Global Media News

Comedian Makes Run for British Parliament

Politics is often considered one of the taboo subjects one should not discuss, lest they wish to start an argument. People have particular convictions about political opinions, and will defend them to the death. So what are politicians to do when political satire comedian Al Murray made his bid for parliament? Popular for his on stage persona, "The Pub Landlord", Murray has decided to run as his character.

Not many are taking his bid seriously, including UKIP (United Kingdom Independence Party) leader Nigel Farage. Farage has sarcastically said that Murray is welcome in the race, and that there will be "serious competition". Farage has also shown no sign of being intimidated by tweeting "the more the merrier!" at Murray. Although Murray stands a slim chance of winning votes for any sort of office under his designated FUKP (Free United Kingdom Party), he does appear to have quite the historical and political knowledge one would look for in a candidate for office.

    Murray's policies do not seem to warrant serious consideration, like taking the U.K. to outer space by 2025 or lowering the price of a pint of beer. Despite his most likely not attaining a seat in
parliament, perhaps his running for office will do well to shake the apathy of younger voters who might take more of a notice in politics by seeing an entertainment figure in the political spotlight.

Media In Nigeria Critical to the Growth of Nollywood, Music Industry

As technology continues to gradually advance in Nigeria, the influence media plays on its flourishing entertainment industry has increased. Over the years Nigeria has built a reputable film industry, to which the natives of the country regard to as "Nollywood". Since the early 90s, Nollywood has grown rapidly, proof being that the industry is now the second largest. India holds the title of the largest film industry, while the United States trails in third. The music industry alike Nollywood, has also taken off in the past decade, as more Nigerian musicians are recognized internationally. With such great advancement in the industry, the media's role has become more crucial to it's success, as people outside of Nigeria are beginning to take notice.

A conference   "sought to engage and sustain a dialogue amongst stakeholders in the industry", was declared open by Director General, Nigeria Economic Summit Group, Frank Nweke Jr.The primary goal for the conference was to develop creative, innovative ideas to make sure the blossoming industry continues to thrive In the beginning duration of the conference, Nweke expresses his concern of importing entertainment from other countries. He emphasized on National Television Authority's work in creating great local content during the 1980s and how the industry needs to get back to that plateau of creating good local production throughout all divisions of Nollywood, whether being in films or TV dramas.

Megalectrics CEO, Chris Ubosi told the conference that smartphones have major responsibility on the economic breakthrough of the industry.

Chris Ubosi

According to Ubosi, ""Accessing content is now tilting more towards the new media, which is being consumed in multiple platforms, especially through mobile phones. There are over 100 million mobile phones in circulation, 45 million Internet users are estimated to exist in Nigeria and about 54 million Nigerians probably use mobile phones." He also talks about social media becoming an "integral" attribution to the growth of the entertainment industry, as Nigeria's data consumption from social media use is one of the highest in the continent.

 

    A report by PriceWaterHouseCoopers has estimated that Nigeria’s entertainment and media industries’ revenues will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 16.1 per cent from $4 billion in 2013 to an $8.5 billion in 2018. Nigeria’s entertainment and media growth rates are the fastest growth rates in the world, according to the report.

Nigerian music is also prospering from within the core of it all, as more artists are able to producing their music locally, rather than moving to regions that were more dominant at the time. All of the ideas brought up during the conference were inspired by the theme of it all, "growing the industry of our dreams by growing from within."

 

Russian Band "Pussy Riot" Pays Tribute In First English Song

Two members from female Russian punk rock group "Pussy Riot" release a song in English for the first time in their career, addressing a police brutality incident occurring back in July that resulted in the death of an African American man in Staten Island, NY. The song title, "I Can't Breathe" were the last words of 43 year old Eric Garner, as he begged the officers attempting to contain him to let up on a brutal choke hold that led to his death. The incident turned into worldwide news, as the unfortunate event grew notion that the situation sparked from acts of racial prejudice.

