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Kenya: Live broadcast of parliament · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

Kenyan Pundit points to a site with a live broadcast of Kenyan Parliament: “Marsgroup Kenya should be showing live clips every 15 minutes. Site is a bit slow so be patient.”


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Mexico: Postcards and a Trip Back in Time · Global Voices
Eduardo Avila

Daniel Hernandez of Intersections visits a historical postcard exhibit in Mexico City and takes a trip back in time.

source: news-globalvoices

license: Creative Commons - Attribution - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

author: Eduardo Avila


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Mozambique: Sleep Walking Land · Global Voices
Paula Góes

Forever Pemba [pt] is glad to find out that the film ‘Sleep Walking Land’, by Mozambican Teresa Prata based on a Mia Couto's book, will be shown at the Pune International Film Festival, in India, and in London's Bird's Eye Film Festival. “The movie tell us the Muidinga's story, a Mozambican boy who looks for his family in the middle of the civil war”.

author: Paula Góes


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Nigeria: Oil cremations · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

Akin writes, “Oil fires the people” in Nigeria: Anyone following the saga of Nigeria, its oil and its people would read the news gleaned from recent events and conclude that whilst Nigeria is blessed with oil, any contact between its people and the product always leads to an uncontrollable conflagration.

author: Ndesanjo Macha


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Nigeria: Super Eagles Free Videos · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

Nigeria Football Fans Blog has free videos of the Nigerian national soccer team: “The super eagles of Nigeria is a team with so many good memories we can not afford to forget. Here I post an array of videos i know every fans of the eagles will love to watch.”


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Pakistan: Blocking Blogs · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

Voice of South on the block on political blogs in Pakistan, and how people are responding to the ban.

author: Neha Viswanathan


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Pakistan: Mush and Britney · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

Pakistan Paindabad takes a funny look at Pakistan and Britney Spears.


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Peru: Discovery of Gas Reserves · Global Voices
Eduardo Avila

Upon the discovery of gas reserves in Peru, President Alan García boasted that the country now has enough gas for the next 40 years.  However, Juan Sheput of Mate Pastor [es] points out the contradiction put forth by the dean of the College of Engineers, who states that the amount is only enough for 4 years.


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Jordan: The Impact of Bloggers on Politics  · Global Voices
Mohammad Azraq

Writing for 7iber.com, American Sam Bollier poses the following questions and examines the Jordanian blogosphere and its influence on the political discourse in Jordan, by studying four different aspects that affect bloggers (access, ability/willingness, publicity and political culture).
How much influence do Jordanian blogs exert on political discourse in Jordan? What sorts of political change do bloggers effect in Jordan, and why is the Jordanian blogosphere tepid in comparison to many of its Arab peers?
Answering these questions proves to be quite difficult. While there have been a number of events in Jordan in which bloggers have
had a clear-cut influence, it seems fair to say that, at the moment, the primary impact of Jordanian blogging has been on intangible processes that are intrinsically difficult to measure.
Marc Lynch’s 2007 essay entitled “Blogging the New Arab Public” is perhaps the most exhaustive study on Arab blogging as it relates to politics. The author argues that, although “it is highly unlikely that blogging will induce wide political change in the Middle East,” it “would be wrong to conclude that blogging has no role in Arab politics.”
Read more here and here…
Ohoud (Arabesque) shares her experience visiting the music conservatory in the West Bank city of Ramallah, Palestine.
Walking through the narrow alleys of Old Ramallah, past the tightly fitted houses we finally found it. It was a gem. Yeah, it was.
(One of the old houses of Ramallah, while we were taking pics a boy came out thinking we were foreigners shouting and telling us we should take pics of our wonderful buildings in the U.S)
Back to the gem. It was yet another old house but not quite the ordinary one.
In the middle of old Ramallah, stands the new conservatory to teach music, Al kamandjat.
It is a dream realized by Ramzi Aburedwan, who spent his entire childhood in the Al-Amari refugee camp in Ramallah. He then went to Angers , France to study at the Music Conservatory. His objective was to establish music schools for Palestinian children, favoring the most destitute children, those living in the refugee camps.
More on that here.
Shaher (Thoughts Expressed) talks about what he finds as a lack of pride in Arabic culture and language among some Jordanians, in a post titled “OMG I can speak English.” He further explains:
What's wrong with us people, we are Arabs, our mother language is Arabic, our first sentence was in Arabic. so what the hell is going on in our country. the other day I was listening to Mazaj FM, and there topic was about Arabic language fading and demolishing in the time being, and they are defiantly right. Its not COOL to speak in English and for sure not COOLER to have an English word between every two Arabic ones !!! and the most disgusting thing is when you see a mother in the street disciplining her child by saying NO NO NO NAUGHTY BOY !!!! what's wrong with LA2 ILLI 3MILTO `3ALAT. I was just on the phone with someone who called me and said :
” hello Shaher how r u DOIN !!! “
Read more here.
Liana, an American living in Jordan, discusses archeology in Jordan and its political and economic significance on the country and region at large. She explains:
Archeology is not only historically interesting, I have learned – it is also a political, economic, and cultural force in this region. The Jordan valley and Mesopotamia hold the remains of some of the earliest beings on Earth. I say “beings” very purposely because these sites date back so far (more than a million years) that the definition of “civilization” or even “human” is called into question when trying to describe these places. One of the archaeologists today (Susan, who has been running digs for more than twenty years) described uncovering layer after layer of different existences, piled atop one another. Imagine.
This act can become very political, for example, if you look at Israel-Palestine. Archeology is being used to make a case for who was there “first,” and thereby rightly possesses the land. As a result, there are accusations of some artifacts not being properly observed as the search goes deeper for the truly “original” inhabitants. People use archeology there to try to prove or disprove religious history as well.
In another post she talks about her new years’ eve in Amman…
The Western new year in Amman is a cause for celebration (and January 1 is a national holiday), but it is not the wild debauchery that we're used to in the States. Many of the classier bars and restaurants have New Year celebrations, but these are 40-50 JD minimum to attend, and didn't seem worth it to me. I didn't have any plans for New Year's Eve until that very afternoon, when happily some friends decided to have a party.
At any rate, I rang in the new year laughing, which is what matters to me. The party was lovely. When I think that at this time last year I was still an undergraduate student, and now I am celebrating 2008 in Amman as a Rotary Scholar with people from Jordan, America, Australia, Germany, Iraq, and even Saudi Arabia, among others, I can't even believe my good fortune. Quite simply, this year is changing my life. There will always be the time “before” Amman, and “after” it.
Happy New Year!
More on that here and here.

author: Mohammad Azraq


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Introduction to Somali Blogosphere · Global Voices
Abdurahman Warsame

The first roundup of Somali blogs, a small but steadily growing segment of the African blogsphere. Most Somali bloggers, predictably perhaps, are young, based outside Somalia and write in English.
Royale Somalia reports about the planned launch of a wine version of Khat, a narcotic widely consumed in East Africa:
An Ethiopian scientist is preparing to launch a new tipple for those looking for a twist on the usual glass of the grape — “wine” made from khat.
Instead of grapes, Eyasu Haile Selassie has been making wine from khat leaf, which is widely chewed throughout East Africa and the Middle East for its narcotic effect.
Khat wine is just as good as any wine produced from grapes and has been well-received by wine drinkers,” Eyasu, who said he had sent out 500 tester bottles to consumers, told reporters.
Kenya Somali is dismayed by the situation in Kenya, he writes:
Because Kenya is getting off the hook.Kibaki is refusing an international meditation simply because he is guilty of election's rigging.
In further evidence of faltering peace prospects, Kibaki today announced half his new cabinet, despite a previous offer to form a national unity government.
East African Philosopher is anxious about the situation in Kenya turning into a civil war, he says:
It has been over a week since Kenya’s elections were held and Kenya is still burning. In my previous post, I worried that the infant violence at the time (Dec. 30) would last longer or even evolve into tribal or civil war. At this moment, part of my worry has largely become true – tribal war is now threatening Kenya’s statehood. Let me be clear: I was not predicting or expecting the violence to evolve into a full-blown tribal war and I am certainly not saying now ‘I told you so,’ but the fact is, Kenya is now more close to civil war than it had ever been.

author: Abdurahman Warsame


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Russia, EU: Asylum Seekers · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

IVAN vs JAAN writes about the EU stance towards Chechen asylum seekers – and about the ongoing row between the U.K. and Russia over the British Council.

author: Veronica Khokhlova


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Russia, Serbia: Gazprom’s “Offer” · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Streetwise Professor writes about Gazprom's relations with Serbia: “Gazprom/Russia is/are playing smashmouth ball over Serbia’s national oil company. Don Miller and Don Medvedev have presented Serbia with an offer it can’t refuse: to sell Naftna industrija Srbije at a fraction of its true value–and one with an unbelievably short fuse, like, you know, Friday.”


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Russia, UK: More on the British Council Row · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Robert Amsterdam posts an update on the British Council scandal.


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Serbia: Kosovo – “A Balkan Taiwan”? · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

A Fistful of Euros writes about Kosovo: “So we’re going to end up with a Balkan Taiwan: a de facto state without a UN seat, recognized by some nations but not others.”


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Slovenia: Airport Smoking (Or Not) · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Piran Cafe writes about Ljubljana airport's ambiguous – or just sloppy – approach to smoking inside the terminal.


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Tajikistan: Freezing Schools · Global Voices
Adil Nurmakov

Vadim reports that because of the cold classes in secondary schools were cancelled by teachers, but not by the Ministry of Education. At the same time, he opines that teachers should keep on working, as not going to school will not save students from getting cold-related diseases because most of them have problems with heating at home.

author: Adil Nurmakov


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Tanzania: Slave Chamber · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

Ore visits a slave chamber in Zanzibar: “Slaves were hidden in here after trade in slaves was abolished. The cave is a dank pit, which appeared to spiral into the ground. After taking about 20 steps down, the daylight was already being subsumed by the underground darkness.”


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The Balkans: Mismanaged History · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Greater Surbiton writes on the vanishing historical sites of the Balkans: “Travellers to the former Yugoslavia are advised to remember, that a beautiful historic building or town centre that you visit may, months later, no longer be there.”


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Turkmenistan: Drugs and Power · Global Voices
Adil Nurmakov

Maciula writes about the rising problem of drugs in Turkmenistan, noting that according to the World Health Organization, 10 per cent of Turkmenistan’s population is addicted to heroin.


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Ukraine: NATO; Economic Freedom · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Ukrainiana writes about Ukraine-NATO relations, and about Ukraine's “dismal” ranking in the 2008 Index of Economic Freedom.


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Uzbekistan: Tesco Ban Uzbek Cotton · Global Voices
Adil Nurmakov

Craig Murray says that Tesco, a large British retail group, have banned Uzbek cotton from all products sold in their stores and instituted supply chain audits to ensure this is enforced.


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Afghanistan: Serena Hotel Bombing · Global Voices
Adil Nurmakov

Joshua Foust makes a roundup of discussions in the blogosphere and in traditional media concerning the bombing of the Serena Hotel in Kabul, Afghanistan, highlighting a trend that the Taliban's terror attacks are now targeted more on foreigners and expatriates.


