Monday, May 4, 2009
Second International Workshop on Global Internet Governance
Second International Workshop on
Global Internet Governance: An Interdisciplinary Research Field in Construction
Organized by GigaNet, in cooperation with ECREA IIC, CD and CLP Sections
Brussels, Belgium, 11 May 2009
Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Campus Etterbeek, Building D,
Promotiezaal D.2.01
Participation is free of charge but registration is needed.
Registration form and other practical details at:
http://giganet.igloogroups.org/publiclibr/giganetcos/2009brusse
09:00-09:30 - Opening Session
- Welcoming Remarks by Workshop Co-Chair
Luciano Morganti, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Belgium
- Presentation of the Workshop Organizers
Global Internet Governance Academic Network (GigaNet)
European Communication Research and Education Association (ECREA)
International and Intercultural Communication (IIC) section
Communication and Democracy (CD) section
Communication, Law and Policy (CLP) section
- Contributions and Program Overview by Workshop Co-Chair Meryem Marzouki, CNRS & University Pierre et Marie Curie, France
09:30-10:45 - Panel 1 - Power Dynamics in IG: Transformation or Consolidation?
This panel will discuss research activities dealing with global Internet governance actors and their power relationships. It will examine to which extent new power dynamics are actually emerging.
Chair: Leo Van Audenhove, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Belgium
Panelists:
- Multi-Stakeholderism and Intra-Civil Society Networking: The case
of the WSIS IG-working group mailing list
Bart Cammaerts, London School of Economics and Political Science, UK
- Negotiation and the Global Information Economy: Implications for
Internet Governance
JP Singh, Georgetown University (Washington DC), USA
- The governance of web standards. Economic struggles in the XML case
François-Xavier Dudouet, Université Paris 9 Dauphine, France
Benjamin Nguyen, Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin, France
Antoine Vion, Université de la Méditerranée, France
- Proceduralization, Agencification, and Privatization: Internet Governance’s Three Pillars and their Normative Consequences
Meryem Marzouki, CNRS & Université Paris 6 Pierre et Marie Curie,France
- Wars in Cyberspace : the recasting of military power in the digital age
Jean-Loup Samaan, French Ministry of Defense, France
10:45-11:15 - Coffee Break
11:15-12:30 - Panel 2 - Critical Internet
Resources and the Never- Ending ICANN Case This panel will focus on the global governance of critical Internet resources and will bring fresh views on ICANN role in this field.
Chair: JP Singh, Georgetown University (Washington DC), USA
Panelists:
- Work in progress in Internet governance: a proposed study on
ICANN’s opening for new gTLDs
Laura Abba, CNR, Pisa Institute for Informatics and Telematics, Italy
Stefano Trumpy, CNR, Pisa Institute for Informatics and Telematics, Italy
- The Governance of Internet Country Code Top Level Domains in Europe
George Christou, University of Warwick, UK
Seamus Simpson, Manchester Metropolitan University, UK
- Administration and marketing of the ccTLD and its policy implications on Internet governance
Keisuke Kamimura, Center for Global Communications, International
University of Japan, Japan
- Internet Governance and Critical Resources
Rolf H. Weber, University of Zurich, Switzerland
- Neo-Liberal Globalization and Internet Governance
Hangwoo Lee, Chungbuk National University, South Korea
13:45-15:00 - Panel 3 - Regulation of Technologies and TechnologicalRegulation
This panel will look at global Internet governance research activities related to regulation. Presentations will address ICT regulation means as well as using ICTs as a mean of regulation.
Chair: Katharine Sarikakis, University of Leeds, UK
Panelists:
- Consumers, Disclosure, and Internet Governance
Adam Candeub, Michigan University (MI), USA
- The CRID, an interdisciplinary research centre focusing on ICT regulation
Yves Poullet, University of Namur (FUNDP), Belgium>- Technology-Aware Policy Analysis: Case Studies of Deep Packet Inspection and Network Management
Ralf Bendrath, Delft University of Technology, The Netherlands
- An assumption analysis of the Creative Content Online Public
Consultation by the European Commission
Luciano Morganti, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Belgium
Leo Van Audenhove, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Belgium
- Keeping Free Speech, Privacy and Property Real in Virtual Worlds: a Reasonable Duty for the Owners/Creators ?
Pierre-François Docquir, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Belgium
- Actively vs. Passive Volunteered Personal Information
Mark Lizar, London South Bank University & Identity Trust CIC, UK
15:00-15:30 - Coffee Break
15:30-17:00 - Panel 4 - What’s in a field? IG Research Methodologies and Boundaries
This panel will look at global Internet governance research activities in terms of methodologies and approaches. It also aims at defining the contours of the field.
Chair: Bart Cammaerts, London School of Economics and Political Science, UK
Panelists:
- Mapping Internet Governance: theoretical framework, research methodologies and possible implementation strategies (With a little help from my friends…)
Claudia Padovani, University of Padova, Italy
Elena Pavan, University of Trento, Italy
- Modes of Governance in Digitally Networked Environments: Perspectives from an Interdisciplinary Workshop
Malte Ziewitz, Oxford Internet Institute, University of Oxford, UK
- Internet Governance - Under Construction: Doing Multidisciplinary
and Multisited Research in 'Real Life' and Online
Marianne Franklin, Goldsmiths, University of London, UK
- Internet Regulation; Governance without the state, an exercise in global cooperation
Rafid A Y Fatani, University of Exeter, UK
- The social imaginary of new media practices: issues for discussion
Pantelis Vatikiotis, Panteion University of Social and Political
Sciences, Greece
- An Assessment of the Contribution of the Lebanese Universities in Internet Governance
Antoine Melki, University of Balamand, Lebanon
- Public Opinion Formation in Convergence Culture
Jakob Svensson, Karlstad University, Sweden
17:00-17:30 - Closing Session
- Synthesis of Discussions, Conclusion and Way Forward
Meryem Marzouki, CNRS & University Pierre et Marie Curie, France
Luciano Morganti, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Belgium
Global Internet Governance: An Interdisciplinary Research Field in Construction
Organized by GigaNet, in cooperation with ECREA IIC, CD and CLP Sections
Brussels, Belgium, 11 May 2009
Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Campus Etterbeek, Building D,
Promotiezaal D.2.01
Participation is free of charge but registration is needed.
Registration form and other practical details at:
http://giganet.igloogroups.org/publiclibr/giganetcos/2009brusse
09:00-09:30 - Opening Session
- Welcoming Remarks by Workshop Co-Chair
Luciano Morganti, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Belgium
- Presentation of the Workshop Organizers
Global Internet Governance Academic Network (GigaNet)
European Communication Research and Education Association (ECREA)
International and Intercultural Communication (IIC) section
Communication and Democracy (CD) section
Communication, Law and Policy (CLP) section
- Contributions and Program Overview by Workshop Co-Chair Meryem Marzouki, CNRS & University Pierre et Marie Curie, France
09:30-10:45 - Panel 1 - Power Dynamics in IG: Transformation or Consolidation?
This panel will discuss research activities dealing with global Internet governance actors and their power relationships. It will examine to which extent new power dynamics are actually emerging.
Chair: Leo Van Audenhove, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Belgium
Panelists:
- Multi-Stakeholderism and Intra-Civil Society Networking: The case
of the WSIS IG-working group mailing list
Bart Cammaerts, London School of Economics and Political Science, UK
- Negotiation and the Global Information Economy: Implications for
Internet Governance
JP Singh, Georgetown University (Washington DC), USA
- The governance of web standards. Economic struggles in the XML case
François-Xavier Dudouet, Université Paris 9 Dauphine, France
Benjamin Nguyen, Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin, France
Antoine Vion, Université de la Méditerranée, France
- Proceduralization, Agencification, and Privatization: Internet Governance’s Three Pillars and their Normative Consequences
Meryem Marzouki, CNRS & Université Paris 6 Pierre et Marie Curie,France
- Wars in Cyberspace : the recasting of military power in the digital age
Jean-Loup Samaan, French Ministry of Defense, France
10:45-11:15 - Coffee Break
11:15-12:30 - Panel 2 - Critical Internet
Resources and the Never- Ending ICANN Case This panel will focus on the global governance of critical Internet resources and will bring fresh views on ICANN role in this field.
Chair: JP Singh, Georgetown University (Washington DC), USA
Panelists:
- Work in progress in Internet governance: a proposed study on
ICANN’s opening for new gTLDs
Laura Abba, CNR, Pisa Institute for Informatics and Telematics, Italy
Stefano Trumpy, CNR, Pisa Institute for Informatics and Telematics, Italy
- The Governance of Internet Country Code Top Level Domains in Europe
George Christou, University of Warwick, UK
Seamus Simpson, Manchester Metropolitan University, UK
- Administration and marketing of the ccTLD and its policy implications on Internet governance
Keisuke Kamimura, Center for Global Communications, International
University of Japan, Japan
- Internet Governance and Critical Resources
Rolf H. Weber, University of Zurich, Switzerland
- Neo-Liberal Globalization and Internet Governance
Hangwoo Lee, Chungbuk National University, South Korea
13:45-15:00 - Panel 3 - Regulation of Technologies and TechnologicalRegulation
This panel will look at global Internet governance research activities related to regulation. Presentations will address ICT regulation means as well as using ICTs as a mean of regulation.
Chair: Katharine Sarikakis, University of Leeds, UK
Panelists:
- Consumers, Disclosure, and Internet Governance
Adam Candeub, Michigan University (MI), USA
- The CRID, an interdisciplinary research centre focusing on ICT regulation
Yves Poullet, University of Namur (FUNDP), Belgium>- Technology-Aware Policy Analysis: Case Studies of Deep Packet Inspection and Network Management
Ralf Bendrath, Delft University of Technology, The Netherlands
- An assumption analysis of the Creative Content Online Public
Consultation by the European Commission
Luciano Morganti, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Belgium
Leo Van Audenhove, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Belgium
- Keeping Free Speech, Privacy and Property Real in Virtual Worlds: a Reasonable Duty for the Owners/Creators ?
Pierre-François Docquir, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Belgium
- Actively vs. Passive Volunteered Personal Information
Mark Lizar, London South Bank University & Identity Trust CIC, UK
15:00-15:30 - Coffee Break
15:30-17:00 - Panel 4 - What’s in a field? IG Research Methodologies and Boundaries
This panel will look at global Internet governance research activities in terms of methodologies and approaches. It also aims at defining the contours of the field.
Chair: Bart Cammaerts, London School of Economics and Political Science, UK
Panelists:
- Mapping Internet Governance: theoretical framework, research methodologies and possible implementation strategies (With a little help from my friends…)
Claudia Padovani, University of Padova, Italy
Elena Pavan, University of Trento, Italy
- Modes of Governance in Digitally Networked Environments: Perspectives from an Interdisciplinary Workshop
Malte Ziewitz, Oxford Internet Institute, University of Oxford, UK
- Internet Governance - Under Construction: Doing Multidisciplinary
and Multisited Research in 'Real Life' and Online
Marianne Franklin, Goldsmiths, University of London, UK
- Internet Regulation; Governance without the state, an exercise in global cooperation
Rafid A Y Fatani, University of Exeter, UK
- The social imaginary of new media practices: issues for discussion
Pantelis Vatikiotis, Panteion University of Social and Political
Sciences, Greece
- An Assessment of the Contribution of the Lebanese Universities in Internet Governance
Antoine Melki, University of Balamand, Lebanon
- Public Opinion Formation in Convergence Culture
Jakob Svensson, Karlstad University, Sweden
17:00-17:30 - Closing Session
- Synthesis of Discussions, Conclusion and Way Forward
Meryem Marzouki, CNRS & University Pierre et Marie Curie, France
Luciano Morganti, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Belgium
Issues in Information and Media Literacy: Criticism, History and Policy
>Issues in Information and Media Literacy: Criticism, History and Policy
>(ISBN:1932886117, 9781932886115)
>
>Issues in Information and Media Literacy: Education, Practice and
>Pedagogy (ISBN: 1932886125, 9781932886122)
>
>Both texts are edited by Marcus Leaning and published by the Informing
>Science Press.
>
>The books chart the dynamic and fast expanding field of media and
>information literacy. As the chapters in these volumes show,
>information and media literacy present new and demanding challenges to
>policy makers, education managers, teachers and educational
>practitioners and perhaps above all, students. International in scope
>the books examine a broad range of critical and practical concerns of
>developing information and media literacy.
>
>The tables of contents are as follows:
>
>Issues in Information and Media Literacy: Criticism, History and Policy
>
>Preface
>
>Section 1 - Theories and Criticism
>
>Chapter 1: Theories and Models of Media Literacy
>Marcus Leaning
>
>Chapter 2: Media Education as a Technology of Citizenship
>Niina Uusitalo
>
>Section 2 - Politics and Policy
>
>Chapter 3: The Analogue to Digital Switchover: Media Literacy in the
>Context of Change
>Yasmin Ibrahim
>
>Chapter 4: New Media and Media Literacy: A Case Study of Media
>Education Policy in Taiwan
>Tzu-Bin Lin
>
>Chapter 5: The Politics of Media Literacy in Ontario and the Struggle
>for Democratic Citizenship and Media
>Kirsten Kozolanka
>
>Section 3 - Development and Practice
>
>Chapter 6: A Critical Evaluation of Media Literacy in Turkey and
>Suggestions for Developing Social Transformation and Citizenship.
>Mine Gencel Bek & Mutlu Binark
>
>
>Chapter 7: Empowering Children in a Changing Media Environment: Media
>Education in the Maltese Educational System.
>Joseph Borg & Mary Anne Lauri
>
>Chapter 8: Information and Media Literacy in the Indian Context:
>Diverse Directions
>Mira K. Desai & Geeta Seshu
>
>Section 4 - Histories and Influences
>
>Chapter 9: Failures of the past, absences of the present: Peru's
>radical take on Media in the 1970s and its relationship with the
>non-existent Media Literacy scene in the 2000s.
>Eduardo Villanueva Mansilla
>
>Chapter 10: Media Education in Russia: A Brief History
>Alexander Fedorov 173
>
>Chapter 11: The Development of Media Literacy in Russia: Efforts from
>Inside and Outside the Country
>Jiwon Yoon
>
>Section 5 - New Directions
>
>Chapter 12: ACCEPTED: Visual Literacy from an Interdisciplinary
>Perspective
>Teun Velders, Roberto Muffoletto, Sjoerd de Vries & Piet Kommers
>(ISBN:1932886117, 9781932886115)
>
>Issues in Information and Media Literacy: Education, Practice and
>Pedagogy (ISBN: 1932886125, 9781932886122)
>
>Both texts are edited by Marcus Leaning and published by the Informing
>Science Press.
>
>The books chart the dynamic and fast expanding field of media and
>information literacy. As the chapters in these volumes show,
>information and media literacy present new and demanding challenges to
>policy makers, education managers, teachers and educational
>practitioners and perhaps above all, students. International in scope
>the books examine a broad range of critical and practical concerns of
>developing information and media literacy.
>
>The tables of contents are as follows:
>
>Issues in Information and Media Literacy: Criticism, History and Policy
>
>Preface
>
>Section 1 - Theories and Criticism
>
>Chapter 1: Theories and Models of Media Literacy
>Marcus Leaning
>
>Chapter 2: Media Education as a Technology of Citizenship
>Niina Uusitalo
>
>Section 2 - Politics and Policy
>
>Chapter 3: The Analogue to Digital Switchover: Media Literacy in the
>Context of Change
>Yasmin Ibrahim
>
>Chapter 4: New Media and Media Literacy: A Case Study of Media
>Education Policy in Taiwan
>Tzu-Bin Lin
>
>Chapter 5: The Politics of Media Literacy in Ontario and the Struggle
>for Democratic Citizenship and Media
>Kirsten Kozolanka
>
>Section 3 - Development and Practice
>
>Chapter 6: A Critical Evaluation of Media Literacy in Turkey and
>Suggestions for Developing Social Transformation and Citizenship.
>Mine Gencel Bek & Mutlu Binark
>
>
>Chapter 7: Empowering Children in a Changing Media Environment: Media
>Education in the Maltese Educational System.
>Joseph Borg & Mary Anne Lauri
>
>Chapter 8: Information and Media Literacy in the Indian Context:
>Diverse Directions
>Mira K. Desai & Geeta Seshu
>
>Section 4 - Histories and Influences
>
>Chapter 9: Failures of the past, absences of the present: Peru's
>radical take on Media in the 1970s and its relationship with the
>non-existent Media Literacy scene in the 2000s.
>Eduardo Villanueva Mansilla
>
>Chapter 10: Media Education in Russia: A Brief History
>Alexander Fedorov 173
>
>Chapter 11: The Development of Media Literacy in Russia: Efforts from
>Inside and Outside the Country
>Jiwon Yoon
>
>Section 5 - New Directions
>
>Chapter 12: ACCEPTED: Visual Literacy from an Interdisciplinary
>Perspective
>Teun Velders, Roberto Muffoletto, Sjoerd de Vries & Piet Kommers
Thursday, April 9, 2009
blackout europe campaign
http://www.blackouteurope.eu/
Civil society campaign underway in opposition to EP changes to internet policy!
The European open internet is under imminent threat
The European Parliament may be about to surrender absolute power over the Internet to the telecom operators.
Under the false premise that market and competition rules will solve all problems, MEPs are about to agree to "Net discrimination" in amendments pushed by AT&T, the UK and French governments.
Loopholes which require that internet traffic is not infringing copyright may be created: an utterly inappropriate requirement to place on ISPs. ISPs are conduits for data, they deliver the message, they have no place in examining every packet of data.
If these amendments are approved, European innovation, the current Internet growth model and citizens' fundamental rights and freedoms will be in grave danger.
The Internet's fantastic growth, and the future of Europe's societies, its nnovation and wealth, depend on principles that have been upheld since the inception of the Internet.
This form of innovation "at the edge" is not in the interest of established players. This is why telecoms operators, backed by the UK government, are pushing hard to obtain more control over what is done on their networks.
Selecting and prioritizing which content, applications and services can be accessed over their network would give them control over their competitors and maximize their profits by turning them into unaccountable gatekeepers.
Citizens must act now. Here’s what to do:
1 Contact your MEP, using the draft letter if you like
2 Join our facebook group
3 Change your avatars to one of the Blackout Europe
Civil society campaign underway in opposition to EP changes to internet policy!
The European open internet is under imminent threat
The European Parliament may be about to surrender absolute power over the Internet to the telecom operators.
Under the false premise that market and competition rules will solve all problems, MEPs are about to agree to "Net discrimination" in amendments pushed by AT&T, the UK and French governments.
Loopholes which require that internet traffic is not infringing copyright may be created: an utterly inappropriate requirement to place on ISPs. ISPs are conduits for data, they deliver the message, they have no place in examining every packet of data.
If these amendments are approved, European innovation, the current Internet growth model and citizens' fundamental rights and freedoms will be in grave danger.
