by Andy Merrett
On October 15th, the first annual “Blog Action Day” will take place, offering an opportunity for bloggers around the world to write about a common subject in whatever way is appropriate to them and their blog.
For its first year, the topic is “the environment”, and the organisers suggest three ways of getting involved:
by Andy Merrett
The Ministry of Defence has effectively ordered a blanket ban on blogging, in a move to stop military personnel from talking publicly about their experiences.
From now on, blogging and the sending of text messages will only be allowed with express permission.
They’ll also not be allowed to play multi-player computer games, or send photos, audio, or video material without permission if they relate to defence matters.
by Andy Merrett
PopMatters reports that blogging is catching on in a number of African countries, thanks to fast-expanding Internet access on the continent.
In Nigeria, bloggers documented chaotic scenes at polling places in April’s presidential elections, which international observers said were marred by widespread fraud.
In Ethiopia, they outpaced the international media with detailed, often dramatic coverage of the recent trial of 100 opposition supporters and journalists.
Here in Kenya, they debate news, politics, music and local gossip with equal gusto.
by Tony Hung
Jennifer Jacquet over at Science Blogs recently spent some time in the Galapagos, and as a relatively new blogger began to wonder: Is blogging an activity that can only be found in first-world countries?
Is it lack of access? Not so, she mentions, as net cafe’s exist (although the access is s-l-o-w).
But it does raise some interesting issues, as to whether or not cultural mores have prevented the proliferation of blogging, or whether it lacks a champion for this kind of medium in developing areas, or whether the part of youth culture that may have adopted it has moved past it and glommed onto — or are ‘blogging’ — within social networks.
While citizens of first world countries, as a whole, have the benefit of better educations, one would think that in areas of the world with conflict, poverty, or oppression, having a powerful tool to find and express that voice might be attractive.
Or it might not.
What do you think?
