Stories from 20 October 2013
Fake Beating Stunt on Serbian TV Draws Criticism from Journalists
The phony beating of a journalist appearing on Serbian sports TV network SOS Channel was meant to "raise awareness" of Serbia's football-related issues, according to the channel.
#FreeBoussa: Moroccan Netizens Protest Teen Trial over Public Kiss
Three teenagers have been arrested in Morocco. Their crime? The first two were arrested for kissing in public, and the third for photographing them.
No Man's Land: Kidnapping Journalists Worsens in Syria
Activists are campaigning for the release of Syrian media activist Rami Al Razzouk, 25, who was kidnapped on October 1 after negotiations with his kidnappers reached a deadlock.
Morocco Censors the Web: Collateral Damage Allowed
A number of websites, among them popular social media platforms Instagram and Pinterest, have been blocked in Morocco. Also, one of the main independent media outlets, Lakome, has been censored.
Pakistani Web Rallies Against Proposed Ban on Whatsapp, Viber and Skype
Pakistan's online community has not taken kindly to the Sindh provincial government's talk of banning the messaging apps temporarily in the interest of security.
Remembering and Reviving Vietnam's Ca Tru Singing
Đoan Trang interviews Pho Kim Duc, a famous ca tru (sung poetry) vocalist in Vietnam in the 1940s. Kim Duc said ca tru is a very noble form of art. “It’s is not just singing but also poetry. Whoever with a taste for poetry will love ca tru to find...
Thailand Shark Conservation Project
The Thailand eShark Project was launched in light of the reported 95 percent drop in shark sightings in Thailand. The Thailand eShark Project results will be used to bring awareness to declining shark populations in Thailand. Additionally to help improve protected marine park enforcement and reinforce the importance of no...
363 Coffins Close, Reopening the Debate on Illegal Immigration in Europe
The shipwreck of a boat full of immigrants off the coast of Lampedusa, which caused more than 360 deaths, reopens the debate in Europe on illegal immigration.
Nine Signs the Journalism on Africa You’ve Just Encountered is Trash
Imran Garda identifies nine signs of trash journalism on Africa: You may already have accepted that those images of swollen potbellies underneath protruding ribs, those sticky flies sitting on the starving child’s eyebrows and lips, those panoramic views of refugee camps are not the be-all and end-all of Africa. Or...
South Korea: Mass Candlelight Rallies Against the Spy Agency Scandal
More revelations of the spy agency's election manipulation scandal came out, rekindling several month-long protests. Three agents were being probed on Oct 18 for tweeting and re-tweeting political articles to influence pubic opinion. On Oct 19, about 20 thousands[ko] attended a mass candlelight vigil in Seoul protesting the spy agency scandal. @Wjsfree gathered...
Zambia's President Increases His Salary, Blames Opposition MPs
Citizen media website Zambian Watchdog has unearthed a Statutory Instrument increasing President Michael Sata's salary after the freezing of civil service wages for two years.
