Fom the Newsline: In the past ten days, the media landscape has changed in a comparative way as the weather pattern of a hurricane prone area. Before the 9th January, all media headlines were about an impending referendum in southern Sudan.
Correspondents, contributors rushed to Juba, Abyei and Khartoum. The stage was set, cameramen and photographers were present. Analysis and predictions were voiced. But even before the week long election is over, the headlines have changed, and camera focus too.
The violence in Tunisia, and the election standoff in Cote Divoire are in news brief.
Natural calamity
First it was the floods in Australia, killing more than 25, and 50 still missing. But the numbers are suspect. Homes were destroyed. Horror stories of survivors. And the pictures were fodder for the cameras. The scene was alluded to as the worst disaster seen by the current Australian generation.
Brazil floods
More than 500 people have been killed by flash floods and mudslides, and the numbers are rising, as Brazil witnesses what has been called the worst natural disaster in decades.
The Australian Prime Minister, and Brazilian president each visited the respective areas, drawing and utilizing the media attention to gear their responsiveness.
And so in a week, the media has wheeled around the world, leaving some stories hanging and tackling others by the neck in a bid to increase the per-view.
Friday, January 14, 2011
UN under Attack
From the Street: Protesting supporters of Cote D’ivoire’s president Laurent Gbagbo have burnt a United Nations truck, as tensions rise in the capital, Abidjan.
But the UN reports that six of their trucks have been attacked. Three UN peacekeepers have also been injured, according to media reports.
The UN and the international community recognize Gbagbo’s opponent, Guattara as the legitimate president.
UN boss, Ban ki Moon has denounced the attacks, calling the action crimes under international law.
Security in Africa
Machete wielding men on rampage in Nigeria
Elections in Africa
Nigerian president Jonathan Woodgate has won the primaries for the
Referendum elections underway in south Sudan, in a referendum to decide the fate of secession.
But the UN reports that six of their trucks have been attacked. Three UN peacekeepers have also been injured, according to media reports.
The UN and the international community recognize Gbagbo’s opponent, Guattara as the legitimate president.
UN boss, Ban ki Moon has denounced the attacks, calling the action crimes under international law.
Security in Africa
Machete wielding men on rampage in Nigeria
Elections in Africa
Nigerian president Jonathan Woodgate has won the primaries for the
Referendum elections underway in south Sudan, in a referendum to decide the fate of secession.
Tunisia Crisis
Africa in Context
Zine Ben Ali, Tunisian president, has promised not to stand in the 2014 presidential elections. This comes amidst violence against the high standards of living.
He has also ordered security forces not to open fire at the protesters.
Speaking on live television announcement, Ben Ali said he understands the grievances of the rioters. He has spent 23 years in power. However constitutional age limit bars Ben Ali from office after 2014.
Zine Ben Ali, Tunisian president, has promised not to stand in the 2014 presidential elections. This comes amidst violence against the high standards of living.
He has also ordered security forces not to open fire at the protesters.
Speaking on live television announcement, Ben Ali said he understands the grievances of the rioters. He has spent 23 years in power. However constitutional age limit bars Ben Ali from office after 2014.
Friday, January 7, 2011
Sudan Decides
Sudan Referendum
Southern Sudan is poised to have a say in a referendum scheduled for 9th January 2011. Sudan’s president, Al Bashir told Aljazeera that he has exhausted all avenues to convince southerners to vote for unity. He added that most southerners are separatists, and do not have the ability to cater for themselves.
The people of southern Sudan are mature, and have been running their affairs for the last six years, replied SPLM’s Secretary General, Pagan Amoum.
Sudan referendum is a result of 2005 comprehensive peace agreement that ended a two decade civil war between the north and south.
Sixty percent of registered voters have to turn up if the result is to be valid.
Southern Sudan is poised to have a say in a referendum scheduled for 9th January 2011. Sudan’s president, Al Bashir told Aljazeera that he has exhausted all avenues to convince southerners to vote for unity. He added that most southerners are separatists, and do not have the ability to cater for themselves.
