Stories about Citizen Media from August, 2008
Angola: Going, going, gone!
The historic Kinaxixi Market of Luanda, the Angolan answer to Corbusian modernism in architecture, has been knocked down to make way for a modern shopping centre. Is this a sign of the times or an example of the devaluation of heritage in the face of economic power? Clara Onofre reports.
Environment: Energy and Conservation News from Blogs around the world
In this post from GV environment, we check in with bloggers around the world who are writing on diverse topics; from ornithology, energy efficiency to forest preservation. The Bahraini ornithologist blog Bahrain Obs posts pictures and gives an update on bird migration. The migration is in full swing now –...
Cambodia: Sex workers, 100% condom use and human rights
Cambodian sex workers have taken to the internet to make their plight and fight for human rights better known. In Cambodia, a 100% condom use law which states that sexual exchanges with clients have to take place with condoms on sounds like a good idea, but it has been turned against those it is supposed to protect, by being used as a means to imprison sex workers, using the fact that they carry condoms with them as evidence for them doing sex work.
Brazil: An Olympic balance
For a country whose best record was its 15th place in Athens last time, Brazil's 23th medal table position in the Beijing Olympics, with only 3 gold medals was not an extraordinary defeat - however, from newspapers to blogs, the general feeling is that of disappointment. Here are some reactions from the blogosphere.
Georgia: Regional Reporters
The conflict between Georgia and Russia over the breakway territory of South Ossetia were accompanied by cyber-attacks on several Georgian official government and independent media sites. But rather than prevent journalists from utilizing the Internet to report on the war, it achieved the opposite. Many Georgians -- media professionals and citizen journalists alike -- set up blogs to report or comment on the conflict.
Georgia: Dispatches Under Russian Occupation
When Russian forces rolled into the strategic Georgian town of Gori, information on the occupation was scarce. Journalists died during Russian bombing runs in the military campaign leading up Gori's capture, others were shot at, and access to the town was not only limited, but also perilous with South Ossetian, Chechen and Cossack militia hijacking cars and robbing occupants. The posts by the radio station's Goga Aptsiauri are a fascinating account of life under Russian occupation. In his final post made two days ago, Aptsiauri reports that the Russian military had finally left.
Mexico: Videos raise awareness of kidnapping crisis
Mexico has seen a steep rise in kidnapping for ransom cases this year, and a group of videobloggers have decided to take a stand and make videos proposing solutions for this problem. According to the Analisis a Fondo blog, according to the Dutch NGO Pax Christi and local authorities, Mexico has surpassed Colombia in the number of kidnappings, which take place mostly in the capital and neighboring areas.
Angola: Electoral campaign fails to excite voters
After 16 years without the right to vote, Angolans have been savouring the taste of the election campaign for almost a month now. Contrary to expectations, there is a lukewarm atmosphere around the capital Luanda. Clara Onofre shows why electors are not impressed.
India: Stopped trains in Kerala leave passengers stranded
The following video uploaded by YouTube user peshaku shows irate commuters at the Angamali railway station in the southern Indian province of Kerala after they have been stranded due to a particular type of protest where workers cease operations. This phenomenon is called Harthal (Hartal) and it has become a constant problem in Kerala.
Call for video journalists for You Tube Contest
You Tube's Citizen News channel has released a video promo for an upcoming citizen journalism contest. They will be receiving videos of less than 3 minutes in length, in English, of a video profile about someone in your community you believe should be known by the rest of the world. The prizes and other information will be released in September.
Slovakia: Measuring Olympic Medals
Margarete of The foreigner's guide to living in Slovakia calculates Slovakia's number of Olympic medals per capita that Slovakia, ranking 10th in a list headed by Slovenia.
Poland: Weightlifter Makes Tibet Protest
Tybet Watch in Poland reports that Polish weightlifter Szymon Kołecki, who won a silver medal in yesterday's competition at the Beijing Olympics, shaved his head in a gesture of solidarity with the Tibetan monks.
Remembering a Childhood in Serbia
Daniel Durini, a Mexican-Serbian blogger, recalls his childhood (second part here) in Belgrade during the late 1970's and the 1980's in his blog Eslavos del Sur [Spanish]
Angola, Brazil: A culture shock divide
Angola and Brazil's special relationship means that business between the two former Portuguese colonies is booming - as well as migration both ways across the Atlantic. But, how are these two sibling peoples getting on? This post offers the perspectives of both an Angolan and a Brazilian blogger living in Luanda.
Poland: Army Day
Ian Scattergood of 20 East comments on yesterday's celebration of the Army Day in Poland, including several photos of the military parades around Warsaw.
Hungary: Why the Olympic team is not winning more medals?
Eva Balogh of Hungarian Spectrum comments on the high expectations of Hungarian sports commentators for Olympic medals, and analyzes why Hungary is not managing to meet those expectations.
Russia: New Military Uniforms
Owen of Lex Libertas reports that the Russian military will completely change to a new uniform by the year 2011, by a famous Russian designer.
Ethiopia: First Olympic Gold Medal
Mamá Etiopía [Spanish] reports that the Ethiopian Olympic team collected their first gold medal, won by female runner Tirunesh Dibaba in the 10,000 meters category. The blog also comments on other favorite Ethiopian athletes with high chances to win medals.
Georgia: Videos of Journalists Under Attack in Gori
The blog From the Frontline posted several videos showing two different reporters being shot (first one here, second here), a team of Turkish TV journalists under attack and a bombing that resulted in the death of a Dutch cameraman, all in the Georgian town of Gori.
Belarus: Two Olympic Bronze Medals
The Being Had Times reported that Belarus has won two bronze medals in the Beijing Olympics so far, one in Greco-Roman by Mikhail Semenov and one in weightlifting by Anastasia Novikova.
Video of Colombian refugees attacking a family in Chile raises concerns
A cell phone video where a group of people are seen attacking a family with sticks and stones, and leaving most of them unconscious, has been determined to show 10 Colombian refugees attacking a family of Peruvian residents getting home from a party in the town of Iquique in Chile on August 3rd 2008. This video evidence was used by the District Attorney in processing and imprisoning at least two of the Colombian refugees who were later released.