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Afghanistan: Terrorism and Islam · Global Voices
Adil Nurmakov

Mohammad Fahim contemplates are there any grounds for terrorism in Islam and its traditions, following the suicide bombing at the hotel in Kabul, the capital city of Afghanistan. “The Holy Quran makes it clear NOT to kill yourself”, he says.


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Angola: A social contrast · Global Voices
Paula Góes

Orlando Castro [pt] criticizes the contrast implicit in the construction of a 70 floor tower in Luanda, which will be the largest building in Angola and home of luxury houses, hotels, offices and shops. “So this is the way that part of my country's history is written. The other is written by millions of Angolans who carry on being conceived among hunger, born with hunger and dying of hunger.


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Armenia: Ethnic Hatred · Global Voices
Onnik Krikorian

The Armenian Observer posts a digest of translated excerpts from blog posts examining ethnic hatred between Armenians, Azerbaijanis and Turks.

author: Onnik Krikorian


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Armenia: Reparatations · Global Voices
Onnik Krikorian

The Armenian Observer posts a video of an Armenian official arguing that Turkey must return territory once inhabited Armenians before the 1915 Genocide in Ottoman Turkey. While the blogger says that territorial reparations are unlikely, he says that Armenians should demand maximum compensation from Turkey before gradually compromising from a position of strength.


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Armenia: Secret Surveys · Global Voices
Onnik Krikorian

The Armenian Economist argues that various surveys funded and/or conducted by international organizations are very important sources of information which can be monitored and analyzed over time. However, the blog says, there is an urgent need for the full results of such surveys to be made accessible to everyone.


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Armenia: Tourism Ads · Global Voices
Onnik Krikorian

Unzipped says that for many people, new tourism ads promoting Armenia are the first glimpse they have had of the country. However, the blogger concludes, while the adverts are promising, there is the need for Yerevan, the capital, to become more “tourist-friendly.”


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Bahamas: Tipping Point  · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

Larry Smith at Bahama Pundit is convinced the Bahamas has reached a tipping point: “If we are not very careful, we stand to lose not only our quality of life but our very existence as a functioning society.”

author: Janine Mendes-Franco


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Bahrain: Freezing Weather · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

From Lebanon, Summer says Bahrain is freezing. She also posts a video of the country she is moving to here.

author: Amira Al Hussaini


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Bahrain: Frustration and Change · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

Frustration is a good catalyst for change, notes Bahraini Mahmood Al Yousif, who takes a closer look at his country's internal politics.


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Barbados: Blogs and the Elections  · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

“Welcome to the future. Most of us newly-active Bajan voters are young and idealistic… and we are online”: Barbados Free Press is not impressed that blogs and new media are not being given their due in influencing the outcome of the Barbados election, adding: “The old Barbados news media can pretend that nothing changed…DLP spokesperson Reudon Eversley can pretend that he never emailed campaign materials and position papers to the blogs, but he did so because he knew the blogs mattered during the election.”


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Bolivia: Blogger Named to National Electoral Court · Global Voices
Eduardo Avila

The Bolivian blog community is generally very supportive of its members. Recently, a well-known blogger was named to a high ranking position within the Bolivian government.  Normally, a pat on the back and other displays of congratulations would have accompanied this new appointment.  However, when the blogger in question was named to head up the National Electoral Court (CNE for its initials in Spanish), many bloggers began to question how appropriate was this new member of the CNE.
When José Luis Exeni was appointed by President Evo Morales, very few bloggers questioned his abilities or experience to head up this institution. Most wondered whether Exeni was a member of the Movimiento Al Socialismo (MAS), the ruling party, and whether that would cloud his views toward future electoral processes. They point to his participation in the Montoneros Movement, which is a collection of bloggers that are publicly supporting the controversial Constitution passed in the Constituent Assembly.  This Constitution is tentatively set to be passed or rejected by a national referendum, which the CNE will oversee.
Some have pointed to these close ties to the MAS party as somewhat worrisome.  Miguel Buitrago of MABB believes that having sympathies from the Electoral Court will favor Morales in the long run.
Exeni's place in the Bolivian blogosphere is well known, and he was invited to be a guest writer at the Bolivian blog community Blogs de Bolivia [es].  His blog Fadocracia [es] currently is closed and there is no sign of previous entries.   Shortly after Exeni was named to his new post, Sebastian Molina provided a screenshot of Fadocracia, which showed it to be completely erased.  However, days later it was restored to its current state.
Perhaps, the disappearance of his blog articles is a sign that Exeni is well aware of his need to be seen as impartial. Even though fellow blogger and friend Vero assures everyone that Exeni is not a member of the MAS party [es], others aren't quite so sure.  Others comment that is is natural for human beings to have their own political opinions, and that outgoing CNE president Salvador Romero must have had his thoughts on the Constitutional proposal [es].
From the newspaper, La Razón:
Los medios le preguntaron qué opina sobre el proyecto de Constitución aprobado por el MAS y sus aliados. Exeni evitó contestar. “Hasta hace tres días con todo gusto le hubiese dado mi punto de vista.”
The media asked his opinion regarding the Constitutional proposal approved by the MAS and its allies.  Exeni declined to comment.  “Three days ago (before being named to the post), I would have gladly provided my opinion.”


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China and Hong Kong: Jet Li on Patriotism · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

Diumanpark blogs the transcript of famous actor Li Lianjie or Jet Li's T.V interview, in particular his view about patriotism. To Jet, independent thinking is most crucial (zh).

author: Oiwan Lam


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China: Contradictory Statistic · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

In a Shanghai survey 76% of the primary and secondary school students said that they had never been to the Arts Museum while 84% said that they like the Arts Museum. Zhang-qing wonders how the two figures can co-exist (zh).


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China: No Human Dignity, No Olympic · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

Clairewy reposted in her blog an article by Teng Biao (a Chinese Lawyer) about Hu Jia's arrest, which re-instated that “without human right and dignity, there is no genuine Olympic; for the sake of China, for the sake of Olympic, we have to defend human right.” (zh)


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Colombia: A Million Voices Against the FARC · Global Voices
Eduardo Avila

Liberal Colombiano [es] and Jorge Montoya of Fabrica de Cosas [es] are taking note of the interest in the “A Million Voices Against the FARC” citizen's campaign in Colombia.


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Colombia: Congressional Delegation and Release of Hostages · Global Voices
Eduardo Avila

Adam Isaacson of Plan Colombia and Beyond is returning from Bogotá, where he accompanied a delegation of U.S. lawmakers that visited Colombia.  He provides some thoughts on the visit.


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Cuba: Discussing Sex Education · Global Voices
Eduardo Avila

Zenia of Regalado [es] writes about sex education in Cuba.


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Dominica, Venezuela: Refinery Work Started?   · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

“We had occasion to drive through Jimmit today, and traffic was being diverted by PetroCaribe signs. Can it be that construction of infrastructure for the benighted Chavez Oil Refinery has begun?”  Living Dominica is stunned by the possibility.


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GCC-Iran Relations Improving · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

Marc Lynch takes a closer look at the improving relationship between Gulf Arab states and Iran in this post, despite Bush's visit to the region. The Gulf Cooperation Council is made up of Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman and the United Arab Emirates.


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Georgia: Election Retrospective · Global Voices
Onnik Krikorian

Anna Dolidze at Resistance Georgia has returned to the United States after observing the recent presidential election in her native Georgia. The pro-opposition human rights lawyer says that after the controversial vote which saw most residents in the capital, Tbilisi, vote against the incumbent, it will prove difficult for President Saakashvili to govern the country.


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Ghana: Africa Cup of Nation live at African Path · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

African Path will broadcast Africa Cup of Nations: “The games will be online at http://tv.africanpath.com. The Africa Cup of Nations is the premier sporting event on the African continent that occurs on a biannual basis in January and February.”


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Hong Kong: Political Surrenderer · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

ESWN translated an article from Wong Onyin, an internet radio host, about the mission of Anson Chan, an icon of democracy in Hong Kong, as a political surrenderer (the giving up of universal suffrage in 2012). Wong's analysis is hated by both pan democratic alliance and the pro-establishment and seldom appears in western media.


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India: A representative for the NRIs · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

Law and Other Things suggests that Non-Resident Indians should get their own representative in the Indian parliament.


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India: Rewriting History · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

Synchori-Cities narrates an incident that leads the author to reflect on the re-writing of history.


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Iran:A man who sacrificed his life to protect wild nature · Global Voices
Fred Petrossian

Kosoof, a leading photo blogger, has published several photos of Dr.Hormoz Assadi,a pro environment activist and academic,who died in a car accident recently. The blogger adds that Dr.Assadi was transporting yellow deers to a safe natural place, when accident happened.

author: Fred Petrossian


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Iran:A student died under torture · Global Voices
Fred Petrossian

Kargareemrouz informs[Fa] that Ibrahim Lotfolahi, a university student,was killed under torture in prison in Kurdistan province,in Iran. He had been arrested about ten days ago.


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Iran:Arab leaders follow Saddam Hussein’s destiny · Global Voices
Fred Petrossian

Fateh says[Fa] all Arab leaders in Persian Gulf follow Saddam Hussein’s destiny. The blogger says their difference with Saddam is that,thanks to their hypocrisy,they are at the same time a friend of USA and Iran.


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Iran:Hijab is not an obstacle for Women · Global Voices
Fred Petrossian

Kourosh Ziabari says that Hijab (veil) is not an obstacle for women to become active in social life or make sport. He has published a few photos to support his idea.


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iraq: Goldsmiths Still at Work · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

According to Alive in Baghdad, goldsmiths are still busy at work in the war-torn city.


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Iraq: Pride of Baghdad · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

Konfused Kid from Iraq says Pride of Baghdad is a must read.


