In response to demands from China's government, Google agreed in June 2010 to quit automatically switching its users in China to Google's uncensored Hong Kong search site. But there's a tab users can easily click to be switched. Should Chinese citizens feel safe to hit that tab?
AFTER Yahoo provided info to China's government that led to the imprisoning of two Chinese dissidents in 2002 and 2004, the families of the victims sued Yahoo. As a result, Yahoo announced in 2008 that it was establishing a fund for people jailed in China for posting human rights views online. Too little, too late?
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Web & Wireless Censorship
The media reform group Free Press highlights media or telecom corporations caught censoring web or cellphone traffic.
Inner City Press, a monitor of Wall Street and the United Nations, temporarily is delisted from Google News. The de-listing happened soon after Matt Lee of Inner City Press challenged Google over its commitment to free expression.
In 2007, consumer rights groups mobilized to tell the Federal Communications Commission: "No More Media Consolidation." CommonCause was blocked from placing an anti-consolidation ad on My Space, which Rupert Murdoch had bought in 2005 (and later sold). The banned ad featured a photo of Murdoch and the caption: "This is the face of Big Media." Was it "My Space" or "Murdoch's space"?
Inner City Press, a monitor of Wall Street and the United Nations, temporarily is delisted from Google News. The de-listing happened soon after Matt Lee of Inner City Press challenged Google over its commitment to free expression.
In 2007, consumer rights groups mobilized to tell the Federal Communications Commission: "No More Media Consolidation." CommonCause was blocked from placing an anti-consolidation ad on My Space, which Rupert Murdoch had bought in 2005 (and later sold). The banned ad featured a photo of Murdoch and the caption: "This is the face of Big Media." Was it "My Space" or "Murdoch's space"?
Will Pay Walls Around News Content Work?
No, says Arianna Huffington in May 2009 U.S. Senate testimony. And here's "Life After the Pay Wall" nightmare scenario from Advertising Age.
Monday, March 26, 2012
Formulaic News
With robots now reporting news (H/t Mariana G and Slate), it puts a spotlight on news by formula, which is lampooned in this BBC deconstruction of the sameyness of TV news reports.
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Facebook Diplomacy -- Israelis love Iranians and Vice Versa
Did you know "Israelis Heart Iranians" and "Iranians Love Israelis"? A leading Israeli daily
reports on how Israelis and Iranians are bombarding each other . . . with love. Video of Israeli who started campaign of people to people diplomacy toward Iranians
reports on how Israelis and Iranians are bombarding each other . . . with love. Video of Israeli who started campaign of people to people diplomacy toward Iranians
"The Young Turks" web TV show...
...covers the tragic killing of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin in Florida.
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Pre-financing of indy media projects
Spot.Us involves the community in funding local watchdog journalism, as explained by its young founder, David Cohn.
Kickstarter.com is "a funding platform for artists, designers, filmmakers, musicians, journalists, inventors, explorers..." A key aspect of Kickstarter and similar funding platforms is "All or Nothing funding."
Kickstarter.com is "a funding platform for artists, designers, filmmakers, musicians, journalists, inventors, explorers..." A key aspect of Kickstarter and similar funding platforms is "All or Nothing funding."
On Kickstarter, a project must reach its funding goal before time runs out or no money changes hands. Why? It protects everyone involved. Creators aren’t expected to develop their project without necessary funds, and it allows anyone to test concepts without risk.
"Iraq for Sale" documentary was...
...funded mostly by small donors BEFORE the documentary was made.
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Massachusetts court says bloggers...
...deserve the same privileges in covering courts and trials as traditional media. (H/t Bianca N.)
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
"The Internet Is My Religion"
Powerful speech from Brave New Films' Jim Gilliam (who was raised a conservative Christian evangelical) discussing how the Internet offered him salvation -- and literally saved his life.
Ramparts magazine
One of the most explosive indy magazines of the 1960s, Ramparts, published photos of the impact of U.S. napalm (a chemical weapon that eats away human flesh) on Vietnamese civilians in Jan. 1967. Martin Luther King, Jr. credited those photos with being the spark that got him to break his silence and speak out loudly against the Vietnam War a few months later. Besides investigative journalism and scoops, Ramparts was known for its cover art.
