Global Media News

Taxi Apps is now less useful in Shanghai

The City of Shanghai has just announced new rules to ban Taxi Apps during its most popular times, rush hour. The Shanghai Municipal Transport and Port Authority has stated that such apps will be disabled during rush hour, defined as between 7:30 and 9:30 a.m. and 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.

The Taxi App allows users to bid for cabs instead of waiting outside trying to flag one down. Customers  will than pay the regular taxi fare, plus an additional tip, usually five to 10 yuan (about $1.6). According to The Wall Street Journal, "Beijing’s population nearly doubled between 1994 and 2011—from about 11 million to 20 million—yet the government added just 6,000 official taxis to the total of 60,000 licensed to be on the road at the beginning of that period, according to city figures. Shanghai had about 50,000 licensed taxis on the road as of the end of 2013 for 24 million residents."

As we all know trying to flag down a cab in busy cities can be quite a pain and the App sounds like a great way to save time to reach ones destination. So why would Shanghai want to ban users from being able to utilize this App during the most crucial time?

The Taxi App was booming in popularity due to the difficulty of obtaining a cab in many of China's popular cities, especially during rush hour. But as the became more popular, complaints have risen stating that it is more difficult now to obtain a cab because many cab drivers now refuse to pick up pedestrians who are only willing to pay normal fares. This is a result of the bidding wars that take place on these apps, where customers who are willing to pay the most get the cab upon their request. Is this fare to the rest of the customers who are trying to flag a cab down and are only willing to pay the normal fare?

The Taxi App is also being shut down during rush hour to provide safety for the pedestrians of the cities. Cab drivers are now prohibited to utilize the App while driving to ensure saftey. It was noted that the App caused many Taxi drivers to operate their cell phones while driving concerned about making their next trip. The App ultimately caused a danger to the public and without using it during rush hour will help preserve the safety of the public. 

 

Nigerian citizens use twitter to give an opinion on Binyavanga Wainaina coming out of the closet

                                          Binyavanga Wainaina by Allan Gichigi (http://allangichigi.com/star/binyavanga-wainaina/)

    Popular author Binyavanga Wainaina told the world his most sacred secret when he posted an essay entitled "I am a homosexual, mum" on a South African Website THE CHRONIC. Wainaina published his memoir, One Day I Will Write About This Place, three years ago but according to The New York Times this essay is a "lost chapter".

    After he posted the "lost chapter" Twitter went crazy. Allafrica.com posted tweets from angry fans like

"@BinyavangaW I want to condemn your statement in the strongest way possible. Ur an embarrassment and wicked.",

and

"Ati homosexual!!!all the respect i had for you?! @kwani_trust #binyavanga".

But there were also some supporters who applauded Binyavanga's courage and tweeted things like

"#B inyavanga is 'bravely courageous!' I wish him all the best!",

and

"@BinyavangaW You are a hero for doing this - http://t.co/hpqWw6766c Millions of people all over the world are cheering you on".

    In this essay he explained the regret he faces for missing the opportunity to tell his mother he was a homosexual before she died."I am a homosexual, mum" is what Mr Wainaina dreamed of whispering in his mother's ear while holding her hand before she died. Instead as his father put it he "should not be travelling carelessly in that artist way" of his, therefore he missed the opportunity to see her one last time and tell her his deepest secret.

    In addition to posting the essay Wainaina also posted a six part video series entitled "We must free our imaginations" on YouTube. In these videos he explained just how difficult it is to be gay in Africa. He is calling out and challenging any homophobes who disagree with his lifestyle and decision to come out of the closet. Also, Wainaina is bringing the homophobic thoughts of those in his country to the forefront.

    Often, as fans and onlookers we believe we know everything about the life of someone in the spotlight, such as Binyavanga Wainaina, when in reality we do not. Wainaina is a human being, with human being feelings but since he is famous something as sensitive as his sexuality is able to be challenged, discussed, and ridiculed. Through it all Binyavanga has remained courageous and is setting a great example for any other Africans that may be facing the same fear he once did. They now have someone to look up to and footprints to follow. Best of luck to Wainaina in his endeavors to make change!

Russia's Biggest Social Network CEO Let Go

In an article Written by a Russian Journalist named Olga Razumovskaya of The Wall Street Journal. Olga examines how Pavel Durov, founder of VKontakte, Russia's largest social network, has been removed as chief executive.

Four American Shows Banned From Streaming In China

China has ordered off 4 American TV series from showing online. While most American shows were never allowed to show on Chinese television, they were able be seen by streaming online.  The Chinese government now wants to create new rules that will stop the foreign TV shows from flourishing online. The four American TV shows that the Chinese website were ordered not to show were; “The Big Bang Theory,” “The Good Wife,” “NCIS” and “The Practice,” According to BREE FENG from the New York Times, 

“An employee said that, the order was issued Friday. Unlike previous take- down orders, this one was accompanied by no explanation from the authorities, the employees said.”

