Global Chat on the growing violence towards journalists

By Rajneesh Bhandari

According to a report 41 journalists were killed in the last seven months. 110 journalists were killed last year. A Greek journalist Socratis Guiolas was killed this month in front of his home near Athens. Likewise we have similar stories from Nepal. Radio Tulsipur FM (100.2) chairman Hemraj Dhital becomes the third journalist to be murdered in Nepal in just the past few months. In March, Radio Today Nepal owner Arun Singhaniya was gunned down in Janakpur.Cable TV entrepreneur Jamim Shah was shot in the head on a street in Kathmandu earlier this year.


Caption: Freelance photographer Fabio Polenghi, 48, of Italy lies on a stretcher at Police Headquarter Hospital Wednesday, May 19, 2010, in Bangkok, Thailand, after being shot during a government crackdown on anti-government protestors. Polenghi was later pronounced dead by Thai doctors. At least three other journalist were injured in the day long push against anti-government protestors.(Wally Santana/http://www.kansascity.com/2010/05/19/1956000/italian-photographer-killed-in.html)

On July 27, 2010 we discussed about the increasing violence towards journalists. And our major question was how can we decrease the risks of journalist and create environment where journaist can report freely.
Here is the unedited version of our conferance.

rajneeshtimes: Greetings to everyone
dkdipak: heloo
rajneeshtimes: welcome to the third edition of global chat
dkdipak: same here rajnessh
ray_tht2002: Thank you rajneesh
rajneeshtimes: u are welcome
rajneeshtimes: can we start with a short introduction of all
rajneeshtimes: let me start with mine
ray_tht2002: okie
dkdipak: ok
rajneeshtimes: i am rajneesh bhandari i am journalist based in nepal
rajneeshtimes: rabin, it's your turn
dkdipak: I am Deepak Neupane, from Arkansas State University, a graduate student of Mass communication
love_arte: hello
rajneeshtimes: @Dina, welcome
love_arte: my name is Dina
ray_tht2002: and i am rabin
ray_tht2002: journalist from Nepal
rajneeshtimes: rabin could u plz write more about u
love_arte: namaste, everyone!
ray_tht2002: hmm,
dkdipak: Namaste Dina
ray_tht2002: its hard to introduce myself....i am rabin giri...working at annapurna post and the himalayan times daily here in Nepal
rajneeshtimes: Ok great
ray_tht2002: thanks
rajneeshtimes: Dina could you describe more about what you do
love_arte: I'm a lecturer at Yogyakarta, Indonesia
love_arte: my field study is media studies and journalism
rajneeshtimes: The topic for today is violence towards journalists.
rajneeshtimes: It is really sad the violence is increasing
rajneeshtimes: And deepak is doing research on the condition of nepalese journalists
dkdipak: ya
rajneeshtimes: could u plz tell more about your research deepak to the participants
dkdipak: I have am doing the research on it
dkdipak: and i have focuses on the attack to the media people
dkdipak: too in that research ..
dkdipak: Uma Singh ... Who was attacked by more than dozen of people
rajneeshtimes: Well let me tell u all the present condition of
dkdipak: Briendra Shah.. He was killed by political party maoist.. but due to imputity no any punishment are announced
rajneeshtimes: yes go on deepak
dkdipak: And
dkdipak: Jagdish parsad Joshi who was murdered ..
dkdipak: but I could not found a lot detail about him
dkdipak: Joshi was Kailali based journalist
dkdipak: and these all journalist were killed after the CA election or the peace agreement of seven allience parties and the maoist..
love_arte: hello everyone
dkdipak: After the death of Uma Singh who was a journalist of Janakpur today and radio .. its owner was also shot dead
rajneeshtimes: OK
rajneeshtimes: how do you view the situation of journalists in Nepal Deepak?
dkdipak: As, different News and articles claims that their must be connection..
dkdipak: And guys do you have any information of Jagdish parsad Joshi
rajneeshtimes: he has been the recent victim
mukunda_swar: JP joshi belong to Kailaki and murdered during his jornalism professional.
dkdipak: As, i concluded the paper .. In the capital.. Journalist could pratice some freedom and they can write as their wish but ..
rajneeshtimes: Now i will like to welcome our new participant Munda
dkdipak: outside of capital the journalist has to think twice before they write any things..
rajneeshtimes: OK
dkdipak: And in the valley.. journalist are financially struggling.. which seems that their condition seems to be ...
rajneeshtimes: @Rabin, could you tell about your experiance about reporting in Nepal?
dkdipak: hard and tough.. and some of the journalist are saying that .. they feel pressure from marketing group
mukunda_swar: hahahaha..i Dipak jee ... i represent myself from Marketing Dept.
rajneeshtimes: OK
rajneeshtimes: Mukunda, how do you see the present senario of journalists in Nepal