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Israel: Law for Censorship of Web Comments Passes Initial Knesset Voting · Global Voices
Gilad Lotan

Israeli web culture is known for having an active talkback (web commenting) scene. Every major news site allows users to submit comments for every single one of its stories. Israeli culture at its best and worst thrives through discussions held within these spaces; discussions which are planned to fall under future censorship, according to the Talkback Law, proposed by Knesset member Israel Hasson. The proposal passed initial voting in the Knesset yesterday, January 16th.
According to the proposal, a popular site, defined as one with an average of 50,000 hits or more per day, will be considered a “newspaper” and thus liable for the damage or harm caused to a person as a result from its user generated content (i.e. – comments). Ironically, the web post describing this case, published yesterday on the popular ynet news site, has already received over 200 comments.
Hasson's reasoning for the importance of such a law:
“It is unreasonable that a response, possibly anonymous, sent to a newspaper, will be held under the editor's responsibility, but a response submitted to the online portal of that same newspaper will be under nobody's authority… We must not turn the network into a vandalizing, evil tool.”
Gal Mor‘s recent post describes Hasson's argument as coarse and lacking reference to implications on the basic right for freedom of speech:
Israel Hasson's proposal, which imposes criminal responsibility on commentators, editors and operators of large websites, passed the preliminary vote today. 29 Knesset members supported and only two opposed this evil law proposal. Evil – not because those who slander will tremble before writing now, but because of the lack of reference to the thin texture of freedom of speech. The legislator's coarse treatment of the internet is similar to that of a Beitar (sports group) fan's visit to a museum.
It is hard to claim that Shelly Yachimovich, who opposed the proposal along with Gideon Sa'ar, saved the Knesset's dignity, not even that of the Labor party. But her vote and reasonings are definitely worthy of respect: “the internet works by a different code of conduct from those of traditional media. True, it is not pleasant to have slanderous talkbacks pointed at you, even I feel unpleasant sometimes, but not enough for me to lower the gavel as a legislator. I suggest to remove this proposal from the daily agenda. It harms freedom of speech and will not be effective. The immense advantages of the web outweighs its disadvantages by far.”
It is necessary now to think of an effective response to protest the continuation of this legislative process. For instance, set one day when all the websites block the option to insert a talkback in order to demonstrate what will happen if this proposal is accepted.
UvalS writes about privacy and posts a link to an online petition:
Part of what I like about the internet is anonymity… I do not like being forced to identify or expose of my information on the web. But I do it when I want to, and that is the big difference. No one forces me to identify and give my private information. And here essentially is your problem, Israel Hasson.
I don't really believe in petitions, but to sit and do nothing will never help. Nana created an online petition against the Talkback Law here.
Jonathan Klinger‘s argument notes the government's attempt to make private entities liable to censor data, and warns that a future implementation of this law will diminish freedom of speech and conversation, as in Iran:
I'd like to emphasize two major topics: death to the culture of discussion on the one hand, and forcing websites to report the amount of traffic on the other. It is clear to everyone that filtering content on the web leads to censorship. It is clear that forcing websites to be liable, will lead to them not supporting the conversation. I do not believe that, by Hasson's words, “we have progressed today a substantial step towards a culture of conversation and mutual honor in the State of Israel”. The only advancement that we saw today, after the approval of this law proposal in the government's committee, is towards a country where censorship is operated by private entities for the government… We will all pay the price for this censorship!
The real blow in rights is that of the websites and their right of property: they will be obliged to report to a government apparatus the number of hits on their pages, the information of their editors and their information stored in a site list. This is substantial damage to one's right of expression, especially when the person does not have the ability to open a website that will act as a stage because he/she will be subject to sign up with a government official. Israel will be like Iran, where website owners must register with the government and be fully liable (for their content).
Hanan Cohen describes his feeling of fatigue, constantly trying to protect Israeli democracy:
… I have a feeling that every time we shout about a new topic, from subject to subject, from law proposal to the next, we become tired. The struggle over a law or against censorship drown us with the little details. And in the meanwhile, the general trend is increasing. We need to start talking about the general trend and point to the forest, not just the trees.
Earlier in his post, Hanan relates to various law proposals which have been brought to the discussion board during the current government's reign in power:
The Talkback Law
The Internet Censorship Law
Communication information Law (Big Brother Law)
Censorship during the second Lebanon war
Daniel Friedman's reform in the legal system
Reduction of the strike's legitimacy as a method for protest
In the meanwhile, the Hebrew blogosphere braces for a fight. Various commentary cartoons and slogans have already been created to draw activists attention to the implications of the Talkback Proposal. Following are two images. The first, a slogan, designed by Liz Cugan and posted on Ma'ariv's site. This translates to “Talkback Now” and relates to a well-known campaign in Israel, rallying for “Peace Now”. The following image is designed with similar font, colors and wording.
The illustration below was created by Roni, describing the possible result of posting comments on a site.

author: Gilad Lotan


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Jamaica, Bahamas: Fact and Fiction  · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

“I never thought I'd be a non-fiction writer. I grew up reading the fantastic. As I grew older, though, I came to realize that fiction is shaped by fact”: Geoffrey Philp features Bahamian writer Nicolette Bethel in her own words.


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Japan: Language as Long-term Visa Requirement  · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

Debito has an elaborated comment on the Japan government's proposal on making Japanese language a requirement for long-term visa. Ampotant criticizes BBC's report for creating an impression that Japanese don't like to talk to foreigners.


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Jordan: Trusting Arab Online Services · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

Qwaider from Jordan tells us why he can't trust Arab on-line services in this post.


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Kazakhstan: Ex-Diplomat Sentenced to jail · Global Voices
Adil Nurmakov

KZBlog reports that Rakhat Aliyev, former diplomat and president's son-in-law, was found guilty of kidnapping, organizing a criminal group, extortion, robbery, misappropriation of state property, and fraud, and sentenced him in absentia to 20 years in prison along with the confiscation of his property.


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Kazkahstan: Surviving in the Steppe · Global Voices
Adil Nurmakov

Scaliger says that the famous Kazakh hospitality is vanishing into the past and recounts how people are surviving in remote rural areas — extortionate profiteering and traps for strangers are almost the only way to make living there.


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Kazkahstan: Surviving or Prospering? · Global Voices
Adil Nurmakov

Kazakhstan is a country of contrasts, with no exaggeration: desperate poverty neighbors with arrogant wealth, economic growth is accompanied by decline of social sphere and expansion of state control, and tolerance abuts discrimination. Such is the set of topics in focus of Kazakhstani blogosphere this week.
Eilide, a blogger living in Armenia but closely watching the developments in Kazakhstan, wonders if everything is really as good in Kazakhstan as some of her country's experts describe:
“They praise institutional development, stock market and financial sphere on the whole. A nice picture of rich and prosperous country. But there is crisis in banking sector, stock market is still very weak and most pension funds show low profitability. Or am I missing something?”, she asks [ru].
Although financial and banking sector do indeed demonstrate vesible sustainability in comparison with other CIS countries, expansion of the state raises serious concerns of the observers, especially after amendments in the subsoil legislation that had been introduced last year, giving the government an exceptional right to unilaterally cancel contracts with the foreign investors that work in the sphere of extraction of natural resources.
Tuganbaev, a Kazakh living in Moscow, updates on the outcome of scandalous Kashagan affair. To remind, Kazakh government was dissatisfied with the performance of consortium of oil companies that are to develop a supergiant Kashgan field on the Caspian shelf and threatened to use the new legislation if its conditions were not met by the alliance.
“The half-year-long talks have eventually ended up in Kazakhstan's favor. The state-run KMG will become the largest participant in the project as its share ups two times. The government will now have 16,81 per cent, while all other members of consortium have agreed to give up their shares from 18,5 to 16,6 per cent [ru]”.
Strannik-kz says that after this deal was settled the state's influence have raised significantly. Mobil Oil, another big participant of the Kashagan alliance, was very opposed to giving up its shares in favor of Kazakhstan. Chevron, another American company is currently taking part in the development of two other huge oil and gas deposits called Tengiz and Karachaganak, shared Mobil's concerns at the most recent meeting with the governmental officials and… were made leave the room due to “lack of respect to the top management of KMG” [ru].
However, the state is not so tough towards another big investor in coal industry — notorious Arcelor Mittal. Last week nearly 30 pitmen were buried in the coal mine. It is far not the first incident, says dansanat, bitterly noting that “when one man dies, it's a tragedy. When dozens perish, it's mere statistics” [ru]. But the government fails to take adequate steps in investigation of the cases. This time an explosion had again killed people, but the journalists and civil activists were not allowed to access the site. Mantrov-kz opines that an information blockade is inadmissible:
“Journalists must cover the issue themselves, not by rebroadcasting of the words of officials. Billionaire Mittal is interested in scarcity of information, because his company's image can be damaged. The state also is not so keen in objectivity, because it bears responsibility for its citizens’ safety. Mass media are the only source of vital information for the families of miners, but it is thoroughly filtered again” [ru].
Besides, while Astana (the capital city), Almaty (a commercial capital) and Atyrau (an informal oil capital) are shining with petromoney-driven gloss and glamour, the rural areas are suffocating in desperate poverty. Scaliger tells a couple of stories how people survive in boundless Kazakh steppes with no hope for better life:
“Speaking incidentally, stories of this kind are nothing new for Kazakhstan, but the first one that met eyes of public. There is the only rule that works in distant and isolated villages, where people were left to themselves – the rule of “Dog eats dog”.


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Kenya: Parliamentary theatric session · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

Mzalendo on the first day of Kenyan parliament: “January 15, 2008, which was the first day of the first session of the 10th Parliament. ODM’s candidate Mr. Kenneth Otiato Marende, 52, was pronounced Speaker in a theatric session that lasted for more than seven hours.”


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Libya: Theatre in Arabia  · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

Although Arabs generally see the theatre as a recent import from Europe, different forms of performing arts, such as shadow plays, Sufi and Shia miracle plays, and the oral performances of poetry reciters and storytellers, have a long history in the region, writes Daniazad from Libya.


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Macau: Polution, fog and cold · Global Voices
Paula Góes

“If “smog” is portmanteau formed from “smoke” and “fog”, “frog” is the anti-portmanteau I have come up with for “frio” [Portuguese for cold] and “smog”. Leocardo [pt] comments on the coldest day in Macau for many months and on the pollution  that China has been trying unsuccessfully to eradicate.


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Mexico: Oldest Bar Closes · Global Voices
Eduardo Avila

The oldest bar in Mexico and perhaps, in Latin America, recently closed its doors writes Philippe Seaz of Defecito [es]


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Mexico: Users of Twitter to Gather · Global Voices
Eduardo Avila

Twittmx [es] is the first gathering of “Twitteros” or users of Twitter in Mexico.  The hope is that the meetings will become a monthly occurrence.


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Nepal: Federalism, Justice, & Law Enforcement · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

Bahas on the current structure of the legal system in Nepal. “The justice and law enforcement in democracy can hardly be transparent nor can they serve justice to the people if their implementations depend on central control.”


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Pakistan: Blast in Peshawar · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

Metroblogging Lahore on a suicide bomb blast in Peshawar, creating even more tension in the country.


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Poland: “Invisible” Government · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

“‘The government can do nothing’, should be the slogan for this new government,” writes the beatroot.


