The Challenges Of Disaster Coverage
How can Nigerian media improve their response to disaster and emergencies, avoiding sensationalism, censorship and bias? And can they shift from an over-dominance of political news to attending to critical social issues like youth unemployment? A national workshop looked for solutions. From allAfrica.com, January 5 2003 More about: Nigeria, Cultural Impacts, News Coverage, Politics

The Dangers Of Wildlife Documentaries
Nature documentaries pretend humans don't exist. So for 50 years they've covered up environmental destruction and supported ethnic cleansing in Africa. George Monbiot explains. From Guardian Unlimited, December 17 2002 More about: Kenya, United Kingdom, Africa, Credibility/Accuracy, Cultural Impacts, Television

Education Is Not Enough To Transform Media
Worldwide movements for critical media education have increased people's understanding of the "perils and promise" of media -- but have they actually helped citizens and communities take action? Asian media activists and educators are confronting the limitations of critical media education and moving beyond them with grassroots programs to democratize and reform the media. From World Assoc. for Christian Comm., November 1 2002 More about: Asia and the Pacific, Activism, Education, Policy/Law

U.S. TV News Blames Africans For Famine
The massive Southern African famine that threatens millions is barely covered by U.S. TV news. What's worse, warns Zeynep Toufe, is that the role of international policies, global warning and finance systems are never mentioned, instead African nations are blamed for the crisis. From FAIR (Fairness & Accuracy in Reporting), December 19 2002 More about: Africa, Southern Africa, Credibility/Accuracy, News Coverage, Television

Sierra Leone: A Blow For Press Freedom
The recent imprisonment of an award-winning newspaper editor for defamation pushes Sierra Leone's media freedom back 30 years, and highlights a draconian law, says Foday Bockarie Fofanah. From World Press Review, December 9 2002 More about: Sierra Leone, Freedom of Expression, News Coverage, Policy/Law

Critical Challenges In HIV Communication
Uganda, Senegal and Thailand have all been hailed as success stories in the fight against Aids. All three have in common an open media that reported the epidemic intelligently and through diverse perspective. This Perspective Paper from Panos is aimed at building preventive action around the education and dissemination of critical information. From Panos Institute, December 1 2002 More about: Senegal, Thailand, Uganda, Africa, Cultural Impacts, Education, News Coverage

Fighting Aids By Making Media
December 1 was World AIDS Day, designed to capture fickle media attention for the pandemic that continues to consume millions, transforming societies worldwide. With 40 million people currently infected, the struggle to educate for health and advocate for resources takes form through TV shows and posters, hip hop, Web art, radio and every possible medium.

* MediaChannel Special Report: The Epidemic And The Media * MTV and OneWorld Radio team up for AIDS radio programs you can listen to, download and rebroadcast.
* From AIDSChannel: Communicating about HIV/AIDS requires the right message and the right medium for each culture and community.

Women And Images-Pageant Ignites Controversy
Despite the sentencing of Amina Lawal to death by stoning for adultery, most contestants decided to attend this year's Miss World contest in Nigeria. The subsequent riots and deaths over a controversial article linking prophet Mohammed to the pageant reaffirm cultural divisions and revive important questions concerning feminism. From Common Dreams, November 25 2002 More about: Cultural Impacts

Cote D'Ivoire: Government Losing The Battle In The Western Press
Restrictions on the press after the September 19th rebellion began have dramatically changed the media landscape in Cote D'Ivoire. The rebels, however, have been more successful than the government in promoting their image to the western press. From Index on Censorship, November 15 2002 More about: Cote D'Ivoire, Africa, Credibility/Accuracy, Politics

Refugee Voices In Southern Africa
What rights to information exits for the 1 million refugees in Southern Africa and how are these affected by the conditions in camps, national priorities and economic reality? These questions are comprehensively explored in this article by Michael S. Gallagher. From World Assoc. for Christian Comm., More about: Africa, Southern Africa, Access, Freedom of Expression

Communication Rights And Civil Society
Policy, community media, corporate media ownership are likely to be on the agenda at the "World Summit on the Information Society" in Geneva in 2003 and Tunis 2005. Find out about the issues in this edition of Media Development Journal. From World Assoc. for Christian Comm., November 13 2002 More about: Africa, Europe, Latin America & Caribbean, North America, Asia and the Pacific, Cultural Impacts, Freedom of Expression, Policy/Law, Technology

Strengthening Civil Societies Through Community Media
Strengthening Civil Societies Through Community Media Community media empower people, tap local talent, promote sustainable development and give a voice to marginalized groups. Access to technologies, broadcast frequencies and funds are necessary to ensure that community media can contribute to strong and responsible societies. Also see Village Women Turn Broadcasters From World Assoc. for Christian Comm., More about: Access, Cultural Impacts, Diversity, Multimedia/Internet

Child Soldiers Online
On Childsoldiers.org, youth in Sierra Leone share writings, pictures, oral stories and music to bear witness to the impact of civil war on their lives and communities. With donated computers and limited Internet access, war-affected children are connecting to their peers worldwide and bringing global attention to the issues of the child soldier. From Digital Divide Network

Filmmaking And Reflecting African Culture
Production in Africa "is an act of resistance" declares award-winning filmmaker Balufu Bakupa-Kanyinda as he discusses the challenges facing the continent's film industry. From UNESCO - Communication, Information and Informatics Sector, October 22 2002 More about: Africa, Cultural Impacts, Diversity, Film

Botswana's Digital Information Age
Will the digital information age lead to Africa's renaissance or further widen divisions? This report assesses such factors as connectivity, IT literacy and regulation in Botswana's context. From World Assoc. for Christian Comm., More about: Botswana, Africa, Southern Africa, Access, Technology, Multimedia/Internet

September 11 In The Arab And Central African Press
Southern countries were also shaken by the events surrounding September 11, 2001, but their voices and perspectives were rarely heard. This Panos report analyzes how Southern media covered the consequences. From Panos Institute, More about: Africa, Central Africa, Cultural Impacts, News Coverage

Hip-Hop Activism In South Africa
Education on HIV/AIDS, empowerment and self development are promoted through HIV-Hop, a community radio and youth project from Bush Radio, SA From Netherlands Institute for Southern Africa, More about: South Africa, Southern Africa, Activism, Cultural Impacts, Music

Communications Technology And Gender Equality: Misplaced Faith?
Is enthusiasm over the role of ICTs in creating gender equality possible in the absence of genuine participatory systems that transfer control to women? A discussion with five gender and ICT activists. From World Assoc. for Christian Comm., More about: Access, Technology, Multimedia/Internet

Free Media Under Attack In Namibia
A new Committee to Protect Journalists report suggests the Namibia government is adopting a Zimbabwean-style crackdown on the media. From Committee to Protect Journalists, More about: Namibia, Africa, Southern Africa, Freedom of Expression, Violence

Worldwide Press Freedom Index Released
Benin is ranked better than Italy as Reporters Without Borders publishes its First Worldwide Press Freedom Index with a few surprises. From Reporters sans frontières, More about: Africa, Cultural Impacts, Freedom of Expression, Violence