Global Voices Digest for February 8th, 2008
Syria: Free Tariq Campaign
“Syrian blogs are abuzz at the moment with another crackdown on freedom of speech. Except, this time it’s one of our own,” writes Yazan Badran. Tariq’s case took around six months to catch the attention of bloggers, who are now making up for their late response with a well-orchestrated Free Tariq campaign.
Burkina Faso: New schools, village feminism and the shame of all birds
The year has just begun, but bloggers in Burkina Faso are already eagerly working on their new year’s resolutions and pet projects. Also, a self-described ‘type A feminist’ from the West tries to reconcile with Burkinabé gender roles.
Serbia: More Views on Boris Tadic’s Re-Election
Eight years after the end of Slobodan Milosevic’s regime, incumbent president Boris Tadic was re-elected on Sunday in a narrow victory over opposition candidate Tomislav Nikolic. Sinisa Boljanovic translates the analyses and reflections of two Serbian bloggers.
Peru: National Treasures - Pisco Sours, Ceviche and Cumbia
Machu Picchu, the former capital of the Incan Empire, is Peru’s biggest draw to national and international tourists alike. But there are many other lesser-known national treasures as well including pisco, ceviche, and cumbia.
Armenia: Bloggers Love Media - Media Love Blogs, But Who Loves More?
Armenian bloggers have always kept an eye on their country’s mainstream media outlets, but now it’s the big media trying to court the sea of cyber-pundits. How have they responded? Artur Papyan points us to all the relevant posts, podcasts, and videos.
Iran: Reformist candidates barred from election
In a blow to the thin veneer of democracy in Iran, reformist oppositions have scaled back their expectations for next month’s parliamentary elections after ruling authorities disqualified the majority of their candidates. Iranian bloggers, including several reformist politicians as well as a conservative blogger in support of the decision, reflect on what it means for the future of the opposition movement as well as the whole of Iran.
Japan: Japanese bloggers on Super Tuesday
What do bloggers in the world’s second largest economy think of the presidential elections of their major trading partner? Chris Salzberg translates from Japanese.
Roundups
Belize’s new government, visualizing Japanese grammar, power outages and smoking bans in Albania … and lots more in today’s Global Roundups.