Eric Garner incident recorded up to his death on July 17

The song was recorded during their time in New York City, as members Maria Alyokhina and Nadezhda Tolokonnikova partook in the protests for the Garner. The song can be easily identifiable with the Eric Garner incident. The dark tone of the song goes hand in hand with the repeated vocals, "It's getting dark, New York City/I need to catch my breath." The song ends with the exact words in Eric Garner's response to the officers right before he was pinned to his death. With the song finishing, a male voice screams "I Can't Breathe!" numerous times before the song fades out. Even with limited lyrics, the song got the message across, showing the artists' motive to remember Garner and to continue spreading awareness of police injustice.

 

“This song is for Eric and for all those from Russia to America and around the globe who suffer from state terror — killed, choked, perished because of war and state-sponsored violence of all kinds — for political prisoners and those on the streets fighting for change,” Ms. Alyokhina and Ms. Tolokonnikova said in a statement, adding that they stand in solidarity. “We’ve known, on our own skin, what police brutality feels like and we can’t be silent on this issue.” -Via The New York Times

To the music fans who know a little about Pussy Riot, their actions in making this song comes to no surprise. The Russian activist group gained their reputation for their radical approach to addressing cultural and religious issues that go on in Russia. The group recently faced imprisonment for hooliganism in 2012 as they performed a "punk prayer" in Moscow's Christ the Savior church. They were amnestied and released from prison in December 2013, after having spent nearly two years behind bars, according to The Moscow Times. In 2014, the group grabbed headlines during the 2014 Winter Olympic games in Sochi, Russia as they were detained numerous times and brutalized by authorities.

 

 

Censorship in Germany

In Germany the Press is not controlled by the government or any political parties. It is run more by the private media companies.  The freedom of the press and speech is a right given to everyone protected by the Constitution. According to an article by Jo Groebel, 

"Article 5 of the Basic Law expresses how the Constitution interprets the freedom of the press and communication: “Every person shall have the right freely to express and disseminate his opinions in speech, writing and pictures and to inform himself without hindrance from generally accessible sources. (...) There shall be no censorship.”

In light of social media, many German social networks have become more credible and attractive. Especially to the younger generation sites like Facebook, Myspace, Twitter and StuiVZ has grown rapidly and increasingly impacting public opinion.By December 2013 nearly 86% of Germans - 69.7 million people - were online, Internetworldstats reported. The leading social network is Facebook, with more than 20 million users. 

On January 9th, 2015 Twitter put out it's annual transparency report and Germany was number 3 with 43 content removal requests. Within the last six months there has been an increase of about  40 percent in government requests for Twitter user account information and about 84 % increase in global government and government sanctioned demands to remove content from Twitter. Most of the German requests dealt with complaints of hateful and discriminatory content.

People of Germany are upset with these actions because they feel like its a thin line between civil rights and security. Jillian York, a director for international freedom of expression at the Electronic Frontier Foundation, believes that its due to a rise in nationalist sentiment.  Since there's been such a increase in Germany because of support for anti-immigration groups and a rise in neo-fascist groups. Twitter has an office in Germany and are required to listen to German law so it makes sense why they would be so reasonable.

There needs to be a better understanding of what the government can and can't control. People look to these social networks to be able to state their opinions and views about things going on around them. It almost seems illegal that they could just have something you wrote and published disappear from an publicly opinionated place because the "government doesn't agree" . Hopefully in time they can figure out a solution because it doesn't seem like the people of Germany have a true freedom of speech.

France Reacts to Islamic State Attacks

Less then a month ago the Islamic State killed 17 people in France and now Anti Muslim acts have been occurring across the country. 

Social Media Used By Residents in Ukrainian Civil War

With the Ukrainian causalities tallying up to 50,000, civilians in the area are using social media as a means to stay connected with loved ones and report about the civil war. 18 year old, Tanya Sukharevskaya wants to reach out to her mother since she left her hometown for work three months ago. However,  civilians were getting killed by artillery fire in the city of Debaltseve where her mother is working now. She tried her best to contact her, but couldn't through to the phone line.  

“I am managing to calm myself down, but my grandma (her mother) and my younger brother (her 6-year-old son) are crying every day,” Ms. Sukharevskaya wrote in a Vkontakte forum called “Overheard in Debaltsevo,”

 According to http://www.wsj.com/ she posted a photo with her mother along with all she knew about her current location. Online networking has dedicated groups offering insight of the conflict in the Ukranian Civil War. Forums like Overheard in Svetlodarsk serve as a community group for helping civilians in Svitlodarsk. When the attacks started locals signed on to see where gun fire and military/rebel action was taking place. The forum also acted as a place to check in on loved ones and ways to arrange evacuation from the area. 

