Latest posts by Bernardo Parrella
Italy: Social Media Week in Milan and Worldwide
Social Media Week is an eclectic, multi-city event (Sept 20-24) aimed at connecting people, content, and conversations about emerging trends in social and mobile media.
Yoani Sanchez denied another traveling visa
Cuban blogger Yoani Sanchez tweets about another visa refusal for traveling, this time to receive the World Press Freedom Hero Award in Vienna, Austria. And it seems unlikely she could attend the Internet for Peace conference (New York City, Sept. 21), a global initiative aimed at supporting the Internet as...
Italy: NO to Restrictions on Online Free Speech
A newly revised Media and Wiretapping bill before the Italian parliament today could introduce a threatening "liability risk" for all bloggers and online media.
Italy: Large protest against “gag” rule bill on local media
“No Bavaglio” (No Gag) is a large protest movement in Italy against a proposed privacy law that would impose heavy fines on newspapers (and blogs) that publish transcripts of phone calls. The law is suspect, because wiretapping has played a key role in media investigations that have led to mafia...
USA: Hemp History Week, Saving Plant and Planet
In tough economic times, why would anyone ban industrial farming of a highly profitable and useful plant that requires almost no pesticides?
Honorable Mention for Threatened Voices at Journalism Fest in Italy
Threatened Voices has received an Honorable Mention in the first Digital Heretics journalism award, established at the upcoming International journalism festival in Perugia, Italy (April 21-25). The project coordinator and GV author Sami Ben Gharbia, will be rewarded with a Kodak Zi8 videocamera during a special event with guest speakers...
Voci Globali: Global Voices and La Stampa
A new collaboration between Italian newspaper La Stampa and Global Voices is showing promise for the inclusion of more curated and translated citizen media in mainstream news.
USA: Native American Heritage Day
A new National Native American National Heritage day is being honored in the United States on November 27, the day after most people there celebrated Thanksgiving. Native Americans rejoice - online and elsewhere.
Italy: Online activism fires up “No Berlusconi Day”
A group of bloggers-citizens has launched an International protest movement to demand the resignation of Italy's Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi due to scandals and corruption trials. More than 280,000 people have pledged to participate in the December 5 rallies.
USA: Native Americans exploitation in Sedona ‘sweat lodge’ deaths
Two people died and 19 were treated in hospital after attending a "Spiritual Warrior" sweat lodge session organized by self-help expert James Arthur Ray. Bloggers discuss the misappropriation of Native culture.
USA: Native Americans’ long battle against racism
Racism and discrimination in the USA still affect Native Americans particularly hard, as it has in the past too. But now Native Americans are fighting back with online media.
Italy: citizens provide news and reflections on the earthquake in L'Aquila
More than 250 people dead, about 1,000 injured and over 25,000 displaced: Italy's worst earthquake in three decades. While the situation on the ground is still unfolding, people are widely using online tools to offer updates, commentaries, and help.
USA: Activists Incensed after Fatal Shooting by Police
Several people recorded mobile phone videos of a police officer shooting and killing a young man named Oscar Grant on a train platform in Oakland, California, on January 1. Since then, citizen media have been central in the ensuing campaigns for justice.
Italy: In Defense of the “Right to die”
A legal battle over a young woman's 'right to die' after 17 years in a coma has spurred both vast online commentary and activism in Italy. Mostly in defense of "Eluana Englaro's choice", Italian netizens have signed petitions, organized protests, and made YouTube videos of their own 'living will' testimonies, in defiance of both prime minister Silvio Berlusconi and the Vatican.
Italy Seethes over Brazil's Extradition Refusal
Italians are still debating a controversial decision of the Brazilian government to guarantee political asylum to convicted felon Cesare Battisti, in spite of an extradition request by the Italian foreign ministry. The decision to grant asylum is currently being considered by the Brazilian supreme court.
USA: Blogging for Anglican Inclusion of LGTB Priests and Bishops
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transsexual priests and bishops made efficient use of citizen media to support their campaign for inclusion in the Anglican Church at the recent Lambeth Conference, a global gathering of 650 bishops and archbishops held at the Canterbury Cathedral in the United Kingdom.
Italy: A National Registry for Roma People?
Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi's new right wing Cabinet recently launched plans to carry out a national registration of all Roma people in Italy, including fingerprints of all children. Italy is home to an estimated 150,000 Roma and Sinti people (often referred to as Gypsies). The ensuing, heated public debate over whether this measure amounts to racial discrimination is overflowing in the online space of Italy and beyond.
USA: Longest Walk 2 for Native Americans rights
An 8,000-Mile Walk for Native American Rights, Environmental Protection, and to Stop Global Warming reached its destination in Washington, DC. A successful example of community-building and citizen media usage - including first-hand reports and poignant comments.
