Honduras is a Five-Star Country

by Beatriz Lovo Reichmann

In every country, there are events that mark a before and an after in the way of life of its people. In Honduras, there are two such events in recent history: Hurricane Mitch, the deadliest in the history of humanity, and the political events of 2009 that polarized and divided the country and engulfed Hondurans in despair, helplessness and later on courage and pride.

In June 2009, Manuel Zelaya, president at the time, intended to illegally perpetuate himself in office, to what Congress, the Supreme Court, the Human Rights entities and the People (I among them)responded NO.

And as if to say that a people can only fight for their freedom if they have been 20 or 30 years under the rule of tyrant, the international community abandoned us; the country lost recognition from every international organization to which it belonged: the United Nations, the Organization of American States, the International Monetary Fund, just to name a few…as if we had been beggars instead of partners.  And yet, there we were; unrecognized but screaming, and kicking and fighting.

It was called a coup and not what it really was: a presidential succession based on Honduran law. The constitution of Honduras states, in cases where the President is asked to resign, the President of Congress should be sworn into office…and so it was done. Roberto Michelletti became the president we needed at the time, if only for a few months. Presidential elections were held in November of that year, programmed. It is this election in which more Hondurans, in-country and abroad have participated.

Thus, a new president was elected: Porfirio Lobo Sosa (not related to the author). Many thought he would be the answer to our prayers. But, what this man has yet to realize is that people didn’t necessarily vote for him; they voted against the other candidate affiliated to Zelaya’s party.

And so there began a new term of excess, corruption, overspending…In the last few months, not having learned the lesson that Zelaya now understands, Lobo has attempted to trample on Honduran’s most basic right: Freedom of Expression of Thought.

Honduran information media have become a true watchdog: that 4^th power of government that every democracy needs. And, in order to force government into action, it has uncovered, reported, revealed every act of corruption and inefficiency of the president and all those in office.

So, on March 2013, Lobo decided to send to Congress a gag law regulating telecommunications, changing it so that it would “benefit the majority”, as if the “majority” couldn’t see that he was the only one obtaining benefit.

CONATEL (National Commission on Telecommunications) is a state-owned, the decentralized entity that regulates, coordinates and administrates telecommunications policy in Honduras. It does NOT, regulate media content for any reason or purpose.

Lobo Sosa proposed to form a commission adjacent to CONATEL that would exercise prior censorship on media content, enforce confiscation mechanisms and promote direct government intervention on news and information. I addition, the new law would include regulation on trade and commerce.

The Constitution of the Republic of Honduras guarantees Freedom of Expression of Thought, stating that freedom of expression and information are INVIOLABLE. “Every inhabitant, without prior censorship, can express his/her thoughts, provide and receive information and discuss own opinion or that of others through written and spoken media or any other graphic, audio-visual or printed procedure.”

So, as we did in June, 2009, we marched and protested and made ourselves heard. The people united again, along with the Association of Communication Media of Honduras, the Association of Advertising Agencies of Honduras, the Association of Independent Radio Distributors of Honduras, the Honduran Council for Private Enterprise, the National Association of Industrials and a dozen other groups that said NO and exerted pressure on Congress to reject the law. And the law was rejected.

And now we await another presidential election. Lobo Sosa will have to step down, but there doesn’t seem to be one single candidate that could truly work for the benefit of the many. Our immediate future looks dim; our democracy is young and feeble and fragile. But we’ll keep on fighting because we are a five-star country.

Kravitz, running and being a student

by Sharon Wilson, Malaysia

When Lenny Kravitz started singing American Woman, I started running. From the University Courtyard at Richland Avenue to Ohio University Park. It has been a hard day. A long day. A fruitful and productive day. And after a after a couple of days of rain, the sun was out and it was truly a beautiful day. The rabbits had come out to play and just outside my window a deer had wandered alone probably enjoying a little bit of sunshine and some alone time as well.

Its interesting to run in such a beautiful park with a lush canopy of trees and a stream passing through (maybe a river maybe a canal - i'm not sure). The air is fresh and the students are out as well enjoying their summer going for a bike ride, a walk or just - running.

As Lenny sang about how colored lights can hypnotize, I realized I am too hypnotized by the reality of the fact that I am in the United States and I am akin to a student again. After some 15 years of leaving 'studenthood', its as though  I had been given a chance card and the chance card reads " jump two places to student'.

