28-01-2012 09:12 As Twitter introduces a new procedure for self-censorship, is this the end of freedom of expression on the internet? Guests: Wael Abbas, Egyptian blogger, Tom Royal, deputy editor, Computer Active Magazine, Danvers Baillieu, Technology
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Inside Story - The impact of Twitter's censorship plan - Video
A Twitter blackout aimed
at protesting censorship on the social media site is sweeping
the web as its proponents urge users to "go dark" Saturday.
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And it has since taken off, bringing users from all corners of
the social media site together in a coordinated effort to send
a message via boycott to Twitter that censorship will not be
tolerated by its users, and that anyone who opposes censorship
should boycott the site Saturday.
The blackout plan arose out of the Thursday announcement
on Twiter's blog that the social-media giant will implement
a policy under which it can censor Tweets on a
country-by-country basis:
"As we continue to grow internationally, we will enter
countries that have different ideas about the contours of
freedom of expression," the posting read. "Some differ so much
from our ideas that we will not be able to exist there. Others
are similar but, for historical or cultural reasons, restrict
certain types of content, such as France or Germany,
which ban pro-Nazi content."
That aspect of the announcement was Twitter's way of prefacing
the censorship policy that has the Twittervers up in arms:
"Until now, the only way we could take account of those
countries' limits was to remove content globally. Starting
today, we give ourselves the ability to reactively withhold
content from users in a specific country - while keeping it
available in the rest of the world. We have also built in a way
to communicate transparently to users when content is withheld,
and why," Twitter continued. "We haven't yet used this ability,
but if and when we are required to withhold a Tweet in a
specific country, we will attempt to let the user know, and we
will clearly mark when the content has been withheld."
The announcement seemed to many Twitter users who follow the
ongoing issue of protecting Internet freedom and First
Amendment rights to be nothing more than yet another step
toward the censorship of social media.
Twitter account @The99Percenters
announced in a
concise Tweet on Friday that it will be participating in
the Twitter blackout:
"#TwitterBlackout We
R protesting country by country Twitter censorship on 1-28-2012
I will be tweetless."
Twitter user @ItsSoDamien on Friday
Tweeted
his reason for joining the Twitter blackout in a dispatch
that resonates with many of its participants: "#TwitterBlackout Because
this is not what I signed in for."
The censorship announcement by Twitter comes on the heels of a
number of news reports revealing the extent to which the U.S.
government is getting involved in the social media site's
affairs.
In one of the most recent cases to emerge regarding Twitter
censorship, The New York
Times exposed on Dec. 19 that "some American
officials said the government was exploring legal options to
shut down the Shabab's new Twitter account," referring to
the @HSMPress account
supposedly run by Somalia's Shabab militant group.
A profile image created specifically for the Twitter
blackout event, featuring a jet-black background with the
Twitter bird mascot's eyes and beak poking through the
darkness, and the words "twitter blackout" in stark white, was
adopted Friday by many users planning to participate in the
protest.
Social media expert Jeff Jarvis called Twitter's new policy
part of "a slippery slope of censorship," according
to The Associated Press.
"I understand why Twitter is doing this--they want to be able
to enter more counties and deal with local laws. But, as Google
learned in China, when you become
the agent of the censor, there are problems there," he said.
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Twitter Blackout: Censorship Protest Urges Users to 'Go Dark' Saturday for #TwitterBlackout
Print connects! is the theme chosen by the United Print Media
Group (UPMG) as the print body strives to keep the group’s
publications connected. “Through the years, we have managed to
find ways to make print relevant. From special executions to
advertorials, event sponsorships and event tie-ups, specialized
publications, unique advertising executions, even the ongoing
impeachment shows that the choice is print. Hardly any ads on
TV and radio,” said the newly elected President Ricky Alegre
during the recent induction of officers at the Maynila Grand
Ballroom of the Manila Hotel.
Former Sen. Francisco “Kit” Tatad represented Vice President
Jejomar Binay as guest of honor and speaker with AdBoard
Chairman Andre Kahn as the inducting officer.
More than a hundred industry colleagues packed the ballroom and
applauded the changing of guards. Prospects suggest that the
industry will still be in even better shape and industry
heads—Manny Fernando (IMMAP), Ed Acosta (Oaap), Joe Vale, Delia
Magtoto, Frank Abueva, Tessie Celestino Howard (IBA), Allen
Velez (ASAP), Roy del Valle (ASAP), Venus Navalta, John
Rojo (PANA), Rudy Villar (PANA) and Alex Syfu (4As)—predict a
brighter future for print.
Print is still a viable medium, according to Alegre, in
reaction to reports that the newspaper business is a dying
industry. “We at UPMG believe otherwise, our membership has
grown threefold in the past 10 years. In fact, we just inducted
three new members. That brings our total to 40
member-publications, with a combined strength of over 200
titles. Imagine the strength of this organization and the
millions of readers it reaches daily.”
Alegre also said there is still much to do as the publications’
digital format is still a cost center, “but it is the future
and we are already very active on the Web”—integrating the
social media into how they operate and are being realistic
about and committed to that integration.
Citing other activities lined up for this year, Alegre said the
holding of the 3rd Tinta Awards will once again recognize
excellence in creative print ads. “Just like the first two
Tinta awards, expect the organizing team to bring in the top
guns of the ad industry, both foreign and local, to judge this
year’s awards.”
The 2nd Print Media Congress will tackle the challenges the
print industry faces in the digital age. There are also plans
for the 1st UPMG fun run. The new board will also focus its
attention on the protection of its trade to ensure viability
and growth. This involves a dialogue with the Department of
Trade and Industry and LGUs so that the group’s frontliners in
selling the hard copy are protected.
The new stalwarts of the UPMG are Vice President Barbie Atienza
(Manila Bulletin), Board Secretary Jay Sarmiento (Philippine
Star), Treasurer Vivienne Motomal (Journal group), Auditor Ron
Tamayo (Monica publishing), PRO Angel Guerrero (adobo magazine)
and Directors Danny Ocampo (BusinessWorld), Doris Bermudez
(Hinge Inquirer), Noel Godinez (Asian Journal publications),
President Emeritus Pepito Olarte and Chairman Emeritus Pat
Pineda.
The UPMG is a strong and active member of the AdBoard committed
to the goals and aspirations of the AdBoard. “We commit to work
closely with the nine other associations under the AdBoard to
uphold, promote and defend the self regulatory functions of the
industry,” Alegre said.
In Photo: AdBoard Chairman Andre Kahn inducts
the incoming officers of the United Print Media Group at the
Maynila Grand Ballroom of the Manila Hotel. From left are Ricky
M. Alegre, president; Barbie L. Atienza, vice president; Jay
Sarmiento, corporate secretary; Vivienne A. Motomal, treasurer;
Ron B. Tamayo, auditor; and Directors Danny G. Ocampo, Doris L.
Bermudez and Noel O. Godinez. Former Sen. Franciso “Kit” Tatad
delivered special remarks in behalf of Vice President Jejomar
C. Binay.
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UPMG reels off with ‘Print Connects!’
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Back To The Old Skool (Ministry of Sound UK Megamix) (OUT NOW!) - Video
25-01-2012 16:18
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