Global Voices Digest for April 9th, 2007
Ethiopian bloggers turn undercover court reporters
“Ethiopia’s bloggers turned undercover court reporters over the past weeks, giving daily commentary on a controversial trial of more than 100 opposition politicians, campaigners and journalists,” writes Andrew Heavens from Addis Ababa. While “mainstream journalists have concentrated on covering the main developments in the proceedings … resulting gaps in the reporting have been filled by some of Ethiopia’s most prolific and politicised bloggers who managed to secure seats in the court.”
Chile: Bachelet, Transantiago and student protests
It’s been a tough year for Michelle Bachelet, Chile’s first female president, who has endured a party-wide corruption scandal, the controversial passing of former dictator Augusto Pinochet, and a student protest that almost brought the capital to its knees. Now another city-wide crisis is turning up the heat once again for President Bachelet as Rosario Lizana and fellow Chilean bloggers reveal.
The adventures of Phatry Derek Pan in Cambodia
Nicknamed ‘Mr. Khmer-connection’ by local friends and acquaintances in Phnom Pen, Seattle native Phatry Derek Pan has created an online bridge between the country he grew up in and the native land of his parents. Tharum Bun’s incredible portait of Pan’s life – including the memorable compromise with his mother regarding arranged marriages – is also a glimpse at a generation of Khmer refugees who are reconnecting with their ancestral land and culture thanks to the internet.
Holy Week in Guatemala: Antichrist Not Welcome
Here’s another nickname: ‘El Papi,” or ‘The Daddy,” as devout followers of the sect Creciendo en Gracia (”Growing in Grace”) call their leader José Luis de Jesus Miranda, who describes himself both as “Jesus in the flesh” and “the Antichrist.” But will supernatural powers help Miranda enter Guatemala?
The UK-Iran Maritime Crisis Comes To an End
“On Wednesday, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad ordered the release of 15 detained British sailors in a gesture meant to ’show the Islamic affection of the Iranian people.’” Here’s how Iranian bloggers reacted to the news.
Bahrain: Polygamy as a national duty
It’s quite possible that Islamist MP Jassim Al Saeedi was merely looking for a reaction when he implored his colleagues in parliament to take four wives each, three Bahrainis and one foreigner. If that’s the case, then Ayesha Saldanha’s rundown of blogger response shows that he was successful. Also, what Redha Askander feels the Council of Representatives should be focusing on instead of polygamy.
China: Inner-city toxics plant protested
How’s this for a global theme of the 21st century: the nation’s brightest scientists come together to protest the government’s acquiescence of an industrial development which threatens the health of the nearby population and ecosystem? That’s precisely what is happening in the capital of Southwestern China’s Fujian province reveals Southern Metropolis Daily columnist and environmental watch-blogger Lian Yue.
“What’s Going On in Ukraine?”
Veronica Khokhlova’s last translation described the political standoff between supporters of President Victor Yushchenko and Prime Minister Victor Yanukovych. This week we hear from Sergei Dibrov of Odesa, Ukraine who explains how the current crisis evolved and what can be done to move forward peacefully.
Uganda: Blog Awards, Digital Activism and More
Culminating in a ceremony at the March Ugandan bloggers happy hour, the 2006 Best of Blog awards have officially been announced. Find out who won in Joshua Goldstein’s latest dispatch. Also: the online battle to save the Mabira Forest from becoming a sugar plantation and colorful pictures of Kampala’s hectic streets.
Roundups
Commemorating the 14th anniversary of the Rwandan genocide, Easter in Jerusalem, hip hop in Iran, and much more can be found in today’s Global Roundups.