Thursday 13 March 2008
Whistleblowing
Last week's Economist highlights a site called Wikileaks, providing a safe haven for whistleblowers material. The process of whistle blowing actually raises a host of ethical issues explored by Clay Shiky. Is the growth of online increasing "our right to know" and encouraging the process of whistle blowing?
Friday 7 March 2008
Internet censorship
The Economist last week has another example of censorship on the web. This time for putting up a Facebook page about the Crown Prince Moulay Rachid of Morocco. 27 year old Mr Mourtada from Casablanca was found guilty of identity theft and imprisoned for three years although by all accounts the Facebook page is fairly tame.
The French NGO, Reporters Sans Frontieres, highlights that there are now 63 cyber dissedents in prison worldwide for "using their right for free experession on the internet". The Group is calling for a day of action next Wednesday, 12th March against six countries which according to the NGO have the worst record against free speech online. These are: Burma, China, North Korea, Cuba, Egypt, Erithrea, Tunisia, Turkmenistan and Viêtnam.
I am personally interested in exploring the role of PR in defining the boundaries of organisations and of course countries. What is happening in the online environment is that the boundaries of organisations are getting blurred through increasingly networked and global relationships. This is challenging for both PR and for organisations and of course countries. Those which feel somewhat insecure are of course keen to highlight their boundaries or borders, even in the virtual environment, hence the consequences above. I will return to this subject later.
The French NGO, Reporters Sans Frontieres, highlights that there are now 63 cyber dissedents in prison worldwide for "using their right for free experession on the internet". The Group is calling for a day of action next Wednesday, 12th March against six countries which according to the NGO have the worst record against free speech online. These are: Burma, China, North Korea, Cuba, Egypt, Erithrea, Tunisia, Turkmenistan and Viêtnam.
I am personally interested in exploring the role of PR in defining the boundaries of organisations and of course countries. What is happening in the online environment is that the boundaries of organisations are getting blurred through increasingly networked and global relationships. This is challenging for both PR and for organisations and of course countries. Those which feel somewhat insecure are of course keen to highlight their boundaries or borders, even in the virtual environment, hence the consequences above. I will return to this subject later.
Saturday 1 March 2008
Citizen journalism
Steve Rubel provides a good link to Wall Street Journal and an article on Citizen Journalism or Citizen Paparazzi. An increasing number of pictures being used by the magazines and online media are coming from mobile phone snappers, not professional paparazzi. Apparently the paparazzi are finding that their designated spots at major celebrity events are being invaded by citizen paparazzi. The laws of supply and demand are having an effect on prices as well, apparently they are now coming down from the extraordinary prices which used to be achieved, as was highlighted in the inquest on Princess Diana.
Although hardly a great endorsement of the potential power of online media to enrich the public spere (Habermas); it does highlight this growing trend for collaboration between media and readers; of which the Financial Times social network is an interesting experiment. Do we think it will succeed as it is charging a £2000 fee to join?
Although hardly a great endorsement of the potential power of online media to enrich the public spere (Habermas); it does highlight this growing trend for collaboration between media and readers; of which the Financial Times social network is an interesting experiment. Do we think it will succeed as it is charging a £2000 fee to join?
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