Stories about Media & Journalism from June, 2012
Trinidad and Tobago: Security Minister or Action Figure?
Instead of taking on Trinidad and Tobago's many serious crime problems, the newly appointed Minister of National Security's first official action was to request an army contingent to demolish a protesters camp blocking the construction of a new highway. His move has inspired a tongue-in-cheek reaction from bloggers.
Cuba: Clicking Towards the Future
Havana's recently concluded Festival Clic, which was designed to discuss Internet and Society in Cuba, has got several bloggers talking about technology and the role it can play in the country's future.
Colombia: When the Dead Belong to the Upper-Class
At Hoja Blanca, Lucas Urdaneta refers to the so-called Colmenares Case (the murder of a student of the University of the Andes which has received a lot of media coverage...
Korean ‘Comfort Women’ Photo Exhibit Sabotaged in Japan
A South Korean photographer explains his ordeal in holding an exhibition in Japan that documents aging 'Comfort Women', the term used for Koreans drafted as sex slaves by the Japanese during World War II. Many South Koreans and fans of the photographer online, accused Japanese extremist right-wing groups of refusing to admit their war crimes and attempting to sabotage the art exhibition.
Paraguay: Reporters Without Borders Concerned About Public Media
Reporters Without Borders has published a statement saying that their organization, “has every right to be alarmed, as the country’s democracy seems to have been shaken and undermined”, after Fernando...
Trinidad & Tobago: The Real Political Losers
Bloggers continue their discussion about the government's recent Cabinet reshuffle, suggesting that the real losers in the equation are the people of Trinidad and Tobago.
Singapore: Online Portal Found Posting False Information
Singapore Press Holding's citizen journalism portal STOMP has found itself in an embarrassing position after it was discovered that a content producer had posed as an anonymous member of the public to submit false news to the site. Here are netizen reactions
China: Reporter Resigns for Dirty Joke About Female Astronaut
Female astronaut Liu Yang has come to represent the recent launch of the Shenzhou 9 spacecraft, a space mission for the manifestation of China's national glory. Prior to this, a decision by Southern People Weekly reporter Cao Linhua to crack dirty jokes about Liu and her fellow astronauts using China's largest social media platform, Weibo Sina, has resulted in his resignation.
Russia: The War Over World War II
Last Friday, NTV broadcast a controversial film titled, "I Serve the Soviet Union," a film about political prisoners fighting the Nazis only to be murdered by Soviet secret police. The screening lead to a scandal that involved patriotic bloggers, the Minister of Culture, and others. Kevin Rothrock reports.
South Korea: Broadcasters’ Battle for Fair Journalism Continues
In South Korea, an indefinite strike by broadcasters has continued for almost five months in the nation's largest TV network, MBC. Journalists and producers are urging the company president to step down, accusing him of incapacitating investigative new programs that criticize the government by firing or reprimanding reporters and producers.
Trinidad & Tobago: Bloggers Discuss Warner & Cabinet Reshuffle
The Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago has been alluding to some major changes in government ministers' portfolios for some time now; last night, details of her Cabinet reshuffle finally came. Netizens have been sharing their thoughts on their blogs as well as on Twitter and Facebook: the most heated discussion appeared to be over the new appointment to former FIFA Vice-President Austin “Jack” Warner as Minister of National Security.
Hong Kong: Leading English Newspaper Turns Red?
A series of recently leaked email exchanges between the chief editor and sub-editor of a leading English newspaper in Hong Kong, regarding the coverage of mainland Chinese political activist Li Wangyang's staged suicide, has highlighted a deteriorating state of press freedom.
Tajikistan: Dushanbe Zoo, from Different Angles
If you ever happen to travel to Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan, you might think twice before visiting the city's underfunded zoo. Matthew Askaripour, an American student, posted on Twitter a...
Sudan: Netizens Verify Internet Blackout Rumours
Netizens are watching Sudan closely, following rumours that the Sudanese authorities intend to cut off the Internet - a chilling reminder of Egypt's attempt to silence activists and contain the January 25 revolution when it pulled the plug off the www on January 27.
Sharing Photos of the Afghanistan You Never See
Most media covering developments in Afghanistan carry terrifying images. Through their lens, Afghanistan is presented as a country drowning in the waves of violence and militancy. A number of photographers help people to see the war-torn but beautiful country from a different perspective.
Pakistan: Video Leak Sends Shock Waves Across The Country
A leaked video showing popular anchorpersons Mehar Bokhari and Mubashar Lucman involved in a set-up interview has sent shock waves across the Pakistani media industry and the citizens, triggering a debate on the credibility of the journalists.
Journeys Through Latin America
Thanks to a collective of bloggers who are traveling through Latin America, readers from all over the world can get a glimpse of the many facets of this vast region. Here's a summary of the route so far.
Kyrgyzstan: Cartoons Expose Ills of Patriarchal Society
The Kyrgyzstani art group ‘705’ [ru] has produced a number of hand-drawn animation films [ru] that criticize the conventions and norms of a patriarchal society. Domestic violence and the oppression...
Trinidad & Tobago: Speaking Out Against Sexual Abuse
The case of a 12-year old girl, who recently gave birth to her stepfather's child in Guyana, gets Outlish talking about feminism, education and the everyday reality of women in the Caribbean, while journalist and blogger Lisa Allen-Agostini says it is time to speak out about child sexual abuse.
Trinidad & Tobago: Problems for People's Partnership
Much of the political discourse in the Trinidad and Tobago blogosphere of late has been about the shortcomings of the People's Partnership Government. It was no secret that there was dissension within the party ranks, but yesterday's news that the Movement for Social Justice has officially pulled out of the Partnership Government has got a few bloggers talking about possible repercussions.
Russia: Interview with Jesse Heath of The Russia Monitor
As an American lawyer and Anglophone blogger writing about Russia, Jesse Heath's work is distinct for its detailed focus on technical aspects of Russian law, economics, and politics. Kevin Rothrock recently spoke with Heath by telephone, to learn more about his history as a blogger and his contributions to the RuNet.