rajneeshtimes: We were talking about the situation of journalists around the world
rajneeshtimes: do anyone of you have the information how many journalists were killed in 2010?
love_arte: more than 3 I guess
rajneeshtimes: more than 41 journalists are killed so far
rajneeshtimes: according to IPI
love_arte: OMG!!
dkdipak: ohh
rajneeshtimes: more than 110 journalists were killed last year in 2009
mukunda_swar: yup
love_arte: can't believe that!
love_arte: how come?
dkdipak: as .. most of them are from Middle east or where ..
dkdipak: cand i know the detail about it
rajneeshtimes: http://www.freemedia.at/our-activities/death-watch/countryview/2009/2009/
rajneeshtimes: u can find more information on this site
rajneeshtimes: it provides a detalined account
mukunda_swar: thnx Rajneesh for ur information
rajneeshtimes: 38 journalists were killed in phillipines only
rajneeshtimes: according to the reports
rajneeshtimes: so the question is, how can journalists write freely in such condition?
rajneeshtimes: @Dina, could you please tell some of your experiances about indonesia?
love_arte: 38 in philippine in this ear?
dkdipak: absolutely... the condition is going worst day by fay
rajneeshtimes: @Dina last year
rajneeshtimes: 2009
love_arte: oh ok..
dkdipak: how do you feel Dina.. can i know the journalist fell their.. and why
love_arte: the famous one was happened with Udin, a journalst from ogya my hmetown
love_arte: Yogya
love_arte: he was killed by unknown people
love_arte: nobody know til now
mukunda_swar: The above report has shown how all over the world, Journalist are facing tough time to give right information to the public.
love_arte: he was a very critical journalist
rajneeshtimes: Ok
rajneeshtimes: @Dina where was he killed?
rajneeshtimes: was he killed for some news related issues?
love_arte: he was investigating about corruption at the government of Bantul a district at the province of Yogyakarta
dkdipak: ohh
rajneeshtimes: can u i imagine what would have happened when 32 journalists were murdered in philippines
rajneeshtimes: http://www.freemedia.at/our-activities/death-watch/singleview-dw/4639/
rajneeshtimes: It includes the name of journalists who were killed
rajneeshtimes: @Dina, what do you say about the growing amount of violence on journalists
love_arte: I have no idea, Rajneesh, but I guess mostly because of the political system?
rajneeshtimes: Yes, it must be due to political system and also due to insecurity
rajneeshtimes: @Deepak, what do you say?
rajneeshtimes: Mukund?
love_arte: the political system does not allow the journalist investigate the wounds such as corruption or bad political system in the government..?
dkdipak: I think.. their are certain gorup of people in the world who never accept the reality, truth and do not like the criticize..
dkdipak: such people must ... be their behind attacking the media and media persons..
love_arte: being a journalist is a risky job
mukunda_swar: most of the journilst have been killed by political issues and people who acts wildly
rajneeshtimes: One thing i like to share here; i report on important political events in Nepal and there is so much debate inside the inter party meeting, but when they come to the media and speak, they say everything is moving in the right path
love_arte: really?
rajneeshtimes: yes, that's how things go on
love_arte: they tried to ignore the process of the debate inside?
rajneeshtimes: The main question today is how can we decrease the risk of journalists?
dkdipak: I think .. there is no solution.. of this..
dkdipak: no any rule and regluation.. and .... stop to decrease.. it.. because ..
dkdipak: firstly, government teaches how to control the media and media people to all of them .. through controlling the rights..
rajneeshtimes: @Mukunda, could there be any solution?
dkdipak: and that is followed by all other people as an unknown rebels ..
mukunda_swar: to decrease such incidents, first of all, from the government and stakehodler of the society should move awareness programs and policies to make people aware
rajneeshtimes: OK
rajneeshtimes: @Dina, what' your opinion on this?
love_arte: @ Mukunda..would you tell me how the should move the awareness?
love_arte: sorry Rj, I want more explanation from Mukunda if you dnt mind
love_arte: how to make people aware?
love_arte: Mukunda? are you still here?
mukunda_swar: Giving them proper eduaction about the journalism and its scope.Government as well Journalist federation bodies can teach them by manuals and practical action which comes to make them how jounalist are facing and doing their challenging job to give right information to the general public
dkdipak: Mukunda.. but by telling the weakness of Journaslit .. is their possible to decrease of threats and murder or attack to journalist ?
dkdipak: if we inform all the weakness like.. the minorities group can come to the higlight by controlling the media ..
love_arte: agree with Mukunda and I think the education could be started from the beginning, not only in the university but also from the high school
dkdipak: they will be able to know how they can control media.. there are not many people who can understand the right of the journalist... and.. most of the people think of their benefits first rather then others...
mukunda_swar: We can not stop threats and murder which comes from different groups completely but will help to decrease slowly then slowly.
love_arte: but Deepak, who are going to be able to control the media or newspaper mostly based on "who own the medi/newspaper"
dkdipak: ya the people.. But.. do you think it will be right way if we... let the people know.. about our weakness.. and let them to know how we can control media ..
love_arte: mm... Deepak, who are "we" you mentioned on your statement?
love_arte: especially ..."to know how we can control the media"
dkdipak: I mean..to say .. how the media are able to be controlled
dkdipak: how they can controlled and twist the informations...
love_arte: yes..
rajneeshtimes: It's very difficult to report from the terai region of Nepal. The Nepal police has claimed that the number of armed groups in nepal has decreased but i can find fear in the minds of mnay of my friends who are reporting form terai region. Even the FNJ of Nepal proves that there is insecurity and journalists are doing self censorship because of fear.
mukunda_swar: thnx to everone
mukunda_swar: i got to go
rajneeshtimes: Ok Munkund
love_arte: nice to meet you, Mukunda
dkdipak: ya..
mukunda_swar: c u on next topic soon
dkdipak: ok
dkdipak: nice talking mukunda
rajneeshtimes: @Dina and Deepak
mukunda_swar: yyp
mukunda_swar: bbbue
mukunda_swar: bbye
love_arte: yes
rajneeshtimes: what do you say to the statement of FNJ Nepa
rajneeshtimes: l
rajneeshtimes: "journalist are doing self censorship because of fear"
rajneeshtimes: can we say that we are doing real journalism then
rajneeshtimes: /
rajneeshtimes: ?
love_arte: what is FNJ?
rajneeshtimes: Federation of Nepalese Journalists
love_arte: oh k, thanks...
love_arte: what do you mean with real journalism?
rajneeshtimes: the free and fair journalism without fear
rajneeshtimes: without any pressure
rajneeshtimes: and biasness
love_arte: ok, but you must realize
dkdipak: FNJ has make aware to the jounalist.. about their security but it seems silent regarding to their security and different threats that .... they face
dkdipak: As i know they have to think twice or thrice before writing anythings
rajneeshtimes: @yes, FNJ sends press releases to the media after the incident
love_arte: the journalist and the product of journalism never really free of the vested interest..
rajneeshtimes: what do you mean by that?
rajneeshtimes: @Dina
rajneeshtimes: whose vested interest?
love_arte: i.e. from the business interest, from the owner of th emedia
dkdipak: they never.. do any activitied to make more secure to them.. they never organized any program to the terai region regarding to the saftey issue.. they are focus on KTM
love_arte: especially in the country who their econmic mode of producton is the capitalist system mode of production
dkdipak: and they want to travel abroad mostly
rajneeshtimes: yes, agree with deepak
love_arte: they focuse on the profit oriented
rajneeshtimes: @Dina, i agree with you partly.
rajneeshtimes: However, does the media owner have vested interest in all the news content
rajneeshtimes: or all the media product?
dkdipak: No .. but in some.. there is ...
love_arte: well .. both I think
love_arte: if we assume all news content is also the part of the media product
dkdipak: Rajnessh do you know one news .. that Chaudary group .... has killed their employee.. and
dkdipak: Kantipur and some other media do not broadcasted the news
rajneeshtimes: i am not aware about this incident
love_arte: the process of the relationship amng owner interest, the media production, the news content and the cultural products of the media is called "the political economy of the media"
rajneeshtimes: yes, media is much guided by the poltics and economy
dkdipak: ya
dkdipak: i agree
rajneeshtimes: but my question is are there some content, that re pure, objective, clean, not guided by anything
rajneeshtimes: @Dina?
love_arte: no never
love_arte: there are 2 kind of reality
dkdipak: wht r they'
love_arte: social reality in the society it self
love_arte: and media reality
love_arte: or
love_arte: reality which is created by the media
rajneeshtimes: ok
love_arte: and mostly the media reality is created based on the interest of the media's owner
rajneeshtimes: I agree
rajneeshtimes: OK we are at the end of our discussion this week
rajneeshtimes: one final statement from all the participants
love_arte: yes..
love_arte: I think so many journalists will join here, Rj..
dkdipak: ya \
rajneeshtimes: many had agrred
rajneeshtimes: agreed
rajneeshtimes: but they must be somewhere reporting
love_arte: this is a crucial thing
rajneeshtimes: yes
rajneeshtimes: i am posting this discussion on blog
dkdipak: I hope all the people understand.. the feeling and the difficulties face by journalist
rajneeshtimes: yes
rajneeshtimes: that's right deepak
love_arte: yes

Global live chat on Racism and Certain stereotypes in the Disney Movies

By Rajneesh Bhandari

On July 20, 2010, we discussed about Racism and Certain stereotypes in the Disney Movies . Below is what we discussed.