 The Chinese government has realized that the influences of the American T.V shows are still relevant in their nation. Even though almost 99% of the shows are banded from the television set, they are still widely available on the citizen’s computers, or any other device that has Internet access. Many of the shows are being watched online by the nation, racking up millions of views and the government has had enough. Bree Feng from New York Times said,

“In recent years, American shows like AMC’s “The Walking Dead,” the CW’s “The Vampire Diaries” and Netflix’s “House of Cards” have found avid online audiences in China, particularly among the growing middle class. With plenty of violence, superstition and scandal — all themes Chinese government censors frown upon — these shows would most likely never have made it onto Chinese television.”

 Because the government did not have an equal amount of strictness for online streaming, as they did for television, they are working to change the online rules and pass new laws this year that limits the foreign culture TV shows.

 

Russia's Putin Calls Internet "CIA Project"

    Another example of internet censorship is coming out in the news. No this time it is not China but it is Russia. Vladimir Putin made comments that the internet in Russia is basically a "CIA Project". This comes right after Putin made comments that Russia does not intercept data from its citizens. The Kremlin has been attempting to gain more and more control over the internet and now might be the time when they get it.

The AP reported:

"A Russian blogger complained to Putin that foreign websites and Yandex, the web search engine which is bigger in Russia than Google, are storing information on servers abroad, which could be undermining Russia's security.

In his reply, Putin mentioned unspecified pressure that was exerted on Yandex in its early years and chided the company for its registration in the Netherlands 'not only for tax reasons but for other considerations, too.'

Although Putin's comments didn't include any specific threats to Yandex, one of Russia's most successful tech companies, its shares plunged by 5 percent at the Nasdaq's opening on Thursday."

    Time has also reported on this story and they built on the AP report with other information.

"Russian President Vladimir Putin called for his country to "fight for its interests" on the Internet, which he believes is a CIA project. Earlier this week, Russian parliament passed a law requiring social media websites to save information about their users for at least half a year."

    This is just another example of how in other countries they can just collect data and do whatever they want. It is really a shame how a leader of a country can also sink a company with comments like Putin did with the search engine in Russia called Yandex. This just amplifies the problems they are having in Russia and once again doesn't give the journalists the opportunity to write anything good about what goes on in that country.

Nigerian film board delays the releasing of a controversial film

According to BBC news the Nigerian film board has decided to place a delay on the release of "Half of a Yellow Sun". The film board believes that the controversial topic of the Biafran war which occurred between 1967 and 1970. Though it has been over forty years since the actual war the board still fears that the film could muster up old emotions within Nigerians. The war that took the lives of over a million people is still a touchy topic in the country. The film was supposed to be released last Friday but as a result of the film board's accusations of regulatory issues it has been postponed. They have said that Half of a Yellow Sun is not banned as of yet.

The film is based off of a novel about the war written by Chimamanda Ngozi. The book was easily released throughout the country but it has been said that since the country has a high illiteracy rate it is more likely for a film to spark issues.  Yet, according to allfrica.com the author, Ngozi, stated in an interview that the reason she released the novel was to evoke conversations about the issues of this war that have been constantly swept under the rug. 

The film seems to be doing just that. While some Nigerians believe it is unnecessary to speak of the unfortunate civil war many say that it can actually be great and a part of a healing process. The film board has not decided whether or not they are going to officially ban the movie as a whole so there is still a chance for it to cause the change it was intended to. This issue shows how much control there is over what is shown in Nigerian media. Films are meant to evoke emotion and spark change, therefore this film would be doing just what it is meant to. Hopefully this film is allowed to be released and make a change within the country. If not there may still be riots and protests against the film board for not allowing the truth to be shown.

Global Media News Webcast #11: April 24, 2014

Listen to Global Media News for Thursday April 24, 2014!

Global Media News is a weekly webcast covering media news from around the world.  GMN is a production of  Media Studies students from the SUNY College @ Old Westbury.   We scour the web for news about the world's media.

This week on Global Media News:  China, Korea, Malaysia, Germany

• Weibo Goes Public: How much are Weibo's followers worth?
• Axel Springer CEO Mathias Dopfner Lashes Out About Google & Privacy
• Chinese Journalists Under Arrest?
• Live Steaming Interactive Web Entertainment Thriving in China
• China's First Aircraft Carrier Has Its Own Music Video!
• MH370 Conspiracy Theories from Aliens to Pitbull and Shakira
• Dutch Teen's Prank Tweet Terrorizes American Airlines
• Survivors "Tweet" from Sunken Ferry?

This is our eleventh webcast of the spring season!   See you next week!

Listen to our next webcast from the New Media Newsroom  streaming live on Thursday May 1 @ 11am EST.