Some people even posted poems calling for peace and some like to argue over the necessity of the civil war.  According to a source Maria Maksimova, 25, a civil engineer admins one of the groups of the forums, she says the civil war has divided people on the political line, but united them in trauma.

“Many really no longer care who’s at the helm (of the country). They just want everyone to stop shooting, terrifying children and destroying homes,” Ms. Maksimova said in an online interview. “That’s the united opinion of residents. It’s visible in the group.”

For the residents of Ukrainian the online media is playing a vital role for contacting and gaining information as the Ukrainian civil war continues. It's also serving as a way for them to maybe save their lives and the lives of others. 

 

Islamic State Attacks and Kills 17 People in France; France Not Afraid

 People gather in Paris in solidarity with the victims of a terror attack against a satirical newspaper Jan. 7.(Photo: Thibault Camus, AP)

    Islamic State terror attacks raged upon the capital of France and its surrounding areas during a three day terrorist attack; the worst attack France has faced in decades.  The first attack was made on Wednesday, January 7th, on the French satire magazine called Charlie Hebdo.  Twelve people were attacked and killed by two masked gunmen caring riffles.  According to BBC News,

"The men opened fire and killed the editor's police bodyguard, Franck Brinsolaro, before asking for editor Stephane Charbonnier, known as Charb, and other four cartoonists by name and killing them, along with three other editorial staff and a guest attending the meeting. 

Witnesses said they had heard the gunmen shouting "We have avenged the Prophet Muhammad" and "God is Great" in Arabic while calling out the names of the journalists."

     Out of the twelve victims, eight were journalist for the Charlie Hebdo magazine.  This attack was made as an act against France's freedom of press, freedom of expression and creativity.  France did not take this sitting down.  As the new broke out on the attacks, thousands of people in France and surrounding areas gathered together for a vigil after the gunmen left the Charlie Hebdo magazine.  Many peplumed signs saying "I am Charlie" showing that it could have been anyone stating their freedom of speech, and uniting to show that France will not back down.  USA Today captured the voice of France from Ilan Scialom,  

"They wanted to put France down on its knees, but we will show them solidarity and unity," Ilan Scialom, 30, vice president of COEXISTER, an interfaith group in Paris that promotes tolerance, said at the Paris rally. Thousands turned out for similar vigils in Lyon and elsewhere across Europe. Some held signs saying, "Not afraid."  

    Following the magazine attack, the next two days weren't any easier.  According to CNN,

"That picture looks much more complex one week later. Two more attacks -- against a police officer and another that included hostages at a kosher supermarket -- brought the final death toll to 17, plus three suspects killed."

    France and it's surrounding areas, as well as all around the world, unite together in solidarity letting any terrorist group know that they will not be brought down by threats and barbaric acts.  France will not give up their freedom of expression.  They stand strong against their enemies with an over-welling outpour of support from around the world.

    A post by The Guardian sheds light on France after the Charlie Hebdo attacks.  Prime Minister, Manuel Valls, says the French security services have been able to prevent five other schemed terrorist attacks on France.  Valls urges people to reach out to the call centre to alert the authority "in cases of radicalization".  France is taking threats seriously, as they should.

Croatia's New Criminal Codes Threatens Journalists

Croatian journalists Slavica Lukić and Vladimir Matijanić were convicted for criminal insult and defamation, based on Croatian government ruling.  Despite their reporting on public interests, the government felt that the journalists were "shaming" and "insulting" the government.  The new law of the criminal offense, "humiliation," severely threatens journalists and their freedom of speech.  OSCE representative Dunja Mijatović expresses her concern:

"Free speech should not be subject to criminal charges of any kind.  My Office consistently advocates for the full decriminalization of defamation in all OSCE participating States.”

