Press Freedom Index - 2009

Read the Reporters without Borders Press Freedom Index for 2009.

Which countries deserve attention? why?

Should citizens be interested in such reports? why?

How is the growth and development of democracy inextricably linked to freedom of the press? Discuss.

Links to Videos Watched in Class

Click on the link to view film:

Obama's War (PBS: Frontline)

Afghanistan: The 'Other War' (PBS: Frontline)

Afghanistan Unveiled (no online streaming available)

Edward Said on Samuel Huntington's "Clash of Civilizations" article

Blog responses to these films are highly encouraged.

Rise of the Far Right / Fascists in Europe

Read the articles from the Globe and Mail from June 2009, and the Guardian discussing the electoral advances made by the BNP in recent months.

Should such developments be a source of concern? If so, why? Does the rise of far right parties conflict with the fundamental principles of Democracy - or rather provide evidence that the formal democratic structures are providing full articulation of the will of the people?

Is a similar development taking place in Canada? Why or why not?

Hunger Bytes Competition

Read the information on the World Food Programme's Hunger Bytes Video Competition. If you're interested, speak with me and we'll discuss CPW course recognition. This may be of particular interest to students in IDC 4U as well.

Bras, Whips, Women & Human Rights?

This commentary article published by Britain's Independent newspaper, October 28, 2009 should draw some discussion!

Challenge yourself with this article - move beyond a statement of acceptance or disapproval of what is taking place. Rather, try to analyse the mechanics of the article and how the reactions you're meant to experience are created. Did the article succeed in stirring a reaction? how was this achieived?

For students who were in the Ancient Civ. class last year, you'll no doubt remember the authors Von Daniken & Otto Muck; is this author, Alaa Al-Aswany, employing some of the same techniques? Explain.

For students who were not in the Ancient Civ. course last year, what do you observe about the relationship between Alaa Al-Aswany's evidence and argument? How does this achieve the desired effect within the reader?

Alternatively, you could consider the consequences this article has on Canada's relationship with the countries mentioned in the report. What should the government of Canada state is our formal policy towards such practices? Should private Canadian companies do business in countries which engage in such practices? Should what happens in other countries be of any concern to Canadians, or should we mind our own business?

I'm interested to read your responses...

Tom Coghlan vs. Lord Ashdown -- The Reality of Modern Afghanistan -- Centralized Goverment or Tribal Structures?

"One of the major problems we have faced in Afghanistan is the mismatch between the theory and the practice of Afghan government. Thanks, in large measure, to the intervention of the West, Afghanistan is, in theory, a centralised-governed country in the model of the classic Western nation state. But, in practice, Afghanistan is what it has always been for the last 1,000 years – a deeply decentralised country based around tribal structures." -- Lord Ashdown, The Independent, 21 October, 2009.

http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/paddy-ashdown-afghanistans-future-lies-in-strengthening-its-tribal-structures-not-in-its-corrupt-government-1806249.html

The Times (former) Afghanistan Correspondant, Tim Coghlan, presents an alternative argument on what the West's response should be.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/guest_contributors/article6882983.ece


To what extent do you agree with the statements made by Lord Ashdown? Tim Coghlan? Explain.

The Three Fallacies That Have Driven The War in Afghanistan

Read Johann Hari's opinion piece in the October 21st, 2009 edition of the Independent. Do the risks of staying dwarf the risks of pulling out? Thoughts?

Who is in Charge of Canada?

Read the article in the Ottawa Citizen, October 12, 2009.

This begs the question: how Canadian is the Canadian Monarchy? Your thoughts/reactions? What would Canada lose if it were to sever ties with the Monarchy? What would it gain?

Ethnic Struggles, 250,000 people behind barbed wire...

Read the article in the Economist, October 1, 2009.
How do Sri Lankan authorities justify this ongoing situation? What is your reaction? What should be done by the Sri Lankans? The Tamils? the international community? Canada?

Genocide Forgotten? Money vs. Memories...

Read Robert Fisk's article in Britain's Independent Newspaper, October 8, 2009.

Should the diplomatic negotations between Armenia and Turkey proceed before coming to terms with past wrongs? What is the relationship between trade and human rights? Do historical events matter in present day economic / political relationships?