The Internet's fantastic growth, and the future of Europe's societies, its nnovation and wealth, depend on principles that have been upheld since the inception of the Internet.
This form of innovation "at the edge" is not in the interest of established players. This is why telecoms operators, backed by the UK government, are pushing hard to obtain more control over what is done on their networks.
Selecting and prioritizing which content, applications and services can be accessed over their network would give them control over their competitors and maximize their profits by turning them into unaccountable gatekeepers.
Citizens must act now. Here’s what to do:
1 Contact your MEP, using the draft letter if you like
2 Join our facebook group
3 Change your avatars to one of the Blackout Europe
'Video reveals G20 police assault on man who died'
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2009/apr/07/video-g20-police-assault
this is a developing story regarding a police attack on a passerby during the g20 protests in london who died of a heart attack just following.
the story unfolds police misrepresentation of thruth that was revealed through photos and video footage taken at the scene by witnesses.
this is a developing story regarding a police attack on a passerby during the g20 protests in london who died of a heart attack just following.
the story unfolds police misrepresentation of thruth that was revealed through photos and video footage taken at the scene by witnesses.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
spamalot!
npr story on spam and spam filters...asking the age old question of whether or not there is good spam!
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=102800939
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=102800939
Monday, April 6, 2009
"faux-bama" ads in Turkey
Nice work..if you happen to look like President Obama!
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=102729557
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=102729557
South East Europe Center for Professionalization of the Media
http://www.seenpm.org/new/
Some new reports from our friends at SEENPM
Some new reports from our friends at SEENPM
Aspen Institute
http://www.aspeninstitute.org/policy-work/communications-society
some publications here that might be of interest.
some publications here that might be of interest.
CIVICUS
http://www.civicus.org/newsletters
World Alliance for Citizen Participation
form their site:
"CIVICUS' Civil Society Watch (CSW) Team produces an on-line Monthly Bulletin to highlight cases in which the existence of civil society is threatened worldwide and to provide opportunities to take action. The CSW programme aims to mobilise quick, principled and effective responses to events that threaten civil society's fundamental rights to collectively express, associate and organise throughout the world.
The CSW Monthly Bulletin provides a forum to hear the voices of civil society and to disseminate as widely as possible cases in which the existence of civil society is threatened worldwide. The bulletin is disseminated every second Friday of the month."
World Alliance for Citizen Participation
form their site:
"CIVICUS' Civil Society Watch (CSW) Team produces an on-line Monthly Bulletin to highlight cases in which the existence of civil society is threatened worldwide and to provide opportunities to take action. The CSW programme aims to mobilise quick, principled and effective responses to events that threaten civil society's fundamental rights to collectively express, associate and organise throughout the world.
The CSW Monthly Bulletin provides a forum to hear the voices of civil society and to disseminate as widely as possible cases in which the existence of civil society is threatened worldwide. The bulletin is disseminated every second Friday of the month."
the role of the citizen
http://www.songofacitizen.com/songofacitizen.com/V2.html
Really nice video op/ed called "Constant Vigilance" from Annenberg's Dean Michael X. Delli Carpini
Really nice video op/ed called "Constant Vigilance" from Annenberg's Dean Michael X. Delli Carpini
Monday, March 23, 2009
25% uk databases "illegal"
http://dooooooom.blogspot.com/2009/03/database-state.html
a story about databases...from a website about databases...
"The Joseph Rowntree Reform Trust has this morning published our report on the UK Database State, which finds that:
* A quarter of all major public sector databases are fundamentally flawed and almost certainly illegal. These should be scrapped or redesigned immediately;...."
There is a link to major press articles about the same study from the link above.
a story about databases...from a website about databases...
"The Joseph Rowntree Reform Trust has this morning published our report on the UK Database State, which finds that:
* A quarter of all major public sector databases are fundamentally flawed and almost certainly illegal. These should be scrapped or redesigned immediately;...."
There is a link to major press articles about the same study from the link above.
copyright, derrida and argentina
http://www.boingboing.net/2009/03/23/argentine-philosophy.html
"Argentine philosophy prof faces prison time for posting unofficial translations of out of print Derrida texts
Posted by Cory Doctorow, March 23, 2009 4:42 AM | permalink
Horacio Potel, an Argentine philosophy professor at Universidad Nacional de Lanús,, faces criminal charges -- and possible jail time -- for posting unofficial translations of seminal Jacques Derrida texts to his site where his students could see them. Most of these texts were out of print, or had never been translated. Now a publisher is bringing a few of these books into Argentina, and they're trying to get this prof imprisoned for supporting Derrida while he was unavailable."
"Argentine philosophy prof faces prison time for posting unofficial translations of out of print Derrida texts
Posted by Cory Doctorow, March 23, 2009 4:42 AM | permalink
Horacio Potel, an Argentine philosophy professor at Universidad Nacional de Lanús,, faces criminal charges -- and possible jail time -- for posting unofficial translations of seminal Jacques Derrida texts to his site where his students could see them. Most of these texts were out of print, or had never been translated. Now a publisher is bringing a few of these books into Argentina, and they're trying to get this prof imprisoned for supporting Derrida while he was unavailable."
Political communication at Annenberg
Links to the two Annenberg professors Ellen mentioned in class today as related to information needs in elections.
Michael Delli Carpini
http://www.asc.upenn.edu/ascfaculty/FacultyBio.aspx?id=149
Kathleen Hall Jameson
http://www.asc.upenn.edu/ascfaculty/FacultyBio.aspx?id=129
and the Annenberg Public Policy Center - great resource for election studies
http://www.annenbergpublicpolicycenter.org/
Michael Delli Carpini
http://www.asc.upenn.edu/ascfaculty/FacultyBio.aspx?id=149
Kathleen Hall Jameson
http://www.asc.upenn.edu/ascfaculty/FacultyBio.aspx?id=129
and the Annenberg Public Policy Center - great resource for election studies
http://www.annenbergpublicpolicycenter.org/
ad icons for privacy
http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/03/19/an-icon-that-says-theyre-watching-you/
Great article in a NY Times blog about ways in which data capture by advertisers on websites could identified through a simple coding system. The post features an interview with Annenberg U Penn Professor Joe Turow.
Great article in a NY Times blog about ways in which data capture by advertisers on websites could identified through a simple coding system. The post features an interview with Annenberg U Penn Professor Joe Turow.
wikileaks
http://wikileaks.org/
Curious if anyone in class has come across this site before. They have been in some of the alternative press quite a lot lately.
Here is a link from boingboing.net with some related stories about government efforts at shutting them down.
http://www.boingboing.net/2009/03/22/wikileaks-needs-your.html
From the article: "The Wikileaks website was established to allow participants to anonymously disclose documents of public interest, including materials discussing such issues of national importance as U.S. Army operations at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, human rights abuses in China, and political corruption in Kenya."
I have only just recently come across the site and am not that familiar with it. But find this flurry of activity around it via lawsuits and counter suits interesting.
Curious if anyone in class has come across this site before. They have been in some of the alternative press quite a lot lately.
Here is a link from boingboing.net with some related stories about government efforts at shutting them down.
http://www.boingboing.net/2009/03/22/wikileaks-needs-your.html
From the article: "The Wikileaks website was established to allow participants to anonymously disclose documents of public interest, including materials discussing such issues of national importance as U.S. Army operations at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, human rights abuses in China, and political corruption in Kenya."
I have only just recently come across the site and am not that familiar with it. But find this flurry of activity around it via lawsuits and counter suits interesting.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
more articles re: privacy & data and surv.
these are from mainstream print and bcast news oputlets:
'NSA has massive database of Americans' phone calls' 2006
http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2006-05-10-nsa_x.htm
this last story especially talks about telecom corporations giving data to the government in full coorperation of customers, unrelated to any particular cases or concerns about an individual or suspect.
'Viacom lawsuit: Google told to hand over all YouTube user detailsYouTube users to be revealed' 2008
http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2008/jul/04/youtube.google?gusrc=rss&feed=media
'Democrats quiz telecom companies about spy program role' 2007
http://news.cnet.com/8301-10784_3-9789709-7.html
canada story: 'Government moving to access personal info, sparking privacy fears'2007
http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2007/09/12/tech-privacy.html
'NSA has massive database of Americans' phone calls' 2006
http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2006-05-10-nsa_x.htm
this last story especially talks about telecom corporations giving data to the government in full coorperation of customers, unrelated to any particular cases or concerns about an individual or suspect.
'Viacom lawsuit: Google told to hand over all YouTube user detailsYouTube users to be revealed' 2008
http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2008/jul/04/youtube.google?gusrc=rss&feed=media
'Democrats quiz telecom companies about spy program role' 2007
http://news.cnet.com/8301-10784_3-9789709-7.html
canada story: 'Government moving to access personal info, sparking privacy fears'2007
http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2007/09/12/tech-privacy.html
some links relatde to data and privacy and surveillance
at the risk of being too dogmatic or (fill in the blank here), here is a very unscientific set of links to a few specific cases of abuse of, mistaken identity or other people directly harmed by aspects of data retention and / or patriot act in us.
in developing our own individual views on the policies etc, we should properly consider a wide range of issues, benefits and consequences.
since we didnt do such a great job of providing specific examples of "good people" suffering negative consequences, i wanted to list some cases here.
the aclu is very involved in fighting the patriot act and has a lot fo information as to why and on what ground they are concerned. they also have a page of 'targets of illegal spying'
http://www.aclu.org/safefree/general/24287res20060227.html
these cases relate more to spying and surveillance stemming from individual participation or involvement in protests or activist groups or NGOs. One question these cases raise is one that is brought up in the US and that is what about the people who don't realise they are on watch lists. there were an unprecedented number of cases of people being held on account of being a terrorist suspect based on being arab, arab american, muslim, being of a darker complexion in general, having the same or similar name of someone who is wanted, or for far more random and even nonsensical reasons. the list include members of congress, a Catholic nun, a 6 year old, and nelson mandela. this link also has some of those stories:
watching the watch list
http://www.aclu.org/privacy/spying/watchlistcounter.html
the patriot act and the name articles about its controversy are a good place to start for examples. but we talked also about other kinds of data retention by private companies.
good site for tracking these issues from privacy advocacy perspective. they have interesting privacy tool links and a good overview of some laws and policies:
http://epic.org/
www.privacyinternational.org is also worth looking at for more global perspectives.
an account of many forms of data issues in us
http://www.privacyrights.org/fs/fs11-pub.htm
since i mentioned racial profiling and police activity, here is an interesting study:
http://www.racialprofilinganalysis.neu.edu/planning/
more a bit later. but hope this is of some use.
other articles on issues related to facebook and google already posted on this site.
in developing our own individual views on the policies etc, we should properly consider a wide range of issues, benefits and consequences.
since we didnt do such a great job of providing specific examples of "good people" suffering negative consequences, i wanted to list some cases here.
the aclu is very involved in fighting the patriot act and has a lot fo information as to why and on what ground they are concerned. they also have a page of 'targets of illegal spying'
http://www.aclu.org/safefree/general/24287res20060227.html
these cases relate more to spying and surveillance stemming from individual participation or involvement in protests or activist groups or NGOs. One question these cases raise is one that is brought up in the US and that is what about the people who don't realise they are on watch lists. there were an unprecedented number of cases of people being held on account of being a terrorist suspect based on being arab, arab american, muslim, being of a darker complexion in general, having the same or similar name of someone who is wanted, or for far more random and even nonsensical reasons. the list include members of congress, a Catholic nun, a 6 year old, and nelson mandela. this link also has some of those stories:
watching the watch list
http://www.aclu.org/privacy/spying/watchlistcounter.html
the patriot act and the name articles about its controversy are a good place to start for examples. but we talked also about other kinds of data retention by private companies.
good site for tracking these issues from privacy advocacy perspective. they have interesting privacy tool links and a good overview of some laws and policies:
http://epic.org/
www.privacyinternational.org is also worth looking at for more global perspectives.
an account of many forms of data issues in us
http://www.privacyrights.org/fs/fs11-pub.htm
since i mentioned racial profiling and police activity, here is an interesting study:
http://www.racialprofilinganalysis.neu.edu/planning/
more a bit later. but hope this is of some use.
other articles on issues related to facebook and google already posted on this site.
survey sez: people want unrestricted access to internet
http://www.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idUSTRE52H4YD20090318
afghantistan open media report
http://nai.org.af/spip.php?article78
recent report from afghan ngo is focussed on role of local radio.
recent report from afghan ngo is focussed on role of local radio.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
antisemitism and the media
FYI, as part of tomorrow's conference there is a session related to the media.
Antisemitism in Contemporary Europe: An International Symposium
Central European University
Auditorium, Nádor utca 9, 1051 Budapest, Hungary
March 19, 2009
1:45 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.
Session 3: Media, Internet and Antisemitism
Moderator: Ágnes Heller
Michael Shafir (Babes-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca)
Freedom of Expression and Holocaust Denial: When Antisemites Turn
Democrats
Mihály Szilágyi-Gál (Institute for Art Theory and Media Studies, ELTE, Budapest)
Encoded Hate Speech and the Media: a Hungarian-European-American Comparison
Michael Whine (Community Security Trust; Board of Deputies of British Jews, UK)
Best Practices in Combating Antisemitism Online
Antisemitism in Contemporary Europe: An International Symposium
Central European University
Auditorium, Nádor utca 9, 1051 Budapest, Hungary
March 19, 2009
1:45 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.
Session 3: Media, Internet and Antisemitism
Moderator: Ágnes Heller
Michael Shafir (Babes-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca)
Freedom of Expression and Holocaust Denial: When Antisemites Turn
Democrats
Mihály Szilágyi-Gál (Institute for Art Theory and Media Studies, ELTE, Budapest)
Encoded Hate Speech and the Media: a Hungarian-European-American Comparison
Michael Whine (Community Security Trust; Board of Deputies of British Jews, UK)
Best Practices in Combating Antisemitism Online
environment and comm conference
fyi, following session on green media
The Media and the Environment: between complexity and urgency
International Conference
2-3 April 2009, Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, Lisbon, Portugal
More information available at: http://www.ics.ul.pt/instituto/ev/meenv/
The Media and the Environment: between complexity and urgency
International Conference
2-3 April 2009, Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, Lisbon, Portugal
More information available at: http://www.ics.ul.pt/instituto/ev/meenv/
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
and moer!
THE ROLE OF DEEP PACKET INSPECTION IN MOBILE NETWORKS
[SOURCE: Arbor Networks, AUTHOR: ]
In a crowded mobile broadband market, providers need a way to differentiate themselves with value-added offerings. By using deep packet inspection (DPI), mobile providers can create service packages that prioritize and limit traffic based on subscriber, application type, time-of-day and other variables. Read this white paper to learn how DPI-based solutions provide deep business intelligence, service control and bandwidth management to help mobile providers innovate and differentiate in a competitive mobile landscape.
http://benton.org/node/20031
Comment on this Headline
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CHINA SAYS $41 BILLION TO BE SPENT ON 3G
[SOURCE: Reuters, AUTHOR: Kirby Chien]
Chinese telecom operators will spend about $41 billion on next generation (3G) mobile networks over the next two years, the government said on Friday. In addition, China will support the development of core microchips, terminals and testing equipment as it expands network coverage, Minister of Industry and Information Technology Li Yizhong was quoted on the ministry's website as saying. Li said last week that at least $29.2 billion would be spent on 3G next year alone, while long-awaited licenses would be awarded by early next year.
http://benton.org/node/20059
Comment on this Headline
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QUICKLY
MUSIC INDUSTRY TO ABANDON MASS SUITS
[SOURCE: Wall Street Journal, AUTHOR: Sarah McBride, Ethan Smith]
After years of suing thousands of people for allegedly stealing music via the Internet, the recording industry is set to drop its legal assault as it searches for more effective ways to combat online music piracy. The decision represents an abrupt shift of strategy for the industry, which has opened legal proceedings against about 35,000 people since 2003. Critics say the legal offensive ultimately did little to stem the tide of illegally downloaded music. And it created a public-relations disaster for the industry, whose lawsuits targeted, among others, several single mothers, a dead person and a 13-year-old girl. Instead, the Recording Industry Association of America said it plans to try an approach that relies on the cooperation of Internet-service providers. The trade group said it has hashed out preliminary agreements with major ISPs under which it will send an email to the provider when it finds a provider's customers making music available online for others to take.
http://benton.org/node/20061
Comment on this Headline
[SOURCE: Arbor Networks, AUTHOR: ]
In a crowded mobile broadband market, providers need a way to differentiate themselves with value-added offerings. By using deep packet inspection (DPI), mobile providers can create service packages that prioritize and limit traffic based on subscriber, application type, time-of-day and other variables. Read this white paper to learn how DPI-based solutions provide deep business intelligence, service control and bandwidth management to help mobile providers innovate and differentiate in a competitive mobile landscape.
http://benton.org/node/20031
Comment on this Headline
back to top
CHINA SAYS $41 BILLION TO BE SPENT ON 3G
[SOURCE: Reuters, AUTHOR: Kirby Chien]
Chinese telecom operators will spend about $41 billion on next generation (3G) mobile networks over the next two years, the government said on Friday. In addition, China will support the development of core microchips, terminals and testing equipment as it expands network coverage, Minister of Industry and Information Technology Li Yizhong was quoted on the ministry's website as saying. Li said last week that at least $29.2 billion would be spent on 3G next year alone, while long-awaited licenses would be awarded by early next year.
http://benton.org/node/20059
Comment on this Headline
back to top
QUICKLY
MUSIC INDUSTRY TO ABANDON MASS SUITS
[SOURCE: Wall Street Journal, AUTHOR: Sarah McBride, Ethan Smith]
After years of suing thousands of people for allegedly stealing music via the Internet, the recording industry is set to drop its legal assault as it searches for more effective ways to combat online music piracy. The decision represents an abrupt shift of strategy for the industry, which has opened legal proceedings against about 35,000 people since 2003. Critics say the legal offensive ultimately did little to stem the tide of illegally downloaded music. And it created a public-relations disaster for the industry, whose lawsuits targeted, among others, several single mothers, a dead person and a 13-year-old girl. Instead, the Recording Industry Association of America said it plans to try an approach that relies on the cooperation of Internet-service providers. The trade group said it has hashed out preliminary agreements with major ISPs under which it will send an email to the provider when it finds a provider's customers making music available online for others to take.
http://benton.org/node/20061
Comment on this Headline
more articles
GOOD MORNING, LIBERIAN MEDIA
[SOURCE: The Christian Science Monitor, AUTHOR: Bill Glucroft]
Across Africa, local news organizations have been both victims and victimizers while operating under unstable regimes. Liberia's press enjoys far greater freedom now that it operates under a democratic system. But freedom is a blessing and a curse, says Oscar Bloh, director of Monrovia's Talking Drum Studio, a group started by the Washington-based Search for Common Ground. Mr. Bloh says the media still needs a comprehensive strategy to transform themselves from a business that will publish anything to make money, to one that sees itself as a public service that promotes stability.