rajneeshtimes: welcome to all
rajneeshtimes: thank u so much for ur participation
rinisoe: greeting everyone
deepaexcel5: hi
love_arte: hi all!
deepaexcel5: thanks and welcome
rinisoe: Mery meet
rajneeshtimes: we will be starting in few minutes
deepaexcel5: ok
rinisoe: ur welcm
rinisoe: ok
rajneeshtimes: I think it's 7
rajneeshtimes: let's start
love_arte: ok
rajneeshtimes: let's start with a short intro of all
rajneeshtimes: my name is rajneesh bhandari, i am from nepal and i work as a tv journalist
love_arte: who start first?
rajneeshtimes: deepa!
deepaexcel5: Hi i am deepa.......professionally i am computer dept. Head of my office and LL.B student as well.
rajneeshtimes: dina
rinisoe: I am Surien from Indonesia, now i m working with my own small handcraft bussiness.
deepaexcel5: ok
rinisoe: sorry write too early
deepaexcel5: nice to meet you
love_arte: hi all, my name is Dina, from Indonesia. I'm a lecturer
love_arte: my field is media studies
rajneeshtimes: Racism and Certain stereotypes in the Disney Movies; this is our topic
rajneeshtimes: today
rinisoe: nite to meet u deepa, n all :)
rajneeshtimes: So, have u watched Disney movies?
love_arte: yes, many!
deepaexcel5: which one?
rajneeshtimes: @Dina, could u please tell some movies
rajneeshtimes: and your experiance of watchin git
love_arte: aladdin
love_arte: jungle book
deepaexcel5: oh
rajneeshtimes: Deepa, could you add few form your experiance
love_arte: the emperor new groove
rajneeshtimes: I would like to welcome saya
rinisoe: hi aya
deepaexcel5: aladdin and jungle book my fav. one......i never feel any kind of racisum
rajneeshtimes: @Saya, could you please introduce yourself
sayainfi: hai I'm farida
rajneeshtimes: Farida, what do you do
sayainfi: sory, its my firs time
love_arte: its ok, farida
rajneeshtimes: we welcome you all
sayainfi: I'm a social worker
sayainfi: and a single mother
deepaexcel5: ok great
rajneeshtimes: Great.
rajneeshtimes: @Deepa, you were saying you nevere felt any kind of racism in aladdin and jungle book
rajneeshtimes: could you please elaborate more
sayainfi: what the topic
sayainfi: am I late
rajneeshtimes: @Farida, the topic is Racism and Certain stereotypes in the Disney Movies
sayainfi: I see
deepaexcel5: yes...might be at that time i was a kid so i never notice
deepaexcel5: and now days no time to watch cartoon
rajneeshtimes: @Dina, what do you say, are there racism in Disney Movies.
love_arte: yes
love_arte: anybody here already watched some Disney movies, right?
rajneeshtimes: @Dina, I have watched
love_arte: Deepa said there's no racis at Aladdin
love_arte: no racism
rinisoe: yes, of course.
love_arte: let me show you this lyrics:
rinisoe: i mean of course i watched many
deepaexcel5: ok
love_arte: Oh, I come from a land, From a faraway place, Where the caravan camels roam, Where they cut off your ear If they don‘t like your face, It‘s Barbaric, but hey, it‘s home.
love_arte: this is a part of the song from aladdin
love_arte: after this song was launched, there were so many protest..
deepaexcel5: ae
deepaexcel5: really
love_arte: yup
deepaexcel5: is this title song?
love_arte: no
deepaexcel5: ok
love_arte: just a part of the song
sayainfi: its like a stigma for any country?
deepaexcel5: ok
love_arte: yes
deepaexcel5: yeah
love_arte: dont you aware the relation between the lyrics and the background of the movie (aladdin)?
love_arte: the lyric talks about arabic people right?
rajneeshtimes: yes
deepaexcel5: yes
sayainfi: yups its like stigma for the arabic Islan and moslem people?
deepaexcel5: i agree
rinisoe: it might be reflected kinda of racism or prejudice on the soundtract. but i didnt see any of the setting showed that the setting describe the barbaric situation
love_arte: can you imagine: how many people in the world already watched this movie?
sayainfi: the song sound like to say that arabic or islam is barbarian
love_arte: especially the children?
love_arte: yes, rini, directly is not like that
love_arte: BUT:
love_arte: When American children hear the word “Arab" what is the first thing that comes to mind?
love_arte: especially after they watched this movie?
rinisoe: some people may be notice those lyrics as a racims words, but in the fact some (muslim one) may be didnt care or notice because the soundtract actually is the separate part of the movies/setting.soundtrach ussualy is made for retouch or to make the movie more dramatic
rajneeshtimes: I agree with rini
deepaexcel5: ok
love_arte: nope
love_arte: many arabic groups did many protest related this lyric
sayainfi: for the moderat moslem maybe its no problem
rinisoe: may be we should make the term of racism issues here more specific, its may be refer to arab, not the muslim. that the first that we must to understand.?
love_arte: and finally, the disney corporation changed it
rajneeshtimes: Disney is the world's largest media conglomorate
love_arte: :) I'm not talking about the muslim, Rini
love_arte: I'm talking about arabic people
sayainfi: but for the fundamentalist arab is the first referen
sayainfi: arab is like symbol of Islam
deepaexcel5: ok
sayainfi: coz Islam come from there
love_arte: yes, but we can not mix it into the same problem
sayainfi: for me its no prob, coz i'm a moderat
rajneeshtimes: @Amelia, welcome, could you please introduce yourself
day.amelia: Hi all...
love_arte: but this is actually a big problem
deepaexcel5: hi
day.amelia: I am Amelia, from Jakarta
love_arte: its not about you are moderate or not
rinisoe: yes, love arte, i just respon to sayainfi words which mention about moderan moslem
love_arte: hi Amelia, nice to meet you here
day.amelia: nice to meet you arte
rinisoe: hi amelia
day.amelia: (I am sitting nicely just to comprehend the ongoing discussion, sorry for late enrolment)
sayainfi: Oke i gree its not about fundamentalism or moderat
sayainfi: maybe its will be another discussion in other area
love_arte: the problem is:
love_arte: the movie teach the wrong knowledge to the children
rinisoe: :) yeah, sayainfi, i think may be we should focus on the alladin theme/soundtract first
deepaexcel5: yes
rinisoe: do u think the children learned a lot about racism just because it soundtrack, lovearte?
rajneeshtimes: I am repeating the lyric: Oh, I come from a land, From a faraway place, Where the caravan camels roam, Where they cut off your ear If they don‘t like your face, It‘s Barbaric, but hey, it‘s home.
love_arte: not only through the lyric
sayainfi: give another sample
love_arte: let me quote the important information about chldren
rinisoe: i mean, soundstract like i mentioned previously, more like kinda retouch for the movie, accent. not the main "show". sometime people dint notice about the sountract or lyrics.
love_arte: According to the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC),
children between 2 and 5 years of age start to become aware of race, ethnicity, gender and
disabilities. They can accurately identity “Black” and “White” when labeling pictures, dolls and
people. Children develop their own racial identity during preschool and elementary school years
(Ramsay, 2003).
love_arte: see?
rinisoe: may be this is not about the soudntract teach sometime but does the movie is content racism?
love_arte: yes
love_arte: the character of JAFFAR
deepaexcel5: which one
rajneeshtimes: @Dina, how are disney movies received in indonesia?
sayainfi: oh, I should to wacth that movie again
love_arte: :)
rajneeshtimes: thank you for the information and the quotes. It's very informative.
sayainfi: a lot off people in Indonesia love disney movie as aI know
love_arte: only certain people aware with this information. Mostly children, just like other children in the world,
love_arte: they do not aware much
love_arte: The Aladdin character in that movie portrays “bad” Arabs with
thick foreign accents while Anglicized Jasmine and Aladdin speak in standard Americanized
English” (Giroux, 1995).
love_arte: Aladdin looks and sounds like a fresh-faced American boy. One of the
evil characters, Jafar, looks very Arabic. Some of the lyrics in the movie convey racist
overtones: “I come from a land…where they cut off your ears if they don’t like your face. It’s barbaric, but hey, it’s home” (Maio, 1999).
deepaexcel5: ok
love_arte: Jaffar is very arabic and looks like a villain
rajneeshtimes: @Deepa, how are disney movies received in Nepal. Were you aware about these things when u were a child
rinisoe: ok,regarding what loverarte quoted, may be it s true racism refelected clearly on the soundtract.but how about the other things on that movie?
love_arte: Rini, you must read some messages I posted earlier..
rinisoe: love arte, of course jaffar look so arabic because he s described as arabic. if he s from java then sounds so arabic, it would be a weird then :D
deepaexcel5: no....aladin and jasmin my fav love Couple... i never notice
love_arte: its ok, Deepak, but you must see the whole movie
love_arte: everybody here already watched PETER PAN?
rinisoe: lover arte, i read ur message, thats why i wrote that the racism issues may be true reflected on the soundtract. but then, how about other things? like the main character, their setting, story etc
rajneeshtimes: yes
sayainfi: Some people maybe don't care about the detail content
rinisoe: movie is not about the soundstract only.
love_arte: Another common stereotype noted in Disney movies is that of the Native American. In the film Peter Pan, Princess Tiger Lily’s father represents the negative stereotype of being uncivilized and savage as he holds Wendy’s brothers hostage.
sayainfi: they just know to make happiness with waching this movie
love_arte: sure!
rajneeshtimes: @Dina, why was Disney so ignorant about all these issues, after all it is the world's largest media
love_arte: Louis Althusser called the process as ISA or Ideological State Apparatusses
love_arte: well..
love_arte: Disney represents itself as America, right?
rajneeshtimes: could u elaborate it more
love_arte: they makes movies as how american usually thinks..
sayainfi: Do you think that Disney have 'hidden' mission?
love_arte: sure!
deepaexcel5: can't say
rajneeshtimes: what could be the mission then?
love_arte: a great image of america as a big country!
rinisoe: i dont think the huge one like disney have certain mision espesially the mean one
love_arte: and they do it succesfully through many movies!
