Stories about Media & Journalism from January, 2013
Macedonians Ask State News Agency to Stop Manipulations
An online initiative against media manipulations [mk] perpetrated by the state-owned Macedonian Information Agency (MIA) asks citizens to express their dissatisfaction by sending e-mails to the agency. The action was spurred by the latest example of blatant spin, when a MIA correspondent distorted U.S. diplomat Philip Reeker‘s statement about the...
Philippines: Anti-Cybercrime Law Denounced as ‘Cyber Martial Law’
More voices in the Philippines are questioning the Cybercrime Prevention Law as the oral arguments on the petitions against the law are being heard in the Supreme Court. The law was denounced by activists as a 'Cyber Martial Law' because of provisions that would limit free speech and expression in the internet sphere
South Korea's Four Rivers Project is a Train-Wreck
In South Korea, the highly controversial Four Rivers Project has finally proven to be a train-wreck. Contrary to government claims, the latest audit report finds that the project has worsened water quality and hemorrhaged an astronomical amount of taxpayer money due to defective construction.
Sri Lanka: Code of Ethics For Media
Freedom Of Expression Sri Lanka reports that the Sri Lankan government has started the process of introducing a comprehensive code of ethics, for both print and electronic media, in accordance with its overall aim to streamline the industry.
Russian Facebook of Horrors: It's a Conspiracy!
In the days immediately following Kabanov's arrest Russian netizens experienced a rare period of introspection, liberally sprinkled with conspiracy theories.
Bayaka Fighting to Save the Congo Basin Forests
The documentary Ndima (forest in Bayaka Language) depicts the struggle of the Bayaka people to protect the Congo Basin forests and preserve their way of life. An similar initiative, Mapping for Rights, strives to help forest communities in the Republic of Congo to gain legal rights to their lands via...
Petrodollars, Megalomania and Human Rights in Equatorial Guinea
President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo of Equatorial Guinea launched a charm offensive in 2011 and 2012 using his petrodollars to target the worlds of showbusiness, sport and international diplomacy. However, following his accession to chairmanship of the African Union, the civil society denounced him for his poor human rights record while the orgy of spending conducted by his son caused widespread revulsion.
Volunteers Settle Dispute Over Size of Moscow Protest?
No Russian opposition rally is truly over, it seems, until there has been an Internet flame war over the strength of its attendance. After the last protest march three groups have used independent approaches to produce a realistic headcount.
Georgia's Gay Rights Activists Protest Broadcast of Secret Sex Tapes
On January 14, 2013, the Prosecutor’s Office of Georgia announced that the previous chief of the Military Police Megis Kardava, secretly filmed videos of public figures having sex with homosexual partners. The office alleges these videotapes were used to blackmail the public figures into cooperation with President Mikheil Saakashvili's government.
Nigeria 2012: Great Challenges and Even Greater Victories
Nigeria is as large as her talents, people, hope and challenges. These are some of stories from Nigeria in 2012, a year that was a curious mix of tensions, anguish and hope for Nigeria.
Director of Films Denouncing President Sata Arrested in Zambia
Chanda Chimba III, a freelance filmmaker who made documentaries denouncing Michael Sata, while he was the opposition Patriotic Front leader and before he became the President of Zambia, has been arrested. Once reviled, the documentaries are now hits on YouTube as most of the things that Chimba predicted are now a reality.
China's Transparent Reporting on Air Pollution
Beijing's record-breaking pollution has been reported by both Chinese and international media for the past few days. What's surprising is the official media's transparency in reporting about pollution, a topic often down played by Chinese media. CHINA DIGITAL TIMES extracts examples of reporting in Chinese media from international media. TeaLeafNation analyzed why.
Russian Facebook of Horrors: From Tragedy to Humor
Humor is sometimes the only way to deal with a tragedy like the one that struck Russian Facebook over the weekend, when it turned out that Alexey Kabanov, chef and father of three, had allegedly strangled and dismembered his wife, Irina Cherska.
Haiti: Water & Cholera
Was there a simultaneous sabotage of Haiti's municipal water systems while the country was grappling with cholera? kiskeácity links to the details.
No Exit Visa: The Cuban Diaspora Speaks
After much anticipation, it has finally happened. The Cuban government has done away with the need for an exit visa - essentially state permission - to leave the country. Bloggers have been sharing their thoughts on this new development.
Interview with Szabolcs Panyi, Editor of Global Voices in Hungarian
Szabolcs Panyi, 26, is the author and editor of a popular Hungarian blog, Véleményvezér ("Opinion Leader”). He joined Global Voices in Hungarian in September 2011, and since March 2012 he has been the site's co-editor.
Togo: An Open Letter to Denounce Violence Against Journalists
On January 14, 2013, Maxime Domegni, Secretary General of the National Union of Independent Journalist of Togo (SYNJIT) and Sylvio Combey Combetey, President of the Network of African Journalists on Human Security and Peace (RAJOSEP) published [fr] a press release to denounce violence against journalists in Togo. The release details a skirmish...
Russian Facebook of Horrors: The Murder Trail
A Moscow chef, Alexey Kabanov, has allegedly strangled and dismembered his wife and mother of three small children, Irina Cherska. Kabanov and Cherska were tightly integrated into the protest-minded Russophone Facebook community.
South Korean TV Networks Shun Politically Active Actress
One of South Korea’s most outspoken actresses revealed through Twitter that two networks cancelled her booked TV appearances after a political candidate she openly supported lost the recent presidential election.
Podcast: China's Southern Weekend Incident
Sinica hosts a discussion on the recent Southern Weekend incident in China. They look at what brought on the protests, the social media response and what the incident suggests about the way China's new government will handle media relations.
Russian Internet Easily Distracted by Beavers
Amid scandal and legislative controversy the RuNet is sidetracked by quirky recipes and celebrities.