http://benton.org/node/20060
Comment on this Headline
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NEW YORK TIMES TO LAUNCH 'INSTANT OP-ED'
[SOURCE: Editor&Publisher, AUTHOR: Joe Strupp]
The New York Times is planning to launch a new "Instant Op-Ed" next month that will allow the paper's Web site to post immediate expert viewpoints on breaking news, according to Editorial Page Editor Andrew Rosenthal. "Our Op-Ed now is very rapid response, but it is at the most the next day," said Rosenthal. "We are looking at a way to take advantage of the expandability of the Internet, the back and forth of it and the instantaneous nature of the Internet. Taking ideas that have existed in Op-Ed form and giving them a robust position online." Rosenthal said three editors, among them former editorial writers, are teaming up with a Web producer to oversee the initiative. He said the team is gathering a list of numerous experts on a variety of issues to be ready to provide quick comments, essays and columns on issues or stories that come up in the news. He said the idea is to have a group that provides opinions soon after news occurs, with a solid Web space dedicated to them.
http://benton.org/node/20030
Comment on this Headline
back to top
[SOURCE: The Christian Science Monitor, AUTHOR: Bill Glucroft]
Across Africa, local news organizations have been both victims and victimizers while operating under unstable regimes. Liberia's press enjoys far greater freedom now that it operates under a democratic system. But freedom is a blessing and a curse, says Oscar Bloh, director of Monrovia's Talking Drum Studio, a group started by the Washington-based Search for Common Ground. Mr. Bloh says the media still needs a comprehensive strategy to transform themselves from a business that will publish anything to make money, to one that sees itself as a public service that promotes stability.
http://benton.org/node/20060
Comment on this Headline
back to top
NEW YORK TIMES TO LAUNCH 'INSTANT OP-ED'
[SOURCE: Editor&Publisher, AUTHOR: Joe Strupp]
The New York Times is planning to launch a new "Instant Op-Ed" next month that will allow the paper's Web site to post immediate expert viewpoints on breaking news, according to Editorial Page Editor Andrew Rosenthal. "Our Op-Ed now is very rapid response, but it is at the most the next day," said Rosenthal. "We are looking at a way to take advantage of the expandability of the Internet, the back and forth of it and the instantaneous nature of the Internet. Taking ideas that have existed in Op-Ed form and giving them a robust position online." Rosenthal said three editors, among them former editorial writers, are teaming up with a Web producer to oversee the initiative. He said the team is gathering a list of numerous experts on a variety of issues to be ready to provide quick comments, essays and columns on issues or stories that come up in the news. He said the idea is to have a group that provides opinions soon after news occurs, with a solid Web space dedicated to them.
http://benton.org/node/20030
Comment on this Headline
back to top
why grant making on media policy matters
http://gfem.org/node/496
this is a good piece to read. from becky lentz, a colleague and assoc prof at mcgill university.
cheers,
kate
this is a good piece to read. from becky lentz, a colleague and assoc prof at mcgill university.
cheers,
kate
video clips from info-activism
fyi
A list of videos that focus on campaign issues from different parts of the globe, as reflected among participants who recently joined the Info-Activism 2009 camp in Bangalore [http://www.informationactivism.org/]
Sandra Sudhoff... on mapping and its role in development
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xjn3oAv1C48&feature=channel_page
Sree... of Mahiti.org, and NGO that offers Free Software solutions to NGOs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9zVmxmgSxzI&feature=channel_page
From Indonesia, and the Greens
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hSOoTbtmyI&feature=channel_page
Journo Noha's TortureInEgypt, a single-purpose blog and website making it point
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfmC0m45wb0&feature=channel_page
Child sex abuse... and issues from Chennai (India)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3JKduC0DvtY&feature=channel_page
Global Voices... some views via the Netherlands
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pDrlndHyHg&feature=channel_page
Going Dutch in cyberspace, researching India a quarter century ago (P. Reimens)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T3L_Wjck9JM&feature=channel_page
On HIV/AIDS in Eastern Africa
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6Nsa6AJ6GQ&feature=channel_page
Tor, Tor, Tor... keeping you safe online
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CpIFxPXjqkg&feature=channel_page
Mapping, what's that all about? A brief (and incomplete) introduction
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_bVkHl9CY8&feature=channel_page
Genner, the Maya civilisation, and anthropology today
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3lNDLkWkQE4&feature=channel_page
Info-activism, source camps... the Tactical Tech way (background issues)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUARIQR3zZA&feature=channel_page
Dirk Slater, on sex-worker issues in Asia
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2iaqg0bhhOc&feature=channel_page
David Timothy... on the printed word and non-profit organisations
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4TryGSmEtmY&feature=channel_page
Cheekay, APC.org, ICT4D... beyond the alphabet soup
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5EU5L-WTJgo&feature=channel_page
Engagemedia, what's that? (A YouTube for the alternative world?)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-tJqZZAg-A&feature=channel_page
New thinking... out of Berlin (also talks of re.publica)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VrOsens9tio&feature=channel_page
An interview with Alaa Abd El Fatah, a techie from Egypt
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lq8SzfL7FaI&feature=channel_page
Women matter... in tech too (Sally from South Africa)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8dLvgnC1Sk&feature=channel_page
From Tajikistan... issues and news
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZAh_w1-Bl4&feature=channel_page
The Reverend Rupee ... up and about in Bangalore (don't take this serious!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6tR7zRGy1I&feature=channel_page
Brasil computes... Pixel expalins the issues
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HI9T0wxG6pM&feature=channel_page
Taking up the Tibetan cause... technology in exile
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BR5rBuyqdSc&feature=channel_page
An online archive of digital video: what Pad.ma is donig in India
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ygsi-qCMFv4&feature=channel_page
Open Street Maps, and all ... understanding what the project is about
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sN8SlwLnJ7I&feature=channel_page
Design issues... out of India: views from the next generation
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KxJPWiB8i0M&feature=channel_page
Malaria... an African viewpoint
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cK925Ect_Jo&feature=channel_page
CiviCRM... and Michal Mach (taking CRM to the non-profit world)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZ2fKrtz5dY&feature=channel_page
From Mark, in South Africa: campaigns, media and radical thought
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ieh3kL6NX9M&feature=channel_page
The alt.media... a view from Argentina: Marie Trigona explains her views
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5AEBu5UlfCY&feature=channel_page
Researching technology use, from Down Under (Dr Dr Tanya Notley
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9IfU7-43ZzY&feature=channel_page
What is digiactive? An introduction to digiactive.org
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bqNLvTDdoW8&feature=channel_page
SMS, the Philippines and migrant workers
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sCsQjzhi6So&feature=channel_page
Tactical Tech... in India
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihL3qWKe90g&feature=channel_page
Mobile video... that's live and works
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=parABlCNrlI&feature=channel_page
Women's issues from Egypt
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gfe2WervrEs&feature=channel_page
A designer ... from Zimbabwe
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UEoJEd_edJo&feature=channel_page
Views from Hungary: human rights and governance
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ohd5zlM4kYQ&feature=channel_page
Issues from Hong Kong, and sex-workers there
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYPAwNhnxac&feature=channel_page
SANGONeT... and what that's all ... from South Africa
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gyaTJ6KJDOY&feature=channel_page
How 15 people triggered off a major global campaign (electronic voting)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3PfCSuJ-1AU&feature=channel_page
Kenya, Kipp and Martus (a human-rights, software-based reporting tool)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Olbo-hr5zI&feature=channel_page
Work like an Egyptian (techie)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KD8EYS_qHuE&feature=channel_page
Human rights needs attention too
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FV6bcXC91JM&feature=channel_page
Coping with drugs... from Russia
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mj_I7q4QiS8&feature=channel_page
David Taylor, and Radical Design (US)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0OKFO_rpYQ&feature=channel_page
A filmmaker from Lebanon
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrk1hNT59Wg&feature=channel_page
The politics of technology (Anivar Aravind, a young techie from India)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2dGml_EqCg&feature=channel_page
Sex workers issues... from India
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITG-l874fto&feature=channel_page
Migration concerns, as seen from South East Asia
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YS82Q-G2pXw&feature=channel_page
The 'pink panties' strike: an unusual campaign you wouldn't believe happened in India!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1R0Q8TLNQQ&feature=channel_page
Alt.work from South Africa
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8ZiS5z7L54&feature=channel_page
Is Google evil? Plans to translate a book...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VEWXqnGuY-o&feature=channel_page
Hand-massage, Filipina style [the camp has its light aspects too!]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYlpbgS_JEk&feature=channel_page
From a blogger in India: Dina Mehta speaks
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QLg-OvffCRY&feature=channel_page
Gunner, the man behind Aspirations Tech
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRfgI0mlJPU&feature=channel_page
Wikileaks, what's it all about?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWxq9O1GYf0&feature=channel_page
A list of videos that focus on campaign issues from different parts of the globe, as reflected among participants who recently joined the Info-Activism 2009 camp in Bangalore [http://www.informationactivism.org/]
Sandra Sudhoff... on mapping and its role in development
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xjn3oAv1C48&feature=channel_page
Sree... of Mahiti.org, and NGO that offers Free Software solutions to NGOs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9zVmxmgSxzI&feature=channel_page
From Indonesia, and the Greens
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hSOoTbtmyI&feature=channel_page
Journo Noha's TortureInEgypt, a single-purpose blog and website making it point
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfmC0m45wb0&feature=channel_page
Child sex abuse... and issues from Chennai (India)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3JKduC0DvtY&feature=channel_page
Global Voices... some views via the Netherlands
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pDrlndHyHg&feature=channel_page
Going Dutch in cyberspace, researching India a quarter century ago (P. Reimens)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T3L_Wjck9JM&feature=channel_page
On HIV/AIDS in Eastern Africa
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6Nsa6AJ6GQ&feature=channel_page
Tor, Tor, Tor... keeping you safe online
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CpIFxPXjqkg&feature=channel_page
Mapping, what's that all about? A brief (and incomplete) introduction
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_bVkHl9CY8&feature=channel_page
Genner, the Maya civilisation, and anthropology today
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3lNDLkWkQE4&feature=channel_page
Info-activism, source camps... the Tactical Tech way (background issues)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUARIQR3zZA&feature=channel_page
Dirk Slater, on sex-worker issues in Asia
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2iaqg0bhhOc&feature=channel_page
David Timothy... on the printed word and non-profit organisations
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4TryGSmEtmY&feature=channel_page
Cheekay, APC.org, ICT4D... beyond the alphabet soup
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5EU5L-WTJgo&feature=channel_page
Engagemedia, what's that? (A YouTube for the alternative world?)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-tJqZZAg-A&feature=channel_page
New thinking... out of Berlin (also talks of re.publica)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VrOsens9tio&feature=channel_page
An interview with Alaa Abd El Fatah, a techie from Egypt
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lq8SzfL7FaI&feature=channel_page
Women matter... in tech too (Sally from South Africa)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8dLvgnC1Sk&feature=channel_page
From Tajikistan... issues and news
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZAh_w1-Bl4&feature=channel_page
The Reverend Rupee ... up and about in Bangalore (don't take this serious!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6tR7zRGy1I&feature=channel_page
Brasil computes... Pixel expalins the issues
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HI9T0wxG6pM&feature=channel_page
Taking up the Tibetan cause... technology in exile
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BR5rBuyqdSc&feature=channel_page
An online archive of digital video: what Pad.ma is donig in India
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ygsi-qCMFv4&feature=channel_page
Open Street Maps, and all ... understanding what the project is about
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sN8SlwLnJ7I&feature=channel_page
Design issues... out of India: views from the next generation
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KxJPWiB8i0M&feature=channel_page
Malaria... an African viewpoint
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cK925Ect_Jo&feature=channel_page
CiviCRM... and Michal Mach (taking CRM to the non-profit world)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZ2fKrtz5dY&feature=channel_page
From Mark, in South Africa: campaigns, media and radical thought
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ieh3kL6NX9M&feature=channel_page
The alt.media... a view from Argentina: Marie Trigona explains her views
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5AEBu5UlfCY&feature=channel_page
Researching technology use, from Down Under (Dr Dr Tanya Notley
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9IfU7-43ZzY&feature=channel_page
What is digiactive? An introduction to digiactive.org
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bqNLvTDdoW8&feature=channel_page
SMS, the Philippines and migrant workers
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sCsQjzhi6So&feature=channel_page
Tactical Tech... in India
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihL3qWKe90g&feature=channel_page
Mobile video... that's live and works
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=parABlCNrlI&feature=channel_page
Women's issues from Egypt
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gfe2WervrEs&feature=channel_page
A designer ... from Zimbabwe
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UEoJEd_edJo&feature=channel_page
Views from Hungary: human rights and governance
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ohd5zlM4kYQ&feature=channel_page
Issues from Hong Kong, and sex-workers there
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYPAwNhnxac&feature=channel_page
SANGONeT... and what that's all ... from South Africa
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gyaTJ6KJDOY&feature=channel_page
How 15 people triggered off a major global campaign (electronic voting)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3PfCSuJ-1AU&feature=channel_page
Kenya, Kipp and Martus (a human-rights, software-based reporting tool)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Olbo-hr5zI&feature=channel_page
Work like an Egyptian (techie)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KD8EYS_qHuE&feature=channel_page
Human rights needs attention too
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FV6bcXC91JM&feature=channel_page
Coping with drugs... from Russia
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mj_I7q4QiS8&feature=channel_page
David Taylor, and Radical Design (US)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0OKFO_rpYQ&feature=channel_page
A filmmaker from Lebanon
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrk1hNT59Wg&feature=channel_page
The politics of technology (Anivar Aravind, a young techie from India)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2dGml_EqCg&feature=channel_page
Sex workers issues... from India
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITG-l874fto&feature=channel_page
Migration concerns, as seen from South East Asia
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YS82Q-G2pXw&feature=channel_page
The 'pink panties' strike: an unusual campaign you wouldn't believe happened in India!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1R0Q8TLNQQ&feature=channel_page
Alt.work from South Africa
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8ZiS5z7L54&feature=channel_page
Is Google evil? Plans to translate a book...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VEWXqnGuY-o&feature=channel_page
Hand-massage, Filipina style [the camp has its light aspects too!]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYlpbgS_JEk&feature=channel_page
From a blogger in India: Dina Mehta speaks
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QLg-OvffCRY&feature=channel_page
Gunner, the man behind Aspirations Tech
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRfgI0mlJPU&feature=channel_page
Wikileaks, what's it all about?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWxq9O1GYf0&feature=channel_page
Monday, March 16, 2009
mroe articles, privacy, journalism, etc
from benton headlines - see esp privacy articles in preparation for next week's class.
PRIVACY
Many See Privacy on Web as Big Issue, Survey Says
A Call to Legislate Internet Privacy
Tim Berners-Lee warns against website snooping
JOURNALISM
The State of the News Media
Stewart, Cramer TV battle royal draws big audience
As Markets Fell, Pundits Came Down On Obama
Google Chairman Pledges to Stand With Journalists, Increase Transparency
Knight Foundation Backs Plan to Hire 50 Laid-off Journalists to Teach 'News Literacy'
Capitalism Finds Voice in China TV
INTERNET/BROADBAND
TV goes overboard with Internet
Will The Social Media Revolution Be Twittered -- Or Squashed?
Widespread Telecommuting Could Save Consumers $228 Billion, Businesses $260 Billion
FCC's Rural Healthcare Program is Still Delayed
Maine expanding school laptop program with Apple
Bell Canada doesn't want to share next-gen fiber network
PRIVACY
Many See Privacy on Web as Big Issue, Survey Says
A Call to Legislate Internet Privacy
Tim Berners-Lee warns against website snooping
JOURNALISM
The State of the News Media
Stewart, Cramer TV battle royal draws big audience
As Markets Fell, Pundits Came Down On Obama
Google Chairman Pledges to Stand With Journalists, Increase Transparency
Knight Foundation Backs Plan to Hire 50 Laid-off Journalists to Teach 'News Literacy'
Capitalism Finds Voice in China TV
INTERNET/BROADBAND
TV goes overboard with Internet
Will The Social Media Revolution Be Twittered -- Or Squashed?
Widespread Telecommuting Could Save Consumers $228 Billion, Businesses $260 Billion
FCC's Rural Healthcare Program is Still Delayed
Maine expanding school laptop program with Apple
Bell Canada doesn't want to share next-gen fiber network
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
bits and pieces
WAL-MART PLANS TO MARKET DIGITAL HEALTH RECORDS SYSTEM
[SOURCE: New York Times, AUTHOR: Steve Lohr]
Wal-Mart Stores is striding into the market for electronic health records, seeking to bring the technology into the mainstream for physicians in small offices, where most of America's doctors practice medicine. Wal-Mart's move comes as the Obama administration is trying to jump-start the adoption of digital medical records with $19 billion of incentives in the economic stimulus package. The company plans to team its Sam's Club division with Dell for computers and eClinicalWorks, a fast-growing private company, for software. Wal-Mart says its package deal of hardware, software, installation, maintenance and training will make the technology more accessible and affordable, undercutting rival health information technology suppliers by as much as half.
http://benton.org/node/23139
Recommend this Headline
back to top
NEW JOB FOR THE MAN WHO EXPOSED COMCAST'S P2P THROTTLING
[SOURCE: ars technica, AUTHOR: Nate Anderson]
Robb Topolski, the man who helped to bring to light Comcast's throttling of P2P uploads, has a new job: Chief Technologist of the Open Technology Initiative at the New America Foundation. OTI is the New America unit headed by Sascha Meinrath. The move is significant because Topolski now serves in an official capacity with three of the main DC groups fighting for network openness and white spaces, New America, Free Press, and Public Knowledge. (He was already advising the latter two groups.) That combination of jobs should make Topolski an even more influential voice on network management issues in DC.
http://benton.org/node/23136
Recommend this Headline
back to top
SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER SAYS WORKERS TOLD JOBS WILL END
[SOURCE: Reuters, AUTHOR: Robert MacMillan]
The Seattle Post-Intelligencer has told employees they might lose their jobs as soon as next week after a deadline for Hearst Corp to sell the newspaper passed on Monday. Hearst, which also may close the San Francisco Chronicle if the paper cannot cut costs, has not yet decided what to do with the Seattle paper. "These options exist: 1) Seek buyer. If no buyer, then 2) Go digital, or 3) Close. No decision has been made," Hearst spokesman Paul Luthringer told the paper.
http://benton.org/node/23117
Recommend this Headline
back to top
CANADA REJECTS CUTBACKS ON US SERIES BUYS
[SOURCE: Reuters, AUTHOR: Etan Vlessing]
The Canadian government has rejected a proposal by the country's television regulator to curb domestic broadcasters' spending on U.S. series. Domestic broadcasters contend that they require the profits generated by airing U.S. series to subsidize the production of expensive homegrown dramas. Canadian independent producers, unions and guilds favor the CRTC's proposal for a so-called 1:1 ratio on Canadian and non-Canadian program expenditures as a welcome measure to promote homegrown series production.
