New Delhi, May 14 (IANS)
A month after his 15-year association with The Asian Age ended,
eminent journalist and author M.J. Akbar's new political magazine
Covert hit the news stands Wednesday.
'The ideology of the magazine is the
ideology of my own profession - journalism. There should be space for
every viewpoint as long as there is logic and rationale and it is not
a rant,' Akbar told IANS. The first issue of Covert begins with
Akbar's 'Byline', a column readers looked forward to when he was
editor of The Asian Age.
In his 'Byline' for Covert, Akbar has talked
about political wannabes like Akhilesh Das, former MP from Uttar
Pradesh, and Hillary Clinton, the 'woman who wanted White House', as
well as Mayawati and her constituency of Dalits, who the author says
are the 'blacks' of India. Akbar has also talked about himself and his
brief stint in politics. 'I am familiar with the face of defeat - not
least my own in 1991, when I failed to get re-elected in the general
election, during my brief departure into politics,' Akbar has written.
The magazine was launched Tuesday night at a quiet party at his
office, attended by his numerous political and media friends. Priced
at Rs 20, the first issue of the 72-page fortnightly covers a range of
subjects - the Congress party's strategy in the 2009 Lok Sabha
elections, a cover story indicting Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar
for concealing the enormous wealth he has amassed, a column by
Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) general secretary Prakash
Karat stating why his party was not a 'stooge' of China.
Covert has on
board 18 columnists, including its chairperson Akbar, editor Seema
Mustafa, Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP's) former minister Yashwant
Sinha, former MP and party-hopper Arif Mohammad Khan, former Rajya
Sabha MP and columnist Kuldip Nayar, adman Suhel Seth, former Central
Bureau of Investigation (CBI) director Joginder Singh and activist
Teesta Setalvad.
'The key to this magazine is information which, to me
is critical for my audience. They are decision makers which
increasingly include these days younger people,' said Akbar, the
founder editor of The Telegraph, Asian Age and magazine Sunday.
Norway commits over 3bn/- to independent media By Guardian Reporter
May 10,2008
Norway
will increase funding by USD 3 million to enhance freedom of
expression and independent media in countries of conflict and where
journalists are under threat.
Norwegian Deputy Minister for Culture and Church Affairs Wegard
Harsvik said the Norwegian government was keen to support independent
media efforts in fighting corruption, promoting democracy, good
governance, diversity and cultural tolerance.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the third Global Inter-Media
Dialogue (GIMD) in Bali, Indonesia, this week, Harsvik said
journalists seeking to report truth both in conflict and non-conflict
areas were at risk, thus needed to be supported.
He said in recent years there had been a dramatic increase in the
killings of journalists.
A report issued by Reporters Without Borders showed that last year
alone, 86 journalists and 20 other media workers were killed.
Harvisk reiterated his government\'s resolve to seek appropriate ways
of supporting independent media as an international agenda.
"We will do so together with countries that share our approach," he
said.
The Norwegian government is currently sponsoring media projects in
Middle East and East Africa and will also support the Global
Investigative Journalism Conference to be held in Norway this
September.
He said Norway would also sponsor GIMD on freedom of information which
will take place in Oslo, Norway, in 2009.
The event is being organized jointly by the Freedom of Expression
Foundation (PEN) of Norway and the International Freedom of Expression
Exchange (IFEX).
Speaking at the same occasion, Indonesian Minister for Foreign Affairs
Hassan Wirajuda urged media practitioners across the world to work
towards creating a better world for all by being sensitive to
diversity.
He said: ``A better world will come about when we all have learned to
accept and appreciate the immense variety of the human race.``
The GIMD is an annual event initiated and sponsored jointly by the
Indonesian and Norwegian governments after controversial cartoons
published in 2006 that depicted Prophet Muhammad in an extremely
irreverent way.
The cartoons set emotional reactions all over the Muslim world,
leaving more that 139 people in different countries dead.