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Armenia: Politics — The Driving Force Behind Blogs? · Global Voices
Artur Papyan

Last week, the main topics discussed in the Armenian blogosphere were the election manifesto of former president Levon Ter-Petrossian and the presidential election in neighboring Georgia. It's no wonder that many are now wondering, including bloggers themselves, if politics isn't the driving force behind blogs in Armenia.
“Before the last parliamentary election, the Armenian blogosphere gained serious strength and politics became the driving force behind blogs,” wrote local analyst Samvel Martirosyan on his new Armenian-language blog [ARM]. The blogger is already widely known for his Russian language blog, Kornelij Glas [RUS].
On the one hand, the upcoming elections had the same effect on the Armenian network. On the other, the development of blogs introduced a fresh (for Armenia), but not pleasant “novelty.”
For the past few weeks, a number of anonymous blogs have been launched which are directed towards throwing mud at various presidential candidates. Bloggers that had traditionally taken a more moderate approach, also became “infected” with unrestrained politics. As a result, those taking their first steps in the Armenian blogosphere felt as if they had instead materialized in a psychiatric hospital.
New blogger, Gazan2008, describes the situation [RUS].
For a few days I have been trying to find sensible people in LJ. Even those individuals that I have made friends with are lacking sensibility and balanced arguments. As I managed to see, in Armenian LJs, throwing mud over those who disagree with you has become very popular, as well as demonstrating that “I am against everybody – see how cool I am!!!
Another new blogger, Azat2008, categorizes the Armenian blogosphere [RUS] in the following way:
1. Apolitical female diaries… Run by complete fools thinking only about losing weight, their complexes and surrounding males. Other female owners of such diaries consider themselves above such vain things and thinking only about their “world outlook and related emotions” and belching them up in LJ.
2. Similar males. Designers, programmers, photographers or just flooders, or those that have gone completely nuts and have the same emotions as females…
3. Harshly politicized. Zombied supporters of LTP, their opponents, students, journalists, lawyers, patriots and everybody that is not indifferent to the fate of the country and the region…
4. Informational. There are not so many informational blogs, and recently all of them have become too politicized.
Probably, both established and new bloggers are being fair in describing the situation. Armenian blogs are extremely politicized these days. However, that politicization is not an artificial phenomenon, but a reflection of our daily reality “offline.” Indeed, it has almost become a pattern for blogs to actively respond to significant political events, which are also headline news in the traditional local media, such as the recent presidential election in neighboring Georgia, the publication of Levon Ter-Petrossian’s electoral platform, and the following press conference.
The elections in Georgia were actively followed by Oneworld Multimedia and Mark Grigoryan [RUS]. The first monitored the reaction and feedback of the English-language Georgian blogosphere to the elections, as well as the response of international observers and some foreign media.
The blog came to a sad conclusion:
Actually, the international community, especially the U.S. and Europe, should be quite vocal in condemning some of the dirty tricks Saakashvili’s team resorted to.
[…]
However, as Christine Quirk concludes, “with a strategic pipeline located on Georgian soil, [that] is probably wishful thinking.”
Mark Grigoryan also posted a comprehensive digest of coverage of the Georgian elections by the international media [RUS], but was more interested in the Georgian opposition [RUS] and the characteristics it featured typical of opposition groups elsewhere in the former Soviet space, including Armenia.
The opposition in post-Soviet countries doesn’t know how to lose.
Sometimes it seems to me that it is kind of included in the rules of the game – never to acknowledge the defeat, to go “to the end,” as the oppositionists say, to go on with the struggle, to convene people to rallies and meetings of protest.
In practice, such a behavior leads to a more marginalization of the opposition.
In reality, the interest in Armenia towards the Georgian election was conditioned by one main question that occupies everybody here these days. Basically, how will the coming presidential election be conducted in Armenia? No sooner had the Georgian election passed when former president Levon Ter-Petrossian published his electoral program and the discussions it provoked were then followed at the end of the week by a press conference.
It was no surprise to discover that Armenian bloggers such as Nazarian mainly focused on that. Others, such as JLiving Notes offered some interesting analysis [RUS]:
The first thing that is striking is the fact that the platforms cover a rather wide range of topics that sometimes have nothing to do with our presidential institute.
[…]
The most important thing is that ensuring the constitutional order and, consequently, the civil rights, legitimacy, sovereignty, etc (which, in general, is one of the main functions of a president) is hardly ever mentioned, and even if it is, it has the form of slogans, such as providing equality in front of the law or ensuring/reinforcing independence of the judicial power.
The most fascinating thing is that none of my acquaintances has been appealing to the candidates’ programs while arguing about them. That is, everybody has his /her own motives of choosing a certain candidate. More often people abide by their personal sympathy based either on stereotypes or on their own understanding of the role of a certain politician in the history of the country. Even if people read election programs, they abide not by what the presidential candidates offer. Simply speaking, the people are again attracted by a populist falsification.
At the time of elections, perhaps only humor can save an extremely politicized blog community. Ending with the same blog that we started this post with, Kornelij Glas offers his own sarcastic view of the pre-election field in Armenia [RUS].
LTP wrote a a school composition .
SS goes for the elections with a marvelously creative slogan that could attract Abramovich to his headquarters: Go ahead, Armenia!
Geghamyan’s slogan is stunningly extraordinary. The leader of the party National Unity goes for the elections with the slogan For the sake of National Unity. Johnson meets Johnson.

author: Artur Papyan


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Russia: Flag Unification for Hajj? · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Window on Eurasia reports that the Russian Federation's Muslims make hajj “under the flags of their national republics or even nations.” This may change next year, though.


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Russia: Ivan the Terrible · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Axis of Evel Knievel writes about Ivan the Terrible.


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Russia: News Update · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Mark MacKinnon posts for the first time this year: an update on the news from Russia and elsewhere.


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Russia: “Not Free” · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Sean's Russia Blog writes about the Freedom House's recent verdict on Russia: “not free.”


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Russia, U.K.: More on the British Council · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Ongoing coverage of the British Council row – at A Step At A Time: “An interesting feature of the present crisis, which was obviously prepared in advance by the Russian authorities, is the flooding of British media comments boards (the Mail and Telegraph are the two leading examples at present) with anti-UK and pro-Putin messages posted by Russians posing under English-sounding names.”


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Russia, UK: View From BC’s Former Employee · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Interesting insight into the British Council scandal from Dmitri Minaev of De Rebus Antiquis Et Novis – in this post's comments section at Siberian Light: “These attacks never really stopped, but the British embassy managed to keep the offices running till in 2007 Russia finally demanded that some offices be closed. In Sochi, Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, Tomsk, Samara, Volgograd and other cities, the staff was fired and the libraries were transferred to the local universities. Now, Russia wants to close two more offices, leaving only one in Moscow. I think I can understand why BC decided to try a new tactics of opposing the authorities.”


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Saudi Arabia: Letter to Al Farhan · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

Saudi Jeans writes an open letter to jailed Saudi blogger Fouad Al Farhan here.


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South Korea: DLP on the Verge of Split · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

Newscham has an article on the crisis of a major left wing party, Democratic Labour Party, after the fatal defeat in presidential election.


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The Baltics: Missing the Borders · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Latvian Abroad notes that the lack of borders in the Schengen Zone can be quite a nuisance: “A woman from rural Lithuania tries to catch a ride to Kaunas, the second largest city in Lithuania. A miscommunication with the driver leads to … her being dropped off in Tartu, Estonia!”


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Trinidad & Tobago: Hosay · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

Thebookmann features traditional Hosay celebrations in Trinidad and Tobago.


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UAE: Bush Does Dubai · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

Seabee from Dubai, UAE, sums up the impact of US President George W Bush's visit to the emirate here.


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UAE: Dubai Closed for Bush’s Visit · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

Seabee from Dubai, UAE, is furious the Emirate was closed down for a day during the visit of US president George W Bush.


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Uzbekistan: Labor Migrants · Global Voices
Adil Nurmakov

Libertad writes about the problems Uzbek migrant workers face while working in foreign countries, refers to a report by an NGO on migrant workers and uploads photos of migrant labor workers leaving Uzbekistan in barrack-like buses.


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Yemen: Dragon Blood Trees · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

From Yemen, Omar Busawad shares with us one of his country's marvels – the Dragon's Blood trees of Socotra.


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Yemen: In Support of Fouad · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

Yemeni blogger Yemen Eye (Ar) expresses his support for jailed Saudi blogger Fouad Al Farhan in this post.


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Afghanistan: New U.N. Envoy Appointed · Global Voices
Adil Nurmakov

Afghanistan Watch reports that Paddy Ashdown, the former EU-UN High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina, has accepted the post as the new UN envoy to Afghanistan.


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Afghanistan: U.S. Official Irks Allies · Global Voices
Adil Nurmakov

Bipasha Ray says that Defense Secretary Robert Gates has irked NATO allies after telling the LA Times that European allies do not know how to fight insurgencies, often using inappropriate tactics and overly forceful airstrikes, which could be helping the Taliban’s cause.


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Armenia: Azerbaijani Response · Global Voices
Onnik Krikorian

Blogian says that the Azerbaijani media as well as parliamentarians have responded to the blogger establishing a website and blog detailing the destruction of an ancient Armenian cemetery in the Azerbaijani exclave of Nakhichevan.


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Armenia: Copyright Infringement? · Global Voices
Onnik Krikorian

As a photojournalist as well as blogger, I have made low resolution images shot for next month's presidential election in Armenia available for free use by other bloggers in the hope that presentation in the local blogosphere improves. However, when licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works license I have to ask on my Armenia Election Monitor 2008 blog, can an official presidential election campaign site for one of the main candidates also use them?


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Armenia: Discredited Opinion Polls · Global Voices
Onnik Krikorian

Unzipped comments on news that the U.S. Embassy and the International Republican Institute (IRI) have scrapped plans to hold an exit poll during next month's presidential election.
Although the blogger was initially in favor of the idea, he now says that while the decision can be considered bad news, it was probably right given the circumstances and widespread mistrust towards opinion polls in Armenia.


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Armenia: Online Election Manifestos · Global Voices
Onnik Krikorian

The Armenian Observer examines the online presence of Armenia's nine candidates for next month's presidential election. In particular, the blogger points his readers in the direction of which sites include election manifestos.


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Azerbaijan: Funeral Rites · Global Voices
Onnik Krikorian

Leigh’s new adventure in Azerbaijan reflects on the funeral rites and customs practiced in the country.


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Bahrain: On Inflation · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

Bahraini blogger emoodz discusses inflation in this post.


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Barbados: Thompson Sworn In · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

As Barbados’ new Prime Minister is sworn in, Living in Barbados raises a few issues to consider…


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Brazil: A half Portuguese, half African Brazilian street party · Global Voices
Paula Góes

La Pasionaria Selénia posts her very nice pictures of yesterday's Feast of Bonfim, one of the most important annual popular celebrations in Salvador. The veneration of Nosso Senhor do Bonfim (Our Lord of the Good End) is an old Portuguese tradition that was imported to Brazil during colonial times, but in Salvador it gained the soul of African culture and religion.


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Brazil: Gabeira as Mayor for Rio de Janeiro · Global Voices
Paula Góes

Pedro Dória [pt] wants congressman Fernando Gabeira [pt] to be Rio de Janeiro's mayor and thinks that the blogosphere and netizens can join forces to convince him to put his name forward. “It is time to launch an online campaign. If a great enough number of people join it, we have chances. Go on and post on the subject. Debate it. Surely a designer will come up  with a banner, a button. Anyone can write to him”.


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Brazil: Missionaries and Their Effect on Indigenous Cultures · Global Voices
Eduardo Avila

George Felipe de Lima Dantas writes in Brazzil Magazine that religious missionaries should be expelled in order to preserve indigenous cultures in Brazil.  Andrew Comings, a missionary in Brazil, vehemently disagrees and writes his rebuttal at Comings Communiqué.


