For Better or Worse…

1. For Better or Worse… The Perils and Promises for Global Press Freedom in the 21st Century Fara Warner

2. Questions we will ponder… • Which infringes on press freedom more: government censorship or corporate ownership? • Is access to information a basic human right? • Does embedding journalists (either in Iraq or elsewhere such as Judith Miller and Maria Bartiromo) infringe on the First Amendment or does it expand freedom of press and speech? • Does the Internet expand or infringe on press freedom and free speech? • How does self-censorship undermine journalists’ ability to do their jobs and uphold the principles of free speech and free press around the world? Is it worse than state censorship?

5. Obama’s relationship with the press

6. H.R. 1955 Violent Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism Prevention Act of 2007 would if passed: Establish a commission with broad powers Broad definition: homegrown terrorism means the use, planned use, threatened use, of force or violence by a group or individual born, raised and operating primarily with the U.S. or any possession of the U.S. to intimidate, coerce the U.S. government, the civilian population of the U.S., or any segment thereof, in furtherance of political and social objectives. “ideologically based violence” means the use, planned use, or threatened use of force or violence by a group or individual to promote the group or individual’s political, religious, or social beliefs. Backed by Joe Lieberman, Jane Harman—who has been considered for high level intelligence post in the Obama Administration It has passed the House by an overwhelming majority

7. There can be no liberty for a community which lacks the information to detect lies—Walter Lippmann

12. The United Nations Charter Article 19. Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.

15. In the Gaza Strip http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5Cz9PdX1dc

19. Sept. 17 Choosing an international media lecture at Shapiro Library Meet with Librarian Shevon Desai at ULIC—Room 4059 Shapiro—for an introduction and overview to finding international media through the library’s online services. Lecture is mandatory/Shevon will take attendance

20. By Sept. 21 Create blogger.com accounts following the blogger instruction sheet on the course website. Write your first blog and post it by 5 p.m. Sept. 21 The first media journal should include a statement on why you chose your country, why did you choose this specific media, and anything else you’d like me to know about your choice. Then take a look at one news article and discuss it. Things to consider: did you learn something from it that you wouldn’t have from the U.S. press; does anything surprise you about the article—who is quoted and who isn’t; the article seem slanted toward a particular political party or position. We will talk in much greater detail about the media journals so use this as an opportunity to learn how to use Blogger.com, express your thoughts, but don’t stress too much about it!

21. Sept. 22 Tuesday, Sept. 22: Lecture: The Good, the Bad, the Really Ugly: Press Freedom Around the World. Assign student investigations of incidents of journalists killed, imprisoned, captured in countries such as North Korea, Mexico, Russia, Afghanistan, Iraq, and Iran. I will assign you to groups by Friday Sept. 18. These will become your blog reading groups as well. You will present your findings on the journalists on Sept. 24. Readings: Chapters 2 and 3 in “International News Reporting: Frontlines and Deadlines” Discuss media journals and international news of the day/student posting

22. Sept. 24 Present your group investigations of assigned journalists Guest speaker: David Hawkins, formerly of Al-Jazeera