[SOURCE: New York Times, AUTHOR: Steve Lohr]
Wal-Mart Stores is striding into the market for electronic health records, seeking to bring the technology into the mainstream for physicians in small offices, where most of America's doctors practice medicine. Wal-Mart's move comes as the Obama administration is trying to jump-start the adoption of digital medical records with $19 billion of incentives in the economic stimulus package. The company plans to team its Sam's Club division with Dell for computers and eClinicalWorks, a fast-growing private company, for software. Wal-Mart says its package deal of hardware, software, installation, maintenance and training will make the technology more accessible and affordable, undercutting rival health information technology suppliers by as much as half.
http://benton.org/node/23139
Recommend this Headline
back to top
NEW JOB FOR THE MAN WHO EXPOSED COMCAST'S P2P THROTTLING
[SOURCE: ars technica, AUTHOR: Nate Anderson]
Robb Topolski, the man who helped to bring to light Comcast's throttling of P2P uploads, has a new job: Chief Technologist of the Open Technology Initiative at the New America Foundation. OTI is the New America unit headed by Sascha Meinrath. The move is significant because Topolski now serves in an official capacity with three of the main DC groups fighting for network openness and white spaces, New America, Free Press, and Public Knowledge. (He was already advising the latter two groups.) That combination of jobs should make Topolski an even more influential voice on network management issues in DC.
http://benton.org/node/23136
Recommend this Headline
back to top
SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER SAYS WORKERS TOLD JOBS WILL END
[SOURCE: Reuters, AUTHOR: Robert MacMillan]
The Seattle Post-Intelligencer has told employees they might lose their jobs as soon as next week after a deadline for Hearst Corp to sell the newspaper passed on Monday. Hearst, which also may close the San Francisco Chronicle if the paper cannot cut costs, has not yet decided what to do with the Seattle paper. "These options exist: 1) Seek buyer. If no buyer, then 2) Go digital, or 3) Close. No decision has been made," Hearst spokesman Paul Luthringer told the paper.
http://benton.org/node/23117
Recommend this Headline
back to top
CANADA REJECTS CUTBACKS ON US SERIES BUYS
[SOURCE: Reuters, AUTHOR: Etan Vlessing]
The Canadian government has rejected a proposal by the country's television regulator to curb domestic broadcasters' spending on U.S. series. Domestic broadcasters contend that they require the profits generated by airing U.S. series to subsidize the production of expensive homegrown dramas. Canadian independent producers, unions and guilds favor the CRTC's proposal for a so-called 1:1 ratio on Canadian and non-Canadian program expenditures as a welcome measure to promote homegrown series production.
ads and privacy
ADVERTISERS GET A TROVE OF CLUES IN SMARTPHONES
[SOURCE: New York Times, AUTHOR: Stephanie Clifford]
The millions of people who use their cellphones daily to play games, download applications and browse the Web may not realize that they have an unseen companion: advertisers that can track their interests, their habits and even their location. Smartphones, like the iPhone and BlackBerry Curve, are the latest and potentially most extensive way for advertisers to aim ads at certain consumers. Advertisers already tailor ads for small groups of consumers on the Web based on personal information. But cellphones have a much higher potential for personalized advertising, especially when they use applications like Yelp or Urbanspoon with GPS to identify a person's location, right down to the street corner where they are standing. Advertisers will pay high rates for the ability to show, for example, ads for a nearby restaurant to someone leaving a Broadway show, especially when coupled with information about the gender, age, finances and interests of the consumer. "It's potentially a portable, personal spy," said Jeff Chester, the executive director of the Center for Digital Democracy, who will appear before Federal Trade Commission staff members this month to brief them on privacy and mobile marketing. He is particularly concerned about data breaches, advertisers' access to sensitive health or financial information, and a lack of transparency about how advertisers are collecting data.
http://benton.org/node/23140
Recommend this Headline
back to top
IN YOUR FACE WEB AD FORMATS POPPING UP ALL OVER
[SOURCE: Los Angeles Times, AUTHOR: Dan Fost]
They're bigger, they're bolder, and soon they'll be covering up large swaths of some of your favorite Web pages. The Online Publishers Association on Tuesday released several new in-your-face advertising formats designed to be both more obtrusive and interactive. Twenty-seven top Internet publishers -- including the New York Times, CNN, CBS Interactive, ESPN and the Wall Street Journal -- say they'll try the supersize ads in an attempt to get the attention of Web surfers who have learned to ignore banners. The websites, which collectively reach two-thirds of the U.S. Internet audience, must walk a fine line so they don't bug visitors so much that they stop returning.
http://benton.org/node/23132
[SOURCE: New York Times, AUTHOR: Stephanie Clifford]
The millions of people who use their cellphones daily to play games, download applications and browse the Web may not realize that they have an unseen companion: advertisers that can track their interests, their habits and even their location. Smartphones, like the iPhone and BlackBerry Curve, are the latest and potentially most extensive way for advertisers to aim ads at certain consumers. Advertisers already tailor ads for small groups of consumers on the Web based on personal information. But cellphones have a much higher potential for personalized advertising, especially when they use applications like Yelp or Urbanspoon with GPS to identify a person's location, right down to the street corner where they are standing. Advertisers will pay high rates for the ability to show, for example, ads for a nearby restaurant to someone leaving a Broadway show, especially when coupled with information about the gender, age, finances and interests of the consumer. "It's potentially a portable, personal spy," said Jeff Chester, the executive director of the Center for Digital Democracy, who will appear before Federal Trade Commission staff members this month to brief them on privacy and mobile marketing. He is particularly concerned about data breaches, advertisers' access to sensitive health or financial information, and a lack of transparency about how advertisers are collecting data.
http://benton.org/node/23140
Recommend this Headline
back to top
IN YOUR FACE WEB AD FORMATS POPPING UP ALL OVER
[SOURCE: Los Angeles Times, AUTHOR: Dan Fost]
They're bigger, they're bolder, and soon they'll be covering up large swaths of some of your favorite Web pages. The Online Publishers Association on Tuesday released several new in-your-face advertising formats designed to be both more obtrusive and interactive. Twenty-seven top Internet publishers -- including the New York Times, CNN, CBS Interactive, ESPN and the Wall Street Journal -- say they'll try the supersize ads in an attempt to get the attention of Web surfers who have learned to ignore banners. The websites, which collectively reach two-thirds of the U.S. Internet audience, must walk a fine line so they don't bug visitors so much that they stop returning.
http://benton.org/node/23132
"FRANCE PROPOSES DISCONNECTING WEB MUSIC PIRATES"
FRANCE PROPOSES DISCONNECTING WEB MUSIC PIRATES
[SOURCE: Reuters, AUTHOR: Gregory Blachier]
A French bill that proposes disconnecting users from the Internet if they download music or video files illegally drew criticism Tuesday from consumer groups and opposition legislators. The government wants to stem the flow of songs and films circulating freely on the Internet, depriving artists of revenues and threatening the survival of production companies. The French bill says users who download files illegally must receive an email warning. If they do it again, they receive a second warning by registered post. If caught a third time, they are disconnected from the Internet for two months to a year. Critics said this would be difficult to apply. They also said it would pit artists against their own public and would pose the risk that honest users could be unfairly penalized.
http://benton.org/node/23112
[SOURCE: Reuters, AUTHOR: Gregory Blachier]
A French bill that proposes disconnecting users from the Internet if they download music or video files illegally drew criticism Tuesday from consumer groups and opposition legislators. The government wants to stem the flow of songs and films circulating freely on the Internet, depriving artists of revenues and threatening the survival of production companies. The French bill says users who download files illegally must receive an email warning. If they do it again, they receive a second warning by registered post. If caught a third time, they are disconnected from the Internet for two months to a year. Critics said this would be difficult to apply. They also said it would pit artists against their own public and would pose the risk that honest users could be unfairly penalized.
http://benton.org/node/23112
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
"why sweden rules the internet"
http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/features/why-sweden-rules-the-web-1640950.html
from the article:
Rick Falkvinge is the leader of Sweden's most plugged-in political group, The Pirate Party. "In the rest of Europe," he says, "the internet roll-out was done by telecommunications companies, who had an incentive to delay it for as long as possible because it shattered their existing business model. When you put disruptive technology into everyone's hands, it changes public perceptions of what you can, and should, do with it."
from the article:
Rick Falkvinge is the leader of Sweden's most plugged-in political group, The Pirate Party. "In the rest of Europe," he says, "the internet roll-out was done by telecommunications companies, who had an incentive to delay it for as long as possible because it shattered their existing business model. When you put disruptive technology into everyone's hands, it changes public perceptions of what you can, and should, do with it."
you tube uk v music industry
http://edition.cnn.com/2009/TECH/03/10/youtube.music.uk/index.html?iref=mpstoryview
uk police say wrong to film journalists
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2009/mar/10/climate-camp-surveillance
extreme case of australian internet laws?
http://www.smh.com.au/news/home/technology/baby-swinging-video-case-warning/2009/03/10/1236447185321.html
Thursday, March 5, 2009
financial cable tv show and economic crisis
http://www.thedailyshow.com/
from Wedn, March 4 episode of Daily Show
CNBC Gives Financial Advice (08:29)
CNBC's Rick Santelli is angry that those loser homeowners are going to get bailed out.
I strongly recommend watching this piece, and if interested, the one following with interview with NY Times financial reporter. To me, this segment is the best of what Stewart has to offer. Media reporting on media - not enough critique/investigation of the role of financial cable tv shows on the global economic crisis, and the impact of 24 hour news cycles on the hyper-ness of the booms and busts. Take with grain of salt in the sense that Stewart's job is first to entertain, but even the NY Times reporter is taking note of Stewart's analysis and will write on this issue in his weekend column.
from Wedn, March 4 episode of Daily Show
CNBC Gives Financial Advice (08:29)
CNBC's Rick Santelli is angry that those loser homeowners are going to get bailed out.
I strongly recommend watching this piece, and if interested, the one following with interview with NY Times financial reporter. To me, this segment is the best of what Stewart has to offer. Media reporting on media - not enough critique/investigation of the role of financial cable tv shows on the global economic crisis, and the impact of 24 hour news cycles on the hyper-ness of the booms and busts. Take with grain of salt in the sense that Stewart's job is first to entertain, but even the NY Times reporter is taking note of Stewart's analysis and will write on this issue in his weekend column.
twittering for social change
http://twitter.com/InfoChange
info change is a development and social justice group in india
info change is a development and social justice group in india
upstream journal
The latest Upstream Journal is now available, with a special focus on the role of communication for social change.
36 pages of "Canadian perspectives on global justice."
Voices of dissent - Amy Goodman and independent media
The role of community radio as an alternative source of information
Grafitti as social protest
Street art challenges social and political structures when other options are limited
“Talking strongly” - Indigenous media in Australia
Protecting culture and language through media technology
Media poetics and cattle - Colombia community radio, language and power
Challenging cultural assumptions in cowboy country
Container tech - Jamaican community retrofits shipping container into creative computing centre
Technology is made local and becomes a tool of empowerment
Le grand saut technologique et la “nouvelle économie” - au secours des pays en développement?
La expansion technologique - est-elle adaptée à la situation fragile dans ces pays?
The World Bank doesn’t have - and doesn’t want - human rights standards in its projects
Despite changing opinion on their importance in development, the world’s largest development institution has no policy on human rights
The financial crisis and the future for Canada’s foreign aid
Will cuts join high food prices, falling remittances and low export earnings in reversing development gains?
To download the issue:
http://tinyurl.com/upstream-com-media
Subscription only $5!
For more information:
http://www.upstreamjournal.org/
http://www.s-j-c.net
36 pages of "Canadian perspectives on global justice."
Voices of dissent - Amy Goodman and independent media
The role of community radio as an alternative source of information
Grafitti as social protest
Street art challenges social and political structures when other options are limited
“Talking strongly” - Indigenous media in Australia
Protecting culture and language through media technology
Media poetics and cattle - Colombia community radio, language and power
Challenging cultural assumptions in cowboy country
Container tech - Jamaican community retrofits shipping container into creative computing centre
Technology is made local and becomes a tool of empowerment
Le grand saut technologique et la “nouvelle économie” - au secours des pays en développement?
La expansion technologique - est-elle adaptée à la situation fragile dans ces pays?
The World Bank doesn’t have - and doesn’t want - human rights standards in its projects
Despite changing opinion on their importance in development, the world’s largest development institution has no policy on human rights
The financial crisis and the future for Canada’s foreign aid
Will cuts join high food prices, falling remittances and low export earnings in reversing development gains?
To download the issue:
http://tinyurl.com/upstream-com-media
Subscription only $5!
For more information:
http://www.upstreamjournal.org/
http://www.s-j-c.net
Thursday, February 26, 2009
NEW OSI MONITORING REPORT
TELEVISION ACROSS EUROPE: MORE CHANNELS, LESS INDEPENDENCE
26 February 2009
The Open Society Institute announces the publication of a major new monitoring report on television in Europe. With an Overview chapter defining the main trends across the region, as well as recommendations addressing policymakers, media and activists, the report seeks to bring about change where it is needed.
The report confirms that television, which should be a pillar of democracy and open societies, is changing at breakneck speed. Patterns of production, transmission, consumption, marketing, financing and ownership - these are all in flux. On the content side, Europe is witnessing the rapid rise of program formats and the slow suffocation of public service output.
"This forensic and chilling report should be on the desk of every politician and international agency with any concern about our collective European futures, because it shows how political control of the crudest and most vulgar kind has re-possessed television from the Urals to Umbria. Freedom of thought, impartiality of information, wise exploration of the public condition (whether discussed in news, comedy, soap operas or relevant drama), the notion of broadcasting as informing citizens: this has retreated, not advanced, in most of these countries."
- Jean Seaton, Professor of Media History at the University of Westminster and official historian of the BBC.
The report focuses on the latest changes in nine countries: Albania, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Italy, Lithuania, the Republic of Macedonia, Poland, Romania and Slovakia. These countries also featured in the OSI's original Television across Europe project (2005), which covered 20 countries. The new reports are sequels.
Key findings:
* Public service broadcasters (PSBs) suffer from mounting politicization and pressure, flawed funding models, and disintegrating reputations.
* Broadcast regulators are also increasingly politicised. Only a few have taken initiatives to let a more diverse range of operators enter the market.
* Public service content has not been boosted by incentives or obligations.
* Transparency of commercial media ownership remains a major problem.
* Although debate on media policy and reform has intensified, civil society is rarely consulted in a meaningful way.
* There has been no concerted effort to promote media literacy. Where this happens at all, it is carried out mainly by NGOs.
The country reports and the regional overview are available at www.mediapolicy.org . They are all available in English while single country reports are also available in translation. Printed copies are also available in limited numbers, and may be ordered using the form available at www.eumap.org/puborder .
For further information, contact: Mark Thompson (Mark.Thompson@osf-eu.org) or Marius Dragomir (Marius.Dragomir@osf-eu.org). To stay informed about related reports and new content on the mediapolicy.org website, and to provide your own feedback directly, please register on the website and subscribe to the mailinglist: www.mediapolicy.org/join_form .
This is a project of EUMAP, the EU Monitoring and Advocacy Program of the Open Society Institute, and of the Media Program of the Open Society Foundation. For further information on EUMAP see www.eumap.org; for further information on the Media Program see www.soros.org/initiatives/media .
[end]
26 February 2009
The Open Society Institute announces the publication of a major new monitoring report on television in Europe. With an Overview chapter defining the main trends across the region, as well as recommendations addressing policymakers, media and activists, the report seeks to bring about change where it is needed.
The report confirms that television, which should be a pillar of democracy and open societies, is changing at breakneck speed. Patterns of production, transmission, consumption, marketing, financing and ownership - these are all in flux. On the content side, Europe is witnessing the rapid rise of program formats and the slow suffocation of public service output.
"This forensic and chilling report should be on the desk of every politician and international agency with any concern about our collective European futures, because it shows how political control of the crudest and most vulgar kind has re-possessed television from the Urals to Umbria. Freedom of thought, impartiality of information, wise exploration of the public condition (whether discussed in news, comedy, soap operas or relevant drama), the notion of broadcasting as informing citizens: this has retreated, not advanced, in most of these countries."
- Jean Seaton, Professor of Media History at the University of Westminster and official historian of the BBC.
The report focuses on the latest changes in nine countries: Albania, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Italy, Lithuania, the Republic of Macedonia, Poland, Romania and Slovakia. These countries also featured in the OSI's original Television across Europe project (2005), which covered 20 countries. The new reports are sequels.
Key findings:
* Public service broadcasters (PSBs) suffer from mounting politicization and pressure, flawed funding models, and disintegrating reputations.
* Broadcast regulators are also increasingly politicised. Only a few have taken initiatives to let a more diverse range of operators enter the market.
* Public service content has not been boosted by incentives or obligations.
* Transparency of commercial media ownership remains a major problem.
* Although debate on media policy and reform has intensified, civil society is rarely consulted in a meaningful way.
* There has been no concerted effort to promote media literacy. Where this happens at all, it is carried out mainly by NGOs.
The country reports and the regional overview are available at www.mediapolicy.org . They are all available in English while single country reports are also available in translation. Printed copies are also available in limited numbers, and may be ordered using the form available at www.eumap.org/puborder .
For further information, contact: Mark Thompson (Mark.Thompson@osf-eu.org) or Marius Dragomir (Marius.Dragomir@osf-eu.org). To stay informed about related reports and new content on the mediapolicy.org website, and to provide your own feedback directly, please register on the website and subscribe to the mailinglist: www.mediapolicy.org/join_form .
This is a project of EUMAP, the EU Monitoring and Advocacy Program of the Open Society Institute, and of the Media Program of the Open Society Foundation. For further information on EUMAP see www.eumap.org; for further information on the Media Program see www.soros.org/initiatives/media .