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Brazil: Violent games have been banned or censored? · Global Voices
Paula Góes

Sérgio Amadeu [pt] criticizes a court decision that banned computer games “EverQuest” and “Counter-Strike” because of the alleged violence. “Japan is one of the countries in which violent games are more widespread, Korea is another. The statistics for violence there do not even get close to the numbers in the Zona Sul, São Paulo, where there are very few computers”, says the blogger who believes this is plain censorship.


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China: Shanghai Subway Video · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

mirenyige uploaded a short video in youtube showing a young couple's good-bye kiss in a shanghai subway station. From the angles of the video, netizens suspected (zh) that it was taken from the CCTV inside the station by subway staffs.


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China: Why Baidu? · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

Fons tries to explains why netizens prefer Baidu to Google search.


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Cuba: Odds & Ends  · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

The Cuban Triangle posts a comprehensive roundup of stories relevant to Cuba this week.


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Dominica: Discussing the Refinery Issue  · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

“Dominicans are clearly thinking about these issues and asking important questions,” writes Living Dominica, as she continues to blog about the government's plans to build an oil refinery on “the nature isle”.


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Egypt: Parliament Threats on Cut Ties with European Parliament · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

Elijah Zarwan, from Egypt, reports that the Egyptian parliament is threatening to cut ties with the European Parliament and the Euro-Mediterranean Council if the European Parliament passes a resolution criticizing Egypt’s record on human rights.


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El Salvador: 16th Anniversary of the Peace Accords · Global Voices
Eduardo Avila

On January 16, El Salvador observed the 16th anniversary of the signing of the Peace Accords that ended that country's civil war.  Hunnapuh [es] reflects on the long process of political reform.


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Ethiopia: Voice of America jammed! · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

Tedla Asfaw writes about the jamming of Voice of America in Ethiopia: VOA Amharic, Oromiffa and German Amharic have been jammed in Ethiopia and callers from Ethiopia are calling and tell their frustration and it seems now VOA is looking for possible solution.


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How the well-off live in South Africa · Global Voices
Jennifer Brea

Beneburundi [FR] on how the well-off in South Africa live: “South Africa was so different from what I could have imagined.  It was like the US in Africa: immense cities, high-security neighborhoods, huge expressways where the last Mercedes and other show-off cars, unending shopping districts that are even laid out in small towns, giant billboards, fast food, fast food and more fast food.  In brief, a society of over-consumption where those who have the means (or take them) gorge themselves until they are overflowing with money and fat.”

author: Jennifer Brea


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India: Mandatory HIV/AIDS testing · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

To each its own on the rather contentious issue of mandatory HIV/AIDS testing.


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Iran:Excluding Iran · Global Voices
Fred Petrossian

Nart Villeneuve writes” according to The Register, Yahoo! (png) and Microsoft (png) had removed Iran as an option in their country lists used when signing up for an account.Google still has Iran as an option for creating accounts, but does block GoogleEarth downloads from users in Iran (png).”


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Iran:Grow,Watermelon,Grow · Global Voices
Fred Petrossian

“Grow,Watermelon,Grow” is the name of the first children's book of New York based Iranian illustrator/designer,Charlotte Norouzi. Sepideh Sarami has done a very interesting interview with her.


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Iran:New York City to Iran Phone Link · Global Voices
Fred Petrossian

The Enough Fear campaign connects Americans and Iranians through direct phone calls as part of our person-to-person diplomacy campaign.On Saturday, January 19th, we will set up four phones in City Hall Park in New York that will be connected to volunteers in Iran


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Iran:Open letter to Chavez from Iranian labour activists · Global Voices
Fred Petrossian

Militant has published an open letter to President Hugo Chavez from Iranian labour and student activists. Chavez was asked to use his close relation with Iranian president,Mahmoud Ahmadinejad,to help more than 40 jailed students and labour activists,to be released from prison.


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Iraq: New Flag · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

Iraqi Konfused Kid sheds light on discussions surrounding a new Iraqi flag.


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Iraq: Respect Women · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

Hala S, an Iraqi who lives in the UK, relates an incident  which made the following thought ring true: “There will be no democracy and no freedom in the Middle East till men learn how to respect women and look at them as partners not inferiors”.


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Jamaica: Plastification · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

“What makes Jamaica so very beautiful, and so unique is the fact that is has not undergone the ‘plastification’ that abounds in…developed countries”: Francis Wade explains.


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Japan: Japanscapes · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

Edo collects a few high dynamic range (HDR) photography on Japan Landscapes.


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Japan: voting rights to foreigners? · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

James from Japan Probe summarizes the debate on granting voting rights to foreigners in Japan.


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Jordan: Illegitimate Children · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

Khalaf takes a look at the issue of illegitimate children in Jordan in this post.


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Kenya: Boycotting businesses belong to President Kibaki · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

Kenya Imagine on the latest turn of events in Kenya: “ODM leader Raila Odinga has called on his supporters to stay home and boycott businesses belonging to President Kibaki's friends and supporters.”


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Kenya: Displaced children · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

Kabissa blog on displaced children in Kenya: “The WIDES Development Group based in Nyakach constituency of Nyanza province and Kibera slums in Nairobi Kenya have reported that many of the orphan children being cared for are now scattered without food, clothing or shelter.”


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Kenya: Kenya in Distress vouchers · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

Afromusing writes Kenya in Distress vouchers: “Mamamikes’ donation page is now live. When you click on the homepage, you now have an option to purchase vouchers for Kenyans in Distress.”


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Korea: Taean, Blogger, and Truth · Global Voices
Hyejin Kim

