Global Voices · Citizen media stories from 2012 January 16

16 January 2012

Daily archive · 8 posts

Stories from 16 January 2012

Iran: Jailed Islamic Cleric and Blogger on Hunger Strike

Written by Fred Petrossian · Middle East & North Africa

Islamic cleric and blogger, Mohammad Sadegh (Arash) Honarvar Shojayi, is on hunger strike in prison in Iran to protest the four year prison sentence he received in October 2011 for defaming the regime and clergy.

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Peru: Citizens Welcome Last Phase of the 2012 Dakar Rally

Written by Gabriela García Calderón · Latin America

On Sunday January 15, 2012, Lima welcomed the Dakar Rally on its final stage. Here are some impressions on the event.

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Caribbean: Thank You, Dr. King

Written by Janine Mendes-Franco · US Virgin Islands, Caribbean

Today, the United States marks Martin Luther King Jr. Day - a floating holiday which celebrates the birthday of the late civil right leader. The occasion resonates with Caribbean bloggers, both at home and throughout the diaspora and a few of them share their thoughts…

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Panama City Mayor Resigns

Written by Ariel Moreno · Translated by Julián Ortega Martínez · Latin America

The resignation of the Mayor of the capital city of Panama marked the start of the 2012 political intrigues, prompting all kinds of reactions on social networks, from those who agree with the Mayor's decision, to those who see the action as an abuse of power by President Martinelli.

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Peru: Cápac Raymi, The Andean Christmas

Written by Juan Arellano · Translated by Rebecca Knaggs · Latin America

Before the introduction of Christmas festivities to Peru, the Incas celebrated Cápac Inti Raymi Killa, a religious festival that took place in honour of the Sun. Cápac Raymi is no longer celebrated as it once was, but today Inca an Christian elements mix during the end of the year festivities in various towns of the Peruvian Andes.

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Argentina: President Cristina Fernández' Controversial Cancer Diagnosis

Written by Natán Calzolari · Translated by Louella Mahabir · Latin America

Many showed their support for President Cristina Fernández on social networks using the hashtag #FuerzaCristina after the operation of a supposed cancerous growth in her thyroid; users then quickly reacted to a shift in the diagnosis which indicated that the president's tumour was benign.

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Russia: Overview of Top RuNet Trends and Events in 2011

Written by Vadim Isakov · Eastern & Central Europe

At the end of this turbulent and inspiring year, Global Voices RuNet Echo editors present you with the list of events that had a profound impact on the Russian Internet and will serve as important steps in the development of the country's online community.

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Brazil: Cultural Debate as ‘Oh if I Catch You' Song Goes Global

Written by João Miguel D. de A. Lima · Latin America

If you keep track of international music trends or if you're a Cristiano Ronaldo supporter, you've probably heard the song 'Ai se eu te pego'. Brazilian singer Michel Teló's major worldwide success has sparked a global phenomenon, and attracted some critics.

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Updates from 16 January 2012

Cuba

Crossing the Barbed Wire blogs about a recent workshop “about the basics of citizen journalism and what could be done with the new information technologies”, adding: “The importance of what we now refer to as ‘citizen journalism' gives human rights activists, social promoters, and dissidents in general a push…”

• Janine Mendes-Franco

Cuba

Iván's File Cabinet profiles “two of the most lucid and coherent voices on the map of Cuban opposition”, who are fighting for democracy and “racial integration for the those of African origin in all social strata in Cuba.”

• Janine Mendes-Franco

Colombia

Mike's Bogota Blog shares pictures of a protest against bullfighting which took place in Colombia's capital. He explains: “The animal rights protesters, who call themselves anti-taurinos, were bolstered by new Mayor Gustavo Petro's comments that Bogotá should consider banning bullfighting, and that the city would no longer provide financial support for it.”

• Silvia Viñas

Guatemala

Bloggings by boz comments and reports on “a new top priority,” issued by the newly sworn in President Otto Perez Molina, for the Guatemalan military: “‘Achieve an interdiction of external threats and neutralize illegal armed groups, through the use of military power, by regaining and maintaining control of the air, maritime and land domains.'”

• Silvia Viñas

Lebanon

“And when I made up my mind and ran to my mom screaming ”baddi it7ajab” [I want to wear the veil] she looked at me and said if you wear it now will you ever take it off ? I paused and asked her ”Are you ever going to take it off mama?” she said no, well I will never take it off either I said. And that is how I wore my veil,” says Esraa in her blog 7ijabi [my veil] which she started to raise awareness about the discrimination that she, as a veiled woman, faces.

• Moussa Bashir

Lebanon

As snow falls on Lebanon's mountains, Haiku from Lebanon posts its latest:

“The tender snow
Has wiped away
The weeping willow's tears”

• Moussa Bashir

Lebanon

Najib is reporting about the collapse of a building in the Ashrafieh neighborhood of Beirut. Rescue workers are removing rubble while trying to save about 30 inhabitants who were in the building when it fell.

• Moussa Bashir

Iran

Here is a film shows a group of Iranians celebrating “A Seperation” win at Golden Globes.

• Fred Petrossian

Arts & Culture

Iranian users in Twitter, Facebook, Friendfeed and other social media are celebrating that Iranian filmmaker Asghar Farhadi's drama ‘A Separation‘ won the award for best foreign language film at the 69th Golden Globes. Aysan posted in her Facebook: This is about 3 years that our Facebook profiles have been full of pain and suffer but now we are all happy and proud because of this award.

• Hadi Nili