I am a Venezuelan researcher in languages and literature, as well as a Translator and writer/editor living the savage urban life of Caracas. I blog at Sacando la Lengua [es] about languages, literature and cultural interaction. I'm happy to be also a volunteer translator for Lingua (Global Voices in Spanish). I deeply believe in the uniqueness and importance of every culture and in the study of them as a mirror to our own.
Latest posts by Laura Vidal
Venezuelans see the politics of humanitarian aid play out in online attacks
A unique and technically sophisticated attack this week targeted VoluntariosxVenezuela, an opposition-aligned humanitarian aid website.
Reports of internet blocks and media censorship as power struggle tensions escalate in Venezuela
Internet access is being blocked intermittently and radio stations are being censored as Venezuela's political crisis intensifies.
Venezuela's crisis of political legitimacy has rocked Wikipedia — and might have led to its blocking
Venezuelan Wikipedians are at war over a question rattling the country: Who has legitimate claim to the presidency?
No paper, no electricity, no news: Information controls keep coming in Venezuela
With news and porn sites being blocked, Venezuela's government intensifies its control over mainstream and social media while painting a grim landscape for freedom of speech and access of information.
Censored, But Not Backing Down: Cuban News Site Staff Say They Won't Change Their Editorial Line
Online news magazine "El Estornudo" has been blocked inside Cuba and its editor writes an open letter that can be read in other media outlets inside the island.
In Venezuela, Activists Document Protests and Share Protection Tactics
"Human rights violations don't have a time limit...Record for the future, when there will be democracy."
Alleged Attacks on Online Media Follow the Tragic Death by Fire of Young Women in Guatemala
A local media outlet that published testimonies of some of the victims of the shelter fire suffered a DDoS attack.
Free Expression is Under Fire as Venezuela Takes CNN Spanish Off Air
CNN broadcasts will now be freely available on YouTube. But how much impact will this have in the country with one of the slowest Internet connections in the region?
Detention of News Site Director Raises Concerns for Venezuela's Freedom of Speech
Lawyer and journalist Braulio Jatar was arrested and accused of money laundering, but netizens and journalists believe his reporting on protests against president Nicolas Maduro was the real reason.
Venezuela: Concerns About Controls on the Internet
Debate is heating up in Venezuela after decrees and statements from President Hugo Chávez, who questioned how the Internet is being used in the country. Many are interpreting these statements and policy proposals that the government wants control the Internet in Venezuela.
NGOs: Defending the voices
At the end of our first day of open work, GV founder Rebecca MacKinnon put an important idea on the table: censorship is not only a political or technological problem; it is also a social problem. Thus, it is important to encourage bloggers to resist; to keep blogging. In this last task, the NGOs are one of the most valuable resources for bloggers who need help to keep blogging actively for their causes. The main question for the session was how NGOs can help more effectively.
