Weekly Roundup – Dec. 1 to Dec. 7, 2013

Sunday, December 1, 2013 – Saturday, December 7, 2013

The weekly roundup offers a convenient summary of this week’s happenings in Media Democracy news. You may also keep up to date every day by following our Twitter account @MediaDemocDay and our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/MDDVancouver

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JournoAIDS

December 1, 2013 was World AIDS day. JournoAIDS works to improve the media coverage and representation of HIV and AIDS.

From their website:

Specific objectives of the project are:

• To encourage and enable journalists to play an informed role of combating HIV and AIDS;
• To monitor the role and impact of the media in coverage of HIV and AIDS;
• To promote discussion and debate among journalists, editors, health professional and other key role players in this area; and
• To provide high quality academic research which ensures an informed and useful debate around this issue.

Meanwhile, in Canada…

Illegal spying and industrial sabotage in Canada point to collusion with United States and its ‘Five Eyes’ partners.

From the article: “The Communications Security Establishment of Canada (CSEC) is Canada’s NSA counterpart, but the agency is also part of a larger spying apparatus called UKUSA (Five Eyes), which includes the US NSA, the UK Government Communications Headquarters, the Australian Signals Directorate and the New Zealand Government Communications Security Bureau. According to Canadian law, CSEC is not permitted to spy on anyone inside Canada or Canadians anywhere in the world except for the purpose of assisting domestic law enforcement with proper legal authorization. Unsurprisingly, such legislation hasn’t prevented such spying from being conducted.”

Somali Journalists Arrested After Airing Rape Allegations

Somali journalists have been charged with ‘defamation’ after airing rape allegations.

From the article: “‘This is not the first time in Somalia that the victim of an alleged rape and a messenger have been harassed or imprisoned for reporting such allegations,’ said CPJ East Africa Representative Tom Rhodes. ‘We call on authorities to release Mohamed Bashir and the victim of the alleged rape, and to ensure a transparent and efficient investigation into the allegations.’”

Bradley Manning and the Failure of Corporate Media

Project Censored says the whistleblower’s trail was the most under-reported story of 2013.

From the article: “US corporate media have largely shunned Manning’s case, not to mention the importance of the information [she] released. When corporate media have focused on Manning, this coverage has often emphasized [her] sexual orientation and past life, rather than [her] First Amendment rights or the abusive nature of his imprisonment, which includes almost three years without trial and nearly one year in ‘administrative segregation,’ the military equivalent of solitary.”

You Can: Get National Media Coverage

The Feminist Justice League has created a great list of ways to get media to cover local events and issues.

From the article: “Let’s face it. In this day and age, media coverage of a movement is essential to raise awareness. So what can we do when it seems no one is listening? Contact national (and local) news organizations asking/demanding they cover reproductive issues and events. Contact politicians, public figures, and celebrities asking that they voice their support for reproductive choice. Why would such people listen to us? Whether it’s for ratings, money, or votes, they depend on us. We are the people. Our voices are (or should be) important to the decisions and policies they make. Don’t be shy! You might be surprised at who responds!”

Six Things Nelson Mandela Believed That Most People Won’t Talk About

Are media white-washing Mandela’s beliefs for their own ideological purposes?

From the article: “In the desire to celebrate Nelson Mandela’s life — an iconic figure who triumphed over South Africa’s brutal apartheid regime — it’s tempting to homogenize his views into something everyone can support. This is not, however, an accurate representation of the man. Mandela was a political activist and agitator. He did not shy away from controversy and he did not seek — or obtain — universal approval.”