Global Voices · Citizen media stories from May 2011

May, 2011

Monthly archive · 189 posts

Stories from May, 2011

25 May 2011

Russia: Reporters' Open Letter Highlights TV Censorship Concerns

Written by Vadim Isakov · Eastern & Central Europe

Censorship on the majority of Russian television channels has been around forever, but a recent open letter by REN TV reporters showed how even remaining small islands of media freedom could get washed away.

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South Korea: Social Media Controversy Surrounds Sports Broadcaster's Death

Written by Lee Yoo Eun · East Asia

The suicide on May 23, 2011, of national television channel MBC sports announcer, Song Ji-seon in South Korea has sparked considerable controversy regarding social media in the country. South Korea has one of the highest suicide rates in the world, but this latest case has opened a new debate on the public health issue.

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Africa: Africa Day Celebrated on Twitter

Written by Ndesanjo Macha · Sub-Saharan Africa

Happy Africa Day! Africa Day is the annual commemoration on May 25 of the 1963 founding of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU). In 2002 the OAU established its own successor, the African Union. The name and date of Africa Day has been retained as a celebration of African unity.

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World Economy: Women Weigh in on Poverty, Work and Debt

Written by Juliana Rincón Parra · Sub-Saharan Africa, East Asia

The International Museum of Women's online exhibit on women and the economy, features slideshows, podcasts, videos and essays on women from countries such as Sudan, Denmark, Philippines, USA, Costa Rica, Mexico, Argentina and how they view issues such as poverty, business, family, rights, money and much more.

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24 May 2011

Egypt: A Day for Criticizing the Military

Written by Tarek Amr · Middle East & North Africa

Why did the Egyptian bloggers decide to dedicate the 23 May to criticizing the Supreme Council of Armed Forces on their blogs? So far 375 blog posts criticising the army have popped up on blogs despite a law which makes any criticism illegal.

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Russia: Renewed Anger Over Bureaucratic Traffic Bypasses

Written by Ashley Cleek · Eastern & Central Europe

A fiery incident on a Moscow highway has reignited the debate on Russian officials' use of “special signals” that allow bureaucrats to move quickly through traffic. Ashley Cleek explores the issue.

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Updates from May, 2011

30 May 2011

Russia

LJ-user groupper posts [ru] pictures of an illegal poster with OBEY Giant and a question in French and Russian: “Who set up Strauss-Kahn?” The poster hanging in front of the French diplomatic mission building in Saint-Petersburg, raises a conspiracy theory question, wherever the #DSK scandal was a deliberate removal of a political opponent in the upcoming election in France.

• Alexey Sidorenko

Gambia

Mathew K. Jallow discuses the legacy of Sir Dawda K Jawara, Gambia's first president: “As president, Sir Dawda Jawara was unlike most African leaders and politicians of his generation; leaders who took advantage of their positions to enrich themselves with the wealth of their people. If there was one negative about the era of Sir Dawda on which there is universal agreement among Gambians, it was that he overstayed as president…”

• Ndesanjo Macha

Zimbabwe

Beven Takunda blogs about journalism and sexual harassment in Zimbabwe: “A number of young female journalists coming from college have raised complaints that they are being asked to go out with some of the editors of these newly established newspapers if they want to get employed. This is vey sad given the vulnerability of such young girls, especially considering how desperate they are get the job which they trained for.”

• Ndesanjo Macha

Nigeria

Watch this YouTube video of Nigerians remembering their experience of attending a boarding secondary school.

• Ndesanjo Macha

Zimbabwe

A man is fined US$400 for killing a woman in Zimbabwe: “Fungai Tichawangana is widely admired and respected in Zimbabwe. Fungai’s wife was killed by a drunk driver. A man who was fined US$400 and had his license suspended for 6 months. Fungai pointed out to us that people who steal a cow go to jail. But not this drunk driver.”

• Ndesanjo Macha