The New York Times reports that Microsoft thinks that cell phones are the key to bringing the benefits of the Information Society to the Third World. In a direct response to Negroponte’s “One Laptop Per Child” project, Bill Gates proposed at the World Economic Forum yesterday that a hybrid “cellular PC” would be a more…
Advertising for the greater good?
The UN News Centre reports that the United Nations recently awarded several advertising agencies for developing campaigns that raised awareness of various humanitarian and development issues, such as the plight of slum dwellers and child abuse. This year’s winners were: Leo Burnett Publicidade Ltda (Brazil) for “Favela”, a print advertisement to raise awareness about poverty;…
Edward R. Murrow and the FCC
The New Yorker this week has a great piece called “The Murrow Doctrine” on Edward R. Murrow and government oversight over television broadcasting. The writer Nicholas Lemann contends that the kind of investigative journalism pioneered by Murrow in the 40’s and 50’s would not have come about if there had not been strong governmental pressure…
UN backs $100 laptop project
I have previously blogged about MIT’s $100 Laptop project for the developing world. Yesterday, the United Nations announced that it has joined in support of the “One Laptop Per Child” initiative. This will hopefully give the project much more of the attention and support it deserves. Kemal Dervis, head administrator of the UN Development Program,…
Shifting Gears: Media reform
My work situation will be moving in a significant new direction in the near future. In light of this, I will be expanding the focus of this blog to include the important arena of media reform. In particular I will be reflecting on the areas of media-related advocacy, research and evolution. There are strong linkages…
Blog tracks UN Secretary General Race
My pal Tony Fleming sent me a link to a new blog he is running called “Who will be the next Secretary General?” Although the name sounds like a really bad reality TV show, in fact its a very informative and up-to-the-minute website tracking the selection process of the next UN Secretary General. Kofi Annan’s…
Should newspapers allow online comments?
CNET reports that the Washington Post has shut down one of their blogs due to profanity and personal attacks against one of their journalists. The shut-down raises interesting questions about newspaper and other media websites. Do these news sources have a civic responsibility to allow comments and criticism of their reporting? What kind of editorial…
Blogging guide for cyber-dissidents
The press freedom group Rapporteurs sans Frontieres (Reporters without Borders) has recently come out with a “Handbook for bloggers and cyber-dissidents” that’s a great resources for bloggers, whether you are a citizen journalist in Iran or a non-techie wanting to set up your own online diary. The handbook begins with the basics — what is…
The International Language of Dance
There aren’t often events that combine my interests in the United Nations and dance. But on January 26 there will be a discussion with choreographer Bill T. Jones on “The Role of Modern Dance in International Dialogue.” It will take place at the Dag Hammarskjöld Library Auditorium at the UN at 12:30 pm. Sponsored by…
UN News Catch-up: new ethics office, e-racism, disabled rights….
I got a ton of e-mail from the UN news service this morning. Either a lot of stuff is going on, or their email blaster has been backed up from the holidays. (Oh, and a note to the UN editors: ALL CAPS means SHOUTING on the internets.) First up is the new and controversial Ethics…