This year`s GIMD is being held under the theme `Ethical Journalism in
Extreme Conditions: Challenges of Diversity` and is being attended by
130 media practitioners from 64 countries across the world.
Participants to the meeting recommended that schools of journalism
needed to introduce into their curriculum a subject on reporting with
diversity sensitivity.
"What makes us journalists different from other writers is the fact
that we understand ethics," noted Akbar from
`Covert` magazine
in India.
Akbar advised that training was an important prerequisite in the
develoment of a vibrant media.
Covert to get its first cover story
Ashish Sinha
While doubts are being raised whether there is space for another
political magazine, set to be launched this week, experts are hopeful.
In an era of steadily declining readership of English magazines,
Covert, the new political magazine from noted journalist MJ Akbar, is
going to hit the already crowded news magazine space this week.
Targeted at the upwardly mobile, English-speaking influential decision
makers of the society, the 76-page-fortnightly will begin with
30,000-35,000 circulation and will be priced at Rs 20 per issue.
While doubts are being raised whether there is space for another
political magazine, experts, however, have expressed hope.
The English political magazine market is currently dominated by weekly
magazines like India Today, Outlook, The Week and Tehelka, among
others.
According to industry sources, between India Today, Outlook and The
Week, over Rs 85-90 crore of advertising revenue is generated
annually, even as different suveys indicate a declining readership for
English magazines and newspapers.
More than worrying about the readership, Covert is looking to draw its
own readers through its positioning that will result in premium
perception.
According to MJ Akbar, the magazine will be positioned as a journal
that restores the breath of life to news. "We hope, in Covert, to
tease the truth out of the wrinkles of secrecy. Our mission is clear:
Empower the reader so that he can recognise the powerful," Akbar says
in the introduction to the magazine.
"Though a fortnightly is difficult to produce and sustain, MJ Akbar is
a brand in himself. Therefore, we can expect more analytical and
quality content in Covert," KS Sachidananda Murthy, resident editor
(Delhi), The Week and Malayala Manorama, said.
Echoes Alok Mehta, editor, Outlook Sapthahik. "We are competing with
television and other magazine titles week after week. I wish Akbar all
the best in his endeavour because there is obviously space for a good
quality political product," Mehta told Business Standard.
However, an analysis of IRS from 2006-2008 reveals a steady decline in
the average issue readership from 13.2 per cent in 2006 (over 2005) to
11.6 per cent in 2008 (IRS Round 1) over 2007. Despite a steady
readership decline of both magazines and newspapers, the advertising
revenue of both magazines and newspapers have grown in double digits.
According to experts, this has prompted several leading print media
companies to launch more print titles — both newspapers and magazines
— in recent times.
But according to some of the leading media planners, attracting
advertisers to a new political magazine will be an uphill task
initially.
"Like the English language television channels, the English political
magazines too are sold to advertisers on their perception rather than
the circulation numbers alone. If the magazine is perceived to be read
by the SEC A demographics (Socio Economic Classification) in the urban
market, premium print medium advertisers like educational institutes,
real estate companies, automobile makers and the others will surely
advertise," a senior media planner from a leading media buying agency
said.
However, Akbar is confident of his product. "We will start with some
of the advertisers that have already shown their commitment to us. I
am sure advertisers will follow once Covert is out in the market,"
said the veteran journalist, who had previously launched Sunday
(political weekly) and The Telegraph (daily) from the ABP Group, and
the Asian Age (now owned by the Deccan Chronicle group). He has also
authored several books on major political events affecting India and
the world.
According to industry estimates, the print medium still attracts more
advertisers than television. Last year, while print medium attracted
advertising revenues worth Rs 8,600 crore, television could attract
only about Rs 7,000 crore.
Meanwhile, Covert, like its rivals, is looking at dedicated
subscribers to boost sales. According to sources, the magazine has
already received numerous subscription queries. Its three-year
subscription offer is priced at Rs 1,000 for 72 issues.