In 6 weeks I can catch up on lost time. If I was Julie Andrews i'd be on top of a hill singing "The hills are alive to the sound of music" but i'm not and so I have to run.

(Source: www.cityofart.com)

But in all seriousness, the idea that I could go to classes again, eat lunch at the cafeteria, look as lost as freshmen students, enjoying the company of room mates and classmates without the worry (for the moment) of paying the bills, doing heaps of laundry, preparing for dinner or marking assignments is a breath of fresh air. And I believe it is a time of rejuvenation before heading home after the SUSI program. And as Lenny sings the last line of his song saying he's gotta go, at the moment i'm not going anywhere. I'm going to savour every minute and second of my time as a student albeit the running and the creaky knees.

Lazy Hazy Sunday

by Sharon Wilson, Malaysia

Its day 3 of the SUSI Programme. Its a Sunday and everyone is relaxed and taking it easy. Nothing much was happening except for that light drizzle in the morning - so mild it felt like someone switched on a faulty sprinkler system and forgot to turn it off.

The morning trip to Walmart seemed quite relaxed and less stressful - possibly because this was our second trip and we were familiar with the lay of the land. But I believe in the back of everyone's , minds we knew it was one of the few Sundays we got off as the real work would begin on Monday with discussions, presentations, discussions and more presentations. Maybe next weekend we could all go watch a movie I heard myself tell another scholar but who am I kidding? There was already a reading list waiting for me.

Reading list and presentations aside, today was an unusually long day. Not because I had nothing to do - yet..but daylight seemed very long. It was my first experience where at 8pm, the sun was still out looking cheery and bright. Back home in Malaysia, 8pm is dark and everyone is having dinner. It was amazing because I could feel my body shutting down for sleep. It seemed like an illusion of the eye but that is life and that is how I ended up typing on the blog and dozing off on the computer doing just that.

Photo: 8pm from University Courtyard room

My cup runneth over...

by Sharon Wilson, Malaysia

Travelling about 23 hours on a plane from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and transiting three airports (KL-Japan, Japan -Dallas, Dallas-Columbus) is not a laughing matter. It gets to the sanity of anyone. One can become cranky, frustrated, confused, tired and angry. The long flights can also become worse if one has a partner on the plane who is also in the same predicament. It would be like two lions going in for the kill. (I was lucky in this regard).Then there's the fact that you are leaving behind family and friends for 6 weeks.

Although travelling to the United States of America for the SUSI programme was all of the above, one important thing which has made me feel at home and not feel lonely and in despair are my room mates. Three beautiful women from three countries who has had a similar experience. Consuelo Aguirre from Ecuador, Shabnam Azim from Bangladesh and Sibongile Mpofu from Zimbabwe. Although Sibo came in one day late but we have all bonded as though we were long lost friends.

It doesn't make sense how four women from four different cultures, religions, backgrounds can laugh about the similar things and worry about similar things. But that is it. From talking about work and journalism policies in our countries to everyday things like shopping for salt at Walmart and cooking breakfast.

It reminds me some-what of Carrie, Samantha, Miranda and Charlotte of the ever famous Tv series 'Sex in the City' although not so wild. But the bond portrayed was equally amazing and something every woman wanted in a group of friends.I wish to continue this friendship. I wish to sustain this and make this friendship a part of a lifelong commitment to stay in touch and to 'grow old together'

(Photo: Getting ready for SUSI welcome dinner)

So thank you dear friends, for allowing me some insight into your lives. For allowing me to be a part of your lives and for taking the trouble to get to know me as well.

Thank you very much fellow Americans

Namaste:

Being a Nepali I used to have a certain assumption about Americans. What I would think was American were aliens, and there could be no meeting points between us. However, I got a chance to come this great nation through a state department’s program almost a month ago, I really felt blessed.

Not only are they very generous and helpful, but also very very hardworking. Moreover, I became so happy that due to the money they pay to the US government, this kind of visit is possible. Unsurprisingly, Athens, Ohio where I have been residing is similar to my own place. Similar greenery, fields and clouds.

Therefore, first of all I would like to thank the American people for making my visit pleasant and successful. I surely will carry a lot of messages to fellow Nepalis.

IIJ director leads lectures, consultations in Kazakhstan

By Lindsay Boyle

On April 22, Institute for International Journalism Director Yusuf Kalyango embarked on a 13-day academic trip to Kazakhstan.

Each weekday, Kalyango led two 90-minute lectures and one 90-minute consultation in the Faculty of Journalism at the Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, more commonly known as KazNU, in Almaty. Attendees included undergraduate and graduate students, as well as faculty members.

