· December, 2009

Stories about Media & Journalism from December, 2009

Russia: Yegor Gaidar, Russia's Economic Reformer, Dies at 53

RuNet Echo

Yegor Gaidar, a Russian economist and politician who initiated the 1992 "shock therapy" reforms, died in Moscow on Dec. 16 at the age of 53. Russian bloggers' responses serve as a vivid reflection of how divided people still are on Gaidar's legacy and on the direction the country has taken since the demise of the Soviet Union.

19 December 2009

Japan: Peace picture books

The pacifist association called Peace Picture Books [ja, en] published online their last story titled Evil & Punishment: psychology of punishment [en]. On the same website it`s possible to read...

19 December 2009

Uganda: Can the media force a country to mourn?

Can the media force a country to mourn? This it the main question that the Ugandan journalist and blogger, Rosebell Kagumire, raised in a lively conversation that took place on her blog and Facebook page following local media coverage of the death of Uganda's Vice President Prof. Gilbert Bukenya’s son.

18 December 2009

Ecuador: Debates Over New Communication Law

In Ecuador, there is an ongoing debate about a proposed Communication Law, which would require practicing journalists to hold degrees, require journalists to reveal sources, and other changes. Opponents are calling this a new 'Gag Law.'

18 December 2009

Bermuda: Of Crime & Injunctions

As the spate of violence continues in Bermuda, bloggers are further troubled by news of the government taking out an injunction against a newspaper, allegedly to prevent the publication of...

17 December 2009

Jamaica: The Good and the Bad

The good and the bad: The Phoenix in a Gas House reports that dancehall artist Buju Banton has been officially indicted for cocaine possession, while Letter From Jamaica is pleased...

17 December 2009

Yaoi in the Philippines

The View from the Fence blogs about the popularity of Yaoi, “female-oriented fictional media that focus on homoerotic or homoromantic male relationships,” among the Filipino youth.

17 December 2009

Russia: Two Stories of Space Blogging

RuNet Echo

Blogging from and about space gains popularity and recognition among professional space travelers and regular bloggers. Russia is no exception. While the latest fashion for NASA astronauts is space twittering...

16 December 2009

Cuba, U.S.A.: American Arrested in Havana

The Cuban Triangle comments on press reports that “an American citizen working on a USAID contract was arrested in Cuba” for allegedly “distributing ‘cell phones, laptops, and other communications equipment’.”

15 December 2009

Twitter in Japan

Fumi Yamazaki tells her readers how Twitter is quickly increasing its presence in Japan nowadays.

15 December 2009

Caribbean: New Media & Celebrity Fascination

The fascination with celebrities has always been at a fever pitch, but in the current age of new media and consumer-generated content, it’s at an all-time high. While Caribbean bloggers do not tend to overly focus on gossip, they often tune in on the current story at hand.

14 December 2009

Tunisia: Student Jailed for Media Interview

Tunisian activists have started a Facebook group and a blog in support of Mohamed Soudani, 24, who disappeared on October 22, 2009, in Tunisia, after giving interviews to Radio Monte Carlo International and Radio France International. Friends have since learned he was detained and tortured.

14 December 2009

India: Being selective about feedback

Cartoonist Anshul Maheshwari at Brainstuck.com takes a good-humored dig at the possibilities of selective perception when collecting data or feedback through crowdsourcing.

14 December 2009