Tehelka, another political weekly priced at Rs 10 per issue, drives
its sales through aggressive subscription offer of Rs 300 a year for
48 issues, which otherwise will cost Rs 480 a year.
Consider Tehelka magazine, another political weekly that jostles for
advertisers week after week. According to sources, Tehelka's
circulation is over 110,00 copies while its readership is over 1.2
millions per week with its main readers being the college graduates,
and professionals. "Its not always about getting the advertsing alone.
For any English magazine title, the two most important things are--who
its readers are and whats the positioning. Advertising always follows
the demographic of the readers," says a publising industry source.
MJ Akbar to bring out
political magazine, Covert
New Delhi, May 05, 2008
Mubashar Jawed (MJ) Akbar, journalist, author and former editor in
chief, The Asian Age and The Deccan Chronicle, is all set to roll out
a political magazine called Covert.
A political fortnightly, Covert will hit the stands on May 15. The
title is the first offering under the flagship banner of MJP Media.
Akbar, chairman and director, MJP Media, says, “I have been in
journalism and the media business for long. So, a magazine from me
should not come as a surprise. Having said that, Covert is a political
magazine that is aimed at decision makers.”
Explaining the significance and relevance of the title, Akbar says,
“The name of the magazine is self-explanatory. For us, news is
something that has to be unearthed, to bring to readers something that
they don’t know. Covert will uncover news that has not been covered or
written about. Currently, all other popular magazines such as India
Today or Outlook cover politics, but they are moving towards lifestyle
coverage. I see ample scope and space for a political magazine like
ours.”
Covert is priced at Rs 20. The print run for the magazine is about
25,000 copies. It will be a 76 page magazine in A4 size.
Akbar says, “The magazine aims to inform and educate youth, especially
aspiring decision makers in the political field, to make informed
choices. Currently, a lot of real news, facts and figures get lost in
the dissemination process. Our magazine will attempt to make a mission
statement. Serious politics will be discussed through interesting
columns.”
Citing an example, he adds, “Apart from regular write-ups and columns
by well known writers and columnists such as Kuldeep Nayyar, Seema
Mustafa and Arif Mohammad Khan, we will also pick up non-political
issues, such as interesting topics on social law and so on.”
Akbar is being supported in this new venture by veteran journalist
Seema Mustafa, who will be the editor of Covert. Mustafa says, “I have
known Akbar for long. I have worked with him earlier when he was at
Sunday magazine and The Telegraph. I am excited because the new
working relationship is different from the previous ones. For the
first time, I am working closely with him on a startup project, which
is proving to be an exciting and challenging job.”
For the record, Mustafa had followed Akbar when he parted ways with
Deccan Chronicle and Asian Age. She adds, “Journalism cannot be
practised as a business. As a journalist, I know that I will get to
exercise true freedom and independence under Akbar. So the move to his
publication.”
Akbar and Mustafa agree that the magazine will have a low key launch.
“Any new product or service, to be launched, should make investments
in tandem with the size of the business. There is no point in going
overboard. We will definitely take to promotions and advertising for
publicising the magazine. A few print ads and a viral campaign will be
employed to announce and spread the word about the magazine,”
concludes Akbar. The creative campaign for Covert is being done by
Equus Red Cell.
It's not for media to crusade: M.J.
Akbar 25 April 2008
Celebrated journalist-writer Mubashar Jawed Akbar, better known as M.J.
Akbar to his readers, is looking forward to the mid-May 'birth' of his
new 'baby', Covert, a fortnightly political magazine.
The founder and former editor-in-chief of The Asian Age, arguably
India's first international newspaper, has been in the news lately
following his reported 'unceremonious exit' from the daily that he
founded over a decade ago over reported differences on editorial
policy. But the unpardonable Akbar is no mood to be browbeaten by
these developments. In a freewheeling interview with Khaleej Times, he
lets the words flow on a range of issues, including the recent
controversies, if one may call them so. Excerpts...
