Ethical challenges in media coverage of the Zimbabwe crisis
This paper examines some ethical challenges manifested in the media coverage of the Zimbabwe land crisis since it escalated in 2002. The crisis has mainly been around issues of land; with seizure of land from dominating white-minority farmers, for redistribution amongst the black-majority population. Beyond the re-settlement policy, a sky-rocketing inflation, a deteriorating economy, gross human rights violations, poor governance and the dictatorial tendencies of 27-year serving President Robert Mugabe have only help to weaken the country. Within this context, the media are muscled, constrained and operated under draconian press laws. Yet, domestic and international media remain the battle ground for conflicting parties, both within and beyond the national frontiers. A brief recollection of Zimbabwe’s political history, its recent socio-political context and stakeholders as well as the evolution and media landscape put the ethical challenges in context.
John Lennon’s Political Lyrics in Popular Culture: From Resistance and Activism To Incorporation and Commodification
Aside from music being used a tool for personal expression, it also has the potential to influence social and political cultures. John Lennon, musician and social activist, has proven this to be true. Over the decades, Lennon’s songs have resembled reception and empowerment of human rights, and resistance and protest against war and hate. However, Lennon’s songs have also fallen victim to incorporation within the world of consumerism, being resurfaced and reused as symbols of commerciality, via industry and production. This essay will explore the subtexts of John Lennon’s songs, the ways in which they influence generations as tools of activism and how they have been used to generate mass profit in modern day culture.
Evil and the Justice of God
Key Words: Justice, Christianity, Theology, Philosophy, Conflict Resolution, Forgiveness, Evil, Terrorism
French Strikers, Then and Now
During the recent student strikes in France protesting proposed labor law changes, commentators loved to make comparisons with the strikes of ’68. Generally, however, the comparisons missed their mark, and the point of both protests: workers rights.
Fresh Ideas for Peru
Fresh Ideas for Peru Author: Rafael Velásquez Originally Published at Peace and Conflict Monitor on: 02/01/2006 Category: Interview Dr. Francisco Sagasti is President of FORO Nacional/Internacional, an institution that promotes dialogue, debate and consensus on critical development issues, and Director of its Agenda: PERU program on development strategies and democratic governance. He is also visiting […]
Friedman Takes a Taxi Outta Town
Friedman Takes a Taxi Outta Town Author: Simon Stander Originally Published at Peace and Conflict Monitor on: 11/29/2006 Category: Editorial As an elderly comedian I once met, unwilling to think of his death or any one else’s, referred to the death of a friend as his “taking a taxi outta town”. Another friend, also elderly, […]
Gangs in Central America: the Salvadorian Case
Key words: youth violence – gangs – maras – anti-maras law – plan Mano Dura – sustainable peacebuilding – La Cordinadora
Has the Moment of Truth Arrived?
Nation’s First Referendum Expected
to Decide Fate of U.S. Free-Trade Pact
Honduras: the coup and the constitution
It is clear that what happened in Honduras last week was not a straightforward military coup; Mr Zelaya is not just against the military, but also the congress (minus some minority representatives) and the rest of the “ruling class”, who control business and media, and to which he and his family belong.
Despite the rhetoric of heroism and patriotism from ideologues on either side, this is a relatively simple dispute between elites, who have characteristically sidelined peace and democracy in pursuit of their own interests.
Human Trafficking: Chains of Fraud
Nansiri Iamsuk discusses the complex challenge posed to human rights and peace by the multi-billion dollar human trafficking industry. Focusing on Southeast Asia, Iamsuk shows how victims are deceived and exploited by international criminals, and then ignored or mistreated by governments and/or NGOs that are supposed to help them.
Key words: un, human trafficking, sex trade, slavery, human rights