Human Rights

Defend the Afghan Press

Submitted by Diane Farsetta on March 29, 2007 - 4:26pm

"Hailed as a major success of five years of democracy-building, media freedom in Afghanistan is under increasing pressures," writes Alisa Tang. A spokesperson for the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan said, "We've moved from an open media environment to a state-controlled media environment." A proposed law would increase government power over media outlets and make reporting "humiliating and offensive" news a criminal offense.

Main Source:

Associated Press, March 28, 2007

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Chiquita Pleads Guilty to Funding Colombian Terrorists

Submitted by Bob Burton on March 21, 2007 - 5:51am

The food company Chiquita Brands International, Inc. has pleaded guilty to funding a Colombian paramilitary group designated by the U.S. government as a terrorist organization. According to U.S. Department of Justice prosecutors, the company's Colombian subsidiary, Banadex, paid approximately $1.7 million to the United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC) between 1997 and 2004.

Main Source:

Associated Press, March 19, 2007

Topics:

Agriculture

Crisis Management

Corporate Social Responsibility

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Seven Papers Axe Coulter's Column

Submitted by Bob Burton on March 10, 2007 - 4:09am

Ann Coulter on C-SPAN In the last week at least seven newspapers have dropped the syndicated column of conservative firebrand Ann Coulter. Speaking at the American Conservative Union's annual Conservative Political Action Conference in Washington, D.C.

Main Source:

Editor & Publisher, March 9, 2007

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Indian Apparel Companies Gag Labor Groups with Court Filings

Submitted by Jonathan Rosenblum on March 5, 2007 - 3:45pm

A judge in Bangalore, India has reaffirmed a gag order against labor organizations and supporters who seek to criticize labor conditions at factories in the region, reports the Dutch newspaper, Trouw. Workers have alleged that Fibres and Fabrics International (FFI) and Jeans Knit (JKPL), which produce garments for the European and U.S.

Main Source:

Clean Clothes Campaign, February 19, 2007

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Not-So-Liberal Hollywood

Submitted by Diane Farsetta on February 22, 2007 - 1:04pm

A sign protesting U.S.-Philippine military exercises (Source: PBS Frontline)

Main Source:

Variety, February 16, 2007

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Maldives Controversy Dogs Hill & Knowlton

Submitted by Bob Burton on February 17, 2007 - 4:10am

Source: Friends of Maldives.

Main Source:

Minivan News (Maldives), February 14, 2007

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The Fourth Estate, the State Department and Haiti

Submitted by Diane Farsetta on February 5, 2007 - 3:10pm

"I have always been interested in how a supposedly independent press so often manages to report on foreign affairs from the point of view of the State Department," writes Diana Barahona.

Main Source:

CounterPunch, February 3 / 4, 2007

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Phil Donahue's Statement in Support of Sarah Olson

Legendary talk show host Phil Donahue has written a column defending the rights of Sarah Olson. Here's the text:

No Substitute for Free and Unfettered News Gathering

By Phil Donahue

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UK Gov't Seeks to ID Flack for IDs

Submitted by Bob Burton on January 24, 2007 - 7:57pm

The British government is looking to recruit a senior PR professional to help sell the controversial UK National Identity Cards Scheme. The yet-to-be appointed Director of Marketing and Communications will will help oversee the roll-out of the ID cards, which are scheduled to be introduced in 2009.

Main Source:

PR Week (sub req'd), January 17, 2007

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U.S. PR Firms Help Thailand's Deposed Prime Minister

Submitted by Bob Burton on January 24, 2007 - 7:51pm

The public relations company Edelman has confirmed that its Washington and Hong Kong offices are handling media relations for the deposed Prime Minister of Thailand, Thaksin Shinawatra. A September 2006 military coup saw Thaksin, a controversial media mogul and politician, toppled from power while he was in New York.

Main Source:

PR Week (sub req'd), January 19, 2007

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