25 May 2012

Stories from 25 May 2012

Mexico: #YoSoy132, the Beginning of the Mexican Spring?

  25 May 2012

The visit of presidential candidate Enrique Peña Nieto to the Iberoamericana University was marked with protests by students who rebuked the candidate in several occasions. This, along with the media coverage of the event, unleashed an explosive mixture that first found an outlet in social media and has now taken its energy to the streets of major Mexican cities.

Trinidad & Tobago: Same Sex Issues

  25 May 2012

Globewriter comments on a Senate debate about a clause of the Children's Bill “involving a clause that includes buggery”; B.C. Pires adds: “The People’s Partnership of UNC [United National Congress] MPs [Ministers of Parliament] yesterday refused, despite urgings from Independent senators, to decriminalize same gender sexual activity between minors –...

Africa: Celebrating Africa Liberation Day on Twitter

  25 May 2012

Africa Liberation 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 (AU). Africans and friends of Africa celebrate African unity and freedom on Twitter.

Spain: How Social Networks are Cleaning Up TV

  25 May 2012

For several years low-quality content has been broadcast in Spain. Called "telebasura" in Spanish or simply trash TV, it has been a very profitable business model for its low cost production and wide audience reach. However TV trash is in serious danger thanks to an active audience that has used the power of social networks and digital campaigns.

Costa Rica: Discipline Reaps Success for National Cyclist

  25 May 2012

Blogger ‘stwartmendez’ from La Tinta del Ocio [es] highlights the success of Costa Rican cyclist Andrey Amador who is participating in Giro d'Italia, the Tour of Italy cycling race. Amador came in third in the twelfth stage and first in the fourteenth stage. The blogger attributes this success to the...

Puerto Rico: “Revuelo,” a Beautiful Commotion

  25 May 2012

"Revuelo" (Commotion) is the name of a breathtaking artistic and architectural project in the National Gallery in Old San Juan. The architect and photographer Raquel Pérez-Puig has shared some of her beautiful photos with Global Voices.

Côte d'Ivoire: Controversy during 2012 Tech Conferences

  25 May 2012

Between May 15 and 18, 2012, Côte d"Ivoire played host to two important tech conferences. Covering IT and communications technology (ICT), among the themes intended to be covered were cybercrime and the inclusion of women in the world of ICT. ‘Google Days’ and the JNTIC 2012 conference caused controversy and debate, with many people on the Ivorian blogosphere reacting passionately to the issues raised.

Saudi Arabia: Censorship of Wikipedia

Saudi Arabia, one of Reporters Without Borders’ Internet Enemies, has blocked access to many articles on the free encyclopedia Wikipedia. The Saudi Communications and Information Technology Commission has censored over 130 articles in Arabic and English, including articles relating to sex and sexuality, the human body, and the theory of...

Mauritania: Student Scandal Rocks Presidential Palace

  25 May 2012

On May 3 a group of Mauritanian students made a surprise revelation at a press conference. They announced that the president's chief of staff Isselkou Ould Izidbih had attempted to bribe them to give up their struggle for students' rights as well as to stop sit-ins and protests.