In The News

China Is Film Superpower

Malcolm Moore January 16, 2013
For big ticket sales, filmmakers aim for the world’s biggest markets. With China slated to become the world’s top movie market by 2020, more filmmakers will be targeting Chinese audiences, which currently show show a preference for special effects and strong characterization, reports Malcolm Moore for the Telegraph. In China, censors get a first look at films, foreign and domestic. Those with...

Al Jazeera Seeks US Voice Where Gore Failed

Brian Stelter January 9, 2013
The Al Jazeera network will acquire millions of new US viewers with its purchase of Current TV, founded by Al Gore, former vice president, and a business partner less than a decade ago, reports Brian Stelter for the New York Times. Current TV struggled with low ratings and distribution rules that limited online content. Al Jazeera newscasts will come from New York and Doha. “A decade ago, Al...

Southern Weekly Reporters Confront China Censors

January 8, 2013
Journalists are often the biggest opponents of censorship and biggest proponents of government reforms. Many observers in China had anticipated new reforms with the transition in leadership. Yet propaganda officials continue to censor reports about corruption, dissent and government’s inability to tackle pressing problems. Former staff members and interns of a newspaper in China have urged the...

China Toughens Restrictions on Internet Use

Keith Bradsher January 4, 2013
New rules in China require internet users to prove real names. Also, service providers must police forbidden postings and file reports with the authorities, reports Keith Bradsher for the New York Times. Users can still post to the internet with fake names, but service providers are expected to maintain lists of real names. The new rules could slow online debate. “In recent weeks, Internet users...

Delhi Gang Rape Spurs China Debate, Censorship

Ananth Krishnan January 1, 2013
A horrific crime in one country can spur reflection and debate about social mores in another. A gang rape in Delhi, and the victim's subsequent death, went from being widely reported in China to subject of censorship. Many official news outlets and commentators used the incident to criticize the unruliness of democracy, but other commenters marveled at massive protests throughout India. “...

No Lone Wolves in Cyberspace

Gabriel Weimann December 21, 2012
Two Florida brothers, naturalized US citizens, were arrested in November for trying to obtain explosives and carry out an attack in New York City. Prosecutors allege the men had read Inspire, a magazine in English said to be published by Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula for encouraging terrorism and random attacks in Europe and the US. Lone wolf terrorism – typically young adult men who plan a...

Assange Asylum Raises South America’s Ire

Alistair Burnett October 12, 2012
By fleeing to the Ecuadoran embassy in London, WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, an Australian, escaped extradition to Sweden for charges of sexual assault and potentially being deported to the United States for spying. Intentionally or not, he also unleashed South American resentment over two centuries of domination, first by Europe and more recently by the US. Ecuador’s embassy in London, which...