Stories about Media & Journalism from September, 2012
Thailand’s Lese Majeste Law: ‘A Strange Legislation that Needs Reform’
Article 112 of Thailand’s criminal code is often described as the world’s harshest Lese Majeste (anti-royal insult) law. The controversial law is often invoked to censor web content and shut down websites. A contributor of Global Voices went to Bangkok and interviewed a former staff of the Committee to Investigate Lese Majeste Cases in the Royal Thai Police.
Mexico: #YoSoy132 Tackles Media Democratization
The Mexican youth movement #YoSoy132 has presented a document on media democratization. Marco Antonio Gómez Lovera in the blog Vivir México [es] outlines and analyses the group's proposals.
Macedonia: Activist's Trial to Continue in November
On his Facebook page, activist Žarko Trajanoski wrote [mk] about the latest session of his trial (started in 2010): ‘The Process’ continued – the accused presented his defense in absence of ‘the brave’ plaintiff, whose attorney said he did not know his whereabouts. The Court was allegedly informed that he...
Japan: Film Festival to Celebrate Peace Day
On Peace Day, 21 September, the UNITED FOR PEACE FILM FESTIVAL 2012 will be held in Yokohama, Japan. Students from around the globe have entered five minute videos – watch some now.
Japan: Fukushima Nuclear Cleanup Worker Dangers Revealed
A citizen media news video has revealed the dangerous conditions that cleanup workers in Japan's Fukushima nuclear power plant are finding themselves in. The plant was damaged by last year's devastating earthquake and tsunami.
Trinidad & Tobago: Not “Moving On” from Section 34
The Attorney General of Trinidad and Tobago advised earlier this week that the country should “move on” from the Section 34 debacle; contrary to his request, thousands of citizens marched against the betrayal of trust and bloggers are refusing to let the issue go.
Tunisia: In Defense (sort of) of French Weekly on the Muhammad Cartoons
As the French ministry of foreign affairs decided to temporary shut down 20 embassies [fr] after the publication of Muhammad Cartoons by French weekly Charlie Hebdo, Linda Doufari in Nawaat takes a nuanced defense [fr] of the magazine. Doufari argues that although the decision is on par with the low level quality of...
Dominican Republic: The Crime of Being a Rocker
The murder of José Carlos Hernández (Chiva), a 23-year-old Dominican rock musician, has been one of the the country's most spine-chilling crimes in the past few years. While the traditional media spread stereotypes regarding the incident, netizens took to social media networks to debate the various taboos and prejudices that still dominate public discourse.
Philippines: ‘Anti-Cybercrime Law Threatens Media Freedom’
The Philippines has recently passed an anti-cybercrime law which aims to protect the security and rights of internet users. But journalists and bloggers fear that the new law could lead to the curtailment of internet and media freedom in the country.
Armenia: Homophobic Editor On Air
Unzipped: Gay Armenia says that it is glad the pro-opposition A1+ TV, a station deprived of its broadcasting frequency in 2002, now has a program aired on another channel. However, the blog also notes that it is disappointed to see that a homophobic newspaper editor is involved in its production.
Trinidad & Tobago: Sinking Ship?
After the debacle of Section 34, diaspora blogger Jumbie's Watch says that it's time to call a new election.
Argentina: Online News Sites Embrace Social Media
The Argentine Journalism Forum (FOPEA [es] for its initials in Spanish) presented the results of a survey of more than 70 online news editors in Argentina. Some of the survey's conclusions [es] refer to the use of social networks: 94% of online media editors think that social networks favor journalistic...
Bangladesh: Draft Online Media Policy Draws Criticism
There are almost 200 online newspapers in Bangladesh but no specific regulations exist for them. The government of Bangladesh has taken steps to administer them by preparing draft regulations, but netizens have expressed concerns already.
South Korea: Golden Lion Winner ‘Pieta’ Reveals Society's Dark Side
The Golden Lion award-winning Korean film 'Pieta', which is also South Korea's submission for the 2012 Academy Awards (in the foreign-language film category) has sparked social media buzz and ignited various public discussions in the Korean blogosphere this week.
Russia: Reading Genius into Putin's Blunders
One of the more striking things about Vladimir Putin, aside from his affinity for displays of machismo, is the degree of nuanced multidimensional-chess-like strategic planning attributed to him and his team by both opponents and supporters.
Ethiopia: Remembering Jailed Dissident Blogger Eskinder Nega
On 13 July, 2012, Ethiopia's federal court sentenced a prominent Ethiopian blogger Eskinder Nega and 23 other opposition activists to 18 years in jail for allegedly participating in terrorist activities. 14 September, 2012 marks the first anniversary of his arrest. The Ethiopian online community remembers him on Facebook.
Ukraine: “Ashes of Freedom of Speech”
A few hundred people gathered at Kyiv's Independence Square on Sept. 16 to honor the memory of Georgiy Gongadze, a Ukrainian journalist who disappeared on this day 12 years ago, and of more than 60 other journalists who lost their lives in the years since Ukraine gained independence in 1991.
India: Subscribe and Get a Harley-Davidson
It’s raining gifts in the Bengali newspaper wars. And gone is the age of fress flasks, timepieces and tee-shirts to woo subscribers. Sans Serif reports.
Is Tanzania's Peaceful Reputation in Danger?
Tanzania has experienced several crises since the October 2010 general elections. The most recent case is the violent death of Tanzania journalist Daudi Mwangosi, who was killed by a tear gas cannister in Iringa, Southern Tanzania, whilst police tried to disperse a group of opposition party supporters.
Macedonia: Human Rights Activist Trajanoski on Trial
Today, at 13:00 CET, the Basic Court Skopje 1 will hold the main session of the trial against human rights activist Zarko Trajanoski, charged with defamation of Milenko Nedelkovski, a pro-government talk show host. Trajanoski is on trial [mk] for using the term “media charlatan” in a statement on the...