Kalyango’s lectures were incorporated into the Role of Televised (Visual) Media and Democratization (TV News) course, and included topics such as improving story telling in television packages, global news coverage, and reporting conflicts on television.

The consultations were in regard to the course High Education, Professional Development and Research Opportunities in the USA. They covered areas including the future of journalism in the digital age and how to go from research concept to publication.



On the final Friday, May 3, Kalyango also held a workshop: Teaching and Grading with Multimedia Online Tools in Classrooms and Seminars.

KazNU Rector Dr. Mutanov Galimkair Mutanovich and OU President Dr. Roderick J. McDavis recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding between the two schools.

The Vice Dean of the Faculty of Journalism, Karlyga Myssayeva, welcomed Kalyango at KazNU and took charge of his academic schedule and extracurricular activities. Karlyga Myssayeva is an alumna of the 2012 Study of the U.S. Institute at Ohio University. Kalyango’s lectures and consultations at KazNu were part of the IIJ-SUSI post-Institute activities.



The SUSI summer institute is funded by an annual renewable grant from the U.S. Department of State’s Study of the U.S. Branch in the Office of Academic Exchange Programs. Scholars from all over the world come to the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism at Ohio University to be exposed to journalism practice and media institutions in the United States.

In his free time, Kalyango traveled around the country with Myssayeva and others. He had dinners full of Kazakh traditional foods, visited Astana — the capital of Kazakhstan, ventured into Kok-Tobe — the highest point of Almaty, and explored other attractions offered by the city of Almaty.

He also attended the 2013 Miss Kazakh National University pageant, and watched classical and modern ballet as well as comical shows at theaters including the Modern Kazakh State Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre named after Abay.

IIJ to hold fourth consecutive SUSI summer program

By Lindsay Boyle

This summer, the Institute for International Journalism administers the fourth annual Study of the U.S. Institute (SUSI) on Journalism and Media.

The SUSI summer institute — in which scholars from all over the world come to the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism at Ohio University to study journalism and media — is funded by an annual renewable grant from the U.S. Department of State’s Study of the U.S. Branch in the Office of Academic Exchange Programs.

Following the 2012 conclusion of three successful programs held in Athens — where more than 50 scholars from more than 40 countries attended numerous sessions covering an array of media-related topics, visited various media outlets and garnered several cultural experiences — the U.S. State Department renewed the program for the IIJ, meaning that this summer’s program is the first of three more.



Sixteen scholars are participating this year, from the following countries: Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Chile, Ecuador, Honduras, India, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Malaysia, Mongolia, Mozambique, Nepal, Romania, Ukraine, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

They will travel near and far, being immersed in diverse cultural and media environments. Destinations include the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, The Budget newspaper in Amish Country, Google headquarters in San Francisco, CNN Global Headquarters in Atlanta, the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, D.C., and many more.

Additionally, daylong excursions, such as the Tecumseh! Outdoor Historical Drama in Chillicothe or the Little Cities of Black Diamonds tour that spans multiple towns in Southeast Ohio, allow the scholars to further understand the region.



Sessions held in Athens will continue to cover topics such as electronic and new media, media systems in scholars’ countries and the role of news in a democracy, generating intriguing discussions and evoking thoughtful and lasting reactions.

Overall, the purpose of SUSI is to foster mutual understanding and respect between the people of the United States and citizens of other countries around the world.

The program will conclude after the scholars spend nine days in Washington, D.C., including three full days at the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (AEJMC) conference.

Niger: a country of religious contrast

By Taylor Pool

While the Islamic call to prayer sounds from each Niger mosque, hundreds of Christians gather together to worship God at one of the country’s many churches.  

A mosque in Niamey, the capital of Niger

Although Niger is considered an Islamic nation by the CIA World Factbook, which states that the country is 80 percent Muslim, other religions, including indigenous ones, are practiced in the country. Christianity is even spreading among the people of Niger. That growth comes as a result of the expatriate Christian presence in the country combined with the expansion of the flourishing local Church.

Unlike several north African countries, Niger is considered religiously free, meaning Christians are not generally persecuted for sharing their faith nor is the country governed by religious principles. Even so, religion still has a hold on daily life in the arid, land-locked nation that stretches from the Sahara Desert to the Sahel region of West Africa.