rinisoe: i used to work for the publisher which own the liscne of disney comic for indonesia. they really concern about human right etc
deepaexcel5: that good
love_arte: I know.. but Rini, the comis is not so simple as people think.
sayainfi: I just curious
rinisoe: there are long list of disney movies, not only cartoon, also another "products" ,if they have certain mission , they wont only make small number to "shoot" that mission
rinisoe: let me share how many character in disney (comic) was create
love_arte: it was proved by a book by Ariel Dorfman and Armand Mattelart
deepaexcel5: ok
love_arte: the book is : How to Read Donald Duck :)
rinisoe: most of them made base on true story. even some of them actually character of the uncle/grandma/ect (family) of the creator. the point here, they tried to build real character base on true things
love_arte: It was a political analysis book about the comic of Donald duck and published at Chile, 1971
rinisoe: bad/good characters
deepaexcel5: wow
love_arte: yes, but this is more than bad or good character
sayainfi: whose ,ade the character?
rinisoe: if i m not mistaken, they didnt mean any but ttied hard to make the setting/storry on comic look alikes real one
love_arte: why did they make the style of Aladdin was so american? and act like a young american boy?
rinisoe: for exaple, the character of grandma of uncle scrooge, the goose, etc
rajneeshtimes: point to be noted
sayainfi: The background of the creator can be involve the cartoon characters
love_arte: and if you watch MULAN 2, you will fine the strange moment in the end of the movie..
rajneeshtimes: very true
love_arte: just watch it and then you will know..
rinisoe: so i mean, the racism isues on the setting might be will apear
rinisoe: but it doesn mean disney made it n purpose as certain mission.
love_arte: the movie of MULAN 2 is verrryyy America, fully with their values..
deepaexcel5: ok
love_arte: sure they have mission, why not?
rinisoe: aladin soundtract which must reedit in 2004 may be one sample of disney mistake that they didnt notice well that the soundstract contain that rasism issues
sayainfi: or disney will hide behind the person who creat the character
rinisoe: diney never hide the creator of disney character
rinisoe: i agree that might be the lyrics of it soundtract was contain rasicm issue.may be prejudice.
rajneeshtimes: @Dina, how do you describe, disney now?
rinisoe: but on movie, i dont think the movie has it issues
love_arte: I'm not agree with you, Rini, in fact in many Hollywood movies, they portray many bad stereotipes and sure the racism itself
sayainfi: Disney as a big company should be carefull with their product
love_arte: well, they dont have to do that! they're american, right?
rinisoe: yes, i agree sayainfo. they sould more be careful
rinisoe: seem dina has slow connection
love_arte: they always do many times, including the hollywood industry
rinisoe: so, any other movies which u think contain rasism issues?
sayainfi: coz the should responsible to the world people about their product
sayainfi: about the content, the impact of their product
love_arte: Dumbo (1941_
love_arte: portrayed by the crows
love_arte: 3 black crows who were spoken and acted like black american
love_arte: and the used "black voice" character
love_arte: from FANTASIA
rajneeshtimes: @Dina, do you think it still cotinues in the disney movies
love_arte: the white centaur bring her foot to be caring with "black little centaur"
rinisoe: what is the last movie of disney now? i think its narnia, isnt?
love_arte: yes, till now. they spread certain stereotypes about the people from a country
rajneeshtimes: must be
sayainfi: My children Narnia so much
rinisoe: do u think any rasism issue on narnia, sayainfi?
rajneeshtimes: @Amelia, what do you think
rajneeshtimes: What about mickey mouse?
sayainfi: Rasism... not much
love_arte: this is interesting
rinisoe: not much? :D so u think there are some?
rinisoe: what about mickey, rajness?
love_arte: Mickey is loved by the children
love_arte: he becomes a power of Disney Company
rajneeshtimes: but it is very much american
sayainfi: but i litle bit afraid about the Violence...
love_arte: even this figure become a secret sign for amercan military at world war 2
sayainfi: just little bit
rinisoe: mickey mostly appear on regular cartoon tv show.but still not a lot.
love_arte: Mickey become a symbol
rajneeshtimes: @Is there any cartoon made by non-western company as popular and effective as walt disney
love_arte: only a year after he was creatde by Walt, the fans then found a group of MM and in year the member ia over than 5.000 children in US
sayainfi: Yup, poor people cant buy their CD/DVD movie or Disney Magazine
sayainfi: Indonesia have a lot of Cartoonist
rinisoe: sure radness, korean, japan (manga)
sayainfi: but the Gov dont give them enough space to express their talent
love_arte: yes, especially manga from Japan
rinisoe: sayainfi? how did u get that opinion?
sayainfi: The gov just busy to Corrupt
rajneeshtimes: but these things are not much popular in nepal
rinisoe: i dont think government has something to do about the oppurtunity to be cartonist in indonesia
rajneeshtimes: @Deepa are u there?
rinisoe: i used to work for the publisher who really welcome to the local one
love_arte: yes, but they never think about it
rinisoe: which one whicn not popular in nepal, rajnes?
rajneeshtimes: japanese, korean
rajneeshtimes: and others
love_arte: not popular or popular, rini?
sayainfi: When I was Child i ever wacth a Indonesian Cartoon Movie...
sayainfi: the title is HUMA,
rajneeshtimes: OK
love_arte: LET ME GIVE THE LAST STATEMENT
sayainfi: But now, I never know Indonesian Cartoon on TV
rinisoe: indonesia currently is attacked by korean n japan comics LOL :D if we talk about racism, those comics also has racism issues betwen t story
rinisoe: sayainfi, may be u are the one who didnt know, but actually we have so many talented people who already created many local productions :)
rajneeshtimes: we are coming to the end of the conferance
rinisoe: sometime, or mostly, regarding the commercial consideration, the producers or creator prefer not showing that they are indonesian
rajneeshtimes: i would like everyone to give their last statement
love_arte: THIS IS THE LAST MESSAGES FROM ME, ABOUT WHY DISNEY MOVIES ARE DANGEROUS IN MANY CONTENTS ESPECIALLY ABOUT RACISM AND OTHER STEREOTYPE
sayainfi: yups, I knoe we have so many cartoonist, but the gove dont give theam attention to grow
rinisoe: ok rajdness, and other, thanks you for the oppurtuinty
rinisoe: nice disccussion
love_arte: 1. According to the Merriam Webster Collegiate Dictionary, racism is defined as “a belief
that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences
produce an inherent superiority of a particular race” (2005-2006). Stereotypes are preconceived or oversimplified generalizations usually, but not always, involving negative beliefs about a particular group.
rajneeshtimes: I would like everyone to give their last statement
sayainfi: I like this discussion to
love_arte: 2. At a very young age, many children are exposed to movies, whether at the theater or on
videos at home. One major producer of children’s movies is the Disney corporation. These
animated films are often perceived as innocent and wholesome. “Given the influence the Disney ideology has on children, it is imperative for parents, teachers and other adults to understand how such films attract the attention and shape the values of the children who view and buy them (Giroux, 1995).
rinisoe: who first?
rajneeshtimes: Dina
sayainfi: I need to more be carefull about what my children Wacth.
rajneeshtimes: Great
love_arte: There have been many instances of racism identified in Disney movies including The Jungle Book (1967) which portrays gorillas and orangutans that sound like black people and Oliver and Company, with a Chihuahua named Alonzo that is typecast as a Latino troublemaker. At one point in the film, he talks about stealing cars. This negative stereotype is what children may remember when they hear someone speak with a similar accent. Lady and the Tramp features the Siamese cats that negatively portray Asians. They clearly have stereotypical Asian features such as slanted eyes, buckteeth and very heavy accents and are depicted as sinister, cunning and manipulative (Sun, 2001).
love_arte: DONE!
love_arte: LOVE YOU ALL!!
rajneeshtimes: @Rini, now you
rajneeshtimes: after that farida and deepa
rinisoe: i prefer to enjoy any movies, espesially disney one as a entertaiment part, so i wont take personal any issues which lead me into racism paradigm. but i agree that any movies should be careful with
rinisoe: the movie which they made, it suppose not contain any rasism or prejudice one. its family movie then should can enjoyed by anyone in this entire world
rajneeshtimes: Farida
rinisoe: never enter/over the limit the cultural situation
rinisoe: tq
sayainfi: I Love movie... but I need to choose a good movie for my children.
sayainfi: so what the next Topic
rajneeshtimes: Deepa r u there?
love_arte: he's asleep...
rajneeshtimes: Before Deepa writes anthing
rajneeshtimes: i would like to thank you all the for discussion
rinisoe: ur welcome, radness
rajneeshtimes: for the particpation
rinisoe: thanks for having me
sayainfi: I love the discussion
love_arte: you are welcome! I love to involve in this forum!
rajneeshtimes: This is our attempt to discuss new things and issues realted to media
rajneeshtimes: i thank you all
sayainfi: thank Dina ti invite me and rajnesh
love_arte: you are welcome, Farida!
sayainfi: what about the next topic?
rajneeshtimes: We will discuss about another interesting issue next week in the same time
deepaexcel5: whatever....We discuss but ending the story i am one of the big fav of Disney world........
rajneeshtimes: i will let you know about the next issue
love_arte: no prob Deepa..
rajneeshtimes: Have a great time
sayainfi: oke, I'm waiting
rajneeshtimes: the whole chat will be posted on http://marginaltalk.blogspot.com
love_arte: thanks!
rinisoe: have a great time everyone. talk to u all soon. bye for now
rajneeshtimes: will meet you all next week
deepaexcel5: ok
rajneeshtimes: Thank u all and have a great time and take care
deepaexcel5: bye
love_arte: byee!! see you next week!!
sayainfi: oke. see ya

