· May, 2009

Stories about Media & Journalism from May, 2009

St. Lucia: Walcott Reactions

  14 May 2009

As St. Lucian Nobel Laureate Derek Walcott withdraws from the race for Oxford Professor of Poetry, Repeating Islands posts an update: “The nearly unanimous response…from newspaper reporters, commentators, and bloggers has been one of regret and of condemnation of the tactics that pushed him to that decision.”

Trinidad & Tobago: Seeing the Signs

  14 May 2009

“It matters not how many skyscrapers, malls, American chain restaurants or chemical plants a country has…if [it] possesses at least five or more of these signs of underdevelopment and tyranny, then it is still a third world country at the very core”: Alien in the Caribbean sees many of those...

Cuba: Human Rights Council

  14 May 2009

Havana Times reports that “Cuba has been re-elected for a second three-year period as a member of the United Nations Human Rights Council” in a move that Cuba Journal calls “a rebuff to the policies of the United States” by UN members.

Japan: Akihabara Aftermath

  13 May 2009

Almost one year after the Akihabara massacre (covered by GV here, here, and here), Fumi Yamazaki at “What's Happening in Japan Right Now?” gives a comprehensive recap[EN] of the happenings, coverage, and aftermath of the terrible tragedy.

Saudi Arabia: Thoughts from a London Trip

Saudi blogger Prometheus [Ar] is just back from the UK and shares his impressions from his visit and the people he saw there in this post. During his visit, he tells us about the books which are banned in our countries and are available in London, and the open heated debates between the media and politicians which are beamed on television screens. Read to the end to see his final conclusion.

St. Lucia: Walcott Withdraws

  13 May 2009

Repeating Islands reports that St. Lucian Nobel Laureate Derek Walcott “has withdrawn his candidacy for the post of Oxford Professor of Poetry citing a smear campaign designed to sully his reputation.”

Jamaica: Screwed?

  13 May 2009

While Life, Unscripted, on the Rock is “fully aware that everything is certainly not copacetic here in Jamaica”, she takes issue with an international mainstream media article that she describes as “a totally skewed portrayal” of the island.

Russia: Translation of Baymurat Story

Jost A Mon translates Roman Gruzov's Bolshoi Gorod text (RUS) about Baymurat, “an unlikely star” of the Russian internet, mentioned on GV back in April – here: “… a poorly dressed Tajik gastarbeiter who brilliantly performed the song ‘Jimmy Jimmy Jimmy Aaja’ from the Hindi film ‘Disco Dancer’ with such...

Trinidad & Tobago: Integrity Please

  11 May 2009

As the last remaining members of the Trinidad and Tobago Integrity Commission resign, This Beach Called Life cannot resist posting an imaginary conversation he had with the President, in which he is called upon to be the Commission's newest member.

Cuba: Swine Flu Reporting

  11 May 2009

Cuban diaspora blogger Uncommon Sense links to a story in which he learns that “the Cuban secret police was a wee bit hypersensitve last week when officers arrested Cuban photojournalist Sandra Guerra Pérez after she reported on swine flu outbreaks around the world and advised her neighbors on how they...

Barbados: More on CLICO

  11 May 2009

“The expected deal between CLICO Holdings Barbados Limited and Insurance Corporation of Barbados Limited seems to have gone off the boil”: Barbados Underground and Barbados Free Press closely follow the latest developments with the failed regional conglomerate.

Fiji: Bloggers debate media censorship

  11 May 2009

As reported here last week, Fiji’s government extended for another 30 days its “emergency regulations” that, among other things, controls public gatherings and forbids the media from printing stories that “undermine the Government and the State of Fiji.” These rules allow the Permanent Secretary of Information the ability to place censors in newsrooms, accompanied by plainclothes policeman.

Japan: Motion graphics videos

  10 May 2009

GilCrows suggests that motion graphics is drawing attention on the Japanese video sharing website Niko Niko Douga [ja]. In the post, also a ranking of the best videos uploaded to NND. (The movie Ukiyo Hakkei (浮世捌景)is also available on youtube)

Ecuador: Local News from Cuenca Absent from National Newspapers

  9 May 2009

Esteban Mendieta wonders why news from the Ecuadorian city of Cuenca rarely makes the national newspapers [es], such as the important long distance running race “Las Cruces” that is celebrating its 45th edition. Much of the coverage is devoted to the larger cities of Quito and Guayaquil