Reporting on press freedom around the world. A new film exposes secretly gay Republicans. Cheerios health claims get chewed out by the FDA. These are the top stories gaining attention around the world.
Citizen journalism flourished on DigitalJournal.com, due to the extra effort exerted by Digital Journalists who wanted to learn more about their particular beat.
KJ Mullins attended a panel discussion on stem cell research, and penned a thorough report on the insights imparted by these researchers. She also imparted some interesting thoughts about the fears of stem cell research: “Take a kitchen knife. It is useful in the kitchen but can also be used as a deadly weapon. We don’t blame the knife.Stem cell research is the same. The benefit is worth more than the harm.”
Moushumi Chakrabarty went behind the press release to find out more about the decline in press freedom around the world. She didn’t just discuss the report’s findings, but also interviewed PEN Canada about imprisoned bloggers and spreading awareness about this important issue. Great job, Moushumi.
In the heart of Lyon, France, Michael Cosgrove related an underdog story of a shopowner trying to keep his 200-year-old cafe alive amid money-hunger developers. He was adept at reporting everything in full detail, and offered some useful quotes to supplement the article.
And in arts, Alakananda Mookerjee gave readers a funky tour of a pop artist’s philosophy. She profiled an artist who took stock of everything she did every day, translating that idea into art pieces. As the Digital Journalist explained: “[The artist’s] focus has changed direction from centripetal to centrifugal. It’s not the self—but rather the outside would—that she turns to for inspiration.”
Many other major stories are popular on DigitalJournal.com, including:
• Roxana Saberi Freed from Iranian Prison: An uplifting story for any reader following this tale of imprisonment, hunger strikes and injustice. Iranian-American journalist Roxana Saberi is now out of an Iran prison and spending time with family in Vienna. Once she reaches American soil, expect the news hounds to be clamouring to sniff out a story about her ordeal.
• White House Aide Resigns Over Air Force One New York Flyover: Remember the PR debacle when an Air Force One jet flew over New York? The aftermath reveals that a White House aide resigned and said “the controversial incident made it impossible for him to serve as the leader of the White House Military Office.” Ouch.
• Researcher claims Swine Flu may be a result of human error: One of our top medical reporters, Bart B. Van Bockstaele, was quick to report on breaking news this week about an Australian researcher claiming swine flu might have begun in humans. But WHO is rejecting this “lab-made” theory, saying “the evidence suggests that this is a naturally occurring virus and not a laboratory derived virus.” Who do you believe?
• More Than Third of Republicans Want Their State to Secede from US: Republicans are more likely to want their state to secede from the U.S. compared to Democrats, Digital Journalist Carol Forsloff told us. And we Canadians thought only Quebec talked about secession.
• U.S. Soldier Kills 5 of His Comrades in Iraq: A horrific story out of Iraq details how an American soldier went berserk and killed five fellow soldiers. He has been arrested and detained, but no word yet on the man’s motives.
• ‘Outrage Film’ Gets Republicans Out of Closet: A film that reveals the homosexual secrets of prominent American politicians? It doesn’t get juicier than Outrage, a documentary about Republicans who rail against queer rights while secretly living as closet homosexuals. Outrage is churning some controversy with its subject matter, and once it is widely released it could be the talk of every dinner conversation.
• FDA Busts Cheerios For Cholesterol-lowering Claims: Sorry, Cheerios, your health claims are no longer valid. So announced the FDA when it said General Mills couldn’t market a cereal that purportedly can “lower your cholesterol 4% in 6 weeks.” What’s next, Fruit Loops saying it can help cure TB?
• University Requires Students To Buy iPhones: Is it a dictatorship or just keeping up with the times? Columbia University is requiring its journalism school freshmen to bring an iPhone to school in the fall, KJ Mullins wrote. Back in our day, it was all about getting the right textbokos. Now these CU students have to dole out extra cash for a smartphone and a pricey contract. Something’s fishy here.
• Vancouver Canucks eliminated by Chicago, Sundin eliminated too?: Always on top of hockey news, Digital Journalist Nawest Vasquez explains how the Canucks got the boot from the NHL playoffs and why he thinks forward Mats Sundin may also exit stage left, too. He ends the article with a tender parting note: “If last night was goodbye, regardless of the jersey, thanks for the memories, Mats.”
TopFinds Awards
The honourees of this week’s TopFinds Awards attracted impressive attention and widest readership. Digital Journal thanks the following Digital Journalists with Awards for their passion for covering the top issues of the day: Nawest Vasquez, Bob Ewing, Bart B. Van Bockstaele, M Dee Dubroff, Michael Cosgrove, Sandy Sand, Sandy Sand, Moushumi Chakrabarty, Carol Forsloff, Alakananda Mookerjee, and KJ Mullins.
The Top Blog Post of the Week goes to Janice Ambrose for publishing a harrowing tale of being assaulted and robbed in South Africa. She spared no detail in describing her assailants, what rushed through her frantic mind and the assault’s aftermath. Kudos to Janice for being brave enough to recount the attack to her friends on DigitalJournal.com. The blog’s comments show how supportive our community can be.