Since the Taean oil spill in Korea, two stories have been the focus of attention. One is the large number of volunteers – 1 milion Koreans have volunteered so far. A blogger brings up the other story, which is the truth of the oil spill.
Doubting major media news, blogger Xenix started investigating the incident himself and put video clips of his own interviews on his blog. His post has seen heavy traffic the last two weeks and raised several questions.
Here are his stories and first video clip first.
아무리 생각해도 너무나 이상한점 투성이인 태안의 기름 유출 사태. 태안에 가서 실제 사건을 처음부터 지켜보신, 방제작업을 진행하신 분들과 인터뷰를 하면서 이 사건이 조작이라는 심증은 더욱 확증으로 굳어져 갔습니다.
이제, 몇편으로 나눠서 태안의 기름 유출 사태가 왜 조작인지에 대해 다뤄보도록 하겠습니다.
먼저 1부는 “삼성호는 사고가 아니라 고의적으로 유조선을 들이받았다” 에 대한 내용입니다.
I will talk about why the Taean oil spil was manipulated in this series.
First, it’s about “Samsungho crashed the oil tanker intentionally, not by accident.”
In the second post, Xenix talks about what individuals, such as bloggers, can do and why he started these stories with the second video clip.
2부에서는, 너무도 이상한 방제작업의 진행과 그 과정의 모순들을 다룰 예정 입니다.
[….]사실 저는 일개 개인에 불과하고, 여러분과 같은 블로거. 네티즌중 한명일 뿐입니다.
이렇게 의혹을 제기하는 것이 한계인 그냥 한명의 블로거 입니다. 의혹만을 가지고 태안까지 가서 이렇게 모르는분들께 인터뷰를 따오는 과정이 쉽지만은 않았습니다. 또한, 이 인터뷰가 완벽한 증거 자료가 되지 못한다는건 여러분도 알고 계시고 저도 알고 있습니다. 만약 이 사태가 정말로 조작이라면. 이런 엄청난 일을 조작한 사람들의 목적이 뭘까요? 단순하게 생각한다면 어떤 이슈를 가리기 위함이겠고, 그보다 더한 음모가 있을 수도 있겠죠.
그렇다면 우리는 어떻게 해야 할까요? 생각 해야 합니다. 그들이 가리고 싶은 이슈가 과연 무엇이고,
그들이 노리는 이득은 과연 무엇인지 말입니다. 여러분께서 지나간 이슈들을 떠올리시며 ‘아 이런 이슈를 가리려고 했나?’ 라는 정도로 한번이라도 ‘생각’ 해 주신다면. 만약 이 글이 삭제가 되더라도 제가 해 온 인터뷰와 블로그의 이 포스트는 충분히 의미있는 것 아닐까요.
저 뿐만 아니라 수 많은 사람들이 이 이슈에 대해 관심을 갖고 있고 그 중에는 저와같은 일개 개인. 블로거. 네티즌이 아닌 힘있고 능력있는 분들도 분명히 계실 것 이므로. 언젠간. 태안 주민들이 간절하게 원하는 진실이 밝혀지리라 믿습니다.
이 동영상이 그 시작이 된다면, 그걸로 전 큰 영광입니다.
[…] As a matter of fact, I am just one person, blogger, and netizen like you guys. I’m just a blogger who can just suggest questions and that’s my limitation. It was not easy to go to all the way down to Taean with doubts and conduct interviews. In addition, as you know, I know that interviews can’t be perfect evidence. If this incident is manipulated, what purpose do manipulators have? Simply thinking, it is in order to cover up this issue or there might be some conspiracy.
Then what shall we do? We should think. What they would like to cover up and what profits they aim for… If you ‘think’ that ‘they want to cover up this issue?’ at least one time, my interview and post of this blog will be meaningful.
Besides me, many people will be interested in this issue and there can be some powerful and capable people unlike me, one blogger. Therefore, I hope that the truth that Taean residents look for will be exposed.
If this video clip will be the beginning of this, I’m happy with that.
A blogger is excited about Xenix’ story.
블러거, 진실과 사실 사이
그것이  진실이든 아니든.. 나는 나름대로 뿌듯한 마음이 앞섰다.”발로 뛰는 블로거가 있다!”라는 사실이 기뻤다.자리에 앉아 키보드나 두드리는 것이 아닌 현장을 들고와서 이야기하는 블로거가 있어서 좋았다.
While many netizens agree with Xenix’ opinions and link his posts to other portal sites, other netizens don’t find a difference between his and major media news.
이글루 이오공감에 제닉스씨가 취재한 동영상과 관련 내용이 뜨겁다. 긍정적인 의견을 피력하는 분들의 의견을 보면 대략 제닉스씨는 별 다른 의견 없이 중립적인 듯 싶은데 다만 취재 결과는 삼성중공업이 다른 어떤 목적이 있어서, 혹은 치명적인 실수를 해서 사태를 키웠다는 것을 말하고 있는 듯 싶다. 확대해석하면 음모론이고, 걍 나도 중립적이게 하면 유발자는 삼성인데 왜 그들은 사과하지 않는가, 정도를 말하는 듯 싶고.
이 얘기부터 하자. 요컨대 중립적인 사실의 적시만 한다고 해서 그 매체가 중립적인 것은 아니다. 중립적인 사실들 중 어떤 것을 ‘선별'하는가도 충분히 그 매체의 성향을 짐작하게 해준다. 이를테면 지금 사건에서는 제닉스씨는 피해자 의견을 선별하셨고, 그에 따라 영상과 글을 제작했다. 여기엔 두 단계가 존재하며, ‘가해자 측인 삼성중공업이나 선장들을 만나보지 못해서 제닉스씨가 어쩔 수 없이 피해자나 주변인에 해당하는 조합 사람들의 이야기만 들은 것이다'가 그렇기 때문에 성립하지 않는다. 만일 중립적이고 싶었는데 그리하여 한 쪽의 이야기를 듣지 못했다면 안 만드는 방법이 있을 수 있었다. 최소한, 제닉스씨는 중립적이고 싶어하지는 않으신 것으로 판단해도, 그래서 별 무리 없을 것이라고 생각한다.
취재를 한다면 몇가지 지켜야할 원칙이 있다고 개인적으로 생각한다. 그중 대표적인 것이 전문가에게 내용을 확인하는 것. 누가 봐도 명백하고도 단순한 사건이 아니라면, 이는 사실 항상 지켜져야할 부분이 아닌가 싶다. 기자는 전문가도 아니고, 그럴 필요도 없다. 사건의 이해가 안되는 경우도 많을 터이니 전문가에 조언이 필요한 것이라고 난 생각한다.
삼각취재란 그런 것이어야 한다고 생각한다. 특히나 사건에 대한 고발 기사에 대해서는 더더욱. 어떤 누군가를 고발하고자 한다면 보통은 그 고발이 가해자, 피해자, 그리고 그들과 무관한 전문가에게 모두 인터뷰를 취한 후에 이뤄져야 한다고 생각한다. 권력형 비리에 대한 고발이라면 (지금 제닉스씨나, 최소한 그 밑에 댓글을 다신 분 중 적잖은 수는 지금 이 일이 그러한 경우에 해당한다고 보시는 모양인데) 좀 다르겠지만, 그렇더라도 여전히 ‘좀 더 중립적 전문가에게 의견을 청취하는 절차'가 필요하다고 본다.
삼성은 해주지 않았을지 모르지만 정부는 해줬을 터이고, 고압적인 이들이 창구를 막아 못했다 하더라도 여전히 학자나 시민단체는 응해줬을 것이라고 생각한다. 그들조차 만나지 않고서 하는 고발은 위험하고, 무의미하다고 개인적으로 생각한다.
[…] PS. 위와는 별도로 사실 난 제닉스씨의 지탄이 의미가 없다고 생각한다. 저 증거들은 단지 정황을 보일 뿐이다. 저걸로는 이를테면 정부의 미숙한 대처와 미흡한 행정처리, 위기관리 능력의 부재를 증명할 수 있을 수 있다고도 주장할 수 있다. 작은 배를 운행하는 조합원들의 조함 지식과 거함을 운영하는 선장들의 조함지식의 차이가 있는지 없는지를 판단할 근거도 없다.[…]
In my own opinion, there are several principles for interviews. One of the most basic is to confirm the contents from professionals. If it is not a simple and clear incident, this part should be especially careful. The reporter isn’t professional and doesn’t have to be. I think that they need professionals’ advice if it is a difficult incident.
I think that triangular [seeing three sides] interviews should be like that. Especially, complaint report about an incident should be more careful about this matter. If they would like to sue someone, the interview should be from prosecutors, victims, and professionals who are not related to this incident. Even though it is a report about the corruption of authority (including Xenix, many netizens and opinionsts seem to think this way), it is still necessary to go through the ‘process of getting some opinions from neutral experts.’
Even though Samsung might not agree to have the interview, the government could have agreed or scholars and NGOs could have accepted the interview. Denunciation without even meeting these people, it is meaningless.
[…]PS. Besides the comments above, I think Xenix’ denunciation is meaningless. His evidence is only conditions. With his opinions, he can insist on the clumsy reaction of the government, insufficient administration, and the absence of crisis management. There is no evidence whether there is difference between Knowledge of ship navigators who manage small ships and that of captains who manage big ships.[…]
Xenix was surprised with the popularity of his post. For and againt his theory, he points out several parts in order to avoid misunderstandings and to add more explanations.
1. 이 동영상의 의혹의 주체는 ‘삼성 그룹'이 아니다. ‘삼성 중공업’ 이다.
혹자는 ‘이런 음모는 높으신 회장님 지시일거야.’ 라고 하지만, 아직 드러난 바는 아무것도 없다.
또한, 삼성 그룹은 17만명 이상의 직원을 거느린 거대 기업이고 그 안에는 각종 사업부가 있으며 그 각종 사업부에는 17만명의 우리의 가족이 있다. ‘또하나의 가족’ 뭐 이런게 아니고.. 그 17만명의 직원 역시 우리 친구고 가족이고 옆집 아저씨라는 말이다.
삼성 그룹 전체를 싸잡아 몰아세우며 선량하게 근무하는 다른 업체 (예를들어 삼성 중공업과 휴대폰 사업부는 완전히 다른 회사다.) 사람들에게 까지 피해가 가는 지금 이 상황을 원하진 않는다. 삼성 명함 가지고 다니는 17만명이 다 나쁜놈들이고 사고의 책임이 있는게 아니라는 말이다. 내 지인들 중에도 삼성에 몸담고 있는 사람이 수십명 있는데, 그들은 모두 우리와 마찬가지로 ‘걱정하는 1人’ 일 뿐이다. 분노의 대상을 명확히 하자.
2. 첫번째 동영상이 말하는 요점은 배의 운항 방식이다. 동영상 잘 보면 아시겠지만, 삼성 중공업의 배는 내륙쪽 순풍 방향으로 배를 돌려 돌아가는 것이 맞는데 잘 보이는 그 환한 때, 궂이 외겹 유조선이 있는 쪽으로 바람을 가르며 힘겹게 올라갔다. 뭐 물이 얕거나 다른 이유가 있었을거라고? 천만의 말씀. 인터뷰에 응해주신 선장님들은 그 지역에서만 수십년 배를 띄운 베테랑들이시다. 그런걸 모르실 리 없다. 당시 풍속은 정말 엄청 났다고 한다. (내가 방문한 날에도 그 시간엔 사람이 걸어다니기 힘들 정도의 북서풍이 불고 있었다.) 또한, 배 조정 미숙으로 인해.. 정신이 없어서 그쪽으로 틀었다고? 역시 말이 안된다. 그정도 크기의 배를 몰려면 6급 이상의 해기사 자격증을 가진 전문가여야 하며 일반 영세업체도 아닌 삼성 중공업이다. 바람을 가르며 역주행 하는건 동영상에서도 언급 되지만, 실수라고 볼 수 없다. 있을 수가 없는 일이다.
3. 두번째 동영상을 보면 유화제에 관한 얘기가 나온다. 유화제가 뭔가? emulsifying agent. 즉, 물과 기름을 섞는데 쓰이는 화학 약품이다. 동영상에서 선장님의 말씀처럼 기름이 30Cm 두께로 밀려오는 곳에 유화제를 살포하면 바다가 어떻게 되나? 물과 기름이 섞이고 기름이 응고되어 바다 밑으로 가라앉는다.
주민들은 이 유화제 살포를 강하게 반대했다고 한다. 상식적으로.. 오일펜스 치고 물 위에 떠있는 기름만 걷어내면 될 것을 왜 주민들 반대를 무릎쓰고 유화제를 풀어 물과 기름을 섞어놓고 기름을 가라앉힌단 말인가 ? 이건 완전한 근거없는 내 추측이지만. 방제작업이 빠르게 이루어지고 있음을 보여주기 위함이 아니겠는가?
4. 방제업체에서는 분명히 자신들이 총 필요한 1.5Km의 오일펜스중 750m 를 보유하고 있으며, 타 업체에도 오일펜스가 있으니 닻만 준비하면 바로 제공하겠다고 했었다. 하지만, 해경 회의에 들어갔다온 후 해경에서 오일펜스를 제공하지 말라고 했다고 했다. 오일펜스로 막기만 했어도 금방 방제할 수 있었는데 왜 그걸 못하게 했을까. 4일 씩이나. 그보다 먼저, 유조선에서 기름이 흐르고 있을 때, 바지선을 그 밑에 대서 흐르는 기름을 받아내기만 했으면 방제고 뭐고 다 필요 없는데 왜 그걸 못하게 했을까?[…]
5. 한사람의 인터뷰만으로 어떻게 사실을 믿을 수가 있냐? 화면 보면 알겠지만 주변에 사람이 많다. 초반에 대여섯분에서 후반엔 근 열분 정도? 이분들은 모두 영어조합법인 분들이고 모두 배를 갖고 있는 선장이시다. 이 모든분들의 의견을 나는 약 2시간 가까이 청취했고, 알잖나. 시골 어부가 말 잘하기 쉽나? 가장 말씀 잘하시는 이성원 사무국장님의 화면을 쓴 것 뿐이다. 한명의 말이 아니다. 모든 주민이 이구동성으로 하고 있는 말이다.
주민들은 이 사건을 어떻게든 알리고 진실을 밝히고 싶어 하지만, 할 줄 아는 것이 없어 고작 이런 현수막을 붙여 놓는 것이 행동의 전부인 상황이었다. 내가 올린 동영상은 이상한 아저씨 한명의 인터뷰가 아니라, 그 바다를 삶의 터전으로 수십년간 배질을 해 오신 많은 주민들의 목소리 인 것이다. 내가 제기하는 의문은, 모든 주민이 한결같이 한 목소리로 이런 내용을 말하고 있는데 왜 방송 어디에서도 이런 내용을 찾을 수 없느냐 하는 것이다.
6. 이런 인터뷰를 한 것이 내가 처음이 아니다. 국내 굴지의 지상파 방송국에서 이름만 대면 아는 시사 프로에서 내가 인터뷰한. 동일한 분을 내가 촬영해온 내용과 같은 내용으로 이미 인터뷰를 진행 해 갔다. 하지만 이 영상은 TV에 방영되지 못했다. 도대체 왜 방영되지 못한걸까. […] 이 사건은 단순한 음모론이 아니다. 또한 공공의 적을 처단하는 마녀사냥도 아니다. 이 사건에는 한순간에 날아간 자연이 있고, 삶의 터전을 잃어버린 어민들이 있으며 그 과정에 너무나 많은 의문과 의혹이 자리잡고 있다. 인터뷰가 실명으로, 모자이크나 음성변조도 안한 채 나간 것에 대해 우려하는 목소리가 많은데. 이는 이성원 사무국장님의 의지였다. ‘우린 이미 죽을 각오를 했다. 이렇게 죽으나 저렇게 죽으나 마찬가지다. 우리는 죽을때 까지 진실을 밝힐 것이다.’ 라고 말씀하시던 아저씨의 강한 눈빛이 아직도 잊혀지지 않는다. 삶을 잃은 그들이 원하는건 명확한 답변. 바로 진실이다.
We might blame a big chunk of Samsung and it can damage the employees who work hard in other industry sections (for example, Samsung Heavy Industries., LTD is completely separate from the celluarphone section). I’m not saying people who have Samsung name cards are all bastards and are responsible for this incident. I know several people who work in Samsung and they are also among those of us who are worried about it. Let’s clarify the object that we should be angry at.
2. The main point of the video clip is how to navigate the ship. The ship of the Samsung Heavy Industry., LTD was supposed to navigate toward the continent before the wind, but on such a clear day they navigated toward the oil tanker against the wind. You say there must be shallow water or other reasons? No way! Captains who I interviewed are all veterans who navigated ships for several decades. They can’t be ignorant in their field. At that time, the velocity of the wind was big (when I visited there, there was such a strong wind from northwest that I could barely walk). Or, navigators were clumsy… so they turned the ship toward the oil tanker? Nonsense. People who can navigate such a big ship should be professionals who have above 6th ranking navigation certificates. And it was not a small company. It was Samsung Heavy Industry. Like you can see through the video clip about navigating against the wind, mistakes can’t happen.
3. The second video clip talks about emulsifying agent, chemical medicines mixing with water and oil. Like a captain in the video clip said, what will happen to the ocean if we spray the emulsifying agent in a place that has 30 cm length of oil? The water and oil will mix together, solidified, and sink under the ocean. Residents were strongly against the emulsifying agent. Logically… they could just take off the oil that was floating on the water, but regardless of the strong objection from the residents, why did they mix with water and oil and sink the oil? Maybe they would like to finish the job fast?
4. An extermination company said that they contain 750 m of 1.5km of oil fence that they need, and they can get the rest of it from other extermination companies. As soon as they’re ready, they promised to provide it. But after a naval meeting, they said that the naval police didn’t let them provide an oil fence. With an oil fence, they could have exterminated fast. But why did they block it? Above all, when the oil slipped out of the oil tanker, they could place a barge under the oil and take the oil out of it. But why didn’t they do that? […]
5. How can we believe the fact with one person’s interview? There are so many people around there as you can see. From 5-6 people to 10? They’re all captains who have ships. I listened to their opinions for two hours. Then I just used what the chief manager Lee Sung Won said on the screen. It’s not just one person’s opinion. All residents recognized without a dissenting voice.
Residents would like to expose the truth, they don’t know what to do and so what they can do is to make banners. The video clip that I made was not just from an interview with one strange person. It was the voice of many residents who have made livings on the sea. The question that I suggest is why can’t we find this kind of interview in the media even though all residents make one voice.
6. I am not the one who has this kind of interview. Famous domestic media that you would recognize at once came over here and interviewed these same people. But it has never been shown on TV. Why didn’t their stories come out? […] This is not a simple conspiracy. It’s not a witch hunt to punish public enemies as well. Inside this incident, there are nature that disappeared, residents who lost their livelihoods, and many questions and doubts. People are worried about the interviewee whose identity has been exposed, but it was Lee Sung Won’s will. ‘We’re determined to die. It’s the same to die this way or that way. We’ll clarify the truth to death. I still remember his determined eyes. The clear answer for them who lost their lives….it’s truth.
Two residents at Taean have committeed suicide after the oil spill so far. Residents and some people started complaining about the indifference of Samsung Heavy Industry about the incident and the one-sided news of major media. As long as Taean residents are not happy about it and struggle for their lives due to the oil spil, bloggers and netizens’ actions or more investigations will not seemingly stop.

