Activism

Australia Deports U.S. Peace Activist For Encouraging "Spirited" Protest

by Bob Burton — September 15, 2005 - 12:38am

While the Australian government has successfully deported U.S. peace activist Scott Parkin, the public backlash grows.

Main Source: 
Sydney Morning Herald, September 15, 2005

Legal Challenge to Australia's Bid to Deport Activist

by Bob Burton — September 12, 2005 - 3:54am

The Australian Government is facing a legal challenge to its decision to revoke the six-month visitors visa of Scott Parkin, an environmental and peace activist from the Houston Global Awareness Collective. On Saturday Parkin was arrested, six weeks after he arrived in the country, on "character grounds" and imprisoned pending deportation.

Main Source: 
Sydney Morning Herald, September 12, 2005

Preemptive Snipe at Voices of Reason

by Bob Burton — September 5, 2005 - 1:25am

Nine months before Antony Loewenstein's book on the conflict in Israel and Palestine, Voices of Reason, has even been published, it's under attack. Loewenstein, who is a progressive member of the Jewish community and a Sydney-based freelance journalist, unsuccessfully made several attempts to ask the right-wing Australian Labor Party parliamentarian and Jewish community member, Michael Danby, some questions on the issue.

Main Source: 
The Age, September 5, 2005

Solid SLAPP Misses Target

by Bob Burton — August 26, 2005 - 3:13am

An application by a New Zealand government-owned coal mining company, Solid Energy, for $NZ379,342 in witness costs and legal expenses against two environmental groups has been dismissed. Forest and Bird and the Buller Conservation Group (BCG) had argued before the Environment Court against approval for a new open-cut coal mine. While the Court approved the project, it dismissed the company's costs claim.

Main Source: 
Forest and Bird, August 26, 2005

Judge Says Loggers SLAPP Suit "Embarrassing"

by Bob Burton — July 18, 2005 - 4:15am

Australian forestry giant Gunns has suffered a major setback in its $A6.3 million SLAPP suit against 20 environmentalists and environmental groups. Last December Gunns filed a 216-page statement of claim against the environmentalists and then, earlier this month, submitted a redrafted 360-page version.

Main Source: 
The Age July 18, 2005

Surveying the Fake News Scene

by Diane Farsetta — July 13, 2005 - 8:56am
  • Topics: Activism, Media, Public Relations

    • What do you think about fake news? That's what the Center for Media and Democracy (CMD) has been asking our readers for the past two weeks.

    We surveyed people about what the disclosure guidelines should be for video news releases (VNRs) and audio news releases (ANRs). (We do define "fake news" more broadly, as not just TV and radio segments provided by outside parties, but also pundit payola and any other media manipulation falsely presented as independent journalism. However, brevity is the soul of good survey response rates!)

    Unions' And Bosses' Lawyers Unite

    by Bob Burton — July 8, 2005 - 4:36am

    Australian Financial Review legal editor Marcus Priest notes that in "what some unionists are calling an unholy alliance," the giant Australian forestry company Gunns is "using industrial tort avenues employers have traditionally used against workers engaged in industrial action" against 20 environmentalists and environmental groups.

    Main Source: 
    Australian Financial Review (sub. req'd.), July 8, 2005

    GuantanaWiki

    by Diane Farsetta — June 22, 2005 - 4:54pm

    Online volunteers are "using collaborative wiki software to expedite the process of perusing thousands of pages of complex documents related to detainees held by the U.S.

    Main Source: 
    Wired News, June 22, 2005

    Fewer Nuclear Options

    by Diane Farsetta — June 22, 2005 - 3:15pm

    In "the first time a president has stepped inside a nuclear plant since Jimmy Carter rushed to Three Mile Island in 1979 to calm public fears," George Bush visited Maryland's Calvert Cliffs plant to promote "a new era of nuclear power." Part of the president's plan is to subsidize new plants.

    Main Source: 
    Los Angeles Times, June 22, 2005

    Payola Rulez!

    by Diane Farsetta — June 16, 2005 - 10:02am

    The Federal Communications Commission added a web page outlining the restrictions against pay-for-broadcast arrangements and explaining how individuals can report suspected payola.

    Main Source: 
    Los Angeles Times, June 15, 2005
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