Stories from 4 May 2012
Russia: Varlamov's Failure in Omsk
Ilya Varlamov, the Moscow photographer and popular blogger whom an online primary nominated last month to run for mayor of Omsk, has ended his election campaign. Varlamov provoked a serious rift between the Russian opposition's supporters and opponents of 'blogger politicians' when he entered the race, and that debate has only grown more heated now that he's out.
Pakistan: Public Reaction on PM's Contempt Verdict
The long process of contempt case against Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani ended with verdict of a symbolic punishment of 37 seconds against him. Analysts say that the decision would not end the prevalent constitutional confusion, rather, it only have increased it.
Colombia: Telework Law or Microsoft Law?
lncognito wonders what is behind [es] the ‘telework law’ (Decreto 884 de 2012 [es], which regulates the Ley 1228 de 2008 [es]), signed by President Juan Manuel Santos at the headquarters of Microsoft Colombia [es], and whose official website [es] seems to be sponsored by the Labour Ministry and the...
Cameroon: Open Collaboration for African Techies
ActiveSpaces blog is a resource for news, project updates, member profiles and community events at ActivSpaces, an open collaboration space, innovation hub and startup incubator for African techies. Based in Buea, Cameroon.
Africa: Is Faint Medal the next Osibisa?
Bismarck wonders whether the band Faint Medal is the next Osibisa: “After the great Osibisa band which told the African story across the world, people have been searching for the next band to continue with the legacy.”
North Korea Says More Satellite Launches Are Coming
North Korea Tech blog wrote about North Korean state media's claim that its satellite launch was part of a “peaceful, civilian space program” and they will launch even more into space.
Angola: Loss of a Human Rights Advocate
Megan Eardley, from Africa is a Country, published a translation of the condolences statement from Angolan human rights group OMUNGA [pt], on the assassination of one of their volunteers, Júlio Kussema. Eardley writes about OMUNGA's work and adds that “protesters (…) face police intimidation and alarming levels of state violence this...
Uruguay: Twitter and Politics
Gabriel Budiño blogs [es] about recent articles that look at how politicians in Uruguay are using Twitter. One article calls Twitter “the next political trench”, while the other says that politics is not compatible with Twitter's 140 characters.
Mexico: Netizens and Journalists React to the Murder of Regina Martínez
The murder of journalist Regina Martinez is considered by experts as an attack on freedom of expression and the right to information. Colleagues and citizens expressed their outrage and their demands to the authorities through blogs and social networks.
Brazil: Blogging Carnival on the New Forestry Code
Global Voices in Portuguese launched today, May 4, a blogging carnival [pt] about the new Forestry Code, recently approved by the Brazilian Senate. While some claim that agribusiness is hindered by the existing Code and Brazil is missing out on opportunities for economic development, environmental activists demand for a “zero...
Russia: Tolstoy's ‘War and Peace’ Legacy Today
RuNet Echo continues its series examining the 200th anniversary of Tsarist Russia's Victory over Napoleon by examining Leo Tolstoy's novel 'War and Peace' and the role it plays today online. On the RuNet, discussions about 'War and Peace' and Tolstoy's literary style are common, addressing a variety of issues both linguistic and social.
Georgia: World Press Freedom Day Protest Demonstration
The Young Georgians posts photos and video of a protest demonstration held by journalists, bloggers and activists to mark World Press Freedom Day in Tbilisi, Georgia.
Syria: Yara Shammas Released
Just hours after the release of Yara Shams, daughter of Syrian activist and lawyer Michel Shammas, from prison, many congratulation messages were posted on his Facebook wall. Activists in Syria await the release of all political and intellectual prisoners.
Syria: Flowers for Peace among All Syrians
As a part of the “Stop the killing, we want to build a country for all Syrians” campaign, four girls started an initiative to distribute flowers in a number of Damascus streets with the slogan “Syria has room for everyone, stop the killing.” Activists shared photographs on Facebook of the campaign:...
Global Voices in Bulgarian Lauded on World Press Freedom Day
Global Voices in Bulgarian was lauded by the Bulgarian section of the Association of European Journalists as the April 2012 winners of “Excellence in Citizen Journalism” for bringing unheard international news to Bulgaria, and proving that citizen journalism also exists at a highly professional level. The announcement (in Bulgarian) was...
Vietnam: Restrictive New Internet Policy
Duy Hoang, Angelina Huynh, and Trinh Nguyen summarize Vietnam's new internet policy which is expected to be announced by the government next month. The authors warned that the policy will further expand web censorship in the country
Mauritania: Opposition Sit-in Attacked by Security Forces
A sit-in in Nouakchott by opposition groups was violently dispersed by security forces in the early hours of May 3. It was the latest of a series of protests that have taken place in Mauritania.
St. Vincent & the Grenadines: Political Letters
Vinci Kallaloo wants to know if former New Democratic Party Senator Anesia Baptiste had written a letter to Opposition Leader Arnhim Eustace in search of an appointment to Parliament much in the same way she wrote one contesting her recent dismissal.
Trinidad & Tobago: Getting Wired with Online News
Lasana Liburd is a veteran journalist based in Trinidad & Tobago. Earlier this year, he launched Wired868, an online newspaper, which for the time being specializes in football coverage in addition to some news analysis/opinion. He speaks to Global Voices about this exciting project and the impact of new technology on mainstream journalism.
Philippines: Discussion About K-12 Education Reform
Angel de Dios compiles articles and commentaries on the proposed K-12 education reform in the Philippines. The government plans to add two more years in the basic education cycle aside from revamping the curriculum
Indonesia: Documenting HIV/AIDS in Papua
Against All Odds is a Tumblr blog of Andri Tambunan who has been documenting the HIV/AIDS epidemic among indigenous Papuans in Indonesia.