[end]
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
more benton headlines
THE MEDIA BARON AND HIS SOFT SPOT
[SOURCE: New York Times, AUTHOR: Tim Arango, Richard Perez-Pena]
Rupert Murdoch, as much old-fashioned press baron as 21st century multimedia mogul, faces a depressing reality: his lifelong fondness for newspapers has become a significant drag on the fortunes of his company, the News Corporation. In more vibrant economic times, investors and Wall Street analysts were more willing to look past Mr. Murdoch's attachment to newspapers — the newspaper segment is now the company's biggest single source of revenue, about 19 percent in the most recent quarter. But they find that a tougher chore these days, as other media struggle and newspapers suffer through their worst slump since the Depression.
http://benton.org/node/22376
Recommend this Headline
back to top
ANCHORS OBLIGE PUBLIC'S CRAVING FOR TWEETS
[SOURCE: Washington Post, AUTHOR: Howard Kurtz]
Twitter, which began in 2006, has 6 million users, a fivefold increase since last summer. The 140-character limit on each message initially seems silly, but forces a witty sort of brevity that seems well matched to today's sound-bite culture. While dwarfed by the likes of Facebook, which has become so mainstream it can hardly be viewed as edgy, the bare-bones Twitter has been generating considerable buzz lately. In an age when people expect behind-the-scenes dish, the site enables television types to explain what they're doing -- and flatter their fans by soliciting their opinions.
http://benton.org/node/22372
Recommend this Headline
SOCIAL NETWORKS ARE TELCOS' NEW BEST FRIEND
[SOURCE: Reuters, AUTHOR: Georgina Prodhan]
From the world's biggest phone maker, Nokia, to tiny Irish semiconductor start-up Movidia, delegates to the wireless industry's biggest annual gathering couldn't stop talking about Facebook, MySpace and Bebo. The majority of visits to such online communities are still made by people sitting at a computer telling their friends where they are and how they are feeling, exchanging opinions on their favorite movies and music or uploading videos. But the spontaneous and personal nature of much of that communication lends itself perfectly to the mobile phone.
http://benton.org/node/22327
Recommend this Headline
EXPLORING A 'DEEP WEB' THAT GOOGLE CAN'T GRASP
[SOURCE: New York Times, AUTHOR: Alex Wright]
One day last summer, Google's search engine trundled quietly past a milestone. It added the one trillionth address to the list of Web pages it knows about. But as impossibly big as that number may seem, it represents only a fraction of the entire Web. Beyond those trillion pages lies an even vaster Web of hidden data: financial information, shopping catalogs, flight schedules, medical research and all kinds of other material stored in databases that remain largely invisible to search engines. The challenges that the major search engines face in penetrating this so-called Deep Web go a long way toward explaining why they still can't provide satisfying answers to questions like "What's the best fare from New York to London next Thursday?" The answers are readily available — if only the search engines knew how to find them. Now a new breed of technologies is taking shape that will extend the reach of search engines into the Web's hidden corners. When that happens, it will do more than just improve the quality of search results — it may ultimately reshape the way many
COMPETITION PUSHES UP CONTENT COSTS FOR ESPN
[SOURCE: Wall Street Journal, AUTHOR: Peter Sanders, Matthew Futterman]
Walt Disney's ESPN has come to dominate the lucrative business of sports broadcasting by locking up deals with entities ranging from Major League Baseball to NASCAR. But renewing some of those deals won't come cheap. And with ad revenue down, that could put ESPN in a bind and have repercussions for its parent company. Since Disney acquired 80% of ESPN in 1995, the cable network has become one of the entertainment company's most valuable properties. ESPN is now the largest component of Disney's Cable Networks franchise, which delivered $4.1 billion in operating income in fiscal 2008, which ended Sept. 27. That dwarfed the $655 million in operating income earned by the Broadcast Networks, which include ABC, and was 49% of Disney's total operating income. ESPN is already feeling the impact of the recession. Its advertising revenue is declining even as costs associated with many of its rights deals increase on schedule. For the fiscal first quarter ended Dec. 27, revenue at Disney's Cable Networks division grew only 2% and operating income fell 12% from a year earlier to $517 million.
http://benton.org/node/22374
Recommend this Headline
MEDIA OWNERSHIP
Everyone Loves Google, Until It's Too Big
Peter Chernin to leave Murdoch's News Corp
Publisher speculates about Amazon/Google e-book "duopoly"
TELEVISION
Nielsen: Americans still love their TV, embracing DVRs
FCC Extends Comment Deadline For 2007 Video Competition Report
GOVERNMENT & COMMUNICATIONS
Watchdog groups press Obama DOJ on Bush e-mails
The intensifying battle over Internet freedom
1,000 Points of Data
BROADBAND/INTERNET
Surprise: America is No. 1 in Broadband
Asia's High Fiber Diet
Stimulus Broadband Requirements Being Written for Locals
Dear USBBC: Let's Build a Bold National Broadband Strategy Together
Virginia Uses Self-Help Program for Rural Broadband
Rural Broadband: No Job Creation Machine
What the broadband stimulus package means to rural telcos
Telework ranks swell
Internet Penetration and Premium Entertainment Are Linked
Mobile Internet Necessity, Not Luxury
Half of all instruction will take place online within the next 10 years
It's the broadband, stupid
FCC Releases Revised Broadband Data Form
[SOURCE: New York Times, AUTHOR: Tim Arango, Richard Perez-Pena]
Rupert Murdoch, as much old-fashioned press baron as 21st century multimedia mogul, faces a depressing reality: his lifelong fondness for newspapers has become a significant drag on the fortunes of his company, the News Corporation. In more vibrant economic times, investors and Wall Street analysts were more willing to look past Mr. Murdoch's attachment to newspapers — the newspaper segment is now the company's biggest single source of revenue, about 19 percent in the most recent quarter. But they find that a tougher chore these days, as other media struggle and newspapers suffer through their worst slump since the Depression.
http://benton.org/node/22376
Recommend this Headline
back to top
ANCHORS OBLIGE PUBLIC'S CRAVING FOR TWEETS
[SOURCE: Washington Post, AUTHOR: Howard Kurtz]
Twitter, which began in 2006, has 6 million users, a fivefold increase since last summer. The 140-character limit on each message initially seems silly, but forces a witty sort of brevity that seems well matched to today's sound-bite culture. While dwarfed by the likes of Facebook, which has become so mainstream it can hardly be viewed as edgy, the bare-bones Twitter has been generating considerable buzz lately. In an age when people expect behind-the-scenes dish, the site enables television types to explain what they're doing -- and flatter their fans by soliciting their opinions.
http://benton.org/node/22372
Recommend this Headline
SOCIAL NETWORKS ARE TELCOS' NEW BEST FRIEND
[SOURCE: Reuters, AUTHOR: Georgina Prodhan]
From the world's biggest phone maker, Nokia, to tiny Irish semiconductor start-up Movidia, delegates to the wireless industry's biggest annual gathering couldn't stop talking about Facebook, MySpace and Bebo. The majority of visits to such online communities are still made by people sitting at a computer telling their friends where they are and how they are feeling, exchanging opinions on their favorite movies and music or uploading videos. But the spontaneous and personal nature of much of that communication lends itself perfectly to the mobile phone.
http://benton.org/node/22327
Recommend this Headline
EXPLORING A 'DEEP WEB' THAT GOOGLE CAN'T GRASP
[SOURCE: New York Times, AUTHOR: Alex Wright]
One day last summer, Google's search engine trundled quietly past a milestone. It added the one trillionth address to the list of Web pages it knows about. But as impossibly big as that number may seem, it represents only a fraction of the entire Web. Beyond those trillion pages lies an even vaster Web of hidden data: financial information, shopping catalogs, flight schedules, medical research and all kinds of other material stored in databases that remain largely invisible to search engines. The challenges that the major search engines face in penetrating this so-called Deep Web go a long way toward explaining why they still can't provide satisfying answers to questions like "What's the best fare from New York to London next Thursday?" The answers are readily available — if only the search engines knew how to find them. Now a new breed of technologies is taking shape that will extend the reach of search engines into the Web's hidden corners. When that happens, it will do more than just improve the quality of search results — it may ultimately reshape the way many
COMPETITION PUSHES UP CONTENT COSTS FOR ESPN
[SOURCE: Wall Street Journal, AUTHOR: Peter Sanders, Matthew Futterman]
Walt Disney's ESPN has come to dominate the lucrative business of sports broadcasting by locking up deals with entities ranging from Major League Baseball to NASCAR. But renewing some of those deals won't come cheap. And with ad revenue down, that could put ESPN in a bind and have repercussions for its parent company. Since Disney acquired 80% of ESPN in 1995, the cable network has become one of the entertainment company's most valuable properties. ESPN is now the largest component of Disney's Cable Networks franchise, which delivered $4.1 billion in operating income in fiscal 2008, which ended Sept. 27. That dwarfed the $655 million in operating income earned by the Broadcast Networks, which include ABC, and was 49% of Disney's total operating income. ESPN is already feeling the impact of the recession. Its advertising revenue is declining even as costs associated with many of its rights deals increase on schedule. For the fiscal first quarter ended Dec. 27, revenue at Disney's Cable Networks division grew only 2% and operating income fell 12% from a year earlier to $517 million.
http://benton.org/node/22374
Recommend this Headline
MEDIA OWNERSHIP
Everyone Loves Google, Until It's Too Big
Peter Chernin to leave Murdoch's News Corp
Publisher speculates about Amazon/Google e-book "duopoly"
TELEVISION
Nielsen: Americans still love their TV, embracing DVRs
FCC Extends Comment Deadline For 2007 Video Competition Report
GOVERNMENT & COMMUNICATIONS
Watchdog groups press Obama DOJ on Bush e-mails
The intensifying battle over Internet freedom
1,000 Points of Data
BROADBAND/INTERNET
Surprise: America is No. 1 in Broadband
Asia's High Fiber Diet
Stimulus Broadband Requirements Being Written for Locals
Dear USBBC: Let's Build a Bold National Broadband Strategy Together
Virginia Uses Self-Help Program for Rural Broadband
Rural Broadband: No Job Creation Machine
What the broadband stimulus package means to rural telcos
Telework ranks swell
Internet Penetration and Premium Entertainment Are Linked
Mobile Internet Necessity, Not Luxury
Half of all instruction will take place online within the next 10 years
It's the broadband, stupid
FCC Releases Revised Broadband Data Form
communication for social change consortium
Now Available: Communication for Empowerment: A Practical Guidance Note
For download free. This project is done in partnership with UNDP Oslo Governance Centre in Madagascar, Mozambique and Ghana.
Download PDF (http://www.communicationforsocialchange.org/
For download free. This project is done in partnership with UNDP Oslo Governance Centre in Madagascar, Mozambique and Ghana.
Download PDF (http://www.communicationforsocialchange.org/
lpfm radio bill in u.s.
February, 24 2009
PRESS RELEASE
Contact:
Cory Fischer-Hoffman, Prometheus Radio Project (610)-761-5414
Jen Howard, Free Press, (202) 265-1490 x22
Low Power Community Radio: Legislation draws Bipartisan support
Members of Congress and community organizations call for more Low Power Radio nationwide
WASHINGTON -- Members of Congress, public interest advocates and community organizations will hold a national conference call tomorrow to discuss the reintroduction of the bipartisan “Local Community Radio Act” that would create opportunities for hundreds of low-power, community radio stations in cities, towns and suburbs across the United States. The sponsors of this legislation, Reps. Mike Doyle (D-Pa.) and Lee Terry (R-Neb.) will join the call to explain the details of this bill.
WHAT: National Conference Call on Community Radio Legislation
WHEN: Wednesday, February 25 12 p.m. ET
WHO:
Rep. Mike Doyle (D-Pa.)
Rep. Lee Terry (R-Neb.)
Cory Fischer-Hoffman, Prometheus Radio Project
Shawn Campbell, Chicago Independent Radio Project
Michael Bracy, Future of Music Coalition
Ben Scott, Free Press
*** Call this number: (888) 792-8352 Call-in Code- 87422899 ***
Low Power FM stations are community-based, noncommercial radio stations that broadcast to neighborhoods and small towns. LPFM licenses make radio station ownership possible for schools, churches, labor unions, local governments, emergency providers and other nonprofit groups to directly communicate with their local community. In 2000, the Federal Communications Commission began to issue LPFM licenses. However, soon after, Congress passed an unnecessary piece of legislation that drastically limited the radio spectrum available to LPFM stations. Since then, thousands of applications submitted to the FCC have been dismissed because of these limitations.
"Diverse, informative, thought-provoking, locally oriented programming has been dramatically restricted across the country by the current federal laws governing the separation between broadcast frequencies," said Congressman Doyle. "Enactment of this legislation would improve the quality of life in communities across the country by providing new and different programming -- especially programming addressing local interests and events -- to these communities."
Last time the “Local Community Radio Act” was introduced, it garnered much grassroots support -- with nearly 100 cosponsors in the House. The Senate version of the bill, sponsored last session by Sens. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) and John McCain (R-Ariz.) and co-sponsored by then-Senator Barack Obama, unanimously passed out of the Commerce Committee. The Senate is expected to reintroduce the bill this spring.
The Prometheus Radio Project, a group that helps build LPFM stations across the country, is the leading advocate for community radio. Campaign Director Cory Fischer-Hoffman notes, “As media outlets are increasingly consolidated local voices are being forced off the airwaves; it is time for Congress to remove the unfair restrictions that stand in the way of community organizations, religious groups, students and senior citizens from getting their own LPFM stations. In this time of economic crisis, it is crucial that communities have access to important information and educational programming featuring local news, emergency information and community matters. Expanding LPFM is a concrete action that will provide this important service to towns and cities across the country.”
###
PRESS RELEASE
Contact:
Cory Fischer-Hoffman, Prometheus Radio Project (610)-761-5414
Jen Howard, Free Press, (202) 265-1490 x22
Low Power Community Radio: Legislation draws Bipartisan support
Members of Congress and community organizations call for more Low Power Radio nationwide
WASHINGTON -- Members of Congress, public interest advocates and community organizations will hold a national conference call tomorrow to discuss the reintroduction of the bipartisan “Local Community Radio Act” that would create opportunities for hundreds of low-power, community radio stations in cities, towns and suburbs across the United States. The sponsors of this legislation, Reps. Mike Doyle (D-Pa.) and Lee Terry (R-Neb.) will join the call to explain the details of this bill.
WHAT: National Conference Call on Community Radio Legislation
WHEN: Wednesday, February 25 12 p.m. ET
WHO:
Rep. Mike Doyle (D-Pa.)
Rep. Lee Terry (R-Neb.)
Cory Fischer-Hoffman, Prometheus Radio Project
Shawn Campbell, Chicago Independent Radio Project
Michael Bracy, Future of Music Coalition
Ben Scott, Free Press
*** Call this number: (888) 792-8352 Call-in Code- 87422899 ***
Low Power FM stations are community-based, noncommercial radio stations that broadcast to neighborhoods and small towns. LPFM licenses make radio station ownership possible for schools, churches, labor unions, local governments, emergency providers and other nonprofit groups to directly communicate with their local community. In 2000, the Federal Communications Commission began to issue LPFM licenses. However, soon after, Congress passed an unnecessary piece of legislation that drastically limited the radio spectrum available to LPFM stations. Since then, thousands of applications submitted to the FCC have been dismissed because of these limitations.
"Diverse, informative, thought-provoking, locally oriented programming has been dramatically restricted across the country by the current federal laws governing the separation between broadcast frequencies," said Congressman Doyle. "Enactment of this legislation would improve the quality of life in communities across the country by providing new and different programming -- especially programming addressing local interests and events -- to these communities."
Last time the “Local Community Radio Act” was introduced, it garnered much grassroots support -- with nearly 100 cosponsors in the House. The Senate version of the bill, sponsored last session by Sens. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) and John McCain (R-Ariz.) and co-sponsored by then-Senator Barack Obama, unanimously passed out of the Commerce Committee. The Senate is expected to reintroduce the bill this spring.
The Prometheus Radio Project, a group that helps build LPFM stations across the country, is the leading advocate for community radio. Campaign Director Cory Fischer-Hoffman notes, “As media outlets are increasingly consolidated local voices are being forced off the airwaves; it is time for Congress to remove the unfair restrictions that stand in the way of community organizations, religious groups, students and senior citizens from getting their own LPFM stations. In this time of economic crisis, it is crucial that communities have access to important information and educational programming featuring local news, emergency information and community matters. Expanding LPFM is a concrete action that will provide this important service to towns and cities across the country.”
###
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
more from benton list
SCIENCE JOURNALISM GROWING OVERSEAS
[SOURCE: Columbia Journalism Review, AUTHOR: Cristine Russell]
The annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) has long been a mecca for journalists searching for stories of all shapes and sizes—from basic brain research to broad environmental policy issues involving land, oceans, and the atmosphere. Particularly remarkable was the increasingly international focus of the 175th meeting, which attracted about 6,800 participants, including roughly 800 members of the science media. The number of science reporters and journalists-in-training from far-flung parts of the world—the Middle East, Africa, Asia and South America, as well as Canada, the U.K., Germany, Sweden and other parts of Europe—has expanded at AAAS. At the same time, the presence of working American science reporters from major newspapers and magazines has declined over time, their ranks often replaced by a diverse group of freelancers and digital journalists who write, blog, and Twitter for a variety of startup and established news and information Web sites.
http://benton.org/node/22211
TELECOMS BOSSES URGE LESS REGULATION
[SOURCE: Financial Times, AUTHOR: Andrew Parker]
Leading European telecoms companies on Tuesday urged governments to ease the regulations on them, so the industry can play a major role in lifting economies out of recession. Spain's Telefónica and Vodafone of the UK said telecoms companies could fuel economic recovery, but warned that their efforts were hampered by regulations, notably from Brussels. Vittorio Colao, Vodafone's chief executive, complained the industry was suffering from "regulatory activism". Telecoms companies are using the world's largest mobile phone conference in Barcelona to highlight how the industry makes a significant contribution to gross domestic product. At the Mobile World Congress on Tuesday, César Alierta, Telefónica's chairman, complained that stimulus packages devised by governments were not paying sufficient attention to the role the telecoms industry could have in fostering economic recovery. He highlighted how fixed line operators were contemplating multibillion-euro investments in superfast broadband networks that could improve productivity.
http://benton.org/node/22253
Recommend this Headline
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THE INTERNET OF THINGS
[SOURCE: San Jose Mercury News, AUTHOR: Scott Duke Harris]
ZeroG Wireless is introducing a new chip that provides a tiny bit of Wi-Fi connectivity to literally billions of electronic devices that today are unconnected. Companies may use the chips to collect usage data on all kinds of electronic appliances. With three patents approved and several more in the works, ZeroG is rolling out a Wi-Fi chip and module that already has Federal Communications Commission approval and can be easily integrated into micro-controller units made by companies such as Microchip Technology, Freescale Semiconductor and Atmel. It announced a new "early access" partnership with Microchip on Monday that will enable electronics manufacturers to test the chips for commercial use.
http://benton.org/node/22252
Recommend this Headline
back to top
REGULATION, PUBLIC POLICY AND INVESTMENT IN COMMUNICATIONS INFRASTRUCTURE
[SOURCE: Quello Center for Telecommunication Management and Law, AUTHOR: Johannes Bauer]
Regulation and other forms of public policy toward infrastructure industries were and are designed to support the necessary large-scale investment. Throughout history, with few exceptions, rather pragmatic approaches guided policies. A more rigorous lens was only applied more recently although it often focused on narrow aspects of regulation. In contrast, this paper attempts to develop a broader, integrated framework to analyze the effects of regulatory and other public policy choices on sector investment. During the past decades, regulation has gradually abandoned instruments that allowed regulators to influence investment decisions directly. Presently used forms of wholesale regulation such as unbundling and network neutrality requirements work indirectly, creating complex and sometimes contradictory incentives for the affected stakeholders. Regulation cannot anymore "control" investment. Rather it functions as a "tuning variable" that influences the level and the structure of investment activity in various direct and indirect, often non-linear ways. Fiscal and monetary policy instruments also can be used to influence investment choices but they have their own advantages and disadvantages and do not work under all conditions. Due to the multi-faceted effects of regulatory measures, fiscal and monetary policy is preferable to regulatory measures to create short term economic stimulus. Whereas the overall effects of a combination of regulatory and other public policy measures on communications sector investment levels and structure are difficult to predict, basic guidelines for the design of a coherent approach can be specified.
