Global Voices Digest

Brazil: Women’s Petition for a ‘Right to Respond’

That massive protest which greeted US President George W. Bush on his recent visit to Brazil was also the unlikely catalyst of a new campaign by Brazilian woman seeking fairer and more accurate representation in the mainstream media and advertising world. Jose Murilo Junior, with the help of fellow Brazilian bloggers, explains how the campaign developed and what it hopes to achieve.

Zimbabwe: Man killed, opposition arrested and tortured

“The Zimbabwean government, backed into a desperate corner by a growing groundswell of protests, lashed out violently last week,” reports Zimpundit. That violence included the death of Gift Tandare on his way to a prayer meeting and the brutal beating of opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai. “Zimbabwe’s state-owned media only gave the violence and police brutality cursory mention,” writes Zimpundit, leaving the nation’s bloggers to get the stories out.

Global Voices en Français Celebrates Journée Mondiale de la Francophonie

I hope that everyone had a memorable Francophonia Day. If you would like to celebrate with more than just french fries, check out Alice Backer’s description of a new endeavour underway at Global Voices to get the global conversation translated into non-English languages. If you’re bilingual and willing to lend a helping hand, don’t be shy!

Filipino Bloggers Discuss Homeschooling

Preetam Rai tunes us in to a fascinating conversation among Filipino bloggers about the respective advantages and disadvantages of homeschooling versus traditional classroom education. Does new technology make homeschooling less of a burden for today’s busy parents? Feel free to add your own thoughts in the comments section.

Turkey is Typing….Business and Travel

The themes of travel and business wove a common thread this week in Turkey, where the cost of living is going up as are many new buildings in the bi-continental metropolis of Istanbul. Also: an intro to Turkey’s presidential race and one blogger’s fear of flying.

Non-Political Reactions to Bush’s Visit to Guatemala

While Brazilian feminists were upset by the media’s obsession with anti-Bush protests, Guatemalan bloggers responded to local protests against George Bush’s brief visit with bemused resignation. Renata Avila cites and translates key excerpts.

Roundups

Hip-hop in Palestine, the death of Pakistan’s cricket coach, Google Apps in Kenyan universities, and much more can be found in today’s Global Roundups.