Harassment of journalists covering Occupy movement
Citizen journalist with video camera tapes himself apparently getting shot by police rubber bullet while covering a seemingly peaceful lull Occupy Oakland (CA).
At Occupy Nashville, a reporter for the long-established weekly Nashville Scene was arrested for violating a curfew imposed by Tennessee's governor (a night judge questioned whether that's legal), was threatened with a "resisting arrest" charge, and was later charged with "public intoxication." Here's a report on the arrest from Nashville's big daily.
More than 60 mainstream and independent journalists have been arrested while covering Occupy protests in the U.S. -- as tracked by Josh Stearns of the media reform group Free Press.
At Occupy Nashville, a reporter for the long-established weekly Nashville Scene was arrested for violating a curfew imposed by Tennessee's governor (a night judge questioned whether that's legal), was threatened with a "resisting arrest" charge, and was later charged with "public intoxication." Here's a report on the arrest from Nashville's big daily.
More than 60 mainstream and independent journalists have been arrested while covering Occupy protests in the U.S. -- as tracked by Josh Stearns of the media reform group Free Press.
1960s alternative sex/drugs columnist Dr. HIPpocrates . . .
...paved the way for "Savage Love" column by Dan Savage in today's alternative weeklies.
Egypt's Security Forces . . .
...can't intimidate as powerfully as they formerly did. This video shows a female Al Jazeera journalist turning the tables on Egyptian Security Service personnel.
Recent harassment of indy journalists
Since the 1960s when the FBI and local police engaged in violence and constant harassment against "underground weeklies," repression against dissenting U.S. outlets has deceased. But it has not fully ended, as in Minnesota during the 2008 Republican Convention. (Three years later, the journalists' suit against the police was settled, with $100,000 in compensation being paid by the St. Paul and Minneapolis Police Departments and the Secret Service. The settlement included an agreement by the St. Paul police to implement a training program aimed at educating officers regarding the 1st Amendment rights of the press and public, including proper procedures for dealing with the press covering demonstrations.)
Or as in Alaska, during the 2010 election. An online reporter was handcuffed and detained for asking questions of the Alaska Republican candidate for U.S. Senate, Joe Miller. The reporter -- a well-known journalist in the area and founder of Alaska Dispatch -- was handcuffed by Miller's security personnel after a dispute over his questioning of the candidate about his role as a former part-time city attorney. Here's Alaska Dispatch's version of the detention. The critical reporting on Miller's past -- and this heavy-handed incident -- contributed to Miller's stunning defeat in the November election.
Or as in Alaska, during the 2010 election. An online reporter was handcuffed and detained for asking questions of the Alaska Republican candidate for U.S. Senate, Joe Miller. The reporter -- a well-known journalist in the area and founder of Alaska Dispatch -- was handcuffed by Miller's security personnel after a dispute over his questioning of the candidate about his role as a former part-time city attorney. Here's Alaska Dispatch's version of the detention. The critical reporting on Miller's past -- and this heavy-handed incident -- contributed to Miller's stunning defeat in the November election.
"The Mayor's Afraid of You Tube"
Last October, hours after New York City authorities made a last-minute decision NOT to clear the Occupy Wall Street protesters out of Zucotti Park/Liberty Plaza, Michael Moore said this to MSNBC's Lawrence O'Donnell (begin 2:54 for context):
"One cop down there actually today. I asked...'Why don't you think the eviction happened?' And he said, 'Cause the Mayor's afraid of You Tube.'...The power of the new media, the media that's in the hands of the people -- that those in charge are afraid of what could possibly go out."
Monday, March 5, 2012
The Guardian in England....
...has been far ahead of most daily newspapers in embracing the Net and community participation. Here is its manifesto and video on "Open Journalism" -- a view on involving the public in journalism that is much more Deweyan than Lippmannite. (H/t Mariana G and Prof. Hamula)
Can bloggers/columnists with strong views . . .
. . .still engage in independent commentary (as opposed to partisan propaganda)? Here is some critical commentary from the conservative National Review Online within hours of John McCain selecting Sarah Palin as his running-mate in April 2008.
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