According to the Croatian Journalist Association, there are over 40 cases that are pending against journalists in the country.  They have certain values that protect their rights and respect the views of their government while still being truthful and honest.  Their freedom of speech can result in criminal charges against the journalists on the offense of "humiliation."  A court judge may deem that something being reported was not of public interest therefore the journalist can be convicted of "humiliation."  Chairman of the Committee of Investigative Journalists of the Association of Journalists of Croatia Hrvoje Zovko stressed that this new criminal offense represents "the death of journalism."

"Humiliation" is looked at to be the end of journalism, leaving reporters no chance of expression and awareness.  OSCE representative Dunja Mijatović states in a letter to Vesna Pusić, Minister of Foreign Affairs:

"This ruling sends a sort of threat that might limit freedom of information and restrict information on matters of public interest. I urge the Croatian government to remove this offence from the Criminal Code and decriminalise defamation altogether."

While many courts take this law very seriously, many politicians are trying to protect the rights of journalists and oppose this law.  If the law continues to emerge and expand, the voices of journalists in Croatia may be completely silenced.

Russian Television Gets A New Russian Language Channel

 In December of 2014, European Leaders were creating a new Russian Language Television Channel that was aimed at the Russian Propaganda.

 Television is the main news source in Russian Media. Most of the Russians rely on this news source for important weather, and politic updates. Russian TV still dominates Russia today by having channels that run by the Government. 

Ben Smith from BuzzFeed News states,

"The proposal being discussed, he said, is “to invest jointly in alternative sources of information — not alternative propaganda sources, but an alternative normal European TV channel, with entertainment, with news,"

This new Language Channel is great for the Russians because the Russians will now have the actual news from the TV reporters and the news anchors. Before Russia got this new News Channel, Russian TV wasn't considered as a normal News Channel due to not having actual information. The European Union Leaders would want people in Russia to watch more entertainment than watching news inside their government. 

Alec Luhn from The Guardian states,

"The channel’s launch comes as Germany’s state-run broadcaster Deutsche Welle attempts to start a new international news service to counter Russian propaganda."

This statement by Alec was very significant because this new channel is going to bring a stronger international news source for the Russians. 

Also Kashmira Gander from the Independent states,

"and should not be another propaganda tool,"

Kashmira also agrees that this new language channel will not be propaganda. Propaganda was used in Wars where it created hatred towards an enemy. This new language channel will not bring any hatred towards another country. Since Russian Television is owned by the Russian government, they would like to have this channel have politicians speak their personal opinion. 

French Media Hammered for Charlie Hebdo Reportage

    (Photo: AP)

 

     The Conseil Superieur de l'Audiovisuel (CSA) stated that its determination of 36 breaches of broadcast rules have been committed, in divergent variations of severity, by state channels France 24, France 2, France 3, France 5, France Info, France Inter and RFI along with commercial broadcasters TF1, LCI, Euronews, Canal+, BFMTV, iTele, Europe 1, RMC and RTL.

    As The Local puts it:

"The CSA said in a statement it recognized the broadcasters' role in 'ensuring the public is informed' but that had to be balanced against 'allowing law enforcement to fulfil their mission with the required effectiveness'."

    In this situation, it seems as though these companies who are broadcasting these news stories are being regulated by the French authorities. This gives many people around the world suspicion of what the French government might be up to in terms of how they regulate the media and what the public is able to see.

    Arutz Sheva perfectly points this out in their news article by saying:

"This information could have had dramatic consequences for the hostages" taken the same day in the Paris kosher supermarket by the third gunman, Amedy Coulibaly, in an anti-Semitic attack also thought to be a bid to pressure police to let the Kouachis go.

    Since the terrorists attacks on France, the country has been recovering slowly and at a steady pace, but that does not mean that the French government's control on media ends there. In fact, the City of Paris is suing United States-based Fox News on allegations that Fox News "insulted the city" on falsely reporting Islamic "no-go" zones. 

    According to CNN Money:

"When we're insulted, and when we've had an image, then I think we'll have to sue, I think we'll have to go to court, in order to have these words removed," Hidalgo told CNN's Christiane Amanpour. "The image of Paris has been prejudiced, and the honor of Paris has been prejudiced."

    As much of a tragedy as it was for France, readers must clearly keep both eyes open in all aspects. This shines light on what we really know, and for those of us who seek the truth, we must question on whether what we know is real or what we know is false.