International posts - Media Sphere

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March 12, 2008 12:48 PM PDT

Online protest rallies free-speech supporters around the globe

by Josh Wolf

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Wednesday has been announced by the French organization Reporters Sans Frontieres (Reporters Without Borders) as the first Online Free Expression Day. In recognition of its announcement, the group has initiated a 24-hour online protest going on now in nine virtual countries that have been labeled Internet enemies by the international press organization.

I stopped by the protest earlier Wednesday morning and found the demonstration to be similar to what I expected when I wrote about the event Tuesday. My primary concern with the protest was that it would be relegated to a dark corner on the Internet, and that does indeed seem to be the case (though the demonstration does provide a means to automatically e-mail friends about the event).

Topics:: Memes,; Traditional Media,; Commentary,; Technology,; International,; Alternative Media,; News

Tags:: Reporters Without Borders,; RSF,; Cyber-Dissidents,; Online Free Expression Day,; Reporters sans frontieres

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March 11, 2008 3:53 PM PDT

March 12 recognized as Online Free Expression Day

by Josh Wolf

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Update: An account of Wednesday's protest has been posted to mediasphere.

(Credit: Reporters Without Borders)

In some parts of the world, such as the United States, the Internet is a relatively safe means to communicate and discuss controversial or unpopular subjects. Unfortunately this isn't the case in all countries, and journalists, activists, and other outspoken individuals continue to be threatened and imprisoned at an alarming rate.

According to Reporters sans frontieres (Reporters Without Borders), there are 63 people around the world who are currently in prison for using the Internet to exercise their freedom of expression. Forty-nine of the imprisoned cyber-dissidents are from China; seven are from Vietnam, and two are from Syria. Libya, Jordan, Egypt, and Burma are each holding one person for online speech activities.

In an effort to "denounce government censorship of the Internet and to demand more online freedom,"

(Credit: Reporters Without Borders)

Reporters Without Borders is organizing a 24-hour online demonstration on Wednesday and officially recognizing the date as Online Free Expression day.... Read more

Topics:: Memes,; Traditional Media,; Commentary,; Technology,; International,; Alternative Media,; News

Tags:: Reporters Without Borders,; RSF,; Cyber-Dissidents,; Online Free Expression Day,; Reporters sans frontieres

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February 20, 2008 5:01 PM PST

wikileaks.org shut down by Federal Judge

by Josh Wolf

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The First Amendment of the US Constitution has protected the rights of the press in many legal battles throughout history, but last week, when US District Judge Jeffrey White signed a permanent injunction (PDF) ordering wikileaks.org shut down, it was a disturbing indicator of the uncertain status of press freedoms in the United States.

Wikileaks describes itself as "developing an uncensorable Wikipedia for untraceable mass document leaking and analysis," and indeed, although the wikileaks.org domain is no longer active, the site continues to be mirrored at various domains around the world. As Bob Egelko at the San Francisco Chronicle points out, the "site was the first to post the confidential Defense Department manual about operations of the U.S. detention camp at the Guantanamo Bay naval base in Cuba, and has also posted rules of engagement for U.S. forces in Iraq."

But it wasn't the publication of subterranean government documents that eventually triggered the federal government's wrath (though it's possible that may have played a motivating factor). According to the Chronicle, the judge ordered the site to be shut down, "after it posted documents purporting to describe offshore activities of a Swiss bank."... Read more

Topics:: Traditional Media,; Commentary,; International,; 1st Amendment,; Alternative Media,; News,; United States

Tags:: san francisco,; judge white,; wikileaks.org,; julius baer,; Rudolf Elmer,; Dynadot

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December 16, 2007 12:31 AM PST

Iraqi journalist killed at home

by Josh Wolf

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Alive in Baghdad is one of the only destinations providing weekly video of life in Baghdad from an Iraqi perspective. The reporting examines current issues facing the country, and also features evergreen material documenting what life in a war-torn country looks like. The program has been profiled in numerous media reports, has garnered numerous awards, and has grown a loyal following.

On Friday, Ali Shafeya Al-Moussawi, a special correspondent for Alive in Baghdad was found dead in his home. He was born December 16, 1984 and was discovered by his cousin following a raid on his street by the Iraqi National Guard. According to a recent post on the site's blog, "The morgue report says that Ali took 31 bullets between the chest and the head and died immediately. He will be missed and remembered."

Al-Moussawi is survived by his mother and sister. The folks at Alive in Baghdad are collecting donations to cover the funeral costs and provide for his family. At last count, $1575.42 had been raised; please consider making a donation today.

I will be posting a more detailed story soon. In the meantime, stay tuned to BaghdadBrian's Twitter feed for frequent updates.

