Human Rights

Spin Doctor Outed As 'Health' Adviser on Guantanamo Prisoner

by Bob Burton — January 21, 2007 - 5:42pm

The Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Alexander Downer, recently sought to downplay concerns about the mental health of an Australian citizen, David Hicks, who has been imprisoned in G

Main Source: 
The Australian, January 20, 2007

World Diamond Council Seeks to Sterilize "Blood Diamond"

by Jonathan Rosenblum — December 26, 2006 - 4:26pm

Concerned about consumer backlash, the World Diamond Council (WDC) has pumped $15 million into a public relations and education campaign to respond to the new movie "Blood Diamond." The film, starring Leonard DiCaprio, opened to generally good reviews and ranked among the top ten in popularity during the holiday season.

Main Source: 
Advertising Age (sub req'd), December 11, 2006

Playing High-Stakes Media Games in China

by Diane Farsetta — December 15, 2006 - 5:49pm

As the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing approach, "the Chinese government knows cameras and notebooks are just as likely to record angry farmers protesting, practitioners of the banned Falun Gong discipline clashing with police, or Hollywood stars campaigning for Tibet's independence -- if reporters have the access." While China has 31 journalists in jail -- more than any other country -- the government has "pledged to temporarily relax limits on foreign journalists" reporting on the Olympics.

Main Source: 
The Wall Street Journal (sub req'd), December 15, 2006

Chilean Dictator Pinochet Lied Through His Eyes

by Jonathan Rosenblum — December 11, 2006 - 3:46pm

General Augusto Pinochet, 91, died on December 10, 2006, after nearly a decade of fighting prosecution on charges of gross violations of human rights. The charges stemmed from murders, tortures and disappearances of thousands of Chilean and other opponents during his 1974-1990 rule. In one of the general's most enduring images, he posed for a photograph in which he set a stark, sinister image behind sunglasses after a coup against the elected president Salvador Allende.

Main Source: 
Associated Press, December 11, 2006

Detailed Corporate Social Responsibility Reports Rare, Publicity-Driven

by Jonathan Rosenblum — December 11, 2006 - 12:19pm

Only a small proportion of annual corporate social responsibility (CSR) reports -- perhaps 15 to 20 percent -- provide "very thorough" accounts of real ethical problems faced by companies. Even that measure comes from within the CSR report industry, in interviews with writers Andrew Brengle of KLD Research & Analytics and Jeff Erikson of SustainAbility Inc.

Main Source: 
The Christian Science Monitor, December 4, 2006

Re-Branding Israel: Priority or Pointless?

by Diane Farsetta — December 5, 2006 - 7:31pm

"When the word 'Israel' is said outside its borders, we want it to invoke not fighting or soldiers, but a place that is desirable to visit and invest in, a place that preserves democratic ideals while struggling to exist," said Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, during a September meeting with "public relations executives, branding specialists and diplomats" in Tel Aviv.

Main Source: 
The Washington Times, December 5, 2006

At Long Last, Can We Please Start Counting the Dead?

by Sheldon Rampton — November 11, 2006 - 12:36am
  • Topics: Iraq, Human Rights, Science

    • Under the strange Bizarro rules that right-wing pundits use to interpret politics in the United States, election season is the time when no one is supposed to discuss any of the things that might actually have a serious impact on their voting decision.

    Logging Company Stumps Up Millions More for SLAPP Against Activists

    by Bob Burton — November 10, 2006 - 3:30pm

    Tasmanian logging company Gunns has told shareholders that it plans to spend $A2 million pursuing SLAPPs against a group of environmentalists, known as the Gunns 20. So far the court has thrown out all three of the company's statements of claim and ordered it to pay the defendants legal costs.

    Main Source: 
    Australian Broadcasting Corporation, 9 November , 2006
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