http://benton.org/node/22217
Recommend this Headline
[SOURCE: Columbia Journalism Review, AUTHOR: Cristine Russell]
The annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) has long been a mecca for journalists searching for stories of all shapes and sizes—from basic brain research to broad environmental policy issues involving land, oceans, and the atmosphere. Particularly remarkable was the increasingly international focus of the 175th meeting, which attracted about 6,800 participants, including roughly 800 members of the science media. The number of science reporters and journalists-in-training from far-flung parts of the world—the Middle East, Africa, Asia and South America, as well as Canada, the U.K., Germany, Sweden and other parts of Europe—has expanded at AAAS. At the same time, the presence of working American science reporters from major newspapers and magazines has declined over time, their ranks often replaced by a diverse group of freelancers and digital journalists who write, blog, and Twitter for a variety of startup and established news and information Web sites.
http://benton.org/node/22211
TELECOMS BOSSES URGE LESS REGULATION
[SOURCE: Financial Times, AUTHOR: Andrew Parker]
Leading European telecoms companies on Tuesday urged governments to ease the regulations on them, so the industry can play a major role in lifting economies out of recession. Spain's Telefónica and Vodafone of the UK said telecoms companies could fuel economic recovery, but warned that their efforts were hampered by regulations, notably from Brussels. Vittorio Colao, Vodafone's chief executive, complained the industry was suffering from "regulatory activism". Telecoms companies are using the world's largest mobile phone conference in Barcelona to highlight how the industry makes a significant contribution to gross domestic product. At the Mobile World Congress on Tuesday, César Alierta, Telefónica's chairman, complained that stimulus packages devised by governments were not paying sufficient attention to the role the telecoms industry could have in fostering economic recovery. He highlighted how fixed line operators were contemplating multibillion-euro investments in superfast broadband networks that could improve productivity.
http://benton.org/node/22253
Recommend this Headline
back to top
THE INTERNET OF THINGS
[SOURCE: San Jose Mercury News, AUTHOR: Scott Duke Harris]
ZeroG Wireless is introducing a new chip that provides a tiny bit of Wi-Fi connectivity to literally billions of electronic devices that today are unconnected. Companies may use the chips to collect usage data on all kinds of electronic appliances. With three patents approved and several more in the works, ZeroG is rolling out a Wi-Fi chip and module that already has Federal Communications Commission approval and can be easily integrated into micro-controller units made by companies such as Microchip Technology, Freescale Semiconductor and Atmel. It announced a new "early access" partnership with Microchip on Monday that will enable electronics manufacturers to test the chips for commercial use.
http://benton.org/node/22252
Recommend this Headline
back to top
REGULATION, PUBLIC POLICY AND INVESTMENT IN COMMUNICATIONS INFRASTRUCTURE
[SOURCE: Quello Center for Telecommunication Management and Law, AUTHOR: Johannes Bauer]
Regulation and other forms of public policy toward infrastructure industries were and are designed to support the necessary large-scale investment. Throughout history, with few exceptions, rather pragmatic approaches guided policies. A more rigorous lens was only applied more recently although it often focused on narrow aspects of regulation. In contrast, this paper attempts to develop a broader, integrated framework to analyze the effects of regulatory and other public policy choices on sector investment. During the past decades, regulation has gradually abandoned instruments that allowed regulators to influence investment decisions directly. Presently used forms of wholesale regulation such as unbundling and network neutrality requirements work indirectly, creating complex and sometimes contradictory incentives for the affected stakeholders. Regulation cannot anymore "control" investment. Rather it functions as a "tuning variable" that influences the level and the structure of investment activity in various direct and indirect, often non-linear ways. Fiscal and monetary policy instruments also can be used to influence investment choices but they have their own advantages and disadvantages and do not work under all conditions. Due to the multi-faceted effects of regulatory measures, fiscal and monetary policy is preferable to regulatory measures to create short term economic stimulus. Whereas the overall effects of a combination of regulatory and other public policy measures on communications sector investment levels and structure are difficult to predict, basic guidelines for the design of a coherent approach can be specified.
http://benton.org/node/22217
Recommend this Headline
EU progress in analogue to digital transition
EU NOTES PROGRESS IN DIGITAL TRANSITION
[SOURCE: CongressDaily, AUTHOR: Andrew Noyes]
While the United States struggles with efforts to switch the country over to digital television signals, the European Union said Tuesday that it "is leading the world in switching from analog to digital television." The EU government said the transition has been completed in five member states thus far: Germany, Finland, Luxembourg, Sweden and the Netherlands. By 2010 "the process should be well advanced in the whole EU," officials said. Specifically, the terrestrial TV switch-off is supposed to take place by the end of 2010 or earlier in Austria, Estonia, Denmark, Spain, Malta and Slovenia. The change is set to occur between the end of 2010 and the end of 2012 in Belgium (Wallonia and Brussels capital region), Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Greece, France, Hungary, Italy, Lithuania, Latvia, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia and the United Kingdom. In Poland the final switch-off date is 2015 at the latest, according to the EU.
http://benton.org/node/22210
[SOURCE: CongressDaily, AUTHOR: Andrew Noyes]
While the United States struggles with efforts to switch the country over to digital television signals, the European Union said Tuesday that it "is leading the world in switching from analog to digital television." The EU government said the transition has been completed in five member states thus far: Germany, Finland, Luxembourg, Sweden and the Netherlands. By 2010 "the process should be well advanced in the whole EU," officials said. Specifically, the terrestrial TV switch-off is supposed to take place by the end of 2010 or earlier in Austria, Estonia, Denmark, Spain, Malta and Slovenia. The change is set to occur between the end of 2010 and the end of 2012 in Belgium (Wallonia and Brussels capital region), Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Greece, France, Hungary, Italy, Lithuania, Latvia, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia and the United Kingdom. In Poland the final switch-off date is 2015 at the latest, according to the EU.
http://benton.org/node/22210
broadband mapping and US stimulum package
CONNECTED NATION TAKES AIM TAKES AIM AT STIMULUS BROADBAND MAPPING; RURAL AREAS COULD BE HURT
[SOURCE: PublicKnowledge, AUTHOR: Art Brodsky]
The new stimulus package just signed by President Obama has $350 million in it for broadband mapping, yet even before the bill was signed, the danger warnings for this program are glaringly obvious: Who will control the information on broadband deployment? If the program is done correctly, then the program may bring some benefits to the effort to include all Americans in the digital economy. If not, much of the money will be wasted. Increasingly, it is beginning to look as if the program will be done at the mercy of the big telecommunications companies, who will seek to submit the information they want to submit, on the terms and conditions on which they want to submit it. State governments, working months before the stimulus package was conceived, are ramping up their own programs to map deployment of broadband, and are finding they are already increasingly running into conflicts over the type of data they will receive. Some states want comprehensive, granular data. However, they are finding that the telecommunications industry, often represented by Connected Nation, doesn't want to give it to them. The result is a clash of policy objectives and politics that's taking place across the country, in states ranging from North Carolina to Alabama, Colorado and Minnesota.
http://benton.org/node/22227
Recommend this Headline
back to top
HOW SHOULD WE SPEND $250 MILLION ON BROADBAND MAPPING?
[SOURCE: App-Rising.com, AUTHOR: Geoff Daily]
[Commentary] Included in the stimulus bill is $350 million for mapping the availability and tracking the adoption of broadband. That's a huge sum of money with which we can do great things, so how should we spend all those dollars so as to maximize their impact on the state of broadband in the US? First we should gather as much data as possible. Next that data should be as granular as possible. Finally everything should be as transparent as possible. But we also need to track demand for broadband. In particular we need a baseline for how people, businesses, and institutions are using broadband today so we can track how their usage is growing tomorrow. Also valuable would be a sense for how much market demand any given community has for broadband as this is data that can be used to justify the buildout of new networks to supply bandwidth to that demand.
http://benton.org/node/22226
Recommend this Headline
back to top
IBM EYES STIMULUS FUNDS FOR BROADBAND OVER POWER LINES
[SOURCE: Reuters, AUTHOR: Ritsuko Ando]
IBM plans to take advantage of the economic stimulus package by offering Internet services over power lines to more rural consumers. The economic stimulus law signed by President Barack Obama included $2.5 billion for the Agricultural Department to expand broadband service in rural America. IBM said its venture with International Broadband Electric Communications (IBEC), a company that provides broadband over power line (BPL) services, had begun to sign up Internet customers in rural parts of Alabama, Indiana, Michigan and Virginia and that it hoped to access more government funds. IBEC venture's service is aimed at remote and sparsely populated areas where advanced Internet services are not available, meaning the only competition would be traditional dial-up services which are even slower. IBM said it did not know how much government funds it could receive but that the venture would proceed regardless, and that it expects broader Internet use to stimulate the economy and help create more business opportunities in the long run.
http://benton.org/node/22224
Recommend this Headline
back to top
STIMULUS CRUCIAL FOR "SMART GRID"
[SOURCE: Reuters, AUTHOR: David Lawsky]
The electric power industry and manufacturers say $4.5 billion in the $787-billion U.S. economic stimulus package will give a crucial boost to "smart grids" that will help the nation save money and electricity. The stimulus measure, signed into law by President Barack Obama on Tuesday, provides matching funds over two years to encourage utilities to start work on smart grids. Smart grids combine special meters, wireless technology, sensors and software so customers can closely monitor energy use cut and back when the grid is stretched to its limit. Otherwise, utilities must build expensive, wasteful plants that are turned on when needed to prevent blackouts. Two-way meters also let utilities pinpoint power outages and respond far more quickly. Eventually a smart grid will also help prevent blackouts by better balancing electric resources.
http://benton.org/node/22223
Recommend this Headline
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FORGET UNIVERSAL BROADBAND
[SOURCE: TelephonyOnline, AUTHOR: Ed Gubbins]
[Commentary] Are companies really shunning the U.S. market because there's not enough broadband here? After all, the gap between our penetration numbers and Japan's is in rural America. Is that really the segment of the market that stands between us and the forefront of global technology innovation? Of the roughly 12% of American homes without broadband today, a third say they wouldn't buy broadband if they could. And of the 25% of Americans who don't use the Internet at all, at any speed, only 12% say it's due to lack of access. If weak demand is the problem, maybe we should be pushing broadband's benefits to rural Americans harder than we push the actual networks — maybe then rural America would do more of the pulling itself. We need to get them hooked on applications. Despite the historic importance of trains, there was never a call to bring railroad tracks to every American's doorstep. Railways were built in accordance with commercial demand, creating more demand along the way. If you didn't live near the tracks, it was up to you to bring yourself the rest of the way.
http://benton.org/node/22221
Recommend this Headline
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RECESSION COULD LENGTHEN THE TWILIGHT OF DIAL-UP
[SOURCE: Associated Press, AUTHOR: Andrew Vanacore]
Lightning speed Internet is the wave of the future. But in a recession, good old dial-up service might get a longer look. Now Internet providers that have seen their dial-up customer base whittled over the past decade see an opportunity to stay in the game by offering the budget-conscious a cheaper option. Dial-up is declining overall, but that doesn't mean it's not still a viable business," said Kevin Brand, senior vice president of product management at EarthLink Inc. "There's still a big market out there and during these tough times, even customers who have bundles including broadband may be looking at their bill and thinking, 'Do I really need all this?'" With that in mind, EarthLink recently rolled out a dial-up offer of $7.95 per month, lowering its cheapest service — and undercutting competitors — by $2. The move to more aggressively court new dial-up users is striking, since it's a market many consumers have fled.
http://benton.org/node/22254
Recommend this Headline
back to top
[SOURCE: PublicKnowledge, AUTHOR: Art Brodsky]
The new stimulus package just signed by President Obama has $350 million in it for broadband mapping, yet even before the bill was signed, the danger warnings for this program are glaringly obvious: Who will control the information on broadband deployment? If the program is done correctly, then the program may bring some benefits to the effort to include all Americans in the digital economy. If not, much of the money will be wasted. Increasingly, it is beginning to look as if the program will be done at the mercy of the big telecommunications companies, who will seek to submit the information they want to submit, on the terms and conditions on which they want to submit it. State governments, working months before the stimulus package was conceived, are ramping up their own programs to map deployment of broadband, and are finding they are already increasingly running into conflicts over the type of data they will receive. Some states want comprehensive, granular data. However, they are finding that the telecommunications industry, often represented by Connected Nation, doesn't want to give it to them. The result is a clash of policy objectives and politics that's taking place across the country, in states ranging from North Carolina to Alabama, Colorado and Minnesota.
http://benton.org/node/22227
Recommend this Headline
back to top
HOW SHOULD WE SPEND $250 MILLION ON BROADBAND MAPPING?
[SOURCE: App-Rising.com, AUTHOR: Geoff Daily]
[Commentary] Included in the stimulus bill is $350 million for mapping the availability and tracking the adoption of broadband. That's a huge sum of money with which we can do great things, so how should we spend all those dollars so as to maximize their impact on the state of broadband in the US? First we should gather as much data as possible. Next that data should be as granular as possible. Finally everything should be as transparent as possible. But we also need to track demand for broadband. In particular we need a baseline for how people, businesses, and institutions are using broadband today so we can track how their usage is growing tomorrow. Also valuable would be a sense for how much market demand any given community has for broadband as this is data that can be used to justify the buildout of new networks to supply bandwidth to that demand.
http://benton.org/node/22226
Recommend this Headline
back to top
IBM EYES STIMULUS FUNDS FOR BROADBAND OVER POWER LINES
[SOURCE: Reuters, AUTHOR: Ritsuko Ando]
IBM plans to take advantage of the economic stimulus package by offering Internet services over power lines to more rural consumers. The economic stimulus law signed by President Barack Obama included $2.5 billion for the Agricultural Department to expand broadband service in rural America. IBM said its venture with International Broadband Electric Communications (IBEC), a company that provides broadband over power line (BPL) services, had begun to sign up Internet customers in rural parts of Alabama, Indiana, Michigan and Virginia and that it hoped to access more government funds. IBEC venture's service is aimed at remote and sparsely populated areas where advanced Internet services are not available, meaning the only competition would be traditional dial-up services which are even slower. IBM said it did not know how much government funds it could receive but that the venture would proceed regardless, and that it expects broader Internet use to stimulate the economy and help create more business opportunities in the long run.
http://benton.org/node/22224
Recommend this Headline
back to top
STIMULUS CRUCIAL FOR "SMART GRID"
[SOURCE: Reuters, AUTHOR: David Lawsky]
The electric power industry and manufacturers say $4.5 billion in the $787-billion U.S. economic stimulus package will give a crucial boost to "smart grids" that will help the nation save money and electricity. The stimulus measure, signed into law by President Barack Obama on Tuesday, provides matching funds over two years to encourage utilities to start work on smart grids. Smart grids combine special meters, wireless technology, sensors and software so customers can closely monitor energy use cut and back when the grid is stretched to its limit. Otherwise, utilities must build expensive, wasteful plants that are turned on when needed to prevent blackouts. Two-way meters also let utilities pinpoint power outages and respond far more quickly. Eventually a smart grid will also help prevent blackouts by better balancing electric resources.
http://benton.org/node/22223
Recommend this Headline
back to top
FORGET UNIVERSAL BROADBAND
[SOURCE: TelephonyOnline, AUTHOR: Ed Gubbins]
[Commentary] Are companies really shunning the U.S. market because there's not enough broadband here? After all, the gap between our penetration numbers and Japan's is in rural America. Is that really the segment of the market that stands between us and the forefront of global technology innovation? Of the roughly 12% of American homes without broadband today, a third say they wouldn't buy broadband if they could. And of the 25% of Americans who don't use the Internet at all, at any speed, only 12% say it's due to lack of access. If weak demand is the problem, maybe we should be pushing broadband's benefits to rural Americans harder than we push the actual networks — maybe then rural America would do more of the pulling itself. We need to get them hooked on applications. Despite the historic importance of trains, there was never a call to bring railroad tracks to every American's doorstep. Railways were built in accordance with commercial demand, creating more demand along the way. If you didn't live near the tracks, it was up to you to bring yourself the rest of the way.
http://benton.org/node/22221
Recommend this Headline
back to top
RECESSION COULD LENGTHEN THE TWILIGHT OF DIAL-UP
[SOURCE: Associated Press, AUTHOR: Andrew Vanacore]
Lightning speed Internet is the wave of the future. But in a recession, good old dial-up service might get a longer look. Now Internet providers that have seen their dial-up customer base whittled over the past decade see an opportunity to stay in the game by offering the budget-conscious a cheaper option. Dial-up is declining overall, but that doesn't mean it's not still a viable business," said Kevin Brand, senior vice president of product management at EarthLink Inc. "There's still a big market out there and during these tough times, even customers who have bundles including broadband may be looking at their bill and thinking, 'Do I really need all this?'" With that in mind, EarthLink recently rolled out a dial-up offer of $7.95 per month, lowering its cheapest service — and undercutting competitors — by $2. The move to more aggressively court new dial-up users is striking, since it's a market many consumers have fled.
http://benton.org/node/22254
Recommend this Headline
back to top
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
from yesterday's benton headlines
CARLOS SLIM HELU: THE RETICENT MEDIA BARON
[SOURCE: New York Times, AUTHOR: Marc Lacey]
Carlos Slim Helú, Mexico's richest man and now a major shareholder in and lender to The New York Times, has a complex relationship with the news media. He invests money in an array of television and newspaper companies and says he sees a bright future for those media companies that adapt. But when the news media focus their spotlight on him, he sometimes gives the impression that he wants to be left alone to make more money in peace.
http://benton.org/node/22133
Recommend this Headline
back to top
THE FUTURE OF MUSIC POLICY
[SOURCE: Pew Internet & American Life Project, AUTHOR: Mary Madden]
While the Internet can often be viewed as an unfriendly place for musicians' pockets, online radio has proven to be one of more lucrative digital channels for artists. Online radio stations are currently required to pay a performance royalty to musicians every time their song is played. Terrestrial radio, on the other hand, still benefits from an exemption that allows them to avoid paying performance royalties to musicians. The U.S. stands out in this regard, as many other parts of the world do not provide this exemption to broadcasters.
http://benton.org/node/22125
Recommend this Headline
back to top
CELL PHONE DEMAND TO STAY STRONG DESPITE DOWNTURN: U.N.