Can't listen live? Our next webcast of the season will be posted by 2:00pm, Thursday May 1, 2014.

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British Social Media Celebrates a Coach's Dismissal

Manchester United, one of England's most prestigeous soccer clubs, fired their manager David Moyes on Tuesday, giving an ending to a sad tenure and a decision that seemed inevitable. While the club is looking for a replacement, its fans celebrate the end of a disaster of a season. Fans of other squads have wasted no time to make Moyes the focus of their jokes.

Twitter has given the ability for sports fans to be vocal about their teams, players, and coaches. Moyes was the latest victim, as tweets came flying in a day before the announcement was made official.  The hashtag #MoyesSacked was trending for most of Tuesday worldwide, with several tweets celebrating and showing relief that he had been removed. A parody account for Moyes was cracking jokes about the firing for the past couple of days.

Fans generated memes with still images of Moyes that included text that mocks the manager's lack of success. TwitPics were the main method of creating them and they quickly spread across the Internet. Videos on YouTube have been created from fans of other squads, some of which beg ManU to keep their embattled manager so the failed tenure could continue.

Moyes has taken a lot of heat since taking over for legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson just 10 months ago. According to the Washington Times, Manchester United has the 12th highest payroll in the world for any sports team, which causes expectations to be really high. They've also won 20 league titles, the most in England soccer history.

Raymond Snoddy, a writer for England's MediaTel, believes that the influence of social media and the press had an impact to why Moyes was fired. He said "The Moyes affair is a symptom of a new impatience in life, the media and everything else which, in democracies at least, will continue to undermine the cult of the great leader - the person with magic powers." If you think about it, social media made it known that they were unhappy with his performance and the immense pressure from Manchester United's fanbase gave ownership no choice but to find a new manager.

Fans have also flown a banner over Old Trafford saying "Wrong One," poking fun at the banner at the stadium that called Moyes "The Chosen One." Not only does this entire situation display the power of social media, it shows the severity of soccer fandom in England and the lengths fans will go to show their displeasure about their favorite squad.

We're Back? Global Media News Restored after DDoS Attack . . . Is It Really Over?

Global Media News is hosted on the Typepad blogging platform which has reportedly been under a  DDoS (distributed denial-of-service)  attack for the past week.   We hope that the attack is over and that Typepad can return to its normally reliable status.   We appreciate the hard work of the Typepad crew in this very difficult period.   Clearly something must be done to prevent these kinds of mercenary DDoS attacks from escalating.    For more information about the current state of the Internet read Gigaom's summary of Akamai’s quarterly State of the Internet report.

MH370 Conspiracy Theories from Aliens to Pitbull and Shakira

    When a major tragic event happens there is also a conspiracy theory that comes along with it. In the case of a missing commerical airplaine in the year 2014 there are multiple conspiracy thoeries. International Buisness Times reports conspiracy theories from a song by Pitbull featuring Shakira to Aliens abducted the aircraft.

    Even though there is still no sign to where this missing airline exactly is, there is nothing to believe that something else affected this plane that wasn't internal. The article shows tweets from various people giving their opinion saying there is no doubt it is aliens. This without a doubt is always the conspiracy theory with the least proof of information.

    In an article on The Wrap's website Susan Peters talks about Rush Limbaugh's opinion on the matter.  Rush Limbaugh if you do or don't like him is still a media icon and he has a opinion of his own. Limbaugh thinks that it's very possible that the plane got shot down from the sky. He thinks that it was late at night flying over countries it wasn't supposed to and that a country shot it down not knowing it was a commercial airliner with hundreds of people on it. Limbaugh thinks that if this is true the country hasn't admitted the truth of their mistake. This theory is believable, crazier things have happened.

    Another theory Peters talks about that has gained a lot of coverage is from a music video. Yes a music video and a song by Latin American artists Pitbull and Shakira. In the 2012 hit single Get It Started there is a lyric that reads...

 “Now it's off to Malaysia,” Pitbull sings at one point in the song. “Two passports, three cities, two countries, one day.”

     All of those lyrics are included in the song, and even though it was 2 years prior to the incident they happen to be spot on. The plane was from Malaysian airlines; it was acknowledged that two passports happened to be forged of two passengers. The plane flew over two countries and multiple cities as well. Of course this could easily be a coincidence, it is not hard to believe that a worldwide pop star likes to travel to multiple places in a day span. When there is a coincidence to this magnitude someone somewhere is going to bring it up. Even though this conspiracy theory is probably untrue it is certainly a weird coincidence.

     Below is the music video for the song "Get It Started" Pitbull Ft Shakira. 

 

    Conspiracy theories have been around for hundreds of years, from aliens landing to president assignations. With today's Internet there will be hundreds of more conspiracy theories in the future. With every major story and tragedy there will always be multiple theories. In the end we are all just looking for answers.