Stories about Media & Journalism from October, 2013
Radio Licences in Zambia Cancelled Because of Opposition's Access
Zambia's President Michael Sata has publicly lambasted former Information and Broadcasting Permanent Secretary Emmanuel Mwamba for issuing national broadcasting licences to two private radio stations and non-Christian radio stations.
Egypt: Urban Constitution Document
As the “50 member-committee” meets to amend Egypt's constitution, some civil society organizations and urban activists participated in producing what they called the “urban constitution document” [Ar]: We present this document to “50 member-committee” as a comprehensive suggestion for articles we see important in being added to the constitution. What's...
Russia's Demagogues Just Can't Get Along
Nationalist MP Vladimir Zhirinovsky ranted about natives of the North Caucasus on the popular debate show “The Duel” - Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov took offence.
Egypt: Lawsuits Greet Bassem Youssef's Long-Awaited Al Bernameg
How ready is Egypt for Bassem Youssef's latest round of satire? Netizens react to the first episode of El Bernameg (The Programme), which was greeted with lawsuits.
Journalists Fear Japan's Proposed Secret Information Protection Act
The cabinet of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe approved a bill [ja] on October 25, 2013 to impose tougher penalties on civil servants, lawmakers and others who leak national secrets and harm national security. The so-called Secret Information Protection Act has been unpopular among Japanese press, human rights advocates, and citizens...
High Voter Turnout Reframes Trinidad Election Story
First reports indicated low voter turnout for Local Government Elections, but the reality was the total opposite, confirming some netizens' suspicions that the electorate is anything but apathetic.
The Guardian's (Mis)guide To Japanese Sex Trends
"Japan's under-40s appear to be losing interest in conventional relationships," said The Guardian. "Millions aren't...dating, and increasing numbers can't be bothered with sex." Not so fast, said Japanese netizens.
Future Places: Digital Media Tools for Citizenship
Future Places, a former digital media festival that is turning into a “media lab for citizenship” for its sixth edition, will take place in Porto, Portugal, from October 28 to November 2, 2013. “A festival without an audience, where everyone who is present participates and discovers in real time ways of collaborating”,...
Chinese Newspaper Defies Censors, Publishes Front-Page Call for Journalist's Release
Reporter Chen Yongzhou was detained by police after the publication of his numerous investigative reports on the business practices of a large Chinese construction company.
Macedonia Imprisons Investigative Journalist For Reporting On Local Murder
Journalists and watchdog organizations are outraged by the sentencing of Macedonian journalist Tomislav Kezarovski to four and a half years in prison for an article he wrote.
In Wake of Suicide Bombing Russians Question Their Security
An explosion aboard a Volgograd (formerly Stalingrad) commuter bus caused a stir in Russia’s blogosphere on Monday.
Opposition Wins Trinidad's Local Government Elections, but Everybody Celebrates
The opposition People's National Movement has won Trinidad's Local Government Elections - but that hasn't stopped the other political parties from claiming some measure of victory. Netizens, meanwhile, are incredulous.
CCTV News Tweets About Zhou Yongkang Corruption Case
China Watch Twitters spotted a news tweets which was quickly deleted about the government's investigation on Zhou Yongkang's corruption case. Is it a rumor? Or a glimpse of the truth? Beijing cream put a spotlight on the discussion.
Trinidad & Tobago: Giving the Government the Finger?
Today, Trinidadians voted in the country's Local Government Elections; Facebook was full of photos of citizens' ink-stained fingers. The question remains: have their votes sent a message to the government?
Fake Beating Stunt on Serbian TV Draws Criticism from Journalists
The phony beating of a journalist appearing on Serbian sports TV network SOS Channel was meant to "raise awareness" of Serbia's football-related issues, according to the channel.
No Man's Land: Kidnapping Journalists Worsens in Syria
Activists are campaigning for the release of Syrian media activist Rami Al Razzouk, 25, who was kidnapped on October 1 after negotiations with his kidnappers reached a deadlock.
Nine Signs the Journalism on Africa You’ve Just Encountered is Trash
Imran Garda identifies nine signs of trash journalism on Africa: You may already have accepted that those images of swollen potbellies underneath protruding ribs, those sticky flies sitting on the starving child’s eyebrows and lips, those panoramic views of refugee camps are not the be-all and end-all of Africa. Or...
Japan: OpenStreetMap Aggregates Typhoon Info
OpenStreetMap users volunteered their time to create a crisis map of Izu Oshima island [ja], a small island to the south of Tokyo where more than a dozen of people were killed by mudslides triggered by this week's deadly Typhoon Wipha. The red dots on the map represent reports submitted by users, which give...
Arbitrary TV License Decision Undermines Hong Kong Freedom of Speech
Hong Kong people believe that the government screened out a new free-to-air Television competitor due to political reasons.
China's Agenda in the World Media Summit
David Bandurski from China Media project reported on the World Media Summit which took place in Beijing between October 8-10. To sum up, the World Media Summit, this ostensible back-slapping affair offering an opportunity for media leaders to talk media strategy, is fundamentally about China projecting its influence over global...
Portugal: A Digital Narrative Around Food, Crisis and Territory
The historical Mouraria neighborhood in Lisbon, Portugal, can now be explored in a ground breaking web documentary, Mundo Mouraria. In a true digital narrative form, the documentary makes a map available to help visitors wander the streets, sounds and flavors of Mouraria while getting to know the stories of six local dwellers. Its synopsis reads: Here...
