Another View

Shahidul Alam talks about biases within the media, discrimination against journalists and photographers based on their ethnicity or their origins - and how it impacts media content. Originally published in the New Internationalist Magazine in August 2007.

A Different Ulema-Run Magazine

A new Muslim magazine with articles not just on Islam but also on a host of issues, from global warming, AIDS, modern education among Muslims, madrasa reforms, gender relations and Muslim women's empowerment to terrorism, communal harmony between Hindus and Muslims and Western imperialism, in addition to news and feature stories about India's Muslims…. Submitted by Tarique Anwar; posted by Yogi Sikand on TwoCircles.net

A Critical Media Necessary for Democracy

Yogi Sikand reports from a meeting held in Islamabad - on Democracy in South Asia, especially highlighting the vibrancy of intellectual debate and critique within Pakistan.

Sri Lankan Reporter Hacked to Death

Reporters Without Borders is outraged by the murder of Paranirupasingam Devakumar, a television reporter of Tamil origin, who was hacked to death yesterday evening as he was returning to his home a few kilometres outside the northern city of Jaffna. A friend who was with him was also killed in the attack.

State Complicit in Repression of Media

A silent demonstration is planned on Tuesday to express solidarity with Kumar Ketkar and with journalists of Ahmedabad Times.

A Journalist Relates Being Tortured by Bangladeshi Military

The 39-page report, "The Torture of Tasneem Khalil: How the Bangladesh Military Abuses Its Power Under the State of Emergency," graphically details Khalil's 22-hour ordeal in May 2007 in Bangladesh's clandestine detention and torture system – a setup  well known to the government, ordinary Bangladeshis, Dhaka's donors, and diplomatic community

Ten Years of Pathshala

Shahidul Alam describes the journey of a unique adventure in learning photography at Pathshala.

The Challenge of Rangzen: Tibetan Independence

An overview of Tibetan Alternative - a newsmagazine launched to discuss various questions of Tibetan Independence. We present some articles

Bangladeshi Military Government Obstructs Free Media

When Bangladeshi newspaper New Age was planning on publishing certain photographs, they were gently 'reminded' by the government that they should not be doing that.

South African Radio Station Investigates Bangladeshi Project

Panos Radio South Asia (PRSA), an undertaking of Panos South Asia, on October 15, 2007, podcasted a report on community resistance against Phulbari Coal Project in Bangladesh.

Sri Lanka Imposes Censorship on War Reporting

Sri Lanka has imposed a ban on reporting of troop deployments and proposed military operations and arms procurement as a new chapter in a long running civil war deepens. Reprinted from a Reuters report.

The Gujarat Files: Tehelka Sting Operattion

Gujarat Pogrom of 2002: Five years on The Truth Uncovered by an undercover media investigation. The Tehelka Files - an extensive review.

Voyager Between Two Worlds

Having been undercover on the shadow lines between sanity and mayhem, ASHISH KHETAN retraces a quest for truth.

Pakistani Journalists Have Stepped Up

As military dictatorship continues to grope in Pakistan, journalists and the media can proudly claim significant credit.

Bangladeshi Government Straitjackets Media

While the Bangladeshi dictatorship has lifted its ban on televised talk shows, it has set up guidelines within which the television media must operate. Bangladeshis oppose these guidelines and demand that the government respect the independence of the media. This article first appeared in the New Age.

Indian Judiciary and Politics

Amna Mirza reviews the book Indian Judiciary and Politics - a Changing Landscape. Edited by B. D. Dua, M. P. Singh and Rekha Saxena, the book presents the attempt by the judiciary to address the incompetencies of the legislative and executive and the reaction by the executive and the legislative bracnhes of the Indian state.

Footage Implicates UP Police in Fake Encounters

Video footage seems to implicate UP police in a fake encounter and extra-judicial killing of a petty criminal. Other similar cases and pleas from these cases suggest that fake encounters by UP police, with involvement of senior officers, may be more prevalent. Article by Shahira Naim from Lucknow.

The News About Naxals

While naxalites and naxalism has increasingly been in the news in India, the Asian Center for Human Rights has put together a review of news articles on Naxals in the national Indian print media over the first half of the year.

The South Takes the Pictures

Photographers from the Global South - from artists in Bhutan to a small studio in Bolivia and from Kathmandu to Dili - put together a photo-essay on the struggles of human rights and justice from their homes.