Global live chat on freedom of press

By Rajneesh

Here is the whole chat, if you missed it. It was really fun and this was the first conference that we organized. The chat took place on July 13, 2010 via yahoo.


rajneeshtimes: Welcome to all
rajneeshtimes: thank u so much for accepting the invitation
love_arte: Good evening!
rajneeshtimes: and taking part in the conference
lpbastola2004: Good evening everyone
samiya789: it's our pleasure
rajneeshtimes: Could we introduce ourselves, one sentence, what we are doing?
rajneeshtimes: My name is rajneesh, i am a television journalist, and currently working in a tv station in nepal,
rajneeshtimes: i am intereted in media research and also want to discuss more on freedom of press
lpbastola2004: of course, I am LP Bastola. I am a teacher and social worker by proffession.
love_arte: My name is Dina, I'm a lecturer in the field of Media Studies in Yogyakarta, Indonesia
samiya789: I am srijana sharma and student of management
lpbastola2004: I have keen interest in media and freedom of press
samiya789: Though i don't know much more about media but i was and still very much interested towards this to know more about it
lpbastola2004: Thank you Rajneesh , once again for coordinating this conference
rajneeshtimes: one of participant is asking for some steps to be in
rajneeshtimes: i am on that
samiya789: ok
rajneeshtimes: dina could u please brief us about today;s topic
rajneeshtimes: why it is important
love_arte: ok..
love_arte: I think its mportant for all of us to know (based on their experiences) why we have to discuss this topic
love_arte: for me, the topic of freedom of the press is important for the open society and for democracy building.
lpbastola2004: this topic is very much necessary for all human to express their fundamental rights
lpbastola2004: it is not only needed for people involved in media but it is very much necessary for all the public to know
rajneeshtimes: bascially in nepal
rajneeshtimes: the condition is not that well
love_arte: may I ask to lpbastola?
lpbastola2004: pls ask
love_arte: or should I wait for Samiya first to share her ideas? Samiya, please
samiya789: i didn't get it clearly
love_arte: Samiya, do you need a kind of explanation or clarification?
lpbastola2004: it seems so
lpbastola2004: Samiya is quite unclear about the topic of discussion
love_arte: anybody wants to help Samiya? Rajneesh?
rajneeshtimes: yes
rajneeshtimes: sure
rajneeshtimes: we can continue
rajneeshtimes: with the discussion
rajneeshtimes: i will brief samiya
lpbastola2004: lets proceed ahead
rajneeshtimes: simultaniously
lpbastola2004: she will know it from the discussion
love_arte: ok then
lpbastola2004: pls Dina ur question
love_arte: I will continue to ask lpbastola
love_arte: you said that the FOTP (freedom of the press) is not only about the neededf or people involved in media but it is very much necessary for all the public to know
rajneeshtimes: Notince: three participants from nepal said, there is loadshedding and they take part in it
lpbastola2004: yes
love_arte: what do you mean with the last phrase: all the public to know.. does it have relation with the right people to know?
lpbastola2004:
love_arte: ?
love_arte: I cant read your words..
lpbastola2004: yes , there are many people in the developing countries like ours not knowing about the freedom of press, even if they knw it they dont get chance to express
lpbastola2004: knowingly or unknowingly they are deprived of freedom of press
lpbastola2004: whatever they want to express cant be reached up to the general public
lpbastola2004: this means alll the public who are aware of press freedom can express thoru one way or the otehr
love_arte: ahh... I see.. maybe after this, we must define.. "what is freedom of the press" and "what kind topics/matters the media could say related to the freedpm of the press"
lpbastola2004: are you convince wiht my explanation Dina?
love_arte: no
love_arte: not at all
love_arte: but
lpbastola2004: pls tell where ur not convince
rajneeshtimes: Notice:one participant from UK just installed yahoo and is waiting patiently to join the conferance
love_arte: :D
love_arte: back to lpbastola, sorry
lpbastola2004: lets welcome some more participants
lpbastola2004: welcome Dina
love_arte: for some people who live under the repressive situation, freedom of the press become a sweet dream
rajneeshtimes: welcome yelisha
yelishasharma: thanks rajneeh
rajneeshtimes: can u read what we are discussing
yelishasharma: yes
lpbastola2004: dina, how has it become sweet dream?
lpbastola2004: welcome yelishasharma
yelishasharma: thank u
rajneeshtimes: ok great
love_arte: but if you are already live in the democratic situation you will get other meaning of the press freedom
yelishasharma: are u getting my messages twice
love_arte: yes
love_arte: just read. sorry
yelishasharma: im just tying once but its like being repeated i wonder why
love_arte: once in Indonesia we were under repressive situation in the Suharto's regime
love_arte: Press was under control and scrutiny by government
lpbastola2004: the problem is most of the people are still in repressive particularly the media person in Terai region of Nepal
lpbastola2004: Dina the situtation of censorship to media was here too, in nepal
love_arte: mostly the people in the government ruled my the army and one biggest political party, GOLKAR
love_arte: yes. I know
lpbastola2004: i heard about the situation during the reime of Suharto
love_arte: the recent situation at Nepal similar with Indonesia before 1998
yelishasharma: when i see the freedom of the press here in the UK and the credibility associated with it ..its simply amazing i feel freedom is important so that the press can be credible otherwise it is always associated with some faction or the other
rajneeshtimes: i am back
yelishasharma: ok
lpbastola2004: i dont have much knowledge about Indonesia but in west African countries like Sieera LEone, Zambia, Namibia they have very critical situation of press
love_arte: Indonesia has only been enjoying the freedom of press in recent years, after changing the administration in 1998. At the beginning of the new era, many press freedom promoters agreed to create a new Press Law that would be friendlier to the idea of press freedom.
rajneeshtimes: @Dina, could u please brief what was the situation like
love_arte: after 1998?
love_arte: or before?
lpbastola2004: waiting for Dina's b riefing
rajneeshtimes: specially about the press, what kind if regulation, censorship before
lpbastola2004: both comparative I suppose
love_arte: OMG
love_arte: its very long explanation!
love_arte: well.. why dont you ask our friend as new participant?
lpbastola2004: well, it is good to ask other
lpbastola2004: let me ask something to yelishasharma
yelishasharma: yes sure
lpbastola2004: yelisha was talking about the reedom of press in Uk, what type of regulatory boards are there to give such freedom?
lpbastola2004: we are only four now
yelishasharma: well im not a journalist here but im saying from the perspective of an audience
rajneeshtimes: samiya told me that her mother is sick and she has to look after her
love_arte: its ok
love_arte: no problem
yelishasharma: a lot of credibility is associated with press here
lpbastola2004: ok no problem
yelishasharma: so i think it is beacuse of freedom of the press i think UK has 27th rank in the world
lpbastola2004: o k, can all the general public express themselves though media
lpbastola2004: i mean in the Uk
yelishasharma: in terms of freedom
lpbastola2004: we are only four
yelishasharma: so i think freedom is very imp to have credibility among the audience
lpbastola2004: it would be interesting if we were more
yelishasharma: haha
rajneeshtimes: other are coming
love_arte: :)
rajneeshtimes: might be
lpbastola2004: that meands u trust the media there
yelishasharma: yes ppl do
yelishasharma: whtever is in news is like ppl take it
yelishasharma: but back home that is not the case
love_arte: one important point: trust to the media
lpbastola2004: are you keeping you in centre in this thesis, yelisha?
rajneeshtimes: but in Nepal u know the trend is chaging
lpbastola2004: i agree wiht Rajness
lpbastola2004: it has been drastically changing
rajneeshtimes: Last time two newspapers reported on the same issue differently
yelishasharma: the media is generally associated with one or the other faction
lpbastola2004: no one can escape from media now
love_arte: tell me Rajneesh... changing like what?
rajneeshtimes: The first Newspaper: Crime incresing during worldcup in kathmandy
love_arte: are the people depending with the media? especially with TV?
rajneeshtimes: the other: crime rate decreasing
rajneeshtimes: the news was published on the very same day
love_arte: its also happened here
rajneeshtimes: and one was saying because of worldcup crime rate is decreasing and the other said it is decreasing
rajneeshtimes: @Dina tell me more
lpbastola2004: but the fact was the crime increased, if we had to be in middle path
love_arte: its also happened here about the news was published on the very same day..
yelishasharma: im saying abt the facts as in concrete political facts when it comes to that i think there is less credibility
lpbastola2004: of course it is yelisha
love_arte: yes Yelisha that's true
lpbastola2004: these days media all over the world is inclined towards one or the otehr political party
yelishasharma: so freedom is needed to have the impact
love_arte: what kind of freedom people is needed, Yelisha?
yelishasharma: yes thats also true
lpbastola2004: press does not mean simply writing what the reporter feels it should be totally based on the concrete reality
yelishasharma: yes
yelishasharma: i agree IP
lpbastola2004: thank you
love_arte: Yelisha, would you tell me more
yelishasharma: the life here is i think totally dependent on media ...and ppl believe in it
lpbastola2004: Can i ask one question to Dina? it is related to the reports of media in Indonesia
love_arte: yes sure
love_arte: plz
love_arte: ??
lpbastola2004: why there is reservation in writing about the religious vulgarity of Muslim there? when it is a case of Cristian it is slighly free
lpbastola2004: reporters feel quite reluctant about writing the evils of hindu religon
lpbastola2004: it is more harsh in the case of Muslim
yelishasharma: thats true
lpbastola2004: Rajnees, where are you lost?
love_arte: :D
yelishasharma: haha
love_arte: that's need a long explanation also
love_arte: but let me tell you
rajneeshtimes: i m reading the converstation
lpbastola2004: it is but what do u think if you have to tell in one sentence Dina?
rajneeshtimes: and supporting who want to join the conferance
rajneeshtimes: and telling them the process
rajneeshtimes: they seem to be lost
lpbastola2004: invite more people it must be fruitful
lpbastola2004: the more we are the more interesting it is
rajneeshtimes: let's move ahead, it;s going perfeclty and it;s interesting
love_arte: actually Indonesia consist of pluralistic situation: many islands, religions and beliefs, cultures
lpbastola2004: yep it is
lpbastola2004: but there are mostly Muslims i suppose
love_arte: but since in the middle of 80's
yelishasharma: yes dina im eager
rajneeshtimes: Just got the light yahooooooooooooooooo
love_arte: after a big muslim organization, ICMI was founded by many muslim scholars and most of them took place in the government...
dkdipak: Are we all from Nepal'
yelishasharma: noo
lpbastola2004: but stilll we find the govt is rigid towards religous freedom and scientiifc explanation of religous facts
love_arte: the situation was changed slowly but sure
rajneeshtimes: Deepak is our new participant
lpbastola2004: welcome Deepak
yelishasharma: welcome deepak
lpbastola2004: Could u pls introduce Deepak?
love_arte: welcome Deepak. I'm not a Nepali. I'm Indonesian
love_arte: the political situation was changed by people in the government under the big islamic influence
dkdipak: Hey guys I am Deepak From University of Arkansas, Jonesboro
rajneeshtimes: OK
yelishasharma: ok
lpbastola2004: @ Dinakita dapat menggunakan bahasa Inggris sebagai media ekspresi
lpbastola2004: i mean we can use ENglish as the medium of expression
love_arte: =))
rajneeshtimes: what does that mean?
rajneeshtimes: OMG
