Stories about Media & Journalism from September, 2009
Harvard Forum: Are we satisfied with what we've got?
The live-blogging continues, as Michael Spence helps identify questions that are top research priorities for the ICT for development field with input from Yochai Benkler, Rohan Samarajiva, Hernan Galperin, Alison Gillwald, and Bill Melody.
Ukraine: Media on Ukraine-Russia Relations
Foreign Notes and Window on Eurasia review some of the coverage of the Ukraine-Russia-U.S.-Europe relations that have appeared in Ukrainian newspapers.
Ukraine, Russia: “Operation Barbierossa”
Ukrainiana reviews “two fact-meets-fantasy scenarios [of the beginning of a Russo-Ukrainian war] outlined in a Russian television program.”
Update from the Harvard Forum on ICT4D
Ethan Zuckerman and Jen Brea from Global Voices are live-blogging a conversation today and tomorrow at Harvard on the future of information and communication technology and development (ICT4D) hosted by Canada's International Development Research Center and Harvard's Berkman Center for Internet & Society.
Seychelles: New lease of life for Seychelles Media Association
Seychelles Digital reports that the Seychelles Media Association (SMA) has been given a new lease of life.
Cameroon: Dibussi Tande at the forefront of African blogging
Francis Nyamjoh writes about the Cameroonian blogger, Dibussi Tande: “Dibussi Tande established JimbiMedia in 2004 with the primary objective of using affordable blogging technology to give a solid online presence to powerful African voices – creative people, trendsetters, academics, journalists, etc.”
Barbados: journalist's “confession”
Barbados Free Press reacts to a newspaper journalist's “confession” that he posted anonymous comments on several Barbadian blogs — starting a discussion about “the limits of anonymous blogging.”
USA: Eid Postage Stamp Provokes Hate in Tennessee
A chain e-mail that falsely claims President Obama has issued a new postage stamp commemorating the Muslim holiday Eid al-Fitr has even reached a Tennessee mayor who forwarded it to employees encouraging them to boycott the stamp.
Bangladesh: To Save The Rivers Of Dhaka
An Ordinary citizen highlights the crusade of some local media to save the rivers of Dhaka from pollution.
Kazakhstan: Propaganda Allergies
As megakhuimyak described it, last week in Kazakhstan “the senility grew ever stronger.” The country is astir over the president’s former son-in-law, Rakhat Aliev, now émigré enemy of the state # 1. People’s fear of the once-omnipotent oligarch and secret service official has turned into fear of being associated with...
Uganda: Family statement of the abduction of journalist
Buganda Post publishes a statement about the abduction of Ugandan journalist: “The Serumaga family has published a statement which describes in detail the events surrounding the abduction, torture and medical mistreatment of popular Muganda journalist, Kalundi Serumaga, by Uganda’s NRM government from September 11 through 15, 2009″
Trinidad and Tobago: “appalling reporting”
The Liming House responds to a news report in the Trinidad Guardian newspaper suggesting that Trinidad and Tobago has a dangerously high rate of alcohol abuse. “There is no evidence in this story of either fact checking or even the most cursory editing.”
China: Pretending to be a reporter
ESWN translated the Retrial of Wu Baoquan, a netizen sentenced to 2 year imprisonment for exposing a land dispute in Ordos city under the charge of libel. On 16 of September, the verdict of the retrial was released, apart from libel, the court introduced the new element of “pretending to...
Singapore: Independent press needed
Trapper's Swamp deplores the state of media in Singapore and renews the call for a strong and independent press.
Bhutan: Drug Abuse – Sign Of Changing Times
Dipika wonders why there is a boom in newspaper reports about drugs in Bhutan. “A change in attitude, perhaps, on how we look at drug abuse, or rather, how the young generation looks at drug abuse,” comments the blogger.
Costa Rica: Media Portrayal of African Immigrants
Alejandro Vargas Johannson criticizes the Costa Rican media for the manner in which they portrayed African immigrants that recently arrived by boat as criminal delinquents, and not as victims [es].
Morocco: A Dangerous Flu
At least five Moroccan independent journalists will appear before a judge later this month in Rabat, after having published articles challenging the official announcement about King Mohammed VI's health. It is believed the monarch has contracted "a viral, benign disease." Bloggers have been debating this issue, mostly denouncing the attacks on journalists.
Fiji: Bloggers debate Amnesty International findings
Bloggers in Fiji and around the Pacific are debating a recent Amnesty International report chronicling the island nation’s human rights record since the country’s president abrogated the constitution April 10
Hong Kong: TVB's beaten journalists and brave new voice
The strong condemnation delivered by Cantonese-language channel TVB Jade of the way its journalists were treated in Xinjiang spurred certain criticism and ridicule online, and the antagonistic stance taken towards the mainland Chinese authorities in recent days struck some as such a shift in character as to seem hypocritical.
India: The Web Meets The Road In The Great Driving Challenge
An automobile company in India recently held a promotional/marketing event named ‘The Great Driving Challenge‘, in which social media was used innovatively both to create buzz as well as to decide the final winner. Contestants shared their travel experiences through blog posts, photos, videos etc.
Sri Lanka: The State Of Freedom Of Expression
Going Global comments on the state of freedom of expression in Sri Lanka: “Freedom of expression is largely seen as an unaffordable luxury by most of the intellectual crowd in Sri Lanka right now. Journalists are pretty much a oppressed group of people and now bloggers are slowly beginning to...