Countdown to Copenhagen: The Future of International Climate Control Negotiations

Read and react to the online article published in Britain's Guardian Newspaper, October 7, 2009.

To what extent do you agree with the policy of the American administration on this issue?

What should be Canada's position on this issue?

Increasingly there will be a lot of discussion surrounding the Copenhagen Conference; if environmental politics interests you, this is a good on-going story to follow on your blog.

The Future of Canadian Representative Democracy?

Read Andrew Coyne's article in Macleans Magazine, October 6, 2009.
and a similar article which appeared in The Hill Times, October 5, 2009.

To what extent should additional ridings be added? in total? by region? by Province?
Should partisan politics be allowed to interfer with the core principle of representation by population? or is the political fall out from pushing forward with this democratic update too damaging to national unity?

Thoughts? Opinions?

Strong Suggestion for Blog Posts: WIAM One World Film Festival

Founded in 1972, Ottawa's World Interaction / Interaction Mondiale (WIAM) is a "volunteer-based, charitable organization working to create awareness on world issues." Each year WIAM hosts its 'One World Film Festival' in Ottawa. This festival is described as "an annual media-arts Festival based in Canada’s National Capital Region. The Festival is committed to presenting innovative forms of film and video as a medium for raising public awareness of world issues.It is both a celebration of documentary film and a powerful forum for filmmakers, activists, the public, and social justice, human rights and environmental organizations to engage in issues currently facing our global community." This year the festival will be held at the National Archives / National Library of Canada on Wellington street, downtown Ottawa.

Read the One World Film Festival guide to see what films will be screened, when and where.

A fantastic opportunity exists to view a film and critically review it for a CPW 4U blog entry.

Looking forward to reading what you have to write!

Tips for Effective Blogging:

When writing your own blogs, consider some of the advice given in the list of Twenty Usability Tips. Of particular note is #14.

Obama soft on Civil Liberties?

What are your thoughts on the Economist article dated October 1, 2009?

The Future of NATO's mandate in Afghanistan ?

Read the article from the Times of London, September 11, 2009. Do you agree with the assertion made in the last paragraph? Why/Why not?

The Politics of Spite ?

Read the Opinion column in the New York Times, October 4th, 2009. Agree? Disagree?

Can you write a follow up piece which notes a similar trend in Canadian politics?

A violation of individual rights? or an overdue necessity for public safety?

Read the October 5th, 2009 CBC report on the possibility of random roadside breathalyser testing.

Thoughts?

The Rise of a New World Economic Order

Read the article in Britain's Independent, October 5th, 2009. Thoughts? Reactions? Implications on Canada / Canadian economic influence?

Obama vs. the Dalai Lama? Thoughts?

Did Obama do the right thing? Read the article from the Times of London, October 5th. Thoughts? Reactions?

Shut up and Salute? or Give McChrystal what he wants? -- US Generals vs. Obama --- do you agree?

Suggestion for Blog post: Washington Post Opinion Column, October 5th, 2009. Comments? Reaction?

How does it compare to the Opinion column in the Britain's Guardian newspaper?

Looking for Ideas for Blog Posts?

Here are some suggestions:
-the 'politics' of the environment debate / environmental issues
-government handling, response and action on human rights files
-the operation of the minority Parliament in Canada
-posturing and political strategies of political parties
-the 'politics of sport' re: the Vancouver Olympics etc.
-the War in Afghanistan
-The US / Iran Relations
-Military Leadership in Guinea
-the Israel / Palestinian Crisis
-Darfur / Sudan
-Haiti
-Aids in Africa
-Canada / US Relations
-US Relations with another country(countries)
-the fuctioning (or lack thereof) of the United Nations
-current state and future of the NATO Alliance
-the role of the press / media in shaping and influencing political perspectives
-issues on the agenda of the City of Ottawa
-issues on the agenda of the Province of Ontario
-issues on the agenda of the Government of Canada
-election campaigns / results in other countries (eg. Germany, Japan, Iran, Afghanistan etc...)

Often looking at the editorial "Opinion" columns in the mainstream media (online or print) will elicit debate and discussion topics. See what you find.

See me if these ideas do not get you started!