Amitha Amarasinghe discusses the use of social media by the corporates in Sri Lanka and ponders whether there are any social media success stories in Sri Lanka.
9 February 2012
Stories from 9 February 2012
Brazil: Is the Weather Wacky?
Talking about the weather may be mere elevator chit-chat but, come rain or shine, there is no honest conversation that does not make some reference to the weather. Obviously the online community could not remain silent on the issue. Especially not in the face of Brazil's readying for the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development, Rio+20.
Maldives: Marred by Violence
The political crisis in the Maldives took an ugly turn Wednesday when the police brutally beat and injured supporters of the ousted President Mohamed Nasheed as they protested against what they claimed to be a coup that removed the island nation's first democratically elected president from power.
Cambodia: Demolition of Houses in Borei Keila
Forced evictions and land grabbing are getting worse in Cambodia. But the case which grabbed global attention involves the violent demolition of an urban poor community in Borei Keila located in central Phnom Penh. This is the story of the residents' struggle for their land and housing rights.
Spain: The Rebel Grandparents of the 15M
The majority of them far exceed the age of 60, they're retired, they're "iaios" (grandparents in Catalan) and they're veterans of activism. Lali Sandiumenge interviews some members of the “Iaioflautas”, a collective that emerged in Barcelona last October in the camp out at Plaza Catalunya.
South Africa: Virgin Active Caught in Racism Row
South African newspapers ran a story recently about a South African woman who was racially abused in public at the Virgin Active gym in Morningside, Johannesburg. The story has caused a public outcry on social media which resulted in Virgin Active re-opening the investigation into the incident.
Argentina: Musician Luis Alberto Spinetta Dies
Luis Alberto Spinetta, "El Flaco", one of the most influential rock musicians in Argentina, died on February 8 from illness; Spinetta had lung cancer, diagnosed in July, 2011. The Twitter hashtag #ChauFlaco quickly started trending, bringing together the tweets of those wanting to express their emotions on the news of the death of one of the most legendary Argentine rock stars.
South Korea: Activist Indicted for Retweeting North Korean Messages
South Korean prosecutors indicted a photographer last week for retweeting messages posted by the North Korean government's Twitter account. This case has sparked another round of debate on the country's controversial national security law which prohibits "acts benefiting the enemy" without specifying what constitutes such acts.
Malaysia: Organization Advocates for Human Rights Through Video
KOMAS is an organization in Malaysia that uses video production as a tool to educate and advocate for human rights in the areas of non-discrimination, citizenship, grassroots advocacy, voter education and documentary filmmaking.
Macedonia: Problems With Transparent Online Reporting of Air Pollution in Skopje
The city-owned "Skopje Breathing" online system, which informed residents of air pollution levels, stopped functioning in early January 2011. Filip Stojanovski translates a local NGO's explanation of why this important tool is unlikely to be fixed.
Panama: Government and Indigenous Peoples Reach Agreement After Clashes Over Mining
The anti-mining protest which had paralysed the country for five days was violently suppressed by the national police, provoking serious confrontations with the indigenous people. Finally, on Tuesday, February 7, the government ceded to the demands of the Ngäbe Buglé, prohibiting the use of the region for the exploitation of minerals or water.
China must step in to protect indigenous Mongoloid Asiatic native people & their lands, and...