Stephen Cairns
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Growing up in the south (Georgia, United States), I am now enjoying a whole different type of “south”. After cutting my teeth on Spanish through Central America, I taught English in Ecuador. Now I work in Bogotá, Colombia.
My interest in the Latin American region and the Spanish language led me to Global Voices. Global news distribution and actual reaction by people (or blogs) on the ground make this site enjoyable and educational to read.
Latest posts by Stephen Cairns
10 September 2012
Colombia Answers with New Promotional Campaign and Slogan
"Where are foreigners welcomed with courtesy, friendship and love? #TheAnswerIsColombia." A new promotional campaign and video was launched by the Colombian government with the slogan "The Answer is Colombia." Countless responses, positive and negative, have been appearing under the hashtag #LaRespuestaEsColombia.
25 May 2012
Spain: How Social Networks are Cleaning Up TV
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.
15 April 2012
Colombia: Painter and Sculptor Fernando Botero Celebrates 80
On April 19, 2012 the Colombian sculptor and painter Fernando Botero will turn 80 years old. The celebrations for his birthday have already started in Colombia and other parts of the world. On the internet citizens share their opinions and analysis of Botero and his works.
2 April 2012
Colombia: Lawmakers Rush Bill on Author Rights and Intellectual Property
On March 20, a bill was hurriedly presented to reform the legislative and regulatory framework of authors' rights and intellectual property as part of the government's implementation of the requirements for a Free Trade Agreement with the United States. Activists and citizens on social networks have rejected the lack of debate on what many are calling a new version of the "Lleras law."
13 March 2012
Colombia: FARC Announces End to Kidnappings, Release of Hostages
On February 26, the FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia) announced they would release ten military hostages they currently hold. Despite hope the announcement generated, there are doubts and other uncertainties over what will happen now.
7 February 2012
Internet Radio and Podcasts from Ecuador
Juan Arellano shares some video interviews from Campus Party Quito with the people behind several podcasts and internet radios in Ecuador.
18 January 2012
Nicaragua: Telecom Company CLARO Censors Clients
The perseverance of Nicaragua's internet community through social networks in denouncing the censorship act by CLARO Nicaragua was the reason the company stopped stonewalling and lifted the access block on the website claroqueno.com.
4 October 2011
Colombia: El Puente_lab Making a Difference in Moravia, Medellin
In Medellín, Colombia, the project Hiperbarrio (Rising Voices project) is being developed along with other interesting projects that attempt to improve social inclusion and citizen media training. One project we highlight in this article is the El Puente_lab, a production platform for art and culture.
29 August 2011
Blog Carnival: Mexico – Verbalizing the Violence
Our first 2011 Blog Carnival had the theme "Mexico - Citizenry, Violence and Blogs". In this first part of the final summary, we showcase what Mexican bloggers thought about past violent events happening in their country and how they handle and express their pain when violence has affected them.
12 August 2011
Colombia: Citizens Speak Out Against Government Corruption
In Colombia, several corruption cases have surfaced that date back to the government of former president Álvaro Uribe Vélez. The Internet and social media sphere has reacted, calling for Colombians to join a Masked March against corruption.
we are def getting there .