Global Voices Digest

Myanmar: Long prison terms for dissidents

Myanmar’s Junta continues to shock the world. This week, dissidents who joined street protests were sentenced to 65 years. A blogger and young entrepreneur was sentenced to 20 years for keeping defaced images of national leaders in his email inbox. A journalist faces a two-year prison term for writing about the deadly cyclone which hit Myanmar last May.

Malaysia: Are the police being too brutal?

A peaceful rally in Malaysia was violently dispersed by the police. Civil society groups have condemned the dispersal, especially the use of force, the repression of assembly and expression, and Malaysian bloggers are up in arms on the whole episode.

Japan: Japanese Language in the Age of English

The Fall of the Japanese Language in the Age of English, the latest book by Japanese novelist and essayist Minae Mizumura, roused debate among many Japanese bloggers recently over the fate of their national language. Some wondered whether their country would one day adopt English as the mother tongue, and what that would mean for their national identity.

Armenia: Violence against Women

The world’s oldest Christian nation may have many things to be proud about, but when it comes to women’s rights the ex-Soviet Armenia is possibly in denial. With widespread human trafficking as its worst manifestation, violence against women in Armenia is alarming the world. Will a recent Amnesty International report detailing domestic abuse and government inaction bring about change? Bloggers react.

India: Terror stalks Kolkata

Recently, Kolkata (or Calcutta, as it is still referred to by some) woke up one morning and its heart skipped a beat as it read the headlines of the day - Terror alert in Kolkata. Apparently, terror attacks can be carried out in the city, anytime between November 15-30th.

Egypt for Sale

Word is out that every Egyptian citizen who is over 21 years old will own a part of Egypt’s public sector companies and factories. The announcement has been the core topic of talk shows and has made its way to the blogosphere.

Egypt: Internet Freedom in Egypt

Tunisian blogger, Sami Ben Gharbia, published a video explaining the role of the Egyptian blogsphere in exposing human rights abuses and the role of the social-networking website Facebook and the micro-blogging platform.

Peru: Art Exhibit Depicting Saints Causes Controversy and Possible Censorship

A controversial art exhibit in Lima, Peru portrayed an alternative view of popular Catholic saints. Some were dressed in undergarments and others in modern-day situations. The artist wanted to show a more human side of the religious figures. However, days before the exhibit’s conclusion the gallery was closed by the municipal causing cries of censorship.

Rising Voices is a nominee for the Best of the Blogs!

As you may know, Rising Voices has recently been nominated for a “best of the blogs” award in the category “best weblog”. At the moment we are trailing behind almost ALL the other nominees in spite of having such a big, powerful, and active community.You don’t need to vote in all the categories to have your vote recorded. Just click on the project you would like to vote for, enter your name and email - and click send.

Roundups

Get the blog buzz from the world over in the Global Roundups, where today you can find an Armenian journalist attacked, buying quality cloths at low prices in various Bazaars of Dhaka- the capital of Bangladesh, the dance of Arab argumentation, and much much more!