Archive for July, 2004

Getting back on track

Thursday, July 29th, 2004

There has been little activity on my weblog recently, mainly because I was in Ireland for over a month, and found it difficult to establish a rhythm to get reading, and thence writing, done. When I did get time to work with my weblog - especially after my return - ...

Vote swapping in 2004

Thursday, July 29th, 2004

I've received a mail regarding a proposed 'vote swapping' system for the US presidential election, which would allow wanna-be Nader voters in swing states to swap with wanna-be Kerry voters in solidly red or blue states. There's something quaint about such a system, which relies so much on trust of ...

J-Lab on participatory media

Thursday, July 29th, 2004

The July update from the Institute for Interactive Journalism has just reached me, and has some interesting items on participatory media. First, what they refer to as 'hyperlocal citizens' media initiatives' are lauded as 'introducing new forms of participatory journalism' with links to various examples being provided, such as GothamGazette.com's ...

RFPI looking to get back on air

Thursday, July 29th, 2004

It seems that Radio for Peace International is back on the 'net, and looking to get back on the air. Readers may recall that the station, based on the campus of the 'University for Peace' (a UN project) in Costa Rica, was forced off the air last year. However we ...

Community radio licensed in UK

Thursday, July 29th, 2004

The Community Media Association in the UK is celebrating the publication of the 'Community Radio Order' that has:legalised a new tier of not-for profit radio stations, enabling communities throughout the UK to use the medium of radio to create new opportunities for regeneration, employment, learning, social cohesion and inclusion as ...

Turning up the heat – Fahrenheit 9/11

Thursday, July 29th, 2004

Alternet has a transcript from a speech Michael Moore gave in Boston this week - not an official convention event, but run by the 'Campaign for America's Future' - and it's certainly a stirring piece. Similarly, I saw Fahrenheit 9/11 last night - I hadn't managed to catch it earlier - ...

DNC slaps down those calling for end of occupation

Thursday, July 29th, 2004

The careful choreography of the Democratic Party convention is leading to lots of coverage commenting on the new-found 'unity' of the party, the decision by progressives and others to forego contentious messages for the greater good. One Democracy Now item gives the lie to this interpretation. When a banner reading ...

Iraqi Prime Minister in extra-judicial killings?

Wednesday, July 21st, 2004

The Pakistan Daily Times has noticed that the US media hasn't picked up on the (alleged) shooting of 6 prisoners by the (now) Iraqi Prime Minister shortly before the 'handover'. Now it has been picked up - by Democracy Now. I look forward to seeing more widespread coverage! According to the ...

Art and terrorism

Tuesday, July 20th, 2004

One of the stranger stories floating around the 'net for the last few weeks has been the saga of Professor Steve Kurtz. As outlined on the Critical Art Ensemble website: Early morning of May 11, Steve Kurtz awoke to find his wife, Hope, dead of a cardiac arrest. Kurtz called 911. ...