Worshipers at a Nigerien church

As the religion in the cultural majority, Islam has its influence on the country. Every city and village is home to at least one mosque. At the sound of the call to prayer, many Muslims pray to Mecca five times a day in a designated prayer area or even at work or outside on prayer rugs. Work ceases and markets slow down on Friday afternoons while many Nigeriens observe the Islamic Sabbath, even though Sunday is officially recognized as the Sabbath due to Niger’s history as a colony of France, where Catholocism is the most widely-observed religion. Christianity doesn’t stop at effecting school and business closures, however. As one of the poorest countries in the world, Niger is a target nation for evangelical missionaries. Many Nigeriens show their love for Christ in church, through passionate prayer, resounding musical worship and animate sermons.  

Regardless of the religious contrast in the country, the people of Niger do share one thing: the drive to perpetuate their country’s values - brotherhood, work and progress. While it is possible that two neighbors may not share the same religious values, it is likely their identity as Nigeriens would unite them in a way that is entirely unparalleled, unchangeable and even misunderstood to anyone other than those who are a part of the unique Nigerien culture. 

New Media International Conference in India

By Morgan Sigrist

IIJ Assistant & Ambassador

The Institute for International Journalism in the E. W. Scripps School of Journalism, Scripps College of Communication, and Sri Padmavati Mahila Visvavidyalayam Tirupati, in India, are organizing an International academic conference in India. The conference is scheduled to be held from November 20-22, 2013 in Tirupati, a popular tourist destination. The conference is titled “Changing Landscape in Communication with New Media Technologies: Issues and Challenges”, and will focus on themes of social engagement, education and public health, and political discourse.

The key objective of the conference is to understand how new media

And mobile technology can be used to enhance our understanding of the issues of interest and to provide effective and innovative solutions. Participants from different parts of the world will help stimulate discussion about these issues and will provide a platform where the significance of media technology can be discussed from different perspectives. 

The organizing coordinator in India is Professor Dr. Vijaya Lakshmi, who also is a SUSI 2012 alumnus. The Study of the U.S. Institute (SUSI) on Journalism and Media is an annual summer institute of international journalism scholars and media experts from universities and academic institutions from around the world. The SUSI summer institute is funded by an annual renewable grant from the U.S. Department of State's Study of the U.S. Branch in the Office of Academic Exchange Programs.

“ Different countries at different stages of development may have different range of salient issues. For example, for developed countries, social engagement and political discourse may be more important issues, whereas for developing countries, fundamental issues like education and public health may have more importance. Bringing together scholars from different countries and sociopolitical environments may create great opportunities for mutual learning,” said Dr. Jatin Srivastava, one of the conference directors.

Dr. Srivastava observed that new media technology is increasingly becoming a dominant tool to address various social, political, and economic issues; this will provide a common frame of reference to participants to think about these problems and evaluate media and technology-based solutions.

The conference is inviting abstracts and articles from academicians and practitioners from countries all over the world; these submissions may cover qualitative or quantitative research and may also be about media based initiatives like campaign and new media products.

Admiring She-Roes

Ms. Aazadi Fateh Muhammad

SUSI 2012 - Pakistan 

 “For living a Life, I really fight Hard”… an ordinary woman’s expression stated decades ago in the Poetry of Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai, an accurate description that how far great efforts are placed by the modern women to achieve their rights, as well. Women, like men are equally human, living and full of life, but unfortunately, they have to struggle doubly hard to prove their identity and status in society. They are continuously discouraged by an assortment of general biases, underestimated as weak and meek creatures. This is not only predicament of developing societies, but these discriminatory mind sets and behaviors can be easily seen in so called ultra modern world as well, where even a woman has no specific title for her other than ‘Women’, which means Wife of Men.  Means treating them as a property of men is not a fashion of eastern societies just.

A Village Woman in Sindh Province

  Gender based biases and violence, like charity, begins at home. Our family structures and socialization patterns generally support male members. Since childhood family members are directed to behave and live on gender lines. Not only in Islam but the constitution and laws of Pakistan award women their all basic rights and status in society.

   Faces of Pakistani woman represent millions of identities, tales and fragments of society at the same time. Pakistani women, no matter living in urban or rural setups, are fighting at many stages to prove their own individuality and status. However, lack of education, poor awareness, social ignorance and male dominating social patterns are main hindrances in the way of her courage and success.

