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Calls for Probe into Attack on Free Expression at WSIS

Over 140 civil society organizations have signed a letter asking the United Nations to investigate attacks on free expression at the recent Internet Summit in Tunisia. Concerns include harassment of delegates, assaults on journalist, denial of entry to the country, blocking websites and other censorship, and the disruption of meetings of civil society organizations. Concerns about Tunisia were raised well in advance of the summit at every opportunity, including the SANGONeT 2005 conference in South Africa, where I recall the Tunisian ambassador giving one of those typical non-answers so characteristic of diplomats. The outcomes of the summit do seem somewhat tepid to me and I wouldn't be surprised if widespread suppression had something to do with it. This is sad news. Posted: 12/11/05; 11:16:57 PM #

The Rise of Professional Journalism
	In an excerpt from their new book, Robert W. McChesney and John Nichols present a brief, eye opening history of The Rise of Professional Journalism. As someone who floats at the edges of the world of journalism -- as a blogger, as a source, as an editorialist -- I'm fascinated by how the profession came to be so captured by the powerful. Posted: 12/11/05; 11:01:49 PM #