Human Rights

Somebody's Watching You

by Sheldon Rampton — March 29, 2006 - 3:19am

"The FBI, while waging a highly publicized war against terrorism, has spent resources gathering information on antiwar and environmental protesters and on activists who feed vegetarian meals to the homeless," reports Nicholas Riccardi. According to environmental activist Kirsten Atkins, who wound up in an FBI terrorism file after she attended a protest against the lumber industry, "They don't know where Osama bin Laden is, but they're spending money watching people like me."

Main Source: 
Los Angeles Times, March 27, 2006

Whitewashing Guantanamo in the UK

by Diane Farsetta — March 14, 2006 - 6:51pm

"The innocence of (Moazzam) Begg, the Tipton Three and the other British detainees who have come home is a part of the story of Guantanamo that no official wants people to hear," writes Victoria Brittain, the co-author with Begg of the book Enemy Combatant.

Main Source: 
Guardian (UK), March 14, 2006

Old-Style Repression under 'New Maldives' Makeover

by Bob Burton — February 27, 2006 - 2:51pm

A Maldives news service criticizes the 'New Maldives' project launched by President Gayoom in October 2005 as "nothing more than an image make-over for an unpopular and authoritarian regime." The editorial notes that the opposition political party, the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), has highlighted contradictions between the government's words and actions, including "government rhetoric over judicial reform while MDP Chairperson Mohamed Nasheed (Anni) is refused a fair trial" and "assertions over press freedom, while the Police Chief harasses foreign-based journalists." For several years,

Main Source: 
Minivan News (Maldives), February 22, 2006

In Colombia, Reporters Trust, Don't Verify, Official Sources

by Diane Farsetta — February 16, 2006 - 12:24pm

"The media's over-reliance on official sources, despite ... a long history of lying and manipulation by those sources," often makes the media "an instrument of U.S. foreign policy," writes Garry Leech. On February 12, Reuters and Spain's EFE reported "that leftist rebels belonging to the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) had massacred six members of a family, including an 80-year-old woman. The entire story ...

Main Source: 
Colombia Journal Online, February 14, 2006

Shell's Greenwash Stunt: Driving Around (Some of) the World

by Diane Farsetta — February 10, 2006 - 12:28pm

Nigerian author and activist Ken Saro-Wiwa

"In a bid to underline its 'green' credentials, Shell is currently sending a fleet of Volkswagen Golfs in [Aro

Main Source: 
The Independent (UK), February 10, 2006

Corporate-Assisted Repression of Expression

by Diane Farsetta — January 5, 2006 - 6:54pm

Microsoft shut down "a popular Chinese-language blog" by journalist Zhao Jing on December 30, on the grounds that it "has run edgy content potentially offensive to Chinese authorities." The blog "had criticized the government's firing of top editors at a progressive Beijing newspaper." Microsoft stated, "Most countries have laws and practices that require companies providing online services to make the internet safe for local users. ... In China, local laws and practices require consideration of unique elements." Mr.

Main Source: 
Wall Street Journal (sub req'd), January 5, 2006

Coke's PR Connects Canada and Colombia

by Diane Farsetta — December 27, 2005 - 6:38pm

After students at two Canadian universities, McMaster and the University of Guelph, voted down campus exclusivity deals with Coca-Cola, "the world's largest soft-drink company has launched a counter-offensive in hopes of heading off further boycotts." In December, Coke reps visited McMaster and the University of British Columbia.

Main Source: 
Associated Press, December 27, 2005

Protesters Arrested

by Sheldon Rampton — November 25, 2005 - 10:19pm

"About a dozen antiwar protesters, including Daniel Ellsberg and the sister of Cindy Sheehan, were arrested Wednesday morning while camping on a roadside near President Bush's ranch" in Crawford, Texas, reports Rosalind S. Helderman. The activists ran afoul of a new county law that was passed following this summer's protests to prohibit parking and camping on public lands near Bush's property.

Main Source: 
Washington Post, November 24, 2005
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