author: Hyejin Kim


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Kuwait: Old Pictures · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

Mark finds his picture as a child in a photography book on Kuwait.


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Kyrgyzstan: Human Rights Activist Arrested · Global Voices
Adil Nurmakov

Ayan Dane reports that Maxim Kuleshov, a human rights activist, organized a campaign in support for democracy in Kyrgyzstan, but it was immediately stopped as he was detained by police officers .


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Latvia: Review of “Defenders of Riga” · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Latvian Abroad reviews Defenders of Riga, “a feel-good patriotic movie”: “And watching a war movie in which bombs were falling on the familiar streets on which I've walked thousands of time, just a few hundred meters from the movie theater… was so much more intense emotionally.”


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Libya: Gitmo Prisoner Infected with Aids · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

A Libyan detainee at Guantanamo Bay could have been infected with the deadly Aids virus after a blood transfusion, says his Chicago-based lawyer H Candace Gorman.


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Macedonia, Russia: Photos · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Pictures from Macedonia, Moscow, St. Petersburg and Novgorod (here and here) – from Flickr user quinn.anya (via Openly Feminist, a Bulgarian-language blog by Petya of Bighead).


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Madagascar: Popular Radio Broadcast supsended by the Government   · Global Voices
Lova Rakotomalala

Jentilisa reports that the popular radio program “karajia” (discussion in Malagasy) braodcasted by the Roman Catholic Church Radio called Radio Don Bosco  was suspended by the government.  This suspension was also reported on a popular broadcast called ” kidoana maraina” on Radio Television Analamanga (RTA). Jentilisa explains that the reason for the suspension was to prevent a supposed-call for strike made on the radio broadcast by one of the listeners. Jentilisa is worried that this abuse of power may lead to internet censorship if this trend continues [Mg].

author: Lova Rakotomalala


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Malawi dumps Taiwan for China, media under scrutiny · Global Voices
Victor Kaonga

Malawi Dumps Taiwan for China
A few days ago foreign affairs minister announced that Malawi has switched its diplomatic relations from Taiwan to Mainland China. The news has been received with mixed reactions though a quick overview shows that a significant number of Malawians seem to welcome the new love affair which effectively makes Malawi dump Taiwan after 40 years of marriage. Malawi was one of the few remaining African countries who were yet to fall in love with China.
Lilongwe-based Austin Madinga blogging under the heading Enter The Dragon has questions which he hopes the foreign affairs ministry can clarify the benefits from the new marriage with mainland China:
My most pressing (question) is apart from promising to buy tobacco and uranium from Malawi, what else are they likely to buy? Is Mainland China an open market for Malawian businesses? Will it not be one way traffic for cheap (and sometimes lethally toxic) goods?
Barnett Kamkuzi while asking a question Which Way for Malawi? Taiwan or China, seems to support the shift to Mainland China. He writes:
Malawi needs the money. The President of Malawi, Dr. Bingu wa Mutharika, has an ambitious and well-meaning vision to establish the Shire-Zambezi Waterway which shall lead to the construction of an inland water port that shall unleash Malawi from its disadvantaged position of being a landlocked country. And definitely this shall turn around the economy of Malawi. And just imagine, communist China is offering to finance this much needed project! In addition to this, Malawi will be selling its main forex earner, tobacco and sugar to China. With the anti-smoking lobby in the West, China will definitely be an alternative lucrative market for Malawi's tobacco. And lets not forget that China is emerging as the biggest trading partner with Africa and Malawi would not want to be left out. Of course, others have described China recent relations with Africa as neo-colonialism but after being given several raw-deals from the West, it seems Africa wants to try the East!
Journalism leaving a lot to be desired at the state broadcasters
As 2009 gets closer, Malawi and its people are getting more and charged with various issues affecting their country. How the media performs and especially public media is a hot issue for discussion in Malawi. The country's foreign relations too are getting more and more into focus as whatever happens elsewhere politically offers a lesson or two to Malawians.
As part of his new year resolution, it seems journalist and blogger Kondwani Munthali has quit from the state broadcaster Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) to save his face from sad events surrounding the profession at the broadcaster. He has gone back to the newspaper he started with a few years ago. He blogs about his personal frustration with MBC:
I want to agree with many Malawians that the Corporation has sunk to its lowest  levels professionally that sticking around the place casts doubt on your  integrity. This is a place where young professionals fight for presidential  trips, this is a place where a health story will not be priortised over a dead  mans letter written in 2000. Bootlicking, gossip and the new format of shameful  reporting has emerged at MBC that sticking around the place will only kill ones  career than improve it.
On a related issue Peter Jere in South Africa backs the Malawi Television programme which some commentators in Malawi is a propaganda tool by government. Blogging under Of Mizawanya and Political education in Malawi, he says that the television programme is used for educating young Malawians of their political heritage:
Therefore, it is vital for the youth to know where the nation is coming from and  what it went through socially and politically so that they better understand why  they are witnessing what is currently happening in our country politics today  and at the same time our young people shall be able to know where we are going  as a nation politically. So we think these Mizwanya guys are doing a mighty job  and filling in the gap that our education system could have done long time ago  to education and inform our youth and others on who did what in our political  history. This helps in decision making in case some of those who committed  various serious crimes would want to stand as leaders. The electorate needs to  be given enough information on all the leaders regarding what they are and what  they have done in our history so that the best achiever could be chosen  otherwise we will end up choosing someone who is not the right person to rule  the country.
Dual Citizenship?
In his erratic ramblings, a UK-Based Malawian blogger Cryton Chikoko debates about dual citizenship which he says is a better evil for many Malawians in the diaspora due to economic challenges in their home country. Though not clear if he is considering to turn British himself, he picks a leaf from other Malawians who have decided to return home:
Professionals with international exposure are the highly skilled people that  Malawi needs. These are people who can significantly help in the social services  and development of the country. Goodall Gondwe and Mutharika himself are  some of the examples. The Rambler appreciates their contributions to the nation  although they came back after they had given their very best in foreign lands.  Anyway the nation is still enjoying the residue!
There are many  professionals who are stuck as citizens of foreign nations not because they want  to but it is all for economical reasons. One Canadian “Malawian” nurse told me  that she embraced the Canadian citizenship “for convenience but at heart I am a  Malawian and that cannot change.” Dare you browse “Nyirenda” in facebook. There are loads of Nyirendas in the  US alone chiwelengelo cha Usisya  kulengelatu! (more Malawians known as the Nyirenda in US than one famous place in Malawi).

author: Victor Kaonga


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Pakistan: Ringtones, Islam and Rhetoric · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

All Things Pakistan asks if ringtones are un-Islamic and points out the rhetoric behind the question.