    Aurat Foundation (A local NGO) reports that violence against women decreased by 6.41 percent in 2010 compared to figure from 2009, the report revealed that 8,000 cases were reported across the country in 2010 against 8,548 cases in 2009. Still serious measures are required to introduce new concrete laws and their implementation. According to Aurat Foundation report 7,733 cases of violence against women including hurt, torture, burning, rape, domestic violence, threat to violence and more were reported in the media but very few of them were answered positively. Most part of this crime has not been named by the law nor recognized by the state so it goes unpunished. In this scenario Harassment at work places bill and property rights of women law are music for the ears.  

  Population Reference Bureau Washington issued a data sheet in 2011 which shows 59% female (Age 15 to 24) literacy rate in Pakistan and in total female population of 91.6 millions only 22% of them are active in economy. Means more than half percent of women population are not being utilized and ultimately have less opportunities and exposure to work.

   We are celebrating Pakistani Women Day on March 8 across the country with the International World, for acknowledging women achievements and raising awareness to protect their rights. This day is celebrated in the memory of those women who raised their voice against discriminatory and draconian laws of a dictator in early 80s. What is hidden and can be seen in a face of Pakistani woman? Let’s see below how intellectuals’ educationists and public representatives act in response towards this question.

    A Pakistani woman has her own rightful identity. Pakistani women are beautiful, intelligent and hold capability of doing anything against all odds. Pakistani society in general and specially the religious groups are reluctant to give them their rightful place. Most of them think that they should be confined to their homes; are meant only for producing male children and taking care of family is what primary aim of their lives, said Bari Awan, an active member of War against Rape since 90s.

Asma Jilani Jahangir is a leading Pakistani lawyer, advocate of the Supreme Court of Pakistan, President Supreme Court Bar Association of Pakistan and human rights activist, who works both in Pakistan and internationally to prevent the persecution of religious minorities, women, and exploitation of children.

     Prof. Shahida Kazi (Head, department of Media Sciences at Institute of Business Management, Karachi) expressed her views as saying that Pakistani woman has so many different faces. “I will say that for the most part, because of centuries of suppression the Pakistani woman is one who has learnt to be cunning, scheming and manipulative in order to survive. Of course, there are exceptions but for the most part we are not straightforward or open even when there is no need to be crafty. And this goes for all, educated, uneducated, high class, low class, young, and old. Status of women in Pakistan differs according to circumstances. However I think all women of every class are basically nothing but commodities, generally taken as the property of their men”.

    In the opinion of Dr. Zareen Abbasi (Professor at a Local University), she  believes that Pakistani women are courageous, loyal, hardworking, sincere and leading at every walk of life in society  
excluding  all that she is capable for,  her status is still not recognized at home nor  even at working places.

    Rasool Bux Sarang working as Assistant Manager Media, at Aga Khan University elaborated his point of view as, being a professional career woman, worker or a house wife, a Pakistani woman is an example of a dedicated family member whose joys, sorrows, successes or failures are usually linked to her family, but who understands the larger role she can play in improving society. Majority of Pakistani women are dependent and powerless - still struggling for their individual identities. Modern communication sources are playing a good role in creating the awareness that a woman with a more productive role in society can benefit not only to her family but also the larger society.

     A young graduate Khushboo Rafique, responded to the question picked a rural woman as a model while defining a Pakistani woman; she has the real face of Pakistan. In my opinion, a Pakistani woman is a devoting and hard working woman who dedicates her own life to her family.

    Pakistani society is basically a male-dominating society where status of a woman is not satisfactory. Obsolete customs and traditions, lack of religious knowledge and education are the main causes. Men are given more favor and attention in most of the families against their female counterparts. The real gender discrimination thus starts from homes. Women are considered not more than property in rural areas particularly the condition in urban areas is far better but women in urban areas also suffer a lot of problems in different paths of life.

Kiran Baloch is the record holder of the highest individual score in the international game. She scored 242 in the first cricket Test against the West Indies

     In patriarchal societies like Pakistan, women are habituated to consent to men as the superior human being. However awareness, education and struggle for life may change the picture in general. History is full of enlightening examples of Great women leaders, artists, scientists, and other professional women from all walks of life, which have inspired other women to overcome social obstacles.

    Need of the time is to focus on specific change leading communication campaigns who can actually bring up some differences in the existing mind sets and social patterns. Covering more than half of the country population, they deserve to be nourished and appreciated by the society without any discrimination.  As Maya Angelou (an African American Poetess) said: It is equally important to recognize and celebrate our she-roes just like the he-roes. Let’s celebrate power and beauty of feminity not only on March 8, but onwards.