Q: Is the institution of editorship
over in India?
A: No, no, no! Let me tell you that the Indian democracy is more
powerful than its temporary rulers. I am not a pessimist by all means.
These are marginal ups and downs. We have to learn to have the
maturity to take it in our stride and carry on. After all, I am
starting a new product, Covert, in three weeks from now (mid-May).
This is all thanks to the vibrancy of Indian democracy.
Khushwant Singh once wrote in his
column that the publishers these days scout for 'office boy' qualities
in the editors...
(Laughs). I suppose it's true of some publishers.
How far is 'corporate globalisation'
impacting journalism today?
Look, you cannot eliminate the role of business interests in media.
It's a reality. After all, media is also a large business. But every
activity has, what might be called, its own dharma (duty), its own
morality. You cannot succeed if you produce a shoddy product.
But is there a clash of interest
vis-a-vis this dharma (publisher vs editor)?
If there is a dispute, it must be resolved keeping in mind that
integrity has to be the goal. That's all. I think the best owners
understand that.
You were here to attend the Arab Media
Forum. There is talk of a lack of freedom for media in the Middle
East. But how free are the media in the societies where they
professedly enjoy unbridled freedom? Are they completely free? Or is
it all about relative degrees of freedom?
Very often one man's freedom is another man's poison. I have no
problem with people holding different viewpoints. I have absolutely no
problem as long as the media expresses, or gives opportunity to,
different viewpoints. One of my columnists in Covert, our new
magazine, said he'd be writing on a subject in favour of the
government, and I said 'yes, by all means!' I have no problem with
anyone supporting any government. All I am saying is that the
government must not stop anyone from writing the opposite (counter)
view. I really welcome anyone supporting the government. Please argue
your case! My job is only to act as a bridge on which a viewpoint
travels from one end to the other — from the source to the audience.
You are largely credited with
establishing new trends in Indian journalism and spawning a new
generation of journalists. Is the current crop as promising as yours?
They are more talented.
And, are they as committed to the
spirit of freedom?
I hope so. (Laughs...) There is this tendency among people to think
that their generation is the best. (Laughs again...) It's not that the
spirit of media is eventually protected by only a few. But all it
requires is a few people to stand up and say 'no, certain things are
unacceptable to us. While we all need and like money, that's not the
sole criterion by which we go'.
Is the print media not getting affected by what is referred to as the
electronic media's 'dumbing down' syndrome? Too many mundane/silly
things hogging the limelight...
I am not worried about that. These are market corrections. A recent
Pepsi ad (sponsored by Pepsi) shows young people taking an axe and
breaking up a television set because it goes on babbling about Rakhi
Sawant (Indian singer-actress known for her off-screen histrionics)
and her kisses and such things. Now, when Pepsi does an ad, it does it
after serious market research. You can see what they are saying. Now,
I like cricket but this third rate overdose... excess always kills
enjoyment!
A media scenario is like a thali (plate of food). It's not a
one-course meal. Like a thali, you need rice, you need some dal
(pulse), and no thali is complete without achar (pickles). All these
Rakhi Sawants and such celebrities are like achar. But you make a very
serious mistake if you think that achar can replace rice.
Talking of the current media scene in
India, is there space/scope for a new 'independent' political
publication/magazine?
I think there is space for not just an independent magazine but also
for independent television, independent newspapers... everything in
media should be independent.
What about a 'fiercely independent'
publication?
There is nothing called 'fiercely independent' or 'tamely
independent'. You are either independent or you are not independent. I
don't believe in media as a crusade. I believe media is for
disseminating truth. That's our job. It's not our job to go into a
permanent war with somebody. I am not interested in a permanent war
with anyone, and certainly not with my government.
All I am saying is that you must have the right to disseminate
something as serious as the nuclear debate (the Indo-US nuclear deal).
I have every right, as an Indian, to offer the alternative point of
view, particularly when such a large section of the media is refusing
to give space to the alternative viewpoint. And I am very happy that
we shaped the nature of the debate over the past two-three years.