dkdipak: I jus completed a small interview based report on the condition of journalist in Nepal after CA election
lpbastola2004: our ligua franca can be English
love_arte: haha! you speak in my language
yelishasharma: haha
lpbastola2004: just trying
love_arte: good! right!
yelishasharma: hmmm
yelishasharma: good
lpbastola2004: is it correct , Dina?
love_arte: yup
love_arte: Deepak, are you going?
lpbastola2004: why deepak left immediately?
lpbastola2004: thanks
yelishasharma: hey u just came
rajneeshtimes: he had some problem with the connection
yelishasharma: ok
lpbastola2004: it is a common problem
dkdipak: ohh guys sorry I am back
love_arte: I'm interested wit what Deepak said about small interview based report on the condition of journalist in Nepal after CA election
lpbastola2004: welcome back Deepak
lpbastola2004: i am also curious to hear about it
dkdipak: I am really eager to know what is the present condition of the press freedom over there...
dkdipak: Are you guys talking..about the ethical freedom or the ownership and editorial freedom too..
love_arte: tell us more about what you got from the small interview
lpbastola2004: even developed countries like France and Germany lack freedom of press, we cant expect immediate change in developing and corrupted countries like ours( i mean Nepal, Phillipines, Indonesia, Bangladesh, etc)
rajneeshtimes: we have got two new participaants: amit and deepa
yelishasharma: we r just talking abt all kinds of freedom
deepaexcel5: hi everyone
deepaexcel5: oh ok
lpbastola2004: but still there have been many changes and liberation in writing in press due to the development of internet and freelancing
dkdipak: hey Amit and Deepa.. welcome for the discussion
love_arte: hi Deepa. Welcome!
lpbastola2004: Wecome all the new participants
love_arte: hi Amit. Welcome
lpbastola2004: lets welcome and hear the new participants
deepaexcel5: thanks!
mitmeya: in what toppic is the discussion now ?
mitmeya: sorry for the dealy
mitmeya: delay
lpbastola2004: but all must introduce before they open their words
lpbastola2004: it is all about press freeom in globe
rajneeshtimes: we are discussing about freedom of press in different countries
rajneeshtimes: and we are sharing our experiane
rajneeshtimes: and can we move forward
rajneeshtimes: Dina could u share some of the things that u reseached
rajneeshtimes: researched
lpbastola2004: come on freinds, share your experience paritcularly thse who are working wiht media
love_arte: not from my research, actually
rajneeshtimes: i mean online research
rajneeshtimes: :)
love_arte: wait..
lpbastola2004: our conference started 19 minutes ago........
mitmeya: ok
lpbastola2004: i am changing the color
yelishasharma: hmm
lpbastola2004: does it look unique?
love_arte: http://www.freemedia.at/singleview/4202/
love_arte: chek this one
rajneeshtimes: thank u
rajneeshtimes: it looks nice
rajneeshtimes: is it about nepal.
mitmeya: in the context of south asia, in which position is the nepali press freedom lies ???
mitmeya: can we know ??
love_arte: http://www.freedomhouse.org/uploads/fop/2009/FreedomofthePress2009_tables.pdf
love_arte: yes, you check through http://en.rsf.org/
rajneeshtimes: wow great
rajneeshtimes: thank u so much
yelishasharma: this seems useful
rajneeshtimes: very much
love_arte: http://www.freemedia.at/archives/singleview/1353/
lpbastola2004: it is very interesting
lpbastola2004: i am reading the Fizian problem
mitmeya: useful link
deepaexcel5: Sorry but this link not working at my pc ...... http://www.freedomhouse.org/uploads/fop/2009/FreedomofthePress2009_tables.pdf
rajneeshtimes: The timimg of the conferance is 7-8
lpbastola2004: really useful for knowing about the prolems of freedom of press
lpbastola2004: it has passed 8
rajneeshtimes: What do you say, how should we move ahead, are u all free?
mitmeya: yaa
mitmeya: we can move ahead
rajneeshtimes: let's listen from others
love_arte: http://www.freemedia.at/archives/singleview/ THIS IS AWESOME!!
lpbastola2004: i i support mitmiya
mitmeya: some guys has joined later
rajneeshtimes: ya
dkdipak: I have time for 30-35 minutes during that that time probably i can learn more things related
dkdipak: to press freedom
love_arte: I must go unfortunately
mitmeya: i also have 30 minute
lpbastola2004: yea we need to share wiht new comers
rajneeshtimes: sure
love_arte: thank you for allow me to join with this group, Rajnees!
love_arte: must go by now
lpbastola2004: Dina, we'll look forward to hearing from you about the novel researches about the press freedom indonesia
mitmeya: one question to all journalist ....r bloggers can be defined as journalist ???
lpbastola2004: i mean in Indonesia
mitmeya: sorry if the question is out of point
rajneeshtimes: bloggers and journalists are difference
love_arte: lpbastola, I will find some links and you can read them.. :D
lpbastola2004: i was also wondering about this question
rajneeshtimes: different
mitmeya: but some r actively participating like journalist
lpbastola2004: we are only boggers if we use blogs to express ourself
lpbastola2004: i am not a journalist
mitmeya: online news ....r eg of bloggers trying to present the journalism through their perspective
lpbastola2004: s
lpbastola2004: freedom of expression has come wiht the use of blogs in recent year
mitmeya: n i think they r spreading the news fastly than the journalist themselves
mitmeya: may be i am wrong
rajneeshtimes: it's a great topic of dicussion
mitmeya: n in the case of freedom to write, they r totally free...
rajneeshtimes: but bloggers and journalists are different
love_arte: I must go..thanks for the participation from all of us!
love_arte: byeeeee!!!
rajneeshtimes: thank u so much for dina
mitmeya: so can write more openly than the journalist
rajneeshtimes: thank u so much for the links
rajneeshtimes: your time, your effort
love_arte: :-* for all of you from Indonesia!
dkdipak: Ya ... but that may have negative impact on information too
dkdipak: did u have ever think about that prespective..
mitmeya: how negative impact ?
dkdipak: Like.. there may be false information and the incomplete information, Propaganda news
lpbastola2004: bloggers they simply give the fact in the blogs but media persons they have to face the editorial team
mitmeya: some bloggers know the issue more deptly than the others
mitmeya: like mysansar
dkdipak: such things may make worst.. you know information power....
lpbastola2004: only the responsible bloggers are good
rajneeshtimes: I agree with LP
dkdipak: I agree that responsible bloggers are good
dkdipak: and we can cite them too..
mitmeya: yaa...i am also saying some bloggers
mitmeya: not all the bloggers
lpbastola2004: but there is no parameter for measuring the real fact unless it is researched
lpbastola2004: bloggers are persons and there is no intimidation
mitmeya: one of the great thing of blog is that in the case of freedom, they are totally free
lpbastola2004: bolggers may be fake
rajneeshtimes: but there are some rules for bloggers do you know amit
mitmeya: so can convey the information without any edit
lpbastola2004: so they want to take revenge or something worse upon other
mitmeya: yaa...some rules have to be made
dkdipak: oh really what are the rules for the bloggers
dkdipak: can i know that
mitmeya: rules can make the blogger in their responsibility
rajneeshtimes: sure i will send u
mitmeya: me too
mitmeya: plz
dkdipak: rules or ethics
lpbastola2004: pls send it to me as well
lpbastola2004: i am absent for a while, in im fone
mitmeya: don't u think with blogging , we can share the message as it is without any edit ???
deepaexcel5: Hhumm..... we are talking about freedom of press..... freedom is freedom either its Press ya Bloggers..... if someone not posting political issue at blog its doesn’t mean they are careless.
rajneeshtimes: OK
rajneeshtimes: they are basically ethics
mitmeya: yaa deepa
dkdipak: but they must be sincere and follow some ethics... because all of the information maybe dangerous
deepaexcel5: agree
dkdipak: related to the religion and soverginety
mitmeya: me also agree
dkdipak: and what do you think that does In Nepal bloggers are following the ethics sincerely
deepaexcel5: :)
mitmeya: some
mitmeya: not all
mitmeya: so for that rules have to be made
rajneeshtimes: there are some anonymous blogging as well
dkdipak: Ya if the rules and code of conduts are made for the bloggers will be that against the case of freedom...
mitmeya: one major drawback of blogging is that they don't have identification, and with the help of that drawback they can reveal the truth ......finely
deepaexcel5: agree with DK
mitmeya: which is a great poing
mitmeya: point
dkdipak: ok guys I want to know in case of Nepal, What is blog freedom? what are its limitation?
mitmeya: till now there is no limitation
mitmeya: as i know
mitmeya: it's all about his own ethics
mitmeya: blogs r totally free to share information and things
deepaexcel5: rules and code of conduct are made by whom Google /wordpress or Nepal Govt...?
dkdipak: I agree with that , we are at the inital phase of the blogging, but when we reach highly... have we ever imagine about its drawbacks.. and the twist in information
mitmeya: which is a +ve point and also a -ve point too, since some of them r misutilising it
dkdipak: so, in my view.. if we are able to control such blogs from the inital phase then there will be the proper flow of information
mitmeya: agree
mitmeya: with dipak
deepaexcel5: but how?
mitmeya: blog can make revolution in the name of press freedom, but need some kind of monitoring too
mitmeya: dinesh wagle ....blog can be an eg
dkdipak: we can control the blogs.. as some of the sites are resticated in Nepal if the government are able to do
dkdipak: then
deepaexcel5: ok
mitmeya: which has done excellent job after the ku of king gyanendra
dkdipak: but that will be against the freedom
dkdipak: and which is still practiced at china... but that will be criticized highly in Nepal...
mitmeya: the dinesh blog...let all the world know abt the condition of nepal while the press was fully vandalized
mitmeya: so the mean is that the freedom of blog can be utilized in nice manner to convey the message that the press couldn't
rajneeshtimes: It's a new media
rajneeshtimes: Mcquail says that the new media is powerful
rajneeshtimes: because it gives interactivity
rajneeshtimes: but journalism is more serious
rajneeshtimes: more responsible
mitmeya: yaa
mitmeya: agreee with rajneesh
mitmeya: blogging have freedom, if they do work with sincere and responsiblity
rajneeshtimes: LP are u there?
mitmeya: then with that press can convey the msg global
dkdipak: ya
mitmeya: she is out fo phone
dkdipak: absolutely
mitmeya: and to make rule to blogger, i think journalist have to play some kind of role
lpbastola2004: im here back from the one
dkdipak: ok guys I have to move.. sorry but nice talking with you... I want to discuss more.. please let me know about further programs.. so i can manage my time
dkdipak: see you
lpbastola2004: ok Deepak nice to talk in this platform
rajneeshtimes: OK
rajneeshtimes: Amit it was a nice topic
rajneeshtimes: blogging and journalism
rajneeshtimes: there is much debate
mitmeya: thank u
lpbastola2004: yep it was interesting
mitmeya: have to go for official work
mitmeya: sorry
lpbastola2004: thank you Amit for indroducing
rajneeshtimes: and we can discuss on this issue in one of our concerstaion
rajneeshtimes: i have some questions
lpbastola2004: ok
lpbastola2004: pls
rajneeshtimes: can we make this conferance a weekly one or a montly one
rajneeshtimes: i think weekly will be more better?
lpbastola2004: we can make it a fortnighly one
rajneeshtimes: in 15 days right
rajneeshtimes: ok great
rajneeshtimes: that would be fine
lpbastola2004: i am ready even if it is weekly
rajneeshtimes: in every two weeks
lpbastola2004: yep in every two weeks
rajneeshtimes: but it would be fun if we have more participants
rajneeshtimes: OK great
lpbastola2004: so that i can be aware about the press and write articles
rajneeshtimes: OK great
lpbastola2004: lets invite as many as we can
rajneeshtimes: sure
rajneeshtimes: we will do that
rajneeshtimes: i am keeping the whole thing in website
rajneeshtimes: this much for today
rajneeshtimes: i will inform you about this
lpbastola2004: thank you all

