The South African Civil Society Information Service
A nonprofit news agency promoting social justice. Seeking answers to the question:
How do we make democracy work for the poor?
A nonprofit news agency promoting social justice. Seeking answers to the question:
How do we make democracy work for the poor?
Fazila Farouk -
People who work in the digital divide world, routinely over emphasize the value of information communication technology (ICT) for the poor, often forgetting that technology is nothing more than a means to an end and one that’s only of value if it increases conveniences and the quality of people's lives.
The common argument one hears for lowering the cost of broadband is that it will bridge the digital divide and increase socio-economic benefits for the poor. There’s certainly...
Karen Dolan -
Foreign Policy Disaster Redux: Raise fears about a Middle East country. Tie that four-letter-word country to the potential for mushroom clouds over Tel Aviv and Texas. Convince the U.S. public that this country's ties to terrorists, its fanatical Islamist faith and its megalomaniacal leader with a scary-sounding name add up to the end of western civilization. Conclusion: Iran must be stopped, no option off the table.
The saber rattling increases, despite the December 2007 National...
Fazila Farouk -
The current global crisis is being described to as the triple ‘F’ crisis of food, fuel and finance.
Nowhere is the crisis being felt more than among Africa’s poor. The rising price of food, in particular, is a topic that’s on everybody’s lips.
Even the BBC’s head of world news, Nick Gowing, chaired a session examining the food crisis at the recently held African leg of the World Economic Forum (WEF), where the usual suspects were rounded...
The Pinky Show provides us with an illuminating illustration about the hidden relationships of power in globalisation. "First world people congratulate themselves on inventing a system they see as fair and efficient. Economics and business departments teach the theory of global capital to the virtual exclusion of any alternatives. Third world people have to live with the consequences of practices and policies imposed from the first world."
Al Jazeera English is fighting to stay on the airwaves in America highlighting the broader struggles for free speech and media diversity. In the American City of Burlington, Al Jazeera is being accused of hate mongering towards Americans and Israeli's. The Israeli Centre of Vermont wants Al Jazeera banned for being anti-semetic. Ironically, Al Jazeera is aired in Israel without objection. The Burlington local authority has held public hearings to discuss the issue and will decide in a...
Saliem Fakir -
Malema's 'Kill for Zuma' slogan is filled with ironies. The very day he was giving his infamous speech on June 16th, Zuma followed by giving his own. Zuma castigated elements within the ANC Youth League for displays of what he regarded as unacceptable behaviour.
Zuma was referring to the chaotic state and ill discipline that prevailed at a National ANC Youth League Conference, the very conference Malema got elected as the new president.
Zuma also pointed to unruly behaviour at other forums,...