These are serious issues. It's not about exposing scandals or doing
invasive journalism. These are matters of national importance; of
sovereignty being compromised in the pursuit of 'x' or 'y'. It's our
job to provide the readers with the alternative viewpoint and then let
them make up their minds.
To what extent should the publishers be
allowed to interfere in editorial matters? Does it call for a delicate
balancing act?
Everything is done through discussions, in any country, in any
reality. All I am saying is that it's the dharma of everyone involved
in the media to agree on one point — that is, irrespective of our
other differences, we'll not compromise on integrity.
You now join a list of illustrious
editors shown the door rather unceremoniously ...
(Interrupts) I have always wondered what a 'ceremonious' exit is like!
(Laughs...) Do you get a wedding party or something like that hosted
for you? All the exits are, I suppose, unceremonious!
So, finally, Indian journalism's loss
is not going be the gain of Indian politics (now that you are set to
launch a new publication)...
There is one school of power which believes that after you've
committed a murder, you must always blame the corpse. Things (rumours
of joining politics) were floated about me. They are most welcome to
float anything they like.
Indo US Relations: An Emerging
Strategic Partnership?
Woodrow Wilson School of Public and
International Affairs and the Research Program in International
Security (Princeton University) has organised an interactive Event
open to the Public and will be held at Robertson Hall Bowl, I. The
Speakers for are:
April 21, 2008 (4-6):
Ambassador Kanwal Sibal, Formerly Ambassador to Russia and France and
former Foreign Secretary Government of India, will speak on "India,
China and Tibet."
May 7, 2008 (4-6):
Vikram Sood, Vice President, Observer Research Foundation, New Delhi
and Former Head of Research and Analysis Wing, will speak on "Myanmar
- Isolation of Choice or Circumstance - China and India make their
moves."
May 16, 2008 (4-6) :MJ Akbar,
Author of Shade of Swords: Jihad and
the Conflict between Islam and Christianity and Journalist (Founding
Editor of The Asian Age) will speak on "The Talibanisation of
Pakistan"
Covert - A new Political Magazine to launch in
Mid May
New Delhi: M.J. Akbar, eminent
journalist and author, is going to launch a fortnightly political
magazine next month.
Titled 'Covert', the news magazine hopes to bring a cutting political
edge back to journalism.
"It will be a sharply political magazine with solid investigative
pieces," Akbar told IANS. He pointed out that in a democracy there was
always the need and the space for fearless political reportage.
"In a democracy you vote. And you cannot vote on the basis of
ignorance," said the former editor of newspapers The Telegraph and
Asian Age and the magazine Sunday.
"We will uncover news, not disseminate information that has already
become limp on the pages of a newspaper or opaque on a television
screen," stressed Akbar.
"I will be funding the magazine from my own resources," he said.
Akbar left the Asian Age in March after a 15-year association.
Source: IANS
M J Akbar's Speech at Riyadh
Conference
Dialogue among Civilizations between Japan
and the Islamic World
-Speech By M.J.Akbar
25 March, 2008 (Tuesday)
Mr Chairman: We are gathered here on an important mission, to continue
a dialogue across the world that can lead to the one vital element
missing in an age that has otherwise given so much to increase the
comfort and creativity of mankind: peace. It is obvious that peace
cannot come without understanding the other, and understanding is
impossible without dialogue. But may I begin by offering the thought
that dialogue is impossible without equality. Nations may be small or
big, rich or poor; societies may belong to civilizations that are old
or comparatively new; the origins of faiths may be lost in the fog of
history or might be dated with accuracy, but we must share one virtue:
we must all be equal.
Without equality, a dialogue is little more than a deceptive
monologue.
