Human Rights

Defend the Afghan Press

by Diane Farsetta — March 29, 2007 - 4:26pm

"Hailed as a major success of five years of democracy-building, media freedom in Afghanistan is under increasing pressures," writes Alisa Tang. A spokesperson for the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan said, "We've moved from an open media environment to a state-controlled media environment." A proposed law would increase government power over media outlets and make reporting "humiliating and offensive" news a criminal offense.

Main Source: 
Associated Press, March 28, 2007

Chiquita Pleads Guilty to Funding Colombian Terrorists

by Bob Burton — March 21, 2007 - 5:51am

The food company Chiquita Brands International, Inc. has pleaded guilty to funding a Colombian paramilitary group designated by the U.S. government as a terrorist organization. According to U.S. Department of Justice prosecutors, the company's Colombian subsidiary, Banadex, paid approximately $1.7 million to the United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC) between 1997 and 2004.

Main Source: 
Associated Press, March 19, 2007

Seven Papers Axe Coulter's Column

by Bob Burton — March 10, 2007 - 5:09am

In the last week at least seven newspapers have dropped the syndicated column of conservative firebrand Ann Coulter. Speaking at the American Conservative Union's annual Conservative Political Action Conference in Washington, D.C.

Main Source: 
Editor & Publisher, March 9, 2007

Indian Apparel Companies Gag Labor Groups with Court Filings

by Jonathan Rosenblum — March 5, 2007 - 4:45pm

A judge in Bangalore, India has reaffirmed a gag order against labor organizations and supporters who seek to criticize labor conditions at factories in the region, reports the Dutch newspaper, Trouw. Workers have alleged that Fibres and Fabrics International (FFI) and Jeans Knit (JKPL), which produce garments for the European and U.S.

Main Source: 
Clean Clothes Campaign, February 19, 2007

Not-So-Liberal Hollywood

by Diane Farsetta — February 22, 2007 - 2:04pm

A sign protesting U.S.-Philippine military exercises (Source: PBS Frontline)

"Disney and producer Jerry Bruckheimer have acquired screen rights to 'Jihadists in Paradise,' a Mark

Main Source: 
Variety, February 16, 2007

Maldives Controversy Dogs Hill & Knowlton

by Bob Burton — February 17, 2007 - 5:10am

Source: Friends of Maldives.

Supporters of the Maldives democracy movement protested outside the London office of the giant public relations firm Hill & Knowlton over its work f

Main Source: 
Minivan News (Maldives), February 14, 2007

The Fourth Estate, the State Department and Haiti

by Diane Farsetta — February 5, 2007 - 4:10pm

"I have always been interested in how a supposedly independent press so often manages to report on foreign affairs from the point of view of the State Department," writes Diana Barahona.

Main Source: 
CounterPunch, February 3 / 4, 2007

Phil Donahue's Statement in Support of Sarah Olson

by Sheldon Rampton — January 26, 2007 - 3:15pm
  • Topics: Journalism, Iraq, Defend the Press, Democracy, Human Rights

    • Legendary talk show host Phil Donahue has written a column defending the rights of Sarah Olson. Here's the text:

    No Substitute for Free and Unfettered News Gathering

    By Phil Donahue

    Say what you will about Sarah Olson, she got the story. On the ground and armed with only an audio tape recorder, reporter Olson did nothing more radical than dig deep — the first law of journalism. Her interview with Lt. Ehren Watada vividly painted the portrait of a young man in anguish — to serve or not to serve.

    UK Gov't Seeks to ID Flack for IDs

    by Bob Burton — January 24, 2007 - 8:57pm

    The British government is looking to recruit a senior PR professional to help sell the controversial UK National Identity Cards Scheme. The yet-to-be appointed Director of Marketing and Communications will will help oversee the roll-out of the ID cards, which are scheduled to be introduced in 2009.

    Main Source: 
    PR Week (sub req'd), January 17, 2007

    U.S. PR Firms Help Thailand's Deposed Prime Minister

    by Bob Burton — January 24, 2007 - 8:51pm

    The public relations company Edelman has confirmed that its Washington and Hong Kong offices are handling media relations for the deposed Prime Minister of Thailand, Thaksin Shinawatra. A September 2006 military coup saw Thaksin, a controversial media mogul and politician, toppled from power while he was in New York.

    Main Source: 
    PR Week (sub req'd), January 19, 2007
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