[SOURCE: Reuters, AUTHOR: Laura MacInnis]
Mobile telephones are seen as "a basic necessity" around the world and should enjoy persistent strong demand throughout an economic downturn, a United Nations agency said in a report published on Monday. "With or without a recession," millions of people in India, China, Nigeria, and other emerging markets will seek out mobile phones, according to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). Increasingly cost-conscious households in Europe and North America are also expected to keep up their mobile use, and many will drop their fixed-line telephones as a way to save money, the ITU said in a report released for the Mobile World Congress trade show in Barcelona.
http://benton.org/node/22135
Recommend this Headline
back to top
DO WE NEED A NEW INTERNET?
[SOURCE: New York Times, AUTHOR: John Markoff]
[Commentary] There is a growing belief among engineers and security experts that Internet security and privacy have become so maddeningly elusive that the only way to fix the problem is to start over. What a new Internet might look like is still widely debated, but one alternative would, in effect, create a "gated community" where users would give up their anonymity and certain freedoms in return for safety. Today that is already the case for many corporate and government Internet users. As a new and more secure network becomes widely adopted, the current Internet might end up as the bad neighborhood of cyberspace. You would enter at your own risk and keep an eye over your shoulder while you were there. "Unless we're willing to rethink today's Internet," says Nick McKeown, a Stanford engineer involved in building a new Internet, "we're just waiting for a series of public catastrophes."
http://benton.org/node/22142
Recommend this Headline
STIMULUS STIRS DEBATE OVER RURAL BROADBAND ACCESS
[SOURCE: National Public Radio, AUTHOR: Howard Berkes]
Michael Katz bashed rural life last week when he addressed an American Enterprise Institute panel discussion on the broadband elements of President Obama's economic stimulus bill. "The notion that we should be helping people who live in rural areas avoid the costs that they impose on society ... is misguided," Katz said, "from an efficiency point of view and an equity one." Katz listed ways that the $7.2 billion could be put to better use, including an effort to combat infant deaths. But he also spoke of rural places as environmentally hostile, energy inefficient and even weak in innovation, simply because rural people are spread out across the landscape.
http://benton.org/node/22136
Recommend this Headline
[SOURCE: New York Times, AUTHOR: Marc Lacey]
Carlos Slim Helú, Mexico's richest man and now a major shareholder in and lender to The New York Times, has a complex relationship with the news media. He invests money in an array of television and newspaper companies and says he sees a bright future for those media companies that adapt. But when the news media focus their spotlight on him, he sometimes gives the impression that he wants to be left alone to make more money in peace.
http://benton.org/node/22133
Recommend this Headline
back to top
THE FUTURE OF MUSIC POLICY
[SOURCE: Pew Internet & American Life Project, AUTHOR: Mary Madden]
While the Internet can often be viewed as an unfriendly place for musicians' pockets, online radio has proven to be one of more lucrative digital channels for artists. Online radio stations are currently required to pay a performance royalty to musicians every time their song is played. Terrestrial radio, on the other hand, still benefits from an exemption that allows them to avoid paying performance royalties to musicians. The U.S. stands out in this regard, as many other parts of the world do not provide this exemption to broadcasters.
http://benton.org/node/22125
Recommend this Headline
back to top
CELL PHONE DEMAND TO STAY STRONG DESPITE DOWNTURN: U.N.
[SOURCE: Reuters, AUTHOR: Laura MacInnis]
Mobile telephones are seen as "a basic necessity" around the world and should enjoy persistent strong demand throughout an economic downturn, a United Nations agency said in a report published on Monday. "With or without a recession," millions of people in India, China, Nigeria, and other emerging markets will seek out mobile phones, according to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). Increasingly cost-conscious households in Europe and North America are also expected to keep up their mobile use, and many will drop their fixed-line telephones as a way to save money, the ITU said in a report released for the Mobile World Congress trade show in Barcelona.
http://benton.org/node/22135
Recommend this Headline
back to top
DO WE NEED A NEW INTERNET?
[SOURCE: New York Times, AUTHOR: John Markoff]
[Commentary] There is a growing belief among engineers and security experts that Internet security and privacy have become so maddeningly elusive that the only way to fix the problem is to start over. What a new Internet might look like is still widely debated, but one alternative would, in effect, create a "gated community" where users would give up their anonymity and certain freedoms in return for safety. Today that is already the case for many corporate and government Internet users. As a new and more secure network becomes widely adopted, the current Internet might end up as the bad neighborhood of cyberspace. You would enter at your own risk and keep an eye over your shoulder while you were there. "Unless we're willing to rethink today's Internet," says Nick McKeown, a Stanford engineer involved in building a new Internet, "we're just waiting for a series of public catastrophes."
http://benton.org/node/22142
Recommend this Headline
STIMULUS STIRS DEBATE OVER RURAL BROADBAND ACCESS
[SOURCE: National Public Radio, AUTHOR: Howard Berkes]
Michael Katz bashed rural life last week when he addressed an American Enterprise Institute panel discussion on the broadband elements of President Obama's economic stimulus bill. "The notion that we should be helping people who live in rural areas avoid the costs that they impose on society ... is misguided," Katz said, "from an efficiency point of view and an equity one." Katz listed ways that the $7.2 billion could be put to better use, including an effort to combat infant deaths. But he also spoke of rural places as environmentally hostile, energy inefficient and even weak in innovation, simply because rural people are spread out across the landscape.
http://benton.org/node/22136
Recommend this Headline
bbc worldwide drops environmental site
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2009/feb/14/bbc-worldwide-drops-environment-site
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Global Survey on Protection of Journalists' Sources
http://www.privacyinternational.org/article.shtml?cmd[347]=x-347-558384
some community media resources
best site for updated info on community media in europe - lots of links to different reports, www.communitymedia.eu
journal edition dedicated to community media, more theoretical pieces that may be of use.
http://www.javnost-thepublic.org/issue/2003/1/
one case study that is at hand, tho an internet search will turn up lost for the country or region of choice - just be sure it is up to date info as policies have been changing...article on community media in japan (or lack of)
http://www.researchsea.com/html/article.php/aid/1718/cid/5/research/the_role_of_community_radio_in_japan__.html?PHPSESSID=5a876739241d0ce5572f8da16753b19b
journal edition dedicated to community media, more theoretical pieces that may be of use.
http://www.javnost-thepublic.org/issue/2003/1/
one case study that is at hand, tho an internet search will turn up lost for the country or region of choice - just be sure it is up to date info as policies have been changing...article on community media in japan (or lack of)
http://www.researchsea.com/html/article.php/aid/1718/cid/5/research/the_role_of_community_radio_in_japan__.html?PHPSESSID=5a876739241d0ce5572f8da16753b19b
replace ads with art?
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/6846
replaces internet ads with artwork. it's an interesting debate, this issue of advertising online. Some argue that if we want free access, we have to accept that the bills need to be paid somehow. Others oppose the increasing commercialisation of online spaces and data capture that goes along with it.
Either way, this is a very clever idea that at the very least, asks us to think about our views on the subject. Or just enjoy some art.
replaces internet ads with artwork. it's an interesting debate, this issue of advertising online. Some argue that if we want free access, we have to accept that the bills need to be paid somehow. Others oppose the increasing commercialisation of online spaces and data capture that goes along with it.
Either way, this is a very clever idea that at the very least, asks us to think about our views on the subject. Or just enjoy some art.
privacy concerns in Britain
from the right wing press
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/columnists/philipjohnston/4604985/Whatever-happened-to-free-speech.html
and the left wing press
http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2009/feb/14/medical-records-nhs-privacy
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/columnists/philipjohnston/4604985/Whatever-happened-to-free-speech.html
and the left wing press
http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2009/feb/14/medical-records-nhs-privacy
Monday, February 9, 2009
EU Map media news headlines
some enws headlines from eu map webpage:
http://www.eumap.org/
Pope stirs up Jewish fury over bishop
2009-01-25 · The Observer
Tension between the Vatican and Jewish groups ratcheted up after Pope Benedict XVI rehabilitated a bishop who has denied the Holocaust. Warning against the signal the decision sent, a Community Security Trust spokesman pointed out that "there has been a considerable increase in antisemitism from some of the eastern European churches".
Sarkozy's €600m aid for French papers
2009-01-24 · Irish Times
President Sarkozy has announced €600 million in emergency aid for the French newspapers, and promised a year’s free subscription for every 18-year-old. The press is in a crisis, but state involvement is a double-edged sword. An annual €1.5 billion in subsidies is counterweighed by politicians rewriting their own interviews and the president’s friends owning major newspapers.
Hungary’s Prime Minister Urges Anti Hate Speech Legislation Amid Right-Wing Attacks
2009-01-24 · BosNewsLife
PM Gyurcsany of Hungary has urged all political parties to implement strict legislation against hate speech amid concerns over growing far right groups. He accused the right wing and liberal parties of "attacking human rights" by blocking the legislation. Earlier this month, prosecutors banned the "Hungarian Guard", but it will appeal against the decision.
http://www.eumap.org/
Pope stirs up Jewish fury over bishop
2009-01-25 · The Observer
Tension between the Vatican and Jewish groups ratcheted up after Pope Benedict XVI rehabilitated a bishop who has denied the Holocaust. Warning against the signal the decision sent, a Community Security Trust spokesman pointed out that "there has been a considerable increase in antisemitism from some of the eastern European churches".
Sarkozy's €600m aid for French papers
2009-01-24 · Irish Times
President Sarkozy has announced €600 million in emergency aid for the French newspapers, and promised a year’s free subscription for every 18-year-old. The press is in a crisis, but state involvement is a double-edged sword. An annual €1.5 billion in subsidies is counterweighed by politicians rewriting their own interviews and the president’s friends owning major newspapers.
Hungary’s Prime Minister Urges Anti Hate Speech Legislation Amid Right-Wing Attacks
2009-01-24 · BosNewsLife
PM Gyurcsany of Hungary has urged all political parties to implement strict legislation against hate speech amid concerns over growing far right groups. He accused the right wing and liberal parties of "attacking human rights" by blocking the legislation. Earlier this month, prosecutors banned the "Hungarian Guard", but it will appeal against the decision.
defamation and slander online
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/02/08/MNOJ15F979.DTL&type=business&tsp=
Community wifi links
1) report on philly project from new american foundation (itself a good resource for teleocm research mostly us based. See esp the outcomes listed on first page of the repotr that consider that lack of/not taking properly into account of public input as part of the problem and related lack of success)
http://www.newamerica.net/publications/policy/philadelphia_story
2) Champaign Urbana wireless
http://cuwireless.net/
3) international summit for community wireless networks
http://wirelesssummit.org/
4) http://www.hearusnow.org/internet/190/
5)fcc study
http://74.125.77.132/search?q=cache:8UQYh7mN_gwJ:wireless.fcc.gov/outreach/2004broadbandforum/comments/NewAmericaUnlicensed.pdf+native+american+wireless+sandvig&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=8
6) tribal digital village
http://www.sctdv.net/content.fsp?name=8649
http://www.newamerica.net/publications/policy/philadelphia_story
2) Champaign Urbana wireless
http://cuwireless.net/
3) international summit for community wireless networks
http://wirelesssummit.org/
4) http://www.hearusnow.org/internet/190/
5)fcc study
http://74.125.77.132/search?q=cache:8UQYh7mN_gwJ:wireless.fcc.gov/outreach/2004broadbandforum/comments/NewAmericaUnlicensed.pdf+native+american+wireless+sandvig&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=8
6) tribal digital village
http://www.sctdv.net/content.fsp?name=8649
Obama 'Hope' poster artist sued over copyright
AP suing over image use.
http://blog.wired.com/underwire/2009/02/copyfight-erupt.html
and to make it ever more ridiculous / strange:
graffiti charge
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/feb/09/obama-poster-graffiti-charge
lots more articles elswhere but truly a weird twist.
http://blog.wired.com/underwire/2009/02/copyfight-erupt.html
and to make it ever more ridiculous / strange:
graffiti charge
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/feb/09/obama-poster-graffiti-charge
lots more articles elswhere but truly a weird twist.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
World Social Forum
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7874667.stm
"Alternative voices on the world economic crisis".
The World Social Forums connect with our ongoing discussions of global forums for civil society. Here is the link to a BBC article about 209 forum.
"Alternative voices on the world economic crisis".
The World Social Forums connect with our ongoing discussions of global forums for civil society. Here is the link to a BBC article about 209 forum.
political campaign donations go mobile
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/huff-wires/20081120/mobile-donors/
Monday, January 26, 2009
Info Activism
A project of the Tactical Technology Collective.
from their website:
"Info-Activism is an approach which helps rights advocates tactically utilise information, communications and digital technologies to enhance advocacy work. Tactical Tech believes that new technologies have significant potential to enhance the work of campaigners and advocates, giving them the tools to gather and analyse information and the means to turn that information into action."
http://www.informationactivism.org/
from their website:
"Info-Activism is an approach which helps rights advocates tactically utilise information, communications and digital technologies to enhance advocacy work. Tactical Tech believes that new technologies have significant potential to enhance the work of campaigners and advocates, giving them the tools to gather and analyse information and the means to turn that information into action."
http://www.informationactivism.org/
"In Pakistan, Radio Amplifies Terror of Taliban"
Does anyone know more about the story in this article?
from the NY Times
By RICHARD A. OPPEL Jr. and PIR ZUBAIR SHAH
Published: January 24, 2009
PESHAWAR, Pakistan — Every night around 8 o’clock, the terrified residents of Swat, a lush and picturesque valley a hundred miles from three of Pakistan’s most important cities, crowd around their radios. They know that failure to listen and learn might lead to a lashing — or a beheading.
Hundreds gathered Jan. 11 in Swat to watch drug dealers punished. The Taliban also have made it a crime to shave a beard.
Using a portable radio transmitter, a local Taliban leader, Shah Doran, on most nights outlines newly proscribed “un-Islamic” activities in Swat, like selling DVDs, watching cable television, singing and dancing, criticizing the Taliban, shaving beards and allowing girls to attend school. He also reveals names of people the Taliban have recently killed for violating their decrees — and those they plan to kill.
“They control everything through the radio,” said one Swat resident, who declined to give his name for fear the Taliban might kill him. “Everyone waits for the broadcast.”
International attention remains fixed on the Taliban’s hold on Pakistan’s semiautonomous tribal areas, from where they launch attacks on American forces in Afghanistan. But for Pakistan, the loss of the Swat Valley could prove just as devastating....(see link for rest of the article)
from the NY Times
By RICHARD A. OPPEL Jr. and PIR ZUBAIR SHAH
Published: January 24, 2009
PESHAWAR, Pakistan — Every night around 8 o’clock, the terrified residents of Swat, a lush and picturesque valley a hundred miles from three of Pakistan’s most important cities, crowd around their radios. They know that failure to listen and learn might lead to a lashing — or a beheading.
Hundreds gathered Jan. 11 in Swat to watch drug dealers punished. The Taliban also have made it a crime to shave a beard.
Using a portable radio transmitter, a local Taliban leader, Shah Doran, on most nights outlines newly proscribed “un-Islamic” activities in Swat, like selling DVDs, watching cable television, singing and dancing, criticizing the Taliban, shaving beards and allowing girls to attend school. He also reveals names of people the Taliban have recently killed for violating their decrees — and those they plan to kill.
“They control everything through the radio,” said one Swat resident, who declined to give his name for fear the Taliban might kill him. “Everyone waits for the broadcast.”
International attention remains fixed on the Taliban’s hold on Pakistan’s semiautonomous tribal areas, from where they launch attacks on American forces in Afghanistan. But for Pakistan, the loss of the Swat Valley could prove just as devastating....(see link for rest of the article)
Community radio director in Paraguay murdered
Below is the statement from COMUNICA Paraguay. I don't have original news article on this incident, but there is a history of incidents of violence against community radios in the country.
Comunica Denounces Murder of Community Radio Director in Paraguay
Asuncion, Paraguay, 13 January 2009.
The “Asociación Paraguaya de Comunicación Comunitaria, COMUNICA”, and the Coordinadora de Derechos Humanos del Paraguay, denounce the murder of Martín Ocampos Paez director of the Community Radio Hugua Ñandú FM, member of COMUNICA, and
member of a farmers union producers. The Hugua Community Radio works
with the community of same name denouncing the impunity of ranchers,
drug trafickersealers and the security forces that protect them and
persecute the peasants under the excuse of fighting organise crime.
The murder of Martin Ocampo, coincides with militar and police
operations ordered by the government under the presure of economic
groups that are willing to create confusion by arguing the supposed
existence of guerrila groups, that have not been proved. The area has
become a “free zone” for narcotraffic under the contrôle of local
government authorities.
We denounce the disinformation campaign by some media, trying to present
the murder of Martin Ocampo as killed in the burning of a military post,
that the communicator was a member of a guerrilla army and that he was
connected to narcotrafic. All this in ordre to discredit him and the
Community Radio Hugua Ñandú FM aa well as all community radios in Paraguay.
We also denounce the repression against the Organización de Lucha por la
Tierra (OLT) whose members are being detained for defending the health
clinic for the Tava`i community that was closed by the government. For
this case there is more than fifty detainees, among them communicators
and community leaders supporting this organisation and expressing those
ideas through the community radio Joaju FM that belongs to the OLT. The
local authorities are trying to silence the radio and the military are
repressing the peasant resistence.
We demand that the Paraguay government clarifies this violent attacks
against freedom of expression, so they are punished. We call national
and international public opinion, to the social organisations to remain
alert and we call for solidarity to denounce the situation.
COMUNICA and its member organisations are in permanent alert todo defend
and organise by all means necessary our hard earned rights and warns the
government that we will not tolerate the repression and the impunity as
a contition for governance.
Contact Comunica; Victor Onieva : amarcpy@hotmail.com
Comunica Denounces Murder of Community Radio Director in Paraguay
Asuncion, Paraguay, 13 January 2009.
The “Asociación Paraguaya de Comunicación Comunitaria, COMUNICA”, and the Coordinadora de Derechos Humanos del Paraguay, denounce the murder of Martín Ocampos Paez director of the Community Radio Hugua Ñandú FM, member of COMUNICA, and
member of a farmers union producers. The Hugua Community Radio works
with the community of same name denouncing the impunity of ranchers,
drug trafickersealers and the security forces that protect them and
persecute the peasants under the excuse of fighting organise crime.
The murder of Martin Ocampo, coincides with militar and police
operations ordered by the government under the presure of economic
groups that are willing to create confusion by arguing the supposed
existence of guerrila groups, that have not been proved. The area has
become a “free zone” for narcotraffic under the contrôle of local
government authorities.
We denounce the disinformation campaign by some media, trying to present
the murder of Martin Ocampo as killed in the burning of a military post,
that the communicator was a member of a guerrilla army and that he was
connected to narcotrafic. All this in ordre to discredit him and the
Community Radio Hugua Ñandú FM aa well as all community radios in Paraguay.