What we are hearing today is a monologue dressed up in the feathers of
a false morality. We are at a moment of crisis, and it will not be
resolved by the trumpets of war but through the softer reed of reason
and the generous impulse of reaching out to the Other. The world will
not find peace as long as it is forced to revolve around an Axis of
Evil, or even an Axis of Good, for both are partisan and even
sentimental phrases. The future must revolve around an Axis of Equals.
Today, some voices are more powerful than others, and they are carried
into every drawing room and breakfast table through mass media.
When we think of mass media, we imagine something that is diffuse and
splintered: print, radio, television, internet. In fact, there is
more. A speech is the oldest form of mass media. Orators have
understood the power of speech: it was said of Cicero that while
others might win applause, Cicero made you stand and demand, “Lead
me!” The best generals have won their battles with words that inspired
the spirit before battle began.
There is one thing in common between all forms of media: oratory,
print, radio, TV, internet. This is the word. The key to persuasion is
not technology, but the word.
All manipulation in media is through the massage of words and phrases.
There is no text without context: that is the key to the art of
mind-management.
Let me illustrate with a specific example: since we must live by a
time discipline, my examples will be illustrative rather than
exhaustive.
On the eve of the fifth anniversary of 9/11 President George Bush used
a term, ‘Islamo-fascism’. It was quickly picked up by neocons and
hammered into mass circulation. CNN asked me to comment on it, and the
channel was kind enough to provide reasonable time to do so. I asked a
simple question: how old is Islam? 1400 years. How old is fascism? The
term only entered the international discourse with Mussolini in circa
1920. So whatever else fascism might be, it cannot be Islamic. On the
other hand, it is perfectly true to suggest that some Muslim rulers
might have been fascist. But we do we blame Islam for the sins of some
Muslims?
Do I blame Christianity for Hitler, or the Vatican for Mussolini? No,
because it would be wrong. Jesus never advocated genocide; he in fact
turned the other cheek, according to the Sermon on the Mount. He never
suggested dictatorship; he gave unto Caesar what belonged to Caesar
and unto God what belonged to God. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) gave us
both deen and duniya: the Message and the leadership of
public affairs when he was in charge of the state of Medina. He gave
space to every community, whether they were of the faith or not. It is
relevant perhaps that the only people he could not accept were the
munafiqeen, or the hypocrites.
When anyone attaches “Islam” to a negative term in modern politics, it
can only be because of an unspoken agenda: when the real target is not
the political evil, but to tarnish Islam; an agenda when “West” is
synonymous with everything progressive, modern, scientific and “Islam”
implicitly synonymous with everything that is backward, medieval et
al.
A few other examples, at different levels of virulence, quickly. Take
an innocent-sounding phrase: Islam and the West. All of us here have
surely been invited to some seminar somewhere on the subject. Take a
moment to think about it. The phrase is an absurdity. Islam is a
religion; the West is geography. You can discuss Islam and
Christianity. Or you can discuss the West and West Asia, or the West
and South Asia, or the West and Central Asia, or the West and South
East Asia, or the West and North Africa, with its nuances of
colonization and neo-colonization. But that would make it a very
uncomfortable discussion – for the West.
You can pick up any element around which the dialectic is shaped,
whether cartoons demeaning the Prophet or the hijab.
I have been an editor in India since I was 23, for nearly 35 years.
Freedom of speech is a fundamental principle of the Constitution of my
country. But there is no freedom anywhere in the world that is not
circumscribed by a law of libel. Freedom does not give you permission
for licence.
Where does the principle of freedom go when Muslims ask for freedom to
dress according to their culture in some European societies? I often
joke with my friends in France that if the Virgin Mary – they are
always surprised, by the way, when I point that the Quran mentions
Mary far more often than the New Testament, confirms the virgin birth
and calls Jesus ‘Ruhallah’ – were a French citizen today she would
never have been admitted to a public school. Have you seen any
painting of the Virgin Mary in the vast Christian iconography in which
she is not wearing a hijab? She was from Egypt, and reflecting her
local culture. The real issue is not what you wear, but education.
