The web hails the release of Aung San Suu Kyi

AUNG SAN SUU KYI IS FREE

She is an iconic figure in the fight for democracy in Burma, and on Saturday opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi was released from her latest 7 year term of house arrest by the military junta. Her release has been hailed by web users.

The Lady of Rangoon’s name has been one of the top trending topics on micro blogging site Twitter these past few days. Thousands of Twitter users the world over have been sharing their joy at seeing the Nobel Peace Prize winner released after having spent 15 of the past 21 years either under house arrest or in prison.

The new generation of Burmese activists has been celebrating the event with this song in particular, which has been circulated on social networks. This hip hop track describes Aung Sang Suu Kyi as a maternal figure and a source of inspiration for young activists today.

The site Irawaddy is asking web users what they think the political future holds for this symbol of opposition to Burma’s military junta who has been cut off from the world in recent years. The portal is run by dissident refugees in Thailand and is asking readers to submit their ideas and suggestions to the Lady of Rangoon.

And this opposition web site based in the United Kingdom, is reminding readers that although she has been freed there are still over 2 000 political prisoners behind bars in Burma. Web users are invited to sign this petition calling upon Ban Ki-moon, the Secretary-General of the United Nations to intervene on their behalf.

TWITTER JOKE TRIAL

Paul Chambers has failed to overturn his conviction! In January, the 27 year old made a joke on Twitter saying that if his flight to Ireland was cancelled because of snow, he would blow up Robin Hood Airport Doncaster Sheffield. Judge Jacqueline Davies believes Chambers should have known that his message could be taken seriously and so, the initial fine of 1000 pounds has been confirmed.

His conviction has not gone unnoticed online and has sparked a strong wave of protest, on Twitter in particular. To demonstrate their solidarity with Chambers, users have been sending in messages of support using the phrase “I am Spartacus”. A reference to the film in which all the slaves stand up one by one behind their fellow gladiator Spartacus in rebellion against the authorities.

And in a show of criticism of the authorities’ lack of humour, web users are replacing their profile picture with a tongue in cheek banner stating that their online commentaries might not be serious.

This video blogger has written and dedicated a poem to Chambers. It is called “Twitter Joke Trial” and says that even if his fellow citizen made a joke in poor taste, he was only exercising his freedom of expression and should not be convicted for it.

Meanwhile, despite the court’s decision, Chambers will not have to pay his fine, because actor and director Stephen Fry has offered to pay it for him.

NOWATCH.TV

Contrary to traditional media like the television that depends on audience ratings, the founders of the site NoWatch.tv are basing their project on the social networks model, where viewer groups are smaller and more specialized and also very loyal and active. NoWatch.tv presents itself as a platform for unformatted web programs so they maintain all their character and individuality.

CHEESE PEOPLE

Change the faces and surnames of US stars using cheese: this is what the offbeat blog “Cheese people” has on offer. We see Justin Bieber become Justin Brieber, Al Capone Al Marscapone and Cuba Gooding Junior Cuba Gouda Junior.

VIDEO OF THE DAY

A man’s Facebook life summed up in a few minutes: this is what French artist Maxime Luère is proposing in this video. The video clip takes web users through Alex Droner’s Facebook life. We see this imaginary man’s time on the social network, from his inscription to his death; that is the moment when he logs off. His loves, his friends, his encounters, his holidays and also his evenings out …nothing is left out, every single detail of his life is featured.