Stories about Media & Journalism from August, 2009
Brazil: On the meaning of “Minorities with a majority complex”
A catchphrase uttered by Senator Renan Calheiros in an argument with another senator reinforces the presumption of a long-standing rivalry between São Paulo and the rest of Brazil.
Ecuador: Continuing to Face the H1N1 Virus
With the number of deaths due to the H1N1 virus across the region reaching 1300, Ecuadorians provide their opinions on how the media is informing citizens, as well as a blogger's brush with the virus.
Caribbean: “Gold Rush” in Berlin
If there was doubt in anyone's mind that Jamaica can lay claim to having the fastest man in the world, Usain Bolt's 19:19 win in the 200m final must have removed any skepticism. Once again, regional bloggers celebrate with their Jamaican counterparts.
Puerto Rico: Public News Channel Dismantled
The newsroom of Puerto Rico's only public channel was practically dismantled recently, allegedly due to budget cuts. The Puerto Rican blogosphere has been loaded with comments.
Haiti: A Dissident is Here
“Government authorities in Haiti face recent criticism over allegations that they continue to jail political dissidents”: Wadner Pierre says that calls are mounting for the release of Ronald Dauphin, who was an activist with the Fanmi Lavalas movement of former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide.
Peru: Proposal Shortens Time for Media to Correct Inexact Information
The Peruvian Congress has begun to debate a bill that shortens the time for “inexact information” to be corrected by the media. Many journalists and bloggers are wondering who will decide what that term means.
Russia: Xenia Larina on RFE/RL
Anatoly Karlin of Sublime Oblivion translates LJ user xlarina‘s post (RUS) about “her husband’s unpleasant experiences” with Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.
Barbados: BICO Fire
Barbadian bloggers are concerned about a factory fire, both from economic and safety standpoints.
Barbados, Jamaica: Eye of the Tiger
Barbadian diaspora blogger Jdid has a message for the mainstream sports media: “I'm sorry Sports Illustrated and ESPN but the biggest story this weekend was Bolt's 9.58 seconds not Tiger losing some golf tournament.”
South Africa: Connect with Highway Africa
Connect with Highway Africa on social media networks. Highway Africa is the world’s largest gathering of African journalists in South Africa discussing journalism and new media: “With only three weeks before all these exciting conversations take place in Grahamstown, we would like to encourage you to connect online with other...
Zambia: Aren't existing media laws enough?
“Aren't existing Zambian media laws enough?,” asks Zambian blogger Gershom Ndhlovu: “It is difficult to understand on what basis the government wants to enact a law to regulate the media.”
Zimbabwe: Media Commission Update
An update from Sokwanele regarding Media Commission in Zimbabwe: In terms of the Constitution the President must make all key appointments in consultation with the Prime Minister…It is hoped that the matter will be concluded expeditiously without further objections and obstacles, as there can be no registration of new media...
South Africa: Register for Digital Citizen Indaba 4.0
You can register for the annual Digital Citizen Indaba taking place next month in South Africa: “It is now possible to register for DCI 4.0 from the Highway Africa website as DCI is a Highway Africa project.”
Hong Kong: Media credibility score
ESWN blogs the media credibility score survey conducted by by Clement Y.K. So of the School of Journalism and Communication, Chinese University of Hong Kong.
Ghana: Locally fabricated radio station
Erik writes about a locally fabricated radio station in Accra, Ghana. The radio runs at 101.7 FM.
Montserrat, Dominica: Habitat Hope
Repeating Islands links to a report which suggests there is hope for Dominica and Montserrat's mountain chickens “after the spread of the deadly chytrid fungus throughout its habitat…”
China: Why have they taken citizen Xu Zhiyong?
Uln looks into the Xinhua article for the official explanation for the arrest of citizen rights lawyer Xu Zhiyong.
Armenia: Newspaper promotes homophobia and hate crimes
In an extended post, Unzipped: Gay Armenia reacts in horror to an article published by one local newspaper which not only displays its own homophobia, but also appears to advocate hate crimes — including murder — against gays in the country.
Georgia, Russia: More on DDOS Attacks
More on the recent DDOS attacks – by Evgeny Morozov of Foreign Policy's Net.Effect – here and here.
Brazil: Newspaper tries to silence a blog and the blogosphere reacts
Roberto Moraes [pt] publishes a list of bloggers who have written in solidarity with his blog, after a lawsuit was filled by Folha da Manhã newspaper [pt]. The blogger asks: “Is a media organization that tries to silence other opinions reliable?”
Bhutan: Boost For The Media
Tshering Tobgay, the leader of the opposition in Bhutanese parliament and a blogger, informs about two good news for the Bhutanese journalists: 1) The King has ordered to “strengthen media agencies so that they may carry out their duties, without fear or favour, in the interest of democracy” and 2)...