This is the real challenge: we must make every girl child, and
particularly the Muslim girl child, into an educated, modern partner
of a modern age. Gender equality is a principle of my faith; I want to
see it shine in practice. I don’t care how a girl child comes to
school; I insist that she must be in school and then in college and
then in office and then in every conference like this one.
The father of my nation, Mahatma Gandhi, was the most modern
politician of his time, and he challenged history’s mightiest empire
in a dhoti. In India Hindus and Muslims have lived together for nearly
1400 years, for Islam came very early to the subcontinent, through
traders. It is not a relationship untouched by controversy, but the
story of people-to-people relationships is a far more positive one
than the history of politics. Gandhi defined the meaning of Indian
secularism. In the West secularism is the separation of Church and
State. In India, secularism is something quite different. It is
leaving space for the other to practice his faith as he wishes. We
have freedom and equality as basic and unalterable principles of our
Constitution. Indian Muslims are now the second largest Muslim
community in the world, second only to Indonesia. Muslims and Hindus
have co-existed for as long as Muslims and Christians have co-existed.
Let me just say that you will find no instance of a Dante in Indian
literature. I was delighted to hear, on the opening day of this
conference, that Japan was making provisions for halal meat for its
Muslim children in schools. This is the Asian way, or respect for the
other. We do not arrogate to ourselves the right to superiority; we
have the humility to believe that others too have their rights. It is
the Asian way, and it will protect and nourish this dialogue.
One last point: it is no secret why we are in the midst of a dialogue
between civilizations – because an American thinker, Samuel Huntington
produced a thesis that promised a conflict between civilizations. Let
us examine it from the perspective of text and context.
When was this thesis first published? In the 1994 spring issue of
Foreign Affairs. Why am I so certain? Because Huntington quoted,
with attribution, from an essay I had written a little earlier.
Unconsciously we imagine that Huntington’s work is a post 9/11
phenomenon, but it was developed in an American think tank over two
years before publication. What was the world like when Huntington
decided that “Christian” civilization would inevitably clash with
“Islamic” civilization? It was a time of almost unprecedented
political harmony between the two worlds, when the two were allies in
the Afghan jihad through the 1980s, and when they had stood together
against Saddam Hussein to liberate Kuwait. There was no evidence for a
future conflict.
It was a manufactured conflict.
Where is the mass media that can provide an alternative voice which
can articulate an answer? There is some media, of course; and it is
constantly under pressure: I know that from experience. We need to
expand an alternative media and give it a mass presence; academic
journals are important but they are not enough. Our answers must have
the force of evidence and reason, untouched by hysteria, because we
are interested in dialogue, not slogans. This dialogue must be taken
out of the conference room and offered to the people through new
newspapers, television channels, internet sites and speeches. I
believe that the horizon is within reach – but we still have to get
there.
On
behalf of Prince Saud al-Faisal, the Foreign Minister, Dr Nizar bin
Obeid Madani, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, opened in Riyadh,
the Sixth Forum on "Dialogue Among Civilizations between Japan and
the Islamic World".
The motto of the Three-day Forum is "Culture and Respect for
Religions". It is organized by the Institute of Diplomatic Studies and
The Department of Islamic Affairs of Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Steelrise 2008 - Steel Issues
- By ilaxi
Steelrise, a three-day international conference and exhibition on
steel was held on 27-29 February, 2008 with a panel discussion on
“Social issues converting opportunity into holistic and inclusive
growth”.
The panelists were Sougata Roy, the Bengal MLA, and Vivek Nagpaul,
the adviser on India at InHolland University of Applied Sciences. The
discussion was moderated by Senior Journalist and Columnist M.J. Akbar.
Organised as the
penultimate event of the conference of steel conglomerate from across
the world, the panel discussion tried to address the bigger issues of
steel making from resettlement to tribal displacement, mining lease
and security of the environment.
