The run up to Indian general elections sure looks like a spicy Bollywood movie. Big actors from major political parties and their activists are busy hurling allegations at each other while the common people stand befuddled, waiting for someone to listen to their concerns.
Indian politicians are at the receiving end not only from their opponents but also from the public-online and on the streets.
Source:From Havana, Generation Y remembers “events such as the Mariel Boatlift”, adding: “Emigration happens more quietly now, in rocky coves where—in the early hours every morning—someone launches themselves into the sea, and in the consulates crammed with people looking for a visa.”
Source:Bloggers from Trinidad and Tobago, St.Vincent and the Grenadines, Haiti and even from the diaspora discuss Caribbean Easter traditions.
Source:Keith in Trinidad has issues with the local mainstream media, saying: “‘Responsible journalism' appears to have joined the ranks of ‘Police intelligence' and ‘Honourable Member of Parliament'”.
Source:“Five years ago CLICO Barbados said they would restore Sam Lords Castle as part of a major tourist development”, but the promise has not materialized; bloggers Barbados Free Press and Bajan Dream Diary are disappointed, with the latter adding: “The longer that the Castle remains in ruin will not only be a shame to its legacy…it will also stand as a blight on Clico’s fiscal image at a time when it could ill afford any hint of financial distress.”
Source:Although Jamaica Salt reports that the island “has had some welcome relief from its huge, crippling debt”, the blogger is sceptical that the money saved will be channeled into the right areas.
Source:Guyanese blogger Imran Khan is convinced he must be stupid - why else would he fail to see the logic behind President Jagdeo's advice to flood-besieged farmers to diversify into aquaculture: “Forgive me for thinking that when the place is flooded that the fish ponds…would become flooded and the fish would swim away.”
Source:“The stories on this page could not be published because of Government restrictions,” read page two of the Fiji Times Sunday, April 12.
The Fiji Sun reports it will not “publish political reports- either from the interim Government or their critics - until it can do so with accuracy, balance and fairness.”
Fiji Television viewers turning into the Saturday, April 11 received this notice over a black screen: “Viewers Please Be Advised There Will Be No 6PM News Bulletin Tonight.”
Source:Eva Bartlett, a Canadian activist in Gaza, reports on a short documentary competition held to mark World Health Day, highlighting health issues Gazans face, and medical care during attacks.
Source:The Qatar Visitor blog discusses the media environment in Qatar, finding that there are contradictory forces at work.
Source:Shivam Vij at Kafila reports that the Facebook group of the Pink Chaddi campaign has been hacked and calls on Facebook to help restore the group.
Source:Between examining the profile of a sexual offender in Egypt and rallying against sexual predators, an Egyptian member of parliament proposed a law that allows broadcasting the hanging of rapists live on television.
Nawara Negm of Tahyyes found the idea appalling:
Source:Bahraini blogger The Dude is not impressed: “If anyone was ever unfortunate enough to stumble upon the Kingdom of Bahrain's official news agency's website, they'd be forgiven for thinking Bahrain was a backward, angry country. Everything, every single release, is IN CAPITAL LETTERS.”
Source:Ghomaar, an Iran based blog, writes [fa]that Alireza Firouzi, a 19 year old blogger and student activist was arrested in Zanjan. The blogger adds that Firouzi is among student activists who revealed a sex scandal in Zanjan University in June 2008. Ghomaar adds that Alireza was interrogated by prosecutor of Zanjan about his blog and his posts.
Source:Iranian environmentalists are using online media tools to save different cultural monuments such as The Si-o-se Pol or “33 Pol” (bridge of 33 arches) an architectural masterpiece in the heart of the Iranian historic city of Isfahan (Esfahan). A battle is ongoing between authorities that want to develop a new metro project and concerned citizens from across Iran who fear the damage it might cause.
