Activism

Terrorist or Activist?

by Diane Farsetta — March 4, 2005 - 12:48pm

"Under the draconian conditions of the USA Patriot Act," reports the Guardian, "the FBI can use covert surveillance of 'terrorists' without the necessity of getting a judicial warrant." Last year, the FBI identified "animal rights extremists and eco-terrorism" as "a domestic terrorism investigative priority," concerning even mainstream environmental groups.

Main Source: 
Guardian, March 2, 2005

The Sleuths of Spin

by John Stauber — February 22, 2005 - 9:07am

Bill Berkowitz writes that the Center for Media and Democracy's "sleuths of spin John Stauber and Sheldon Rampton have exposed how corporate shills and government spokespersons manipulate the media and undermine democracy for more than a decade," and are now "setting about an ambitious - yet necessary - undertaking: reinventing journalism." Berkowitz interviews Center founder Stauber about recent media scandals involving

Main Source: 
Alternet, February 22, 2005

SOA Watch Watchers

by Diane Farsetta — February 15, 2005 - 3:34pm

At the trespassing trial of activists protesting the School of the Americas combat training base, "new information surfaced about a comprehensive plan devised by the U.S. Army to deflect criticism of the school, now known as the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation." Defendant Aaron Shuman introduced as evidence WHINSEC's "Strategic Communications Campaign Plan," which he obtained from an Army public affairs officer.

Main Source: 
National Catholic Reporter, February 18, 2005

Email Bombs and Blowbacks

by Diane Farsetta — January 11, 2005 - 12:14pm

Christian Science Monitor reporter Tom Regan writes, "The Internet is increasingly being used by special interest groups to try and influence media to change the way they cover a subject, or in some cases not to cover it at all." Regan focuses on the Monitor's on-line polls, which, although not scientific, "encourage deeper involvement in a story and issue." A poll accompanying a story on the U.S.

Main Source: 
Christian Science Monitor, January 6, 2005

Using the Big Gunns

by Diane Farsetta — December 20, 2004 - 11:59am

"While the forestry industry in [the Australian state of] Tasmania is notoriously defensive, Gunns appears to be setting new standards," reports the Independent.

Main Source: 
The Independent (UK), December 19, 2004

Demanding a Counter-"Point"

by Diane Farsetta — December 14, 2004 - 11:11am

A new campaign charges Sinclair Broadcast Group, the "largest single owner/operator of television stations in the United States," with "misusing public airwaves with partisan news programming." The campaign, by Media Matters for America, MoveOn,

Main Source: 
Los Angeles Times, December 14, 2004

FDA Trying to Tarnish a Whistleblower?

by Diane Farsetta — November 23, 2004 - 11:00pm

After challenging Food and Drug Administration policies that he claims leave the public "virtually defenseless" against questionable drugs, FDA drug safety official Dr. David Graham contacted the Government Accountability Project, a non-profit organization that protects whistleblowers.

Main Source: 
Washington Post, November 24, 2004

Super Sue Me

by Diane Farsetta — September 7, 2004 - 10:00pm

British environmental activists David Morris and Helen Steel, found guilty of defaming McDonald's in 1997, are challenging English libel law before the European Court of Human Rights.

Main Source: 
The Guardian (UK), September 8, 2004

They Fought the Law and the Law Won

by Sheldon Rampton — September 2, 2004 - 10:00pm

"As Republicans inside Madison Square Garden praised the NYPD for keeping order," writes Michelle Goldberg, "grim stories of preemptive, arbitrary arrests, filthy jail conditions and long detentions without access to attorneys circulated among protesters, lawyers and quite a few ordinary New Yorkers who were arrested for being in the wrong place at the wrong time. ...

Main Source: 
Salon.com, September 3, 2004

Perks for Peaceful Protesters

by Diane Farsetta — August 17, 2004 - 10:00pm

"In a PR appeasement attempt, NYC & Company, the city's official tourism-marketing organization, has offered incentives to Republican National Convention protestors who will protest peacefully," writes PR Week.

Main Source: 
PR Week (reg. req'd), August 18, 2004
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