M J Akbar addressed the social issues and said, these were of critical
relevance to industrial growth. He said, Industrial and Business
organisations had to look beyond balance sheets to the human factor
and how human beings were affected in the process of industrial
development.
Sougata
Roy
stressed on the importance of charting out a road map, taking into
account a large number of factors relevant to the industrial
development in India with tribal areas involved.
Other issues discussed were on tribal welfare projects assuming
importance, peaceful management of their displacement and
rehabilitation, the peaceful handling of land acquisition and the
proper and effective communication of the benefits of rehabilitation
and welfare projects.
Vivek Nagpaul, talked about the need for a road map or a strategic
game plan in which challenges were positively viewed as opportunities
and conflict of interest were converted into meaningful partnerships
for development. He stressed the importance of clearly knowing the
framework within which industry had to operate, particularly with
regard to environmental issues, rehabilitation and relocation
policies, empowerment, and rural entrepreneur ship projects.
(In the News)
Is India More Equal Than the United States?Inequality
is important, but the way we measure it is stupid.
By Mark Gimein
Consider two facts about India. Fact No. 1: Every year, nearly
4,000 people die
in the Mumbai commuter train system, most because they fall out of
overcrowded cars in the cheap standing-room carriages, or try to
hold onto the outside of the train to avoid paying the fare.
The State of the Google
First-quarter
revenues strong; economic apocalypse averted.
By Chris Wilson
In late February, an Internet analytics firm claimed that slightly
fewer people were clicking on Google ads. Investors and analysts
saw this as a sign of the end times—that perhaps even Google
wasn't immune to the nation's mega-recession. Slate
contributor Henry Blodget called it a Google Disaster.....
Why are World Leaders Boycotting the Opening Ceremony of Beijing
Olympics
The opening ceremony of the Olympics is hard to take seriously. In
the past, the gala has featured such highlights as a parade of
athletes marching to disco hits of the 1970s, a troupe of
bicyclists imitating Capt. James Cook's Endeavour, and skating
coyotes. Most years, the only excitement is seeing who will get
the honor of lighting the all-important Olympic cauldron.
Cloudy Judgment
Web-based applications are all well and good, but there's still no
beating the desktop computer.
By Paul Boutin
I had just finished a Photoshop how-to for Wired when the
software's maker announced a new free online version,
Photoshop Express. Great, I thought: Instead of telling
readers to spend 100 bucks,
Links
that stink on News sites Grumbling about the misuse of hyperlinks
on news sites.
By Jack Shafer
When Vannevar Bush first dreamt of
hyperlinks
back in the 1940s, surely he envisioned something tidier than the
link riots that erupt on many of today's Web pages.
Cartoonists' take on Al Gore
I am a Super Alternative!
NEWSWEEK TOP TEN
WASHINGTON POST - IRAQ NEWS
M J AKBAR "QUOTES"
For
reasons that need not detain us, I must say farewell. I was under
the impression that I might have been able to do so with more
grace. But judging from this morning edition of our paper, it
seems I might have overstayed my welcome… We may not have been the
biggest, but we held our head high because there was one
nonnegotiable asset in our family: we could not be bought. We were
independent. We were free. We held our head high. Never let your
head stoop, not as long as you are a journalist
Got an iphone? Cracked the
code? Well, however slow Edge surf, I can still check on my
sites any time of the day. But than, heard of Jailbroking
iPhone? You can install an application that allows to
install and enjoy 3rd party applications.....
Donate & Support for a Cause!
"Zakat
means Purification & growth Muslims make 2.5% Charity to
the poor and needy
every year. This is Almsgiving as per the
Quran 9:60"
For
reasons that need not detain us, I must say farewell. I was under
the impression that I might have been able to do so with more
grace. But judging from this morning edition of our paper, it
seems I might have overstayed my welcome… We may not have been the
biggest, but we held our head high because there was one
nonnegotiable asset in our family: we could not be bought. We were
independent. We were free. We held our head high. Never let your
head stoop, not as long as you are a journalist