We also denounce the repression against the Organización de Lucha por la
Tierra (OLT) whose members are being detained for defending the health
clinic for the Tava`i community that was closed by the government. For
this case there is more than fifty detainees, among them communicators
and community leaders supporting this organisation and expressing those
ideas through the community radio Joaju FM that belongs to the OLT. The
local authorities are trying to silence the radio and the military are
repressing the peasant resistence.
We demand that the Paraguay government clarifies this violent attacks
against freedom of expression, so they are punished. We call national
and international public opinion, to the social organisations to remain
alert and we call for solidarity to denounce the situation.
COMUNICA and its member organisations are in permanent alert todo defend
and organise by all means necessary our hard earned rights and warns the
government that we will not tolerate the repression and the impunity as
a contition for governance.
Contact Comunica; Victor Onieva : amarcpy@hotmail.com
recent headlines
BENTON'S COMMUNICATIONS-RELATED HEADLINES for SUNDAY JANUARY 25, 2009
INTERNET/BROADBAND
Internet users worldwide surpass 1 billion in December
Irish Government to Spend $362 Million on Broadband Infrastructure
Why Republicans Should Love The Rural Fiber Fund
America's Most Wired Cities
INTERNET/BROADBAND
Internet users worldwide surpass 1 billion in December
Irish Government to Spend $362 Million on Broadband Infrastructure
Why Republicans Should Love The Rural Fiber Fund
America's Most Wired Cities
Sunday, January 25, 2009
BBC and Gaza aid charity appeal
Interesting question being raised regarding whether or not the BBC (or other British broadcasters) should air charity appeal for Gaza aid.
Here is the CNN article, though perhaps better to follow British press on this.
excerpt from cnn.com
LONDON, England (CNN) -- The BBC is refusing to broadcast a plea from leading British charities for aid to Gaza, saying the ad would compromise the public broadcaster's appearance of impartiality.
Demonstrators protest at the BBC's central London offices Saturday against the broadcaster's decision.
Demonstrators protest at the BBC's central London offices Saturday against the broadcaster's decision.
The Disasters Emergency Committee, which includes the British Red Cross, Oxfam, Save the Children and 10 other charities, plans to launch its appeal Monday.
British broadcasters, led by the BBC, originally declined to air the advert -- but in the face of criticism from government ministers and others, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5 changed their minds. CNN was not approached to broadcast the ad, a DEC spokesman said.
About 5,000 people demonstrated in front of the BBC's Broadcasting House in central London on Saturday over the broadcaster's stance. Seven people were arrested. Video Watch protest against BBC decision »
The BBC is standing by its decision, director general Mark Thompson wrote in a blog post on the corporation's Web site.
"We concluded that we could not broadcast a free-standing appeal, no matter how carefully constructed, without running the risk of reducing public confidence in the BBC's impartiality in its wider coverage of the story," he wrote Saturday.
"Inevitably an appeal would use pictures which are the same or similar to those we would be using in our news programs but would do so with the objective of encouraging public donations. The danger for the BBC is that this could be interpreted as taking a political stance on an ongoing story," Thompson said....(story continues on the link above)
Here is the CNN article, though perhaps better to follow British press on this.
excerpt from cnn.com
LONDON, England (CNN) -- The BBC is refusing to broadcast a plea from leading British charities for aid to Gaza, saying the ad would compromise the public broadcaster's appearance of impartiality.
Demonstrators protest at the BBC's central London offices Saturday against the broadcaster's decision.
Demonstrators protest at the BBC's central London offices Saturday against the broadcaster's decision.
The Disasters Emergency Committee, which includes the British Red Cross, Oxfam, Save the Children and 10 other charities, plans to launch its appeal Monday.
British broadcasters, led by the BBC, originally declined to air the advert -- but in the face of criticism from government ministers and others, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5 changed their minds. CNN was not approached to broadcast the ad, a DEC spokesman said.
About 5,000 people demonstrated in front of the BBC's Broadcasting House in central London on Saturday over the broadcaster's stance. Seven people were arrested. Video Watch protest against BBC decision »
The BBC is standing by its decision, director general Mark Thompson wrote in a blog post on the corporation's Web site.
"We concluded that we could not broadcast a free-standing appeal, no matter how carefully constructed, without running the risk of reducing public confidence in the BBC's impartiality in its wider coverage of the story," he wrote Saturday.
"Inevitably an appeal would use pictures which are the same or similar to those we would be using in our news programs but would do so with the objective of encouraging public donations. The danger for the BBC is that this could be interpreted as taking a political stance on an ongoing story," Thompson said....(story continues on the link above)
"The Icelandic Facebook Revolution"
Here is an excerpt from a blog on Huffington Post by Sigtryggur Magnason.
"...Today, January 22. It's early morning in Iceland, late at night in the US. My Facebook shows people are protesting again today. Recent research shows that 95.8% of Icelanders in the 20-29 age group have their profiles on Facebook. From the age of 13 and up, 46.9% of Icelanders is on Facebook.
Icelanders have been rather frigid when it comes to protesting. We don't have the culture of crowds. There are no subways, no train stations. Our culture of cafes is rather young. The University of Iceland, the biggest university, has until recently been scattered around Reykjavík. Facebook has made a great social impact. The Internet has played a vital role in the 110 days since the crash on October 6th.
People are probably meeting at 10.30am at the Parliament. The messages from the meeting of the Social Democratic Alliance were precise last night. Their chairman and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ingibjörg Sólrún Gísladóttir, is at a hospital in Sweden being treated for her brain tumour. She'll be back to Iceland tomorrow. Will the party wait for her to break up the coalition with the Independence party or not? Will the government resign?
It's 10am in Reykjavík. It's not bright yet, although the sun is breaking it curfew, staying up for a few minutes longer every day.
Iceland. We've come to a conclusion: the laissez faire experiment has failed. Big time. Our message to the rest of the world is: don't try this at home."
"...Today, January 22. It's early morning in Iceland, late at night in the US. My Facebook shows people are protesting again today. Recent research shows that 95.8% of Icelanders in the 20-29 age group have their profiles on Facebook. From the age of 13 and up, 46.9% of Icelanders is on Facebook.
Icelanders have been rather frigid when it comes to protesting. We don't have the culture of crowds. There are no subways, no train stations. Our culture of cafes is rather young. The University of Iceland, the biggest university, has until recently been scattered around Reykjavík. Facebook has made a great social impact. The Internet has played a vital role in the 110 days since the crash on October 6th.
People are probably meeting at 10.30am at the Parliament. The messages from the meeting of the Social Democratic Alliance were precise last night. Their chairman and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ingibjörg Sólrún Gísladóttir, is at a hospital in Sweden being treated for her brain tumour. She'll be back to Iceland tomorrow. Will the party wait for her to break up the coalition with the Independence party or not? Will the government resign?
It's 10am in Reykjavík. It's not bright yet, although the sun is breaking it curfew, staying up for a few minutes longer every day.
Iceland. We've come to a conclusion: the laissez faire experiment has failed. Big time. Our message to the rest of the world is: don't try this at home."
Friday, January 23, 2009
"Author jailed for insulting Thai king"
From CNN.com
BANGKOK, Thailand (CNN) -- An Australian author was sentenced Monday to three years in prison in Thailand after falling foul of a Thai law that makes it a crime to insult the country's royal family.
Harry Nicolaides behind the bars of a Thai holding cell on Monday.
Harry Nicolaides behind the bars of a Thai holding cell on Monday.
Harry Nicolaides was arrested last August over a 2005 book called "Verisimilitude," which includes a paragraph about the king and crown prince that the authorities deemed a violation of the Lese Majeste law.
Nicolaides, 41, was bombarded with questions from foreign journalists as he arrived at the court Monday, wearing shackles as he stepped from a prison bus. In tears, he said he would plead guilty.
"Truth is stranger than fiction," he said. "It's been an ordeal for months. It feels like a bad dream." Video Watch shackled Nicolaides at court »
The Thai Criminal Court originally sentenced Nicolaides to six years in jail but cut the punishment in half because of the guilty plea. He listened calmly as the verdict was translated to him.
After hearing his verdict Nicolaides said: "I wish my family the best." Video Watch Nicolaides' brother's reaction »
One of his lawyers said no decision had been made about whether to appeal or seek a royal pardon. King Bhumibol Adulydej has pardoned foreigners in other similar cases in the past.
CNN has chosen not to repeat the allegations made by Nicolaides because it could result in CNN staff being prosecuted in Thailand....
BANGKOK, Thailand (CNN) -- An Australian author was sentenced Monday to three years in prison in Thailand after falling foul of a Thai law that makes it a crime to insult the country's royal family.
Harry Nicolaides behind the bars of a Thai holding cell on Monday.
Harry Nicolaides behind the bars of a Thai holding cell on Monday.
Harry Nicolaides was arrested last August over a 2005 book called "Verisimilitude," which includes a paragraph about the king and crown prince that the authorities deemed a violation of the Lese Majeste law.
Nicolaides, 41, was bombarded with questions from foreign journalists as he arrived at the court Monday, wearing shackles as he stepped from a prison bus. In tears, he said he would plead guilty.
"Truth is stranger than fiction," he said. "It's been an ordeal for months. It feels like a bad dream." Video Watch shackled Nicolaides at court »
The Thai Criminal Court originally sentenced Nicolaides to six years in jail but cut the punishment in half because of the guilty plea. He listened calmly as the verdict was translated to him.
After hearing his verdict Nicolaides said: "I wish my family the best." Video Watch Nicolaides' brother's reaction »
One of his lawyers said no decision had been made about whether to appeal or seek a royal pardon. King Bhumibol Adulydej has pardoned foreigners in other similar cases in the past.
CNN has chosen not to repeat the allegations made by Nicolaides because it could result in CNN staff being prosecuted in Thailand....
and wikipedia considers a different direction
"wikipedia may restrict public's ability to change entries
Wikipedia May Restrict Public’s Ability to Change Entries
By Noam Cohen
Stung by criticism after vandals changed Wikipedia entries to erroneously report that Senators Edward Kennedy and Robert Byrd had died, Wikipedia appears ready to introduce a system that prevents new and anonymous users from instantly publishing changes to the online encyclopedia.
The new system, called Flagged Revisions, would mark a significant change in the anything-goes, anyone-can-edit-at-any-time ethos of Wikipedia, which in eight years of existence has become one of the top 10 sites on the Web and the de facto information source for the Internet-using public.
The idea in a nutshell is that only registered, reliable users would have the right to have their material immediately appear to the general public visiting Wikipedia. Other contributors would be able to edit articles, but their changes will be held back until one of these reliable users has signed off, or “flagged” the revisions. (Registered, reliable users would see the latest edit to an article, whether flagged or not.)...
Wikipedia May Restrict Public’s Ability to Change Entries
By Noam Cohen
Stung by criticism after vandals changed Wikipedia entries to erroneously report that Senators Edward Kennedy and Robert Byrd had died, Wikipedia appears ready to introduce a system that prevents new and anonymous users from instantly publishing changes to the online encyclopedia.
The new system, called Flagged Revisions, would mark a significant change in the anything-goes, anyone-can-edit-at-any-time ethos of Wikipedia, which in eight years of existence has become one of the top 10 sites on the Web and the de facto information source for the Internet-using public.
The idea in a nutshell is that only registered, reliable users would have the right to have their material immediately appear to the general public visiting Wikipedia. Other contributors would be able to edit articles, but their changes will be held back until one of these reliable users has signed off, or “flagged” the revisions. (Registered, reliable users would see the latest edit to an article, whether flagged or not.)...
"In Wake Of Killings, Russian Newspaper Wants To Arm Journalists"
from radio free europe / radio liberty:
http://www.rferl.org/Content/After_Killings_Russian_Newspaper_Wants_To_Arm_Journalists/1373529.html
http://www.rferl.org/Content/After_Killings_Russian_Newspaper_Wants_To_Arm_Journalists/1373529.html
"Lawyer Markelov and Journalist Baburova Shot Dead in Moscow"
Here is a report on the killings from Global Voices that includes some translated excerpts from some Russian bloggers.
From that story:
"Russian human rights lawyer Stanislav Markelov, 34, was shot to death Jan. 19 as he walked from a news conference along Prechistenka Street in central Moscow. Journalist Anastasia Baburova, 25, who accompanied Markelov, was also shot as she tried to intervene; she died in hospital a few hours later. Baburova was a freelance journalist for Novaya Gazeta.
Many Russian bloggers reacted with shock and outrage to the broad-daylight shootings of Markelov and Baburova. Below are some of the initial responses, translated from Russian.
LJ user tupikin:
[…] I've known Stas [Stanislav] for God knows how many years, from the early 1990s perhaps, from the time he was a law student. Then he finished his studies, cut his long hair short and became a lawyers who was defending the truth, defending human rights even when it seemed that it was impossible to defend them.
He worked in Chechnya against the federals, he worked against the police, he worked against the Nazis.
And he, damn it, was an incredibly cheerful and optimistic person, despite all these nightmares that accompanied him in life. […]"
From that story:
"Russian human rights lawyer Stanislav Markelov, 34, was shot to death Jan. 19 as he walked from a news conference along Prechistenka Street in central Moscow. Journalist Anastasia Baburova, 25, who accompanied Markelov, was also shot as she tried to intervene; she died in hospital a few hours later. Baburova was a freelance journalist for Novaya Gazeta.
Many Russian bloggers reacted with shock and outrage to the broad-daylight shootings of Markelov and Baburova. Below are some of the initial responses, translated from Russian.
LJ user tupikin:
[…] I've known Stas [Stanislav] for God knows how many years, from the early 1990s perhaps, from the time he was a law student. Then he finished his studies, cut his long hair short and became a lawyers who was defending the truth, defending human rights even when it seemed that it was impossible to defend them.
He worked in Chechnya against the federals, he worked against the police, he worked against the Nazis.
And he, damn it, was an incredibly cheerful and optimistic person, despite all these nightmares that accompanied him in life. […]"
Everyone is on You Tube!
excerpt from BBC article (url posted below):
Pope to launch Vatican on YouTube
"The Pope is said to be fond of new technologies. Pope Benedict XVI is set to have his own dedicated channel on the popular video sharing website, YouTube.
Video and audio footage of his speeches as well as news of the Holy See will be posted on the site, the Vatican says.
Although the Vatican has its own website, the YouTube venture represents its biggest reach into cyberspace, says the BBC's Duncan Kennedy, in Rome.
Officials at the Vatican say it is aimed at everyone from devout Catholics to the casual web browser.
But there is a debate within the Catholic Church about the value of the internet as a missionary tool, our correspondent says...."
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7846446.stm
Pope to launch Vatican on YouTube
"The Pope is said to be fond of new technologies. Pope Benedict XVI is set to have his own dedicated channel on the popular video sharing website, YouTube.
Video and audio footage of his speeches as well as news of the Holy See will be posted on the site, the Vatican says.
Although the Vatican has its own website, the YouTube venture represents its biggest reach into cyberspace, says the BBC's Duncan Kennedy, in Rome.
Officials at the Vatican say it is aimed at everyone from devout Catholics to the casual web browser.
But there is a debate within the Catholic Church about the value of the internet as a missionary tool, our correspondent says...."
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7846446.stm
Global computer worm
Althuogh some unfortunate analogies to Pearl Harbor, another topic that connects with our discussions.
from the NY Times:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/23/technology/internet/23worm.html?_r=1&ref=todayspaper
from the NY Times:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/23/technology/internet/23worm.html?_r=1&ref=todayspaper
corportions follow wikipedia model...and tech economy woes
Also from Benton headlines:
ENCYCLOPEDIA BRITANNICA TO ALLOW USER EDITS
[SOURCE: C-Net|News.com, AUTHOR: Josh Lowensohn]
Encyclopedia Britannica President Jorge Cauz said that the encyclopedia's free, online version, Britannica.com, will soon be allowing user edits and additions to its pages. Registered users will be able to make corrections, or add entirely new sections to encyclopedia pages--much like Wikipedia. The big difference, however, is that Britannica.com's editing and approval system will be managed by its own editors and contracted staff instead of power users.
and in same issue, numerous stories on the troubling econmic climate for tech companies.
ENCYCLOPEDIA BRITANNICA TO ALLOW USER EDITS
[SOURCE: C-Net|News.com, AUTHOR: Josh Lowensohn]
Encyclopedia Britannica President Jorge Cauz said that the encyclopedia's free, online version, Britannica.com, will soon be allowing user edits and additions to its pages. Registered users will be able to make corrections, or add entirely new sections to encyclopedia pages--much like Wikipedia. The big difference, however, is that Britannica.com's editing and approval system will be managed by its own editors and contracted staff instead of power users.
and in same issue, numerous stories on the troubling econmic climate for tech companies.
Who pays for journalism?
from Benton Headlines:
NEWSPAPERS MAY SEEK PHILANTHROPY TO SUPPORT NEWS-GATHERING
[SOURCE: Online Journalism Review, AUTHOR: David Westphal]
[Commentary] Could newspapers and local broadcasters begin seeking philanthropic support from the civic foundations and private donors that are starting to bankroll news non-profits? It appears entirely likely. With for-profit media watching their news-gathering resources dwindle, some editors say they're open to the idea of seeking help from donors. Charlotte Hall, president of the American Society of Newspaper Editors, said the idea raises multiple questions about how newspapers could solicit philanthropic support and still retain credibility. But bottom line? "I believe that a model could emerge for foundations to fund some local reporting at newspapers -- investigative reporting or an important local beat, for example," she said in an e-mail. "A new kind of firewall would be needed to assure independent reporting and unencumbered editing." The idea that for-profit media might seek subsidies from community foundations came into sharp focus last week, when the Knight Foundation awarded $5 million to 21 civic foundations that pitched plans for expanding news and information in their communities. Some of the ideas sounded much aligned with the mission statements of local newspapers and TV stations.
NEWSPAPERS MAY SEEK PHILANTHROPY TO SUPPORT NEWS-GATHERING
[SOURCE: Online Journalism Review, AUTHOR: David Westphal]
[Commentary] Could newspapers and local broadcasters begin seeking philanthropic support from the civic foundations and private donors that are starting to bankroll news non-profits? It appears entirely likely. With for-profit media watching their news-gathering resources dwindle, some editors say they're open to the idea of seeking help from donors. Charlotte Hall, president of the American Society of Newspaper Editors, said the idea raises multiple questions about how newspapers could solicit philanthropic support and still retain credibility. But bottom line? "I believe that a model could emerge for foundations to fund some local reporting at newspapers -- investigative reporting or an important local beat, for example," she said in an e-mail. "A new kind of firewall would be needed to assure independent reporting and unencumbered editing." The idea that for-profit media might seek subsidies from community foundations came into sharp focus last week, when the Knight Foundation awarded $5 million to 21 civic foundations that pitched plans for expanding news and information in their communities. Some of the ideas sounded much aligned with the mission statements of local newspapers and TV stations.
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