South Asia needs to root out mental health stigmas

By Jagannath Lamichhane*
Mental health is generally excluded from the social context in developing countries. The absence of mental health policy and programmes, negligible budgets for mental health care, and routine human rights violations of mentally ill people are evidence of the need for action.

Available mental health services tend to be urban-centred and hospital-based, with the result that 80%-90% of populations have no access to treatment. People labelled as mentally ill are the worst victims of social violence; mainstream society still fails to acknowledge their suffering as a valid human experience that requires attention and support. Once people are labelled as mentally ill, as far as society is concerned, their civil and human rights are suspended for ever. They are exposed to discrimination that results in a non-human identity and damaged personality.

When, I publicly shared my experience of struggling with mental disorder since my early childhood, I had never thought that the majority of my friends would turn their backs on me instead of being supportive. These were the same people who treated me as a lifelong friend before they knew I had some mental problems.

It is sad for me, and hard to accept that my public identity of a person facing mental disorder ruined my social contacts and a sense of belonging to my society as an equal human. I don't feel responsible for such artificial social behaviour; however, I am suffering because of that. But this experience gave me a new mission in life: to fight to ensure justice and human dignity for the mentally afflicted community across the world.

Recalling my own experience, social ostricisation is worse than the real illness. Further, I noticed that the stigma surrounding mental illness adversely affects mental health professionals as well. It creates enormous psychological burden for them while working in a socially stigmatised environment. There is more glamour working as an animal rights activist rather than as a mental health rights activist.

In south Asia, the number of people who commit suicide is higher than the number who die because of road accidents, terrorism and HIV/Aids. It is among the top three causes of death in the population aged between 15 and 34.

The World Health Organisation says that over 90% of suicide cases relate to mental disorder and that more than two-thirds of all suicides are preventable. Nevertheless, mental health support barely exists in south Asia, excepting Sri Lanka, to address the growing needs of the population.

There is huge scarcity of resources to address the mental health needs of the population in south Asia (and in the developing world more generally, as Andrew Chambers explained in a recent article for Cif). The negative social attitudes towards mental health, massive underestimation of the suffering of mentally ill people, lack of political empathy, and the lack of mental health leadership are the real challenges.

Since the publication of World Health Report 2001, WHO has published a number of reports highlighting the miserable social status of those who suffer mental illness, but WHO clearly lacks the strategy to translate these reports into action.

In 2008 it launched its most ambitious scheme – the Mental Health Gap Action Programme – but I doubt that it will achieve its goals without changing its own structure to include broader civil society aspirations beyond the medical domain.

The recommendations made in the 2001 report are still a far-off dream for developing countries. Forget change outside, even within the WHO system – there is no space for mental health activists from the non-medical profession to work together in the advocacy of mental health.

There is talk about the human rights of mentally ill people, about social inclusion and the need for resources, but the international agencies, foundations and governments are badly ignoring mental health in the developing world. There is still strong resistance from the professionals against engaging with civil society to improve the system.

These are the real issues to be debated in mental health, but they are always forgotten.

* Mr Lamichhane is a global mental health activist and a member of Marginal Talk.
Published on Guardian: http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2010/may/20/south-asia-mental-health-stigmas

Holi and the forgotten holiness

By Rajneesh Bhandari/Nepal

This year's Holi- one of the greatest festivals of colors- is over with much fun fare. But if we look back to it, the festivity has ended with positive as well as unpleasant and unforgotten memories behind.

For Hindus worldwide Holi is a festival of victory and colors and the message of unity and brotherhood it floats is even of greater significance. The recent trend of putting colors and playing with water is a good way of celebration as it exemplifies a higher degree of co-operation and friendliness. It's one of the biggest group festivals and is celebrated in memory of the miraculous escape of young Prahlad when Holika, sister of Hiranyakashipu, carried him into the fire to kill him. According to the history Holika was burnt and Prahlad escaped without any injuries due to his unshakable devotion towards Bishnu.

Traditionally the festival is celebrated as victory of good over evil. But with the passage of years the way we are celebrating the festival of colors is getting offending and inhumane. People have made it mundane through their in-humane behaviors. The way people especially girls are targeted weeks prior the festival knocks is very unethical. It shows that we don't have our etiquette and have really forgotten our norms and values and gone spiritually bankrupt.

One of my friends met a serious accident because she was hit by balloons filled with water by a group of hooligans while she was going to her office. Many of my other friends were feeling very pathetic while they shared similar incidents of water-filled plastic packs coming upon them days before the festival approached.

On the day of holi, it's totally acceptable to throw water and balloons to those people who enjoy playing. But there are people who really don't like to play with colors. One of my friends used an umbrella to walk to the office. I myself used a raincoat so that my clothes were safe. Many of my friends working in a private office took a leave. Is this the way a festival should be celebrated? Being hit by dirty water and even eggs is nowhere related with festival celebration. May be this is our way of being modern by adopting inhumane and disgusting practices.

It's high time that we should think about our actions. Plastics thrown on other not just arouse rage but also make the city dirty. The chemical used in the color affect the skin and it's not human to put colors on others without the consensus.
Yes, Holi is a great festival and it should be celebrated with much funfair but with consensus. If some force is being used I think even the human right of other is violated. It should be celebrated welcoming spring- the season full with colors.

Risky fall : Guru taken a dive to take out his family out of poverty

By Jyotsna Singh/India

Jabalpur as a city is quite inviting. A small town situated between forest areas and water bodies. Once you step out of the main city this reality becomes more than clear. There are many places to visit, which have still maintained their natural beauty and splendour.

One such place is Bhera Ghat. Situated in the midst of mountains of marble, this waterfall attracts a lot of locals as well as tourists. It is thriving with activities which include making of marble show pieces, display of sindurs of many colours, eating joints and putting mehandi on hands.

One activity which stands out is of Guru. He is a resident of a nearby village and comes from an extremely poor family. He could not participate in any of the above mentioned activities as there was no money for initial investment. So, he took on to a rather unusual, and risky affair. He jumps from a height of many meters into the waterfall and make a living out of it.

He charges Rs 20 for each fall of his and this activity goes on, no matter what the weather is and what is the amount of water in the stream. It requires a lot of risk taking as there are stones at the bottom and there is a possibility of hitting them every time he jumps. “I did not have a choice. I have been doing this for over five years and still feel scared at times. My family is supported a great deal by these jumps of mine,” says Guru who is a thin young man with sleek body. There is no doubt that the his jump is a great sight as he looks like a huge bird taking a perfect dive out of natural fun. But we know that it is no fun for him. He says there are times when he is not feeling well and so many dives a day can ruin his health further. But he still goes on.

It started as a simple swimming exercise in a local pond. Then he saw some other people making use of their swimming and jumping talent to earn money. Five years back he also thought of trying his hand on the same. It was very scary in the beginning. But he stuck to it. And there was competition too. So he perfected the art. Today he is the only person in the area to perform such jumps and people standing in the safety of the railings cheer for him.

Such stories are ample, if we only look around. On the one hand we talk of skills movement in the country and the potential human power that can be supplied to the industry and on the other hand are such glaring realities that we can’t turn our faces away. The population of India is on a steep rise. The number of employable people will increase manifold. Where are the jobs and the will to provide suitable jobs to people? A simple question is, when will the human civilisation develop enough not to let humans do demeaning or life-threatening work so that they can lead a risk-free good quality of life?

How Tamil Nadu received Prabhakaran’s death

By Chamindra Wickremasinghe in Tamil Nadu

The Tamil Nadu State of India, where the largest number of Sri Lankan Tamil refugees are housed, turned tense, as the death of the LTTE supremo Velupillai Prabhakaran reached its borders. High-level security was placed immediately across the State as a preventive measure for resurgence. However, when the fall of the leader made headlines in the media, the streets were taken by activists and violence erupted in many parts.

