In Canada, the Parliament has been prorogued and several cities across the country staged protests to voice their frustration to Ottawa. Digital Journalists were on top of this monumental story, as Andrew Moran covered the protest in Toronto and Stephanie Dearing reported on the activists in Guelph, Ontario. This issue was framed as a critique of a federal government stalling Parliamentary legislation. Also, both stories were beautifully complemented with newsworthy photos. This is the kind of enterprising bootstrap journalism we look forward to in submissions to our Cover Your Community contest. Make sure you read our rules and join the contest group here.
Ever wondered about press censorship across the world? Then read Riccardo Valsecchi‘s fascinating profile of Belarus and its apparent “press dictatorship.” He interviews several media analysts and citizens about media trends in the country, including statements on what is being stiff-armed from the public eye. We can’t help but offer Riccardo kudos on his powerful photos of the region, too.
Katherine Zarchikoff gets artistic and reviews a new play opening at Vancouver’s Granville Island Stage. If you have an interest in Edgar Allan Poe, Gothic theatre, and a “visual feast of the macabre”, then this review is for you. We look forward to more arts journalism, Katherine.
In a comprehensive profile, KJ Mullins dived deep into the life of Digital Journalist Kevin Jess, giving us a potent overview of his accomplishments, his passions and his bravery in the face of affliction. It is a well-written quote-laden article that will surely give you a better sense of what it takes to be strong for your family. Kevin, it’s like we read your biography!
A selection of other notable stories include:
• At least $58 million raised by ‘Hope for Haiti Now’ telethon by Chris Dade: Major Hollywood and music stars devoted their time to the Hope for Haiti telethon, shown on 25 networks around the world. Chris reports the telethon raised at least $58 million at time of publication. Also, he notes a track by Bono, Jay-Z and Rihanna reached the #1 spot on iTunes in 12 countries.
• Barack Obama Addresses the State of the Union by Sadiq Green: We welcome back Digital Journalist Sadiq Green by applauding his succinct summary of Obama’s State of the Union address this week. He analyzes what he included (and what he didn’t) and also stressed how Obama “made clear he was not backing down from his ambitious agenda and was intent on pushing it through Congress.” Great job, Sadiq.
• ACLU brief affirms religious freedoms in Puerto Rico by Kevin Jess: “The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) filed a friend-of-the-court brief recently, stating that laws in Puerto Rico banning Jehovah’s Witnesses from expressing their faith on the streets in the American territory are unconstitutional.” So began Kevin’s article on the ACLU supporting the Jehova’s Witness religious group. One of the most powerful quotes in the piece? “The public street has long been the archetype of a traditional public forum.”
• Forced Sex Allegations at McDonald’s, Starbucks and Taco Bell by Johnny Simpson: Who knew fast-food restos and sexual harrasment would go hand-in-hand likes fries and Coke? In this article, Johnny explains how several women are filing lawsuits against McDonald’s, Starbucks and Taco Bell. Commenter Samantha A. Torrence offered her own insight as a fast-food worker, writing, “I know I myself quit McDonald’s because there was another employee harassing me and the managers at the time were not taking it all that seriously.”
• Anti-sealing protester hits Minister Gail Shea in face with pie by Stephanie Dearing: The video embedded in this article (see above) has become a viral hit: Minister Gail Shea, of Canada’s Department of Fisheries and Oceans, got smacked in the face with a pie when a PETA protester railed against the seal hunt. The protester is being charged with assault, and Gail Shea is being treated for dessert-related acne (just kidding).
• China renames mountain after movie ‘Avatar’ by Wang Fangging: Looks like the Avatar film is creating a sensation overseas too – China is honouring the “floating mountains” in the film by renaming its South Sky Pillar mountain ‘Avatar Hallelujah Mountain’, after the James Cameron epic. Not surprisingly, some critics wonder why Chinese authorities are so enamoured with a Hollywood movie instead of Chinese history.
• Bonanza’s Pernell Roberts dead at 81 by Kevin Jess: In the sad news department, some talented people passed to the great beyond, including J.D. Salinger and Howard Zinn. Kevin wrote about the TV show Bonanza’s Pernell Roberts dying at 81, and his pithy obit travelled through Roberts’ life, from his acting career to his activism.
• Andy Dick Arrested For Sexual Abuse in West Virginia by KJ Mullins: Oh Andy Dick, what won’t you do? Evidently, stay out of trouble. The outspoken actor was arrested for sexual abuse when he allegedly engaging in “unwanted and uninvited groping of the two victims’ genital areas.” In other words, Dick was getting all pervy and thought it was a funny joke. Let’s see if the judge agrees.
The Top Blog Post of the Week is awarded to Steven Zyan Kain Nickels for his illuminating post on how Abraham Lincoln handled anger management. It was amazing to hear how Lincoln wrote down his letters of frustration, and how Steven emulated this stress-relief method with email notes that he never sent. Read the comments for reaction from Digital Journal members.