The people of southern Sudan are mature, and have been running their affairs for the last six years, replied SPLM’s Secretary General, Pagan Amoum.
Sudan referendum is a result of 2005 comprehensive peace agreement that ended a two decade civil war between the north and south.
Sixty percent of registered voters have to turn up if the result is to be valid.
Social Unrest
Social unrest in Algeria
Algeria is covered with rioting youth, protesting against increased cost of living. Scenes of men barricading roads, burning tyres have been glued in the media. The media also reports that angry youth attacked police stations and torched government buildings.
The youth, aged below 30 years, account for 75% of Algeria’s 35 million people.
Wikileaks reports highlighted increased corruption in the Algeria.
Neighboring Tunisia is witnessing similar violent attacks. A Tunisian man even set himself on fire after police confiscated the fruits and vegetables he was selling, dying of his wounds a month later, according to police and medical releases.
Algeria is covered with rioting youth, protesting against increased cost of living. Scenes of men barricading roads, burning tyres have been glued in the media. The media also reports that angry youth attacked police stations and torched government buildings.
The youth, aged below 30 years, account for 75% of Algeria’s 35 million people.
Wikileaks reports highlighted increased corruption in the Algeria.
Neighboring Tunisia is witnessing similar violent attacks. A Tunisian man even set himself on fire after police confiscated the fruits and vegetables he was selling, dying of his wounds a month later, according to police and medical releases.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Coptics in Egypt under Scare
Differences in religion
Coptic churches under scare as they prepare to celebrate Christmas on 7th January. This comes after a suicide bomber detonated near a church on New Year’s Eve in Alexandria, killing 23 people. Coptic Christians make up an estimated 10% of Egypt’s 80 million people. About 200 churches exist in Egypt.
Coptic churches under scare as they prepare to celebrate Christmas on 7th January. This comes after a suicide bomber detonated near a church on New Year’s Eve in Alexandria, killing 23 people. Coptic Christians make up an estimated 10% of Egypt’s 80 million people. About 200 churches exist in Egypt.
New Times
Election Upbeat
Welcome into 2011, readers of the Apocalypse say its 2 years to the end of the world. But before that, we have business to attend to.
Elections in Uganda take the last bends towards the electoral finish line. All eight contestants are still in the field, even Lubega, whom I haven’t seen in the news, did I hear someone say even Bwanika. Well, now they are, at least. For those in, its more a kivulu (music fiesta) than a policy guided campaign. Today’s newspapers carry poll results saying the incumbent, Museveni has a projected 65% win. No surprise, his song Another Rap is leading the charts, with over four million hits on YouTube and counting.
Before that though, Sudan has a referendum earlier, 9th January and it will be a week long. I will be watching it closely from the fringes. President Omar El Bashir has promised to respect the outcome of the vote, despite repetitive reports of border tension between the north and south. Vote decision of which side Abyei is was postponed over indecision of who should vote.
I will be performing a listening post, on the way the media is reporting on the campaign.
Welcome 2011.
Welcome into 2011, readers of the Apocalypse say its 2 years to the end of the world. But before that, we have business to attend to.
Elections in Uganda take the last bends towards the electoral finish line. All eight contestants are still in the field, even Lubega, whom I haven’t seen in the news, did I hear someone say even Bwanika. Well, now they are, at least. For those in, its more a kivulu (music fiesta) than a policy guided campaign. Today’s newspapers carry poll results saying the incumbent, Museveni has a projected 65% win. No surprise, his song Another Rap is leading the charts, with over four million hits on YouTube and counting.
Before that though, Sudan has a referendum earlier, 9th January and it will be a week long. I will be watching it closely from the fringes. President Omar El Bashir has promised to respect the outcome of the vote, despite repetitive reports of border tension between the north and south. Vote decision of which side Abyei is was postponed over indecision of who should vote.
I will be performing a listening post, on the way the media is reporting on the campaign.
Welcome 2011.
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