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Palestine: Dance Prodigy Hopes to Make it Big · Global Voices
Maya Norton

Every once in a while, you hear about a story that makes you stop in your tracks. One that is so outside the norm, that is seems as if the central figure has been born in the wrong time or place.
Ayman Safieh is a 16-year-old Palestinian Muslim hoping to make it big in the world of classical ballet. His teacher is 81-year-old Yehudith Arnon, an Israeli Jew and Holocaust survivor, who is known as one of Israel's top dance instructors.
Safieh has loved to dance from the time he could walk, his mother tells us. Five years ago at the age of 11, Safieh saw the movie Billy Elliot, about a boy who defied the traditional gender roles of his small English mining town and insisted on dancing ballet. “I have to dance ballet,” Safieh told his mother. “I dream to be like him.”
The challenge, then, was to break the news to his father. Seeing him dance for the first time, his father says, “I cried. I had no idea my son was that talented. You know, I have a bit of understanding about sports and art, but when I saw my son dancing, I was shocked. This was my son. This was his body, his legs, his muscles, and shoulders. I just wished I could see him more often and on a bigger stage.”
Safieh says, “People told me me it's not right for men to be so romantic. It's too feminine. I say, why can't men be romantic and passionate? Why is it only for women?”
Safieh was discovered by Raba Murkus, a Israeli Arab dance instructor whose studio was in his home town of Kfar Yasif. Murkus invited Safieh to join her children's dance troupe, but quickly learned he was meant for bigger things. “He was just amazing,” she says. “In rehearsal, he was great, but on the stage, suddenly I saw, I saw the dancer in his heart and his soul, and he surprised me. And I said, ‘Okay, we have a dancer here and we have to take care of him.'”
Murkus introduced Safieh to her own teacher, Yehudith Arnon. Dance embodies passion and Arnon has her own story to tell.
Arnon is a survivor of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the Holocaust's largest Nazi concentration camp. A recognized ballerina, the Nazis ordered Arnon to dance in their Christmas performance. She refused, knowing she would likely be killed. But that was not her punishment. Instead, the Nazis forced her to stand barefoot in the snow for hours on that freezing December day, clad in her thin camp uniform. “If I survive this, I will dedicate myself to dance for the rest of my days,” she said to herself.
Safieh has been formally training with Arnon for one year. This year he danced his first major performance in the Russian National Ballet's Christmas rendition of the Nutcracker.
Despite CNN's profile, from where this story and video (recommended viewing) were sourced, it has not yet reached the attention of the blogosphere. Commenters on CNN's Inside the Middle East Blog have this to say.
A reader identified as “Spirtual Life” comments:
“This is an incredible article without politics or religion. I really want to see more reports like this. As far as Ayman goes, good luck with all your ambitions. If I were a rich person I would give him a lifelong scholarship to any dancing school in the world. I love ambition, and he's got it in abundance. More power to you, young man.”
Ms. Ramey, a ballet instructor from South Gate, California, says:
“Bravo, Ayman Safieh! I am posting this article of you on our dance studio bulletin board. I'm sure you will inspire the male students in my block two dance class. This is the first year of dance class at South East High School. I've also had a rough time getting the male students to accept dance in a positive view. Hope to see you dance one day on an international ballet tour.
On the Desert Peace Blog, who sourced CNN's story, readers’ responses were equally positive.
Lenny Bruce, author of the Through Other Eyes blog and a self-proclaimed American Israeli Dutchman, remarked:
“A very uplifting story. The reaction of his father and his friends was so cool to see.”
Commenter Julia Deming says:
“This young man moves beautifully, and I wish him every success.”
And a reader who calls himself The Master adds:
“It’s GOOD to counter the perception almost everyone in the West has that ALL Palestinians are terrorists!!”
My own thanks to professional artist and blogger Ben Heine, whose depiction of Safieh dancing (see above) inspired me to write about this story.
So what do you think? Does Safieh have a future in the field of dance? What can we learn from his story? Will he inspire generations of young dancers from Palestine who will follow in his graceful footsteps?

author: Maya Norton


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Paraguay: Musician Treatment at Celebration in Ciudad del Este · Global Voices
Eduardo Avila

Criticanto [es] reports on the negative treatment received by some of the musicians during the anniversary festivities in Ciudad del Este in Paraguay.

author: Eduardo Avila


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Peru: Wendy Sulca, Child Video Sensation · Global Voices
Juliana Rincón Parra

Through FaceBook messages, YouTube and blogs, Peruvian 10 year old Wendy Sulca has become quite popular in the last couple of months, with a sudden surge in the past few days far beyond the Peruvian border.
In Damr.net, she gets touted as the successor of Delfin Quishpe, the Ecuadorian character who became a viral sensation signing about a girlfriend who died on the World Trade Center on 9-11.
Sin palabras con este video, sin duda es la sucesora o hija de Delfin Quishpe.
(aporte de Virginia)
No need for words for this video, it is doubtless that she is the successor or the daughter of Delfin uishpe.
(via Virginia)
The video referred to is   “La Tetita” , a song written and sung by her in the Peruvian folkloric style. The song, “The Tittie”, talks about how she really likes to drink from her mother´s breast, and a male voice-over mentions  her young age, her virtue, her great voice, and how she´s the hope and example for millions of children in Peru. Following, the “The tittie” video, in Spanish with English subtitles.
Several different users re-posted her videos on the Youtube video sharing site, increasing her popularity. There is a WendySulca YouTube channel with her official videography. The Wendy Sulca Official Fan Website,  wendysulcaclub.blogspot.com [es] also has her videos as well as a text biography of the singer “who besides wanting to be a professional singer, wishes to be a teacher”. Videos online have the watermark to the eymard7vivas blog [es].Comments to her videos are varied. Blogger DiscoShawn had this to say about the Wendy Sulca phenomenon:
In recent weeks my inbox has been flooded with messages saying “Nuevo Comentario Sobre: Wendy Sulca – Papito”. After months of virtually no one watching the video, it was apparently re-posted on a few websites, including this porn-ish site (I don't get it either – gross) and a Chilean blog called Por La Puta. The video is now up to around 20,000 views on YouTube, which is still relatively small but an exponential increase from just a couple of weeks ago. The comments section on the video's YouTube page has also exploded with people chiming in about everything from child exploitation to whether the music is folklorico or cumbia.
You´ll find people complaining on these videos ranting about the terrible image that is left of Peru thanks to these artists, like  previous Peruvian viral sensation la Tigresa del Oriente and now Wendy. There are others who give her kudos for singing Peruvian folkloric songs, and others just plain love the kitschyness of her videos. Some users, however, are concerned about the mixed message the video sends out  when the male “Voice in Off” says that 18 year old men also like “the titties”, and these men, who happen to be the band members, are shown ogling a young girl walking by. It seems to be a far cry from what Wendy Sulca wanted to express through her original song about her love for breastfeeding.
Viewers also find some of her other videos  inappropriate for a 10 year old due to the lyrics and images featured on them.  “My Life is Worth Nothing” [es], where she sings “my life is worth nothing if you aren´t with me, my love. Even if they take my life, I´ll be in heaven with you forever”, or “Beer, beer” [es] where she croons in her high pitched voice about how she wants the barman to bring her more beer.
Some users have already used her videos as mashups.  One of them is ElCuboSpot productions:
Si han escuchado la voz de Wendy Sulca y se han indignado tanto como yo al oir cosa tan mas fea… entonces deben ver este video que deja ver un poco los deseos de los que nos hemos quedado sorprendidos con los videos de esta niña Puruana que esta en manos de producciones Danny.
En este video (que a mi punto de vista denigra el folklor peruano)… presenta nadamas y nada menos que al buen hombre de George Bush que saca sus mas bajos instintos provocados por la aguda voz de esta niña “de tan solo 8 años de edaaad” jajaja
If you have listened to Wendy Sulca´s voice and you´ve been offended as much as I have by listening to such an ugly thing… then you should watch this video that lightly shows the desires of those of us who have been surprised with the videos of this Peruvian girl who´s in the hands of Danny productions. In this video (which from my perspective denigrates Peruvian folklore)… presents no less than the good man George Bush who brings out his most basic instincts provoked by the high pitched squeal of this girl who is “only 8 yeaaaars oooold” hehehe
The following video shows El Cubo´s  George Bush Vs. Wendy Sulca:
Other tributes are quickly popping up, like this one, and this one as well.

author: Juliana Rincón Parra


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Philippines: Traffic Comparision · Global Voices
Preetam Rai

Miscel compares traffic condition in Singapore to the one in Philippines.

author: Preetam Rai


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Rakhat Aliyev Sentenced · Global Voices
Adil Nurmakov

Zhanna Zhukova reports on the decision, announced yesterday by the court in Almaty, Kazakhstan, sentencing Rakhat Aliyev, former presidential son-in-law, to 20 years in jail for organizing of a mafia-type gang and abduction of two men thatare still missing. Aliyev himself is currently in Vienna, Austria.


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Russia: Vasily Alexanyan · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Robert Amsterdam writes on the plight of Vasily Alexanyan, an imprisoned and gravely-ill former Yukos executive.

author: Veronica Khokhlova


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Serbia: Kusturica vs Willis · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Belgrade 2.0 writes about Emir Kusturica's dislike of Die Hard, Bruce Willis and all things Hollywood.


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Serbia, U.S.: Bobby Fischer · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

East Ethnia writes about the legacy of chess champion Bobby Fischer, who died today: “Maybe there will be an opportunity now to remember him for what he achieved, less so than for what he became.”


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South Africa: Women growing organic food · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

Nubian Cheetah posts a video of organic food growers in South Africa: “The women in the the Fezeka community in Gugulethu, South Africa are growing organic foods and selling them at market prices.”

author: Ndesanjo Macha


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Sri Lanka: Media and the LTTE · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

Times Eye is rather annoyed with the biased coverage of the killing of two MPs in the media.

author: Neha Viswanathan


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Sri Lanka: Tamil, patriotism and politics · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

Hissyfits speaks out – reflecting on the way politics and anti-Tamil sentiment can affect everyday life.


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Sri Lanka: Terrorism and Fish · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

Lanka Rising on a rather unexpected positive outcome – “Due to terrorist threat to the Colombo harbor, the government declared the sea near the harbor as a banned zone for intruders including the fishermen”


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Thailand: Foreign Support for Southern Insurgency · Global Voices
Preetam Rai

Bangkok Pundit analyzes media reports that claim that the extremists in Southern Thailand are getting assistance from foreign terrorist groups.


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The Baltics: Missing the Borders 2 · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Lituanica has more on the story of the missing borders and one poor cleaning lady, who was on her way to work in Kaunas, Lithuania, but fell asleep and found herself in Tartu, Estonia, instead.


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Three Die of Cold in Lebanon · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

Jounoune, from Lebanon, links to a news report which says that at least three people were killed in the latest cold wave to hit the country.


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Trinidad & Tobago: Crime & Punishment  · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

“Why do we allow such unworthy men to play with our lives?” Ramblings and Reason blogs about what she calls “the latest political red herring” in Trinidad and Tobago.

author: Janine Mendes-Franco


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Turkmenistan: Conflict between Ashgabat and Tehran Runs Deep · Global Voices
Adil Nurmakov

Maciula analyzes the deepening conflict between Turkmenistan and Iran after two weeks have passed since the suspension of Turkmen gas supplies to Iran.

author: Adil Nurmakov


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UAE: French Base Soon  · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

The French are making their presence felt in the Gulf – after signing an agreement with the UAE to establish a military base there, reports Abu Aardvark.

author: Amira Al Hussaini


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Ukraine: Crimean Politicians · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Orange Ukraine writes on how Crimean politicians “are asking for testing of Ukrainian language to be conducted in Russian” – or else they wouldn't let the country's PM enter the peninsula.


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Ukraine: Interview on Prostitution · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Natalia Antonova interviews a Ukrainian man on prostitution.


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Ukraine: Lutsenko Beats Up Chernovetsky · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Ukrainiana writes about “grossly uncivil conduct” of Ukraine's interior minister, who beat up Kyiv's mayor today.


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Uzbekistan: Old New President Inaugurated · Global Voices
Adil Nurmakov

Libertad writes about the inauguration of a newly but in fact very “old” president of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov, noting that during the ceremony Karimov was reading the sacred oath without eye-glasses which he was used to wear.


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World Social Forum Global Day of Mobilization and Action · Global Voices
Paula Góes

Viriato [pt] posts details of the 2008 decentralized World Social Forum Global Day of Mobilization and Action, listing events taking place throughout the world.

author: Paula Góes