The beginning Red alert

Tamil Nadu was put on red alert since Sunday, May 18, with Sri Lanka announcing the end of its war with the LTTE, and rumours about Prabhakaran committing suicide began to spread. “Being a state with a large number of pro-LTTE outfits, security was increased in the city and in coastal areas,” The Hindu newspaper reported. Stray incidents of violence took place in some parts of the capital Chennai on Sunday evening itself: Five masked men broke the automatic glass doors of the front and rear entrance of the City Centre mall; there were unidentified people trying to force some shops to put down shutters in other areas.

Tight security

A strong body of Police personnel was deployed in Chennai. A three-tier security check was maintained on all roads to the Sri Lanka Deputy High Commission. Security was also tightened at the Bank of Ceylon, Maha Bodhi Society and offices of the Sri Lankan Airlines. Major shopping malls, all Central Government offices, Tamil Nadu Electricity Board, sub-stations and major bridges were kept on vigil. The city Police provided tight security at the offices of political parties, media organisations and even statues of political leaders. Vehicle checks and night patrolling were also strengthened.

Coastal hamlets

There was more focus on the districts of Coimbatore, Erode, Tiruchi, Madurai and Pudukottai where pro-LTTE activities have been noticed in the recent years. The State Government alerted the Police to keep a vigil in the coastal hamlets in and around the coastal towns, as there was a fear that Tamil refugees or remaining LTTE cadres from the war zone in Sri Lanka would sneak into the State.

‘Prabhakaran’ peak

Online searches for the terms “LTTE” and “Prabhakaran” recorded an exponential increase since noon on Monday, 18th, the newspaper Times of India reported. 40 per cent of searches originated from Chennai, “where the Sri Lankan Tamil issue has figured prominently in political and public discourse,” it said.

He is not dead

Despite the reports on news channels and websites on the LTTE chief’s death, many refugees did not believe it.
Security was tightened in and around the Mandapam refugee camp, and intelligence officials monitored the area for suspicious activities. Yet, many of the refugees thought that the Sri Lankan Army, “cannot touch Prabhakaran,” The Hindu stated.

“It is a ploy of the Sri Lankan government to divert the international community attention away from the carnage. It claimed several times in the past, that he was killed. But he came out and waged a fight for the Tamils cause. The current claim is like that,” a youth from Jaffna, who has been in the camp since 2007 told The Hindu.

Refugees revealed that they had their own system of communication about the happenings in their homeland on a day-to-day basis. Tamils in foreign countries who were their relatives and friends, generally communicate the development to them, they said. And, no information about the death of Prabhakaran had reached them.

At Vellore prison

The Vellore central prison in Chennai that houses hardcore cadre of the LTTE, including a few condemned prisoners in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination grabbed attention. Soon after the visuals confirming the death of Prabhakaran were aired on television channels, over 375 convicts refused to have lunch as a mark of protest.

Self-immolation

A case of attempted self-immolation was reported on Monday night. As news of Prabhakaran’s death was on satellite channels, Prakasam (58) of Cuddalore district, a supporter of the Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK), poured kerosene and set himself on fire. Eyewitness reports said that he had come out of his house with flames on his body shouting, “Long live Prabhakaran.” His view was that as the top leaders of the LTTE and thousands of ethnic Tamils were massacred in Sri Lanka, he had lost his purpose to live.

Violence

A few State-owned buses were damaged in stone throwing incidents; two such incidents were reported from Chennai. An attempt was made to burn buses. The Hindu stated that the Police arrested eight persons, including five Sri Lankan Tamil refugees in connection with the incident.

Various fringe groups including the Centre for Protection of Civil Liberties – Tamil Nadu, led by its State convener Hari Babu, and Tamil Eelam Viduthalai Munnani staged a road blockade in the Salem district, condemning the killings of civilians in the war against LTTE in Sri Lanka.

There were reports of miscreants throwing petrol bombs on State-owned buses, telephone exchanges and law courts in different districts. Some government buses ran with Police escort.

Seven students of the Central Law College of Salem district, were arrested for attempting to stage a rail blockade at the Salem Town Railway Station on Monday, as a protest against the reported death of Prabhakaran. The students raised slogans against the Indian Army, stating that it provided military support to Sri Lanka, which caused the fall of LTTE. They also went on a sit-in strike in their class rooms to condemn the death of LTTE chief and others.

By May 22 The Hindu reported that in Chennai, nearly 100 persons were arrested and remanded to judicial custody, for staging protests or indulging in violence in connection with the developments in Sri Lanka.

Mourning and prayer

In various places in Krishnagiri and Dharmapuri districts, black flags were hoisted atop the houses and flag posts to mourn the death of the LTTE chief. Black flags were hoisted in some Sri Lankan refugee camps as well.
Sri Lankan refugees, who did not believe in the death of LTTE leader Prabhakaran, conducted a mass prayer at the refugee camp at Adiyanuthu on Wednesday, and paid homage to LTTE commanders who were killed in the fourth phase of Eelam war in Sri Lanka.

Culmination Resurgence rallies

Soon, in many districts of Tamil Nadu the streets were taken by hundreds in protest against the killing of Prabhakaran. On Tuesday, a large number of persons including women and children, went on a procession in Gudalur district. Those taking part, held photographs of Prabhakaran and raised slogans condemning the Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa. They set ablaze an effigy of him and cried that Prabhakaran would lead the fight for a separate Eelam.

They demanded the international community to declare Sri Lanka a “Terror State,” and urged the Government of India to stop all aid to the island nation. They also demanded that the Sri Lankan President and his lieutenants be tried for war crimes in an international court.

On Thursday, in Chennai, leaders of various political parties, who came under the banner of the Sri Lankan Tamils’ Protection Movement, called for the intervention of the United Nations to protect thousands of homeless Tamils in Sri Lanka. They said Prabhakaran’s death was “false propaganda,” and claimed that the LTTE chief was alive.

The Sri Lankan Tamils’ Protection Movement convener, P. Nedumaran said that there was no truth in the reports that Prabhakaran was shot dead by the Sri Lankan Army. He held the opinion that Prabhakaran was alive and healthy and was with Tamils on the island.

Vaiko

Addressing a meeting followed by a rally, Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam General Secretary Vaiko, accused the Sri Lankan Armed forces of killing thousands of Tamils. Condemning the Centre for extending military support, he said shelling was continuing, targeting civilians.

“Ships carrying supplies to the LTTE-controlled areas were sunk by the Sri Lankan Navy. For months, the aged and injured lived without medicines or food. All supply routes were sealed and humanitarian organisations such as the International Committee of the Red Cross had no access to the victims. Mr. Rajapaksa insulted the Tamils by ignoring the resolution passed by the Tamil Nadu Assembly seeking to stop the war in Sri Lanka.” “Let us dedicate ourselves to achieve Tamil Eelam. There is no end for Prabhakaran…,” The Hindu quoted Mr. Vaiko.

The founder of the regional political party, Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) S. Ramadoss opined that awareness on the Eelam issue should be created among school and college students.

Media

The LTTE supporters condemned the media for publishing news in favour of the Sri Lankan Government. Since Monday, both print and broadcast media gave widespread coverage on the developments in Sri Lanka and their aftermath in India. It was also apparent that certain broadcast media highlighted the celebrations on the end of war in Sri Lanka as ‘ Sinhalese celebrations’ while Tamils were suffering in the war affected areas.

Chamindra Wickremasinghe- a journalist based in Sri Lanka- works for a newspaper namedThe Nation, a very popular newspaper in Sri Lanka. She is a contributor of Marginal Talk.
http://www.nation.lk/2009/05/31/newsfe6.htm

Emancipation of Haliyas still a far cry

Rabin Giri

BAITADI ( Far West of Nepal) : Performing arduous task that demands physical labour at the tender age of 13 is a bit implausible. However, such an assumption is completely falsified when it comes to Jayaram Koli, a Dalit child in Dasarath Chanda Municipality-6, Baitadi, who has been working dawn to dusk at his master’s field for long. “There is no second alternative than to obey whatever my master says,’’ he says.

Jayaram’s father had owed Rs 5,000 to a Panta family after the cash was required for his treatment. But he could not earn enough to pay back the debt as he had spent all his life as a Haliya -- an agriculture labourer.

As destiny would have it, Jayaram also landed in the master’s house after the loaned amount could neither save his father nor the Kolis were able to return it. Ever since the death of his father, Jayaram, along with his mother, has been working at Pant’s house to return the debt.

Nevertheless, Jayaram is not that unfortunate in his ilk. After finishing the assigned household chores and other works in the field, he has been allowed to go to the local Nirpal Primary School, where he is now studying in class five.

“Besides doing hard labour in the farm, I also have to go to Indian market Jhulaghat to fetch goods for my master for which I have to spend the entire day,” he laments.

Story of Dambar Mahar, 20, of Bhedagaun is not that different though.

Haliya is the ancestral identity of Dambar’s family too. He is toiling hard in the masters’ field to pay back the loan of Rs 4,000 that his father had taken. And to make the matters worse, he was also compelled to take another 8,000 rupees for his wedding last year.

“My master has warned me to immediately leave the village after returning the debt,’’ he says, hoping that one fine day he would set out for India to earn a good deal of money to uplift his family’s status. But, he is unknown how many years he has to work to clear the debt.

Chakra BK, coordinator, Federation of Haliya Liberation Society, informed that though the government had liberated the Haliyas, some of them are being exploited by their masters in one or another pretexts as yet. “Emancipation in a real sense is still eluding the new generation as well.’’