Topics:: International,; Alternative Media,; News

Tags:: iraq,; journalist,; murdered journalist,; alive in baghdad

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September 25, 2007 6:34 PM PDT

Do crime cameras make us safer or just undermine our privacy?

by Josh Wolf

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Surveillance cameras are everywhere. Every ATM snaps your mug, and each time you get into a taxi your photo is recorded as well. According to the BBC, our images are captured an average of 300 times each day. While we've grown used to these security cameras in our malls and at stoplights, the influx of surveillance cameras in our public spaces should be of great concern to everyone.

As reported in the San Francisco Chronicle, Chicago has 560 crime cameras that are actively monitored for criminal activity. In London there are more than 10,000 cameras. These so-called "crime cameras" have multiple roles: they are intended to provide evidence of crimes when they occur, they are meant to deter criminals, and they are a reminder that Big Brother is watching.

Topics:: Commentary,; International,; 1st Amendment,; News,; United States

Tags:: crime cameras,; Chicago,; surveillance,; privacy

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September 24, 2007 6:24 PM PDT

Suit exposes flaws in Creative Commons

by Josh Wolf

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When Creative Commons first surfaced, it was heralded as a means to share media without being ensnared by the complications accompanying traditional copyright.

With six different licenses available, media creators were provided the opportunity to dial in the exact rights they wanted. Or at least that was the plan.

In reality, this bevy of choices has led to significant confusion and as CNN reports, 16 year-old Alison Chang recently learned her picture is being used for a Virgin Mobile ad campaign in Australia. She didn't give her permission, and it appears that the ads exploit confusion around Creative Commons.

Topics:: Commentary,; International,; News,; Memes,; Technology,; United States

Tags:: Creative Commons,; Virgin Mobile,; Australia,; Alison Chang,; CNN

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September 10, 2007 1:54 PM PDT

Keyloggers to be installed at Indian cybercafes

by Josh Wolf

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The debate between personal privacy and national security continues to rage on, but privacy advocates in India have recently been dealt a blow with the news that keyloggers will be installed in the approximately 500 Internet cafes serving the city of Mumbai. According to a report in today's Ars Technica, "cybercafe owners must agree to the installation of the software or else they will lose their licenses." Given that terrorists seek to hide their identities and are known to frequent Internet cafes in order to stay anonymous, the government hopes to thwart terrorism by monitoring computer activities in the cafes.

Vijay Mukhi, the president of India's Foundation for Information Security and Technology, defends the decision to install keyloggers stating, "The police needs to install programs that will capture every key stroke at regular interval screenshots, which will be sent back to a server that will log all the data. The police can then keep track of all communication between terrorists no matter which part of the world they operate from. This is the only way to patrol the Net and this is how the police informer is going to look in the e-age." But will such surveillance practices actually stop terrorism or will they just leave everyday citizens feeling uncomfortable using Mumbai's cybercafes?

Topics:: Commentary,; International,; News

Tags:: mumbai,; india,; keyloggers,; privacy,; cybercafes

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August 22, 2007 10:47 AM PDT

War coverage drops in second quarter of 2007

by Josh Wolf

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The war in Iraq is still the most important issue for many Americans as we prepare to vote for George Bush's replacement, but according to a recent study, the US media's coverage of the war has dropped off during the second quarter of this year. As Reuters reports, much this of this decrease is largely due to the diminished focus on the Washington-based policy debate.... Read more

Topics:: Traditional Media,; Commentary,; International,; News,; United States

Tags:: iraq,; media coverage,; war,; iraq policy debate

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August 13, 2007 10:37 AM PDT

RUNtv: Taking internet video and putting it on Cable Television

by Josh Wolf

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Are you a videoblogger, a You Tuber, filmmaker, or a video journalist? If so, check out RUNtv, a new television show on peralta.TV that I have been developing for the past few months. The two-hour weekly show features short form videos from all genres and provide an opportunity for you to get paid for your work.

Viewers and visitors each week will be invited to vote on their favorites, and we will be giving out cash grants to the top three videos every episode. First place gets $250, second $100 and the third place film will receive $50. Our season finale will feature all of our winners and a few favorites and will offer $1000, $500, and $250 to the favorite videos.

Videos can be submitted electronically, or by mail. All electronic submissions need to be of a high enough compression rate for air on television. FTP available upon request. To submit your video send an e-mail with the link to josh(at)riseupnetwork.com, or simply leave a comment where we can find your video. If you'd prefer to mail us your submission, send to:

RUNtv
c/o peralta.TV
900 Fallon St.
Oakland, CA 94607

Topics:: International,; Alternative Media,; News,; United States

Tags:: runtv,; internet video,; television

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August 8, 2007 1:40 PM PDT

Can Web 2.0 tap into the truth behind the mining disaster?

by Josh Wolf

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A Murray Energy Corporation coal mine in Utah collapsed Monday morning leaving six miners trapped. Two days later rescuers still haven't been able to reach the trapped miners, and though they anticipate making contact within the next two days it's uncertain these efforts will be successful and if anyone will be alive when the rescuers find the miners. Meanwhile, a growing controversy has developed around what caused the mine to collapse, the safety of the operation and the illegitimacy of news reports on the story.