Stories from 10 March 2011
Russia: The Dead Journal
Social networks strongly tie a person to themselves. The person opens a page under his/her name, puts out photographs, indicates interests, joins groups and communities, writes notes, shares impressions and thoughts. What happens to this page when the person dies?
Guyana: Grabbing Glee
Guyana-Gyal is full of glee!
Cuba: Hunger Striker
“Just like Sisyphus forced to push his stone uphill for eternity, Nestor Rodriguez Lobaina is enduring his latest arbitrary incarceration as a punishment for his unwavering commitment to civil disobedience”: Crossing the Barbed Wire fears that another Cuban hunger striker may be close to death.
Trinidad & Tobago: 2011 Carnival Winners
Bloggers report on the big winners of this year's Trinidad and Tobago Carnival, here and here.
Cuba: Privacy Protection
“On this Island…where every gesture of privacy is interpreted as evidence of a conspiracy, to take steps so that a message or information on our computers is protected has been turned into something obscene and illegal”: Generation Y blogs about the new “black beast”.
Jamaica: On Lent
“My view on Lent is that it is really meant to be a time for personal renewal”: Grasshopper Eyes The Potomac considers ways in which he can best honour the Lenten season.
Guatemala: First Lady Announces Her Candidacy for President
On March 8, First Lady Sandra Torres announced she would run for president. Her critics on social networks reacted to the news with harsh comments. Bloggers are focusing on two main issues related to her presidential bid: an Article in the Constitution which prohibits her candidacy, and her work in social cohesion projects.
Paraguay: Citizen Journalism Project by ABC Digital
Mabel Rehnfelt, the editor of ABC Digital, writes a guest post in Journalism in the Americas Blog on how newspaper ABC has implemented a citizen journalism platform on their site: “Day by day, user participation is continuing to grow. People submit their stories (with text and images), we provide the...
Latin America: A Cartoonist's Rendition of Today's Political Figures
In I'm crazy for you, Latin America!, Vitor Taveira previews a series of drawings of current Latin American political figures by cartoonist Luke Fontana. The set begins with drawings of Subcomandante Marcos from Mexico, Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez, and Bolivian President Evo Morales.
Kenya/Nigeria: It feels good to be queer and African
Kenyan filmmaker and activist, Kagendo Murungi talks with Nigeria Queer performance poet and dancer, Yvonne Fly Onakeme Etaghene and filmmaker Selly Thiam project director of None on Record. They talk about their art, coming out and what it means to be Queer and African.
Côte d'Ivoire: Ushahidi gaining popularity among citizens
Collins discusses the deployment of Ushahidi platform in Cote d'Ivoire: “The website is rapidly gaining popularity among the Citizenry of Cote d'Ivoire as Users update via Facebook and Twitter on incidences of violence,events ,humanitarian crises ,unusual occurrences …etc.”
Kenya: Women and political office
The next election will be a good one for women candidates in Kenya: “According to the poll 60 percent of those surveyed would vote for a woman candidate. Women’s performance in public office gets a 62 percent approval rating at parliamentary level, 29 percent at ministerial level and 24 percent...
Mozambique: Where streets have no name
A photo of where streets have no name in Mozambique: “There is a city where there are signposts everywhere. And each signpost is empty of language. The citizens decide on the names of the streets by consensus at 8am each morning. Poets run the naming sessions..”
Africa: African language Wikipedia update
African language Wikipedia update from South African blogger Greeman: “The process for forming a local chapter of the Wikimedia Foundation was jumpstarted at a workshop at Wits University in August last year, and is now nearing the final stages.”
Iran: Female Police for International Women's Day Protests
On Tuesday, March 8, 2011 - International Women's Day - Iranian protesters (both men and women) went to the streets in defiance of their country's Islamic regime. Female security forces were spotted by one blogger.
Côte d'Ivoire: Fear of Medicine Shortage Looms
The political crisis in Côte d'Ivoire is ongoing, without any prospect of a solution in the short-term. Doctors in the country have warned of the prospect of imminent medical shortages, as a result of embargos that have been placed on ships docking in Ivorian ports. In this article, netizens and tweeps discuss the issue.
Azerbaijan: Online activism under fire
Writing on East of Center, Transition Online editor in chief Jeremy Druker comments on official attempts to discredit Azerbaijani youth activists using social media to prepare for pro-democracy protests on 11-12 March.
Africa: Sandbox Launches in Africa
Sandbox is proud to announce the opening of its first hub in Africa. Based out of Nairobi, its aim is to unite the continent’s most inspiring young leaders, and to connect them with like-minded peers all over the globe.
Cameroon: Netizens React to SMS-to-Tweet Ban
Cameroonian internet users were shocked to learn that "for security reasons, the country's government asked that posting on Twitter via SMS be suspended on the MTN Cameroon network". Many speculate that the government's decision was motivated by the fear that Twitter has played a role in uprisings throughout Africa. Julie Owono explains.
International Women's Day Marked in Ghana with Awards Ceremony
Every year around the world, International Women's Day (IWD) is celebrated on March 8. Hundreds of events occur not just on this day but throughout March to mark the economic, political and social achievements of women. Ghana and her women were not left out of this important day.
Russia: Putin, Piano and Vanishing Foundation Create Controversy
Growing influence of online communities on Russian politics and media agenda is illustrated by the recent story that involves Hollywood stars, singing Putin, charity donations and mysterious "Federaciya" foundation.
