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The beautiful Wat Arun (at Arun Residence)

North Korea intentionally restricts access to information to control its population. TV and radios in North Korea are hardwired to only receive government controlled media. Foreign newspapers and periodicals are forbidden. It is surprising then to see that the North Korea state has sanctioned the use of cell phones and other information technology. There are now more than 1 million third-generation cell phones in North Korea, as part of the Koryolink cell phone system. These phones can call other members of the Koryolink network, but cannot make calls outside of the country. There is also a state sponsored intranet in North Korea, called Kwangmyong. The intranet is restricted to elites in North Korea with good social standing. Those expecting that cell phones will lead to a Pyongyang Spring will be disappointed. The songbun caste system in North Korea ensures that those with access to cell phones in North Korea are the most elite 5% of the population. North Koreans of low rank, or those living in the country side, will never see, let alone own, a Koryolink cell phone. They will similarly never access the intranet.

From The Information Age: N. Korean Style for the Diplomat by Scott Thomas Bruce

#censorship #North Korea

“I couldn't just wait by my microphone for my death to come."

Reporter Abdulahi Mohamed in "Under fire, Somalia’s brave journalists," Al Arabiya News, 11/2/12

#Somalia #journalists

fjp-latinamerica

Day of the Dead (Journalists)

The Mexican chapter of the Article 19 organization has set up an amazing special site [in Spanish, yet very graphical and easy to navigate] in observance of the Day of the Dead, honoring the fallen journalists who have lost their lives in the pursuit of truth amid Mexico’s drug war.

Here is the rationale of the project, via Artículo 19:

The Day of the Dead is a Mexican folk tradition dating from pre-Columbian times, based on the belief that people’s souls return from the underworld to visit their families and loved ones. The tradition continues to this day with a mixture of indigenous beliefs with Catholic traditions.

The colors, the music, the food, and the the celebrations take place to honor the people who no longer exist in the material world but remain alive in the spiritual realm.

Therefore, here at Article 19, we want to remember on this day the deaths of 71 journalists murdered for reasons relating to their journalistic work, pay homage to them with an altar as a sign that they have not been forgotten, and as a continuing demand for justice for each of them.

FJP: As we have noted before, Artículo 19 has been doing an outstanding job at documenting violence against journalists across Mexico. Kudos.

Pet Peeve: ‘Los’ in translation. The correct name in Spanish of said Mexican tradition is Día de Muertos, not Día de los Muertos.

Images: Papel Picado (perforated paper), by Artículo 19.

treedance

Follow FJP Latin America: Tumblr | Twitter | Facebook.

#Mexico #journalists #drug war

Whether it was the war in Iraq, or the Occupy movement, the Great Recession, or the Affordable Care Act, citizens across the country have been dissatisfied with the level of substantive discourse between candidates and journalists about these issues... The 24-hour news cycle is not always conducive to objective truth-seeking. Instead, it is often more proficient at focusing on surface generalizations and reaching premature and sometimes baseless conclusions. Not all mainstream journalists fall victim to this myopia. There are excellent mainstream and independent voices and resources out there, but many people do not have the time to filter through the 'noise' in order to find them... In addition to connecting family, friends, acquaintances, and strangers, we can all choose to use social media as investigative tools that elevate the level of discourse about the issues that impact our lives in a manner that educates and inspires... Bottom line: Regardless of your political views -- whether you are a Republican, Democrat, third party supporter, or a voice of dissent -- 'democracy' can only potentially live up to its meaning when we the citizens are active, engaged, and well-informed.

Ivanley Noisette for the Huffington Post presenting alternative resources that can help citizens understand the 2012 election issues

#election 2012 #politics #social media

newyorker

This week in the magazine, Peter Schjeldahl reviews “Ai Weiwei: According to What?” at the Hirshhorn Museum, in Washington, D.C. The show is a retrospective of work by the Chinese artist and activist, ranging from video installations to enormous sculptures. “Ai broadcasts the jolting, even triumphalist, dynamism of a booming Chinese art world, on a grand scale,” Schjeldahl writes.

In this audio slide show, Schjeldahl describes Ai’s work as a test of his personal freedoms under the repressive Chinese government. “Ai is revealing where the lines are because he keeps crossing them,” Schjeldahl says. “Is Ai Weiwei a political artist, or an artful politician?”

#china #art #censorship

And on... (Taken with Instagram at แยกพระโขนง (Phra Khanong Junction))

#Latphrao pride (Taken with Instagram at Lat Phrao 80 ทางลัดถนนรัชดา-ลาดพร้าว)

#latphrao

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