Archive for the ‘Freedom of the press’ Category

Overview of Venezuelan media

Monday, July 21st, 2008

One of my colleagues in the ICR, Andrew Kennis, has published an overview of the Venezuelan media system at Narconews. He starts with an analysis of US coverage, such as of the recent decision not to renew the license of one of the independent commercial stations, and moves on to ...

Grassroots organizing at the NCMR

Friday, June 6th, 2008

I'm at a grassroots action session at the Media Reform conference in Minneapolis. There's some useful tips on productive activity, but perhaps the most useful aspect, for me, is a reminder is of the common aspects across organizing - talk to people, identify goals, set achievable (and concrete) targets. I got ...

Perez Hilton’s YouTube accounts suspended

Tuesday, December 25th, 2007

In many senses this may appear trivial, particularly if you're not a particular fan of (that particular brand of) celebrity gossip. However, as noted in several places this is a straightforward, clear, example of the power of media oligopolies, and the problems that can occur when one corporation becomes the ...

Community radio show goes online-only, avoids indecency restrictions

Saturday, December 22nd, 2007

DIY, Portland is normally broadcast monthly on KBOO. This month, however, the content would risk falling foul of FCC regulation if broadcast over the airwaves - they're focusing on masturbation - so they've turned to the web (for this particular episode). An interesting contrast to other community radio programmers I've ...

Troubled times for media in Bolivia

Monday, December 3rd, 2007

There's been a lot of coverage of the constitutional debates in South America, both in the mainstream and alternative media. Something that hasn't got a lot of coverage has been the tribulations of the various media, as they encounter intimidation and violence from supporters of all sides. A recent IFEX ...

Journalism, the BBC, and advertising

Monday, November 12th, 2007

The 'he said/she said' model of journalism is frequently problematic, reducing complex issues to two 'sides' and often unduly elevating a marginal or rogue opinion to parity with broad informed consensus. Sometimes, however, it can be rather helpful, and I think that this example from the BBC shows that in action. ...

Community radio for Bangladesh

Saturday, November 10th, 2007

I heard this first via a Twitter Tracking update, and then tracked down more detailed information online. It seems that Bangladesh may soon get community radio stations, something that has been pushed for for some time.

Editors arrested for disclosing broad trawl for user records

Friday, October 19th, 2007

A story developing before our eyes. Early this afternoon (Pacific Time) I got a mail on Lauren Weinstein's Privacy mailing list, pointing to a subpoena directed at the editors of the Phoenix New times:In a breathtaking abuse of the United States Constitution, Sheriff Joe Arpaio, Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas, ...

Irish media literacy conference

Monday, September 17th, 2007

I recently got a mail calling for proposals for a symposium on "Media | Literacy | Education" to take place 3rd November in Dublin. Proposals are due by 28th September:We are specifically looking for people to contribute to A) parallel breakout sessions and B) general assembly presentations. The facilitated parallel breakout sessions ...

Troubling attacks on community radio

Tuesday, January 30th, 2007

Two disturbing attacks on Community Radio activists today - both from areas that have been much in the news recently. In Oaxaca two community radio journalists were beaten and one arrested last Wednesday night, while in Nepal there have been attacks on community radio stations (and journalists) for the past week ...