Stories about Digital Activism from September, 2013
South Korea: President's Failed Welfare Promise Sparks Criticism
President Park is under fire for her retreat on campaign promises of higher pension and tuition subsidies. Critics say her campaign pledges adopted against her own identity as a conservative candidate, helped Park to rake in more votes in the last presidential election. @metempirics gathered relevant links and web reactions [ko] in...
VIDEO: Filmpoem “Prayer of Fear” Stuns Egypt
The Egyptian citizen collective Mosireen has been tirelessly documenting the #Jan25 revolution and the events that followed in images and documentaries. One of their very last creations is “Prayer of Fear”, a filmpoem by Mahmoud Ezzat narrated by Mosireen member Salma Said. Between roving and painful memories, the filmpoem stuns...
Crowd-funding Revives Australian Climate Council After Government Axe
Following the axing of the Australian government Climate Commission it has been reborn as the not-for-profit Climate Council thanks to crowd-funding.
IBM, Cisco Supply Brazil with Surveillance Tools for World Cup
With the perspective of mega events, Brazil became a priority for the global surveillance industry. On the front line of the technological centers which concentrate decisions concerning security during the games is the American multinational corporation IBM.
Russian News Websites Black Out to Protest Journalist's Arrest
A photographer was among the 30 activists arrested by Russian border guards on board Greenpeace's Arctic Sunrise. His detention has riled up Russian journalists and other media figures.
Developing Latin America 2013: An ‘Apps Challenge’ for Social Impact
This year Developing Latin America goes from being a Hackathon to an Apps Challenge, an event to think of better ideas, obtain more concrete solutions, and achieve more sustainable applications.
Documentary Films Tackle Child Sexual Abuse in India
Indian documentary films are heightening awareness about child abuse. By talking to children, responsible adults and even abusers, these films are helping open up an erstwhile shuttered space.
Brazil Becomes Hot Market for Surveillance Technology Ahead of World Cup
Giants of the surveillance sector get contracts in a number of Brazilian cities to monitor citizens during the games of 2014 - from security scanners to remote tracking software.
Protests in Sudan: Dozens Feared Dead
Sudan's answer against protests was cutting off the Internet and killing dozens of protestors. Activists say Sudan pulled the Internet plug to stop activists from sharing its crackdown on protestors.
Nairobi Mall Attack Inspires Two Online Tools for Emergencies
The Ping will help families to quickly check in with each other during an emergency while Blood Donation Kenya matches blood location centers with people willing to help with donation.
Crowdsourcing Accountability of the Electoral Campaign in Portugal
[All links lead to Portuguese language pages.] In the run up for this week's municipal elections in Portugal, the platform Campanha Limpa (Clean Campaign) invites all citizens to help monitor electoral spending, by sending pictures of campaign materials such as posters, banners, signs, gifts and treats, rallies and events. The platform, an...
Brazilian President Calls for Global Respect of Net Neutrality at the UN
Net neutrality, privacy and human rights were in focus on Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff's speech (pdf) at the 68th session of the United Nations General Assembly, on September 24, 2013. The leader said that UN needs to establish international protections for Internet users from spying and announced Brazil's intention to prepare a proposal...
No Longer Silent: “Queer Pakistan”
Pakistan’s shunned LGBT youth have a new place to seek support online. Global Voices speaks with one of Queer Pakistan's founders.
Latin America: “Where do the Disappeared go?”
The internet is a source of innumerable initiatives and stories that remember the disappeared and fight against impunity.
South Korean Catholic Leaders Protest Spy Agency Scandal
700 Catholic clergy members held a protest against the spy agency's manipulation of the presidential election - the first time in recent decades that the Catholic Church has organized such demonstration.
GV Face: Worldwide Media Coverage of Syria
How different is reporting on Syria depending on where you are? And what does that mean for Syrians? We discussed this and more in our second edition of GV Face.
In The Central African Republic, “We Still Hope to Live Together In Peace”
As the conflict between the rebels of Sékéla and the national army of the Central african Republic rages on, tension mounts in the city of Bossangoa. Locals fear that the conflict may not spill into open fighting between the christian and muslim communities. Some still hold hope for appeasement though,...
Latin America Remembers the Disappeared
The disappearance of people has left a profound footprint in Latin America, where cases of disappearance still exist today. Photographs, songs and blogs help to keep memories alive.
@ReporteYa: Citizen Journalism from #Venezuela
Paula Gonzalo tells us about “Reporte Ya”, an example of a collaboration between professional and citizen journalism.
Cyclists in Fortaleza, Brazil Win Bike Lane After Pressuring Authorities
After members of Fortaleza's Critical Mass took matters into their own hands over the lack of a bike lane, city officials finally created one.
Melbourne Protesters Take Campaign to McDonald's Chicago HQ
Kevin Rennie writes about the opposition of Melbourne residents to a new McDonald’s in their place. The campaigners have now taken their case to Maccas headquarters in Chicago