The State of Writing in Pakistan

The Dawn carried an article by Khawaja Mustafa describing the sorry state writing and publishing in Pakistan.

Censorship in Pakistan Strengthens Dictatorship

The Supreme Court of Pakistan is being tested again as it reviews the legality of a fresh round of measures by the Pakistani General/President aimed at restricting the media, and limiting criticism of the dictatorship that is facing immense opposition following the suspension of the Chief Justice. A report by the Asian Center for Human Rights.

Independent Films, People's Concerns

Group presenting DVDs with a wide range of social issues.

Movies and Indo-Pak Peace

Faisal Mamsa, a Pakistani physician in the USA, questions the role of media vis-a-vis Indo-Pak relationships and asks - What does an average Indian think about Pakistanis?

Media Quiet on Dalit Rape, Murder

Neither the administration nor the media has taken steps that behooves an institution of a democratic civilized society as local women continue to agitate. Committee Against Violence on Women files this note.

Reviewing Ahmad's Essays on South Asia

Recently, Prof. Zia Mian sent me a gift. A book of essays and writings by Eqbal Ahmad: Between Past and Future.

Blog for Tibet
On World Tibet Day (July 6^th) which is also the birthday of Dalai Lama, the Tibetan community requests people all around the world to write about Tibet as a way to increase awareness about the Chinese occupation and their struggle for freedom.

Teen Documaker Takes on Indian Cigarettes

At present she is all set to screen her movie at the 13^th World Conference on Tobacco Control at DC in July, as a guest at The American University. Part of this note was published in the Hindustan Times.

Social Profile of Indian Media

Yogendra Yadav – a Senior Fellow and Professor at Centre for the Study of Developing Societies – presents the results of a survey describing the make up of key decision makers in India’s media.

Journalist Refuses to Accept Award from Musharraf

Amir Mir on why he refused to take the All Pakistan Newspapers Society award for the Best Investigative Report from the Pakistani President.

"The Hindu" Censoring Tibet?

The Friends of Tibet protests the policy of The Hindu group of publications and its editorial board led by N. Ram in censoring stories about Tibet, Dalai Lama and Falun Gong.

“Don’t Block the Blog” in Pakistan

Ethan Casey writes about the apparent censorship of Pakistani Blogs by the Pakistani government. This article also appeared in the Jang, Pakistan.

Bush Yatra: We Want Full Disclosure!

Long after Bush departed for Pakistan and back for Washington since, Srinadh says, we are left with one unanswered question: What did President Bush eat for lunch when he was in Hyderabad?

The Rhetoric of Labels

Bush visit was opposed by communists and Muslim fundamentalists. The rhetoric of labels is a great way to end conversations or annul the nuances of different positions.

Cartoon of the Prophet, Caricature of Expression

The cartoon of the prophet has raised a lot of hue and cry besides all the tempers. Alas, in all these discussions, very few sane voices have emerged from places where decisions are being made.

SAFMA Delegates Apologize for Partition Violence

The Pakistani delegation of South Asian Free Media Association (SAFMA) visiting Punjab has presented numerous radical steps for establishing peace between India and Pakistan.

Cricketing Decision Rated as Critical For India’s Future

Saurav Ganguly’s exclusion from the Indian team has higher priority in the Indian media and among our political leadership than India’s position on the WTO agreements, electoral finances and corruption or farmer’s issues. Go figure.

Superstars Make Money Endorsing Exploiters of Communities

An open letter to AB, AK, AR, KK, SRK, SRT, and the rest of the Indian cricket team and bollywood asking whether it is appropriate that they continue to endorse a product that dumps huge externalities on local communities, exploiting their rights and oppressing them.

Violence at Mau: Irresponsible Reporting

Prof Roop Rekha Verma, former Vice Chancellor, University of Lucknow and Nasiruddin Haider Khan Senior Journalist, Hindustan Dainik (Hindustan Times) present their perspectives on the recent communal riots in Mau, UP.

The Location of Evil

Ethan Casey discusses the absence of critical analysis in so called western liberal writers such as Sulam Rushdie. This article was first published by The Jung, Pakistan.

FDI in Nepalese Media

South Asian Television Programs in the TC

Is it any coincidence that after a conspicuous absence of any South Asian TV programming, we now have two programs beginning within months of each other?

Western Media’s Onslaught on Bhutan

Three months after the Dragon King lifted the TV ban, thousands signed up for cable service that provides 46 channels of round-the-clock entertainment.