Latest update: 23/05/2012 

- Canada - China - Occupy Movement - Quebec - Russia - Thailand - USA


Police injure a student protester in Quebec, Thais question law against insulting royalty after prisoner's death, and more

This show is made up entirely of amateur images. We've seen time and time again how images captured by ordinary citizens then uploaded onto the Web can change history, or at least shift the balance of power. This week, we take a look back at some of those moments.

STORY 1: Canada

We begin today in Quebec, Canada. Students there have been protesting for months against tuition hikes. The provincial government wants to increase fees by 75% over five years, and the students don't like it. Their protests have been getting increasingly violent, with stones thrown at police and the police fighting back. On the 5th of May, one of the protesters was seriously hurt. Our Observer, William Ray, was there with his camera.

STORY 2: Thailand

Now to Thailand, home to the world's longest-serving monarch. King Rama the Ninth has been in power for more than 65 years. He's generally popular - but you'd better not insult him, or his wife. It is illegal. One of their subjects, an elderly man named Ampon Tangnoppakul, was sentenced to 20 years for allegedly sending four text messages questioning the couple's commitment to their people. Ampon, who was already suffering from cancer, died last month in prison. His death has reignited questions about the monarchy, especially among the so-called Red Shirt political movement, which has been critical of the palace's power. Our observer pays tribute to the man known as "Uncle SMS".

STORY 3: World

Next up, a look at some of the images sent in this week by our Observers.

First stop, Charlotte, North Carolina, with Michael Guerrero, a political activist and member of the 'Occupy' movement, which spread around the world last year. Michael acknowledges that the movement lost steam over the winter. But he says that with summer around the corner he and his fellow activists are resuming their struggle to get the world's richest 1% to share with the other 99%. Here they're focusing on the Bank of America, which they accuse of profiting from the mortgage foreclosures that have cost so many Americans their homes.

Now to Russia, and a local offshoot of the Occupy movement. Activists in Moscow have staged something they call 'Occupy Abai', under the statue of a Kazakh poet. Our observer Pavel tells us their target is not the financial world, but Russia's newly reinstalled president, Vladimir Putin. They believe the election that put him back in the Kremlin was fraudulent.

Last stop, Hubei province in central China. These photos show high-school students getting a shot in the arm to help them get into university. We're coming up to the dreaded 'gaokao' entrance exam, and these students are getting a drip of amino acids to keep them sharp while they revise. The school originally proposed the shots in the infirmary, but the students clamored to have them administered in the classroom, so they wouldn't lose a precious minute away from their books.

This week: Mexico's drug war blogs, Saint Petersburg's killer icicles and China's fake French wines
08/01/2011 - THE OBSERVERS

This week: Mexico's drug war blogs, Saint Petersburg's killer icicles and China's fake French wines

Our first Observer this week is in Mexico, where she blogs about the drug war violence journalists no longer dare cover. Our second Observer tells us of an unexpected winter danger in Saint Petersburg: giant falling icicles. And our last Observer tells us why the Chinese love fake French wine.
Best of the Observers show in 2010
01/01/2011 - THE OBSERVERS

Best of the Observers show in 2010

A selection of our best Observer videos and contributions in 2010.
Cuba's 'Balseros', riots in Sidi Bouzid and rope jumping off Russian buildings
25/12/2010 - THE OBSERVERS

Cuba's 'Balseros', riots in Sidi Bouzid and rope jumping off Russian buildings

This week our first Observer tell us how the public suicide attempt of a young street vendor in Sidi Bouzid inflamed Tunisians. Our second describes the desperate journey illegal Cuban migrants undertake to reach US soil. Finally, third Observer tells us about "rope jumping", a new adrenaline rush for Russian youths.
Spread of cholera in Haiti, fight of the Napa Nui in Easter Island and cold winter in Siberia
18/12/2010 - THE OBSERVERS

Spread of cholera in Haiti, fight of the Napa Nui in Easter Island and cold winter in Siberia

Derek Thomson presents a news show produced exclusively from content provided by amateurs. Photos, videos and personal accounts from our network of Observers around the world - all checked by our staff in Paris. First run Saturdays at 8:10 am Paris time.
Flooding in Venezuela, Cambridge's peaceful student protest, and Egyptians tattoo their faith
11/12/2010 - THE OBSERVERS

Flooding in Venezuela, Cambridge's peaceful student protest, and Egyptians tattoo their faith

Derek Thomson presents a news show produced exclusively from content provided by amateurs. Photos, videos and personal accounts from our network of Observers around the world - all checked by our staff in Paris. First run Saturdays at 8:10 am Paris time.

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