· May, 2011

Stories about Media & Journalism from May, 2011

Bolivia: New Ministry of Comunications Raises Doubts

  25 May 2011

Rodrigo Reque Mejía, owner of the blog Puro Papo [es], compares the Bolivian government's newly created Ministry of Communications with the fictitious Ministry of Truth in Geroge Orwell's 1984 novel. His concerns have to do with potential Internet censorshio, among others.

Chile: Should State TV Play Hidroaysen Ads?

  25 May 2011

Luis Cuello in El Quinto Poder, describes how [es] Television Nacional de Chile, the State's television channel, played the latest of ads by Hidroaisen campaign during the night news (prime time in Chile).  He asks readers whether this is the right approach, considering that thousands have repeatedly protested in past weeks...

Trinidad & Tobago: Gay Rights

  24 May 2011

gspottt thinks that “it’s impressive that the Ministry is interested in attitudes to homosexuality; and notable that the poll [about equal rights for homosexuals] was commissioned by the last government”, but maintains that “it’s a matter of how you ask the question.” Photos and video of Trinidad and Tobago's first...

Russia: Medvedev and Press Freedom

Vadim Nikitin of Foreign Policy Association's Russia blog writes that while the Russian President Dmitry Medvedev “had no problems embracing iPad and Twitter,” he “seems to be a late adopter when it comes to good old fashioned press freedom.”

Barbados: Code of Ethics for Elected Officials

  23 May 2011

The irony of the acting Prime Minister “ha[ving] the audacity to lecture the Barbados news media on ethics and the purpose of journalism” in the absence of a “code of ethics for elected and appointed government officials” is not lost on Barbados Free Press.

Puerto Rico: New digital magzine

  22 May 2011

Students, activists, journalists and bloggers have launched the digital magazine El Punto [es] to foster a transnational conversation between Puerto Ricans living on the Island and those who belong to the diaspora in the United States.

Korea: Is North Korea Behind Every Unsolved Cyber Attack?

  22 May 2011

A slew of fearsome reports on the North Korea's cyber attack capability recently came out in South Korea, and even on Fox News this week. The South Korean government concluded North Korea was behind the latest attack. But South Korean Tweeters have made sarcastic jokes about the government's poor analysis and its knee-jerk reaction of blaming North Korea for every unsolved case.

France: French Women Bloggers on the DSK Scandal

  21 May 2011

French feminists bloggers and women bloggers writing on women's issues, have gained a larger audience and a new respect in France in the aftermath of the Domininique Strauss-Kahn scandal. Meet a few French feminist bloggers laboring online against prejudices and the French perception of sexual harassment and crimes.

Australia: Journalist Arrest Over Facebook Photo

  20 May 2011

Australian journalist arrested and iPad seized! No it’s not Julian Assange. But Ben Grubb’s brief encounter with Queensland authorities raised several serious cyber issues including social media privacy and security, police powers of arrest and confiscation of digital devices, plus journalists’ rights.

North Korea: Has Idolization of Kim Jong-Un Failed?

  20 May 2011

Whilst North Korean regime tries hard to apotheosize Kim Jong-un, report came out today claiming that most ordinary North Korean has no interest to the heir. The Free Radio for North Korea which founded and runs by defectors revealed [ko] that most low-level soldiers are unaware of the new dictator,...

Social media usage in Cambodia

  19 May 2011

Journalism students from Phnom Penh upload a video which discuss social media usage in Cambodia, including the threat to block websites which are critical to the government.

Trinidad & Tobago: Dangerous Dogs & the Bigger Picture

  17 May 2011

Globewriter posts an interview he did with the President of the T&T Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Against the backdrop of a recent spate of dog attacks, they discuss the existing law as it pertains to dangerous dogs, as well as responsible pet ownership, animal welfare and...

Trinidad & Tobago: Manning Suspended

  17 May 2011

Trinidad and Tobago News Blog reports that former Prime Minister Manning has been suspended from the House of Representatives, having been found guilty of contempt of Parliament.

Trinidad & Tobago: New Politics?

  16 May 2011

“The PP government is establishing a ‘new normal’ insofar as ethics and acceptable standards of behaviour in public office are concerned”: Despite the mixed signals, Afra Raymond welcomes the new direction.