

The 2010 Asia Declaration on Internet Governance tackled issues on internet governance, security, and access of information. The manifesto was signed by delegates from many Southeast Asian nations.

• Mong Palatino

Lebanon

A new Facebook group named No to Dinosaur Rule: So that Lebanon Doesn't Turn into a New Arab Prison (Ar) has been formed. The group advocates freedom of speech.

• Amira Al Hussaini

Japan

Japan lost to Paraguay 3-5 in a penalty shootout yesterday but the Blue Samurai's performance touched their fans' heart, Kazumie says.

• Scilla Alecci

Taiwan (ROC)

Have you ever seen the Pixar/Disney animation “UP”? See the real version in Tainan County, Taiwan(zht) when students from Tainan National University of the Arts tried to save the old Wen Gui(文貴) Hospital(photos) , a historic building which is scheduled to be demolished on June 30.

• Portnoy Zheng

Venezuela

Venezuela did not make it to the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, but the blog Venezuela News and Views posted pictures taken by their correspondent in South Africa, Armando Tirado, showing Venezuelan flags in the match between Brazil and Chile. The flags include messages, like one against Venezuelan president Hugo Chávez and another one promoting Venezuela for the 2014 World Cup.

• Silvia Viñas