E.J. DE LARA WRITES – Looks like “The Rocket” didn’t take off, at least not in Laos. Authorities have banned the distribution and showing of the internationally acclaimed film, which exposes ongoing problems in Laos caused by residual effects of the Vietnam War and government exploitation of the poor. According to the…
Full Article POVERTY PROJECT: Laos Film ‘Rocket’ Soars Everywhere But HomeAuthor: E.J. De Lara
EJ de Lara is a Senior Political Science and Sociology double major who is very passionate about social justice causes and is involved with various organizations on campus such as Delta Sigma Phi fraternity, Resident Housing Association, Christian Life Community, ASLMU, and Filipino club Isang Bansa. In his free time he loves to do community service at Homeboy Industries and Dolores Mission and bases his service to others on Father Greg Boyle's philosophy, "Kinship is not serving the other, but being one with the other".
NEW ZEALAND: New Media Rule Sparks Controversy
E.J. DE LARA WRITES – Imagine giving popular blog sites such as Perez Hilton and Just Jared the same legitimacy as newspapers. The New Zealand Press Council, the self-regulatory body that resolves complaints involving the press, has made this idea a reality by announcing its decision to allow digital media,…
Full Article NEW ZEALAND: New Media Rule Sparks ControversyNEW ZEALAND: Work Issues Should Not be Reported to Unions?
E.J. DE LARA WRITES – Unions and the media are not the place to report work related issues. At least that’s the message the Philippines ambassador to New Zealand recently delivered. The New Zealand Scoop reported that during a meeting with Filipino migrants, the Ambassador of the Philippines, Virginia Benavidez, made a controversial statement…
Full Article NEW ZEALAND: Work Issues Should Not be Reported to Unions?NEW ZEALAND: Spying Here, There, and Almost Everywhere
E.J. DE LARA WRITES – Several reports have criticized New Zealand for its intrusion of privacy. Many have raised concerns over Parliament passing a bill for the Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB) – the intelligence agency of the New Zealand government – to spy on people with a search warrant.…
Full Article NEW ZEALAND: Spying Here, There, and Almost EverywhereLAOS: Crusade Against Christians, but Only a Concern in the US?
E.J. DE LARA WRITES – This past September, several villages in Laos have gained media attention from Catholic and Christian outlets for isolating and evicting Laotian Christians. Laos, known for being predominantly Buddhist, has avoided religious conflict until recently. Human Rights Watch for Lao Religious Freedom reported that several villages…
Full Article LAOS: Crusade Against Christians, but Only a Concern in the US?NEW ZEALAND: Diving into an Ocean of Telecommunication
EJ DE LARA WRITES – New Zealand is taking the plunge into a deep sea of possibilities for research and telecommunication development with its new submarine cable plans. On October 26, the New Zealand Government signed a deal with Hawaiki submarine cable for 15 million. With this plan, Hawaiki plans…
Full Article NEW ZEALAND: Diving into an Ocean of TelecommunicationNEW ZEALAND: Threat to Net Privacy Appears
E.J. DE LARA WRITES – Imagine any phone conversation, text message or other form of communication people use daily. Now imagine a law that lets Big Brother monitor it all. Throughout June, New Zealand Prime Minister John Key pushed for a new bill that would essential do that — allowing…
Full Article NEW ZEALAND: Threat to Net Privacy AppearsLAOS: Worries for Laos
E.J. DE LARA WRITES- Recently, the Laos National Assembly approved the construction of a $7 billion railroad that would extend to the China border in Luang Namntha province. The railroad was supposed to be a joint project between Laos and China until China dropped out last year fearing a lack…
Full Article LAOS: Worries for LaosNEW ZEALAND: All In For The Media
E.J. DE LARA WRITES – After more than two years of study, a New Zealand commission says a single body should handle Kiwi media complaints, whether they target broadcast, print or online entities. Under the recommendation, three current media bodies would be replaced by a single “News Media Standards Authority”…
Full Article NEW ZEALAND: All In For The MediaLAOS: Not Even Faint Praise for the Dams
Resources and Environment has also entered a partnership with the International Finance Corporation to create more sustainable ways to promotes socio-economic development. With this new partnership, the Vientiane Times has reported that Laos has the potential to build more than 100 dams on the Mekong River. Vientiane Times also interviewed…
Full Article LAOS: Not Even Faint Praise for the DamsNew Zealand: Government Tries to Blow Smoke from Tobacco Dangers
Known for its green and environmentally friendly efforts, the New Zealand government is at it again, trying to enact policies that are not only “good” for the environment, but also good for the people. First Target: Tobacco companies. Influenced by the Australian government’s recent introduction of “plain cigarette packaging,” the…
Full Article New Zealand: Government Tries to Blow Smoke from Tobacco DangersLAOS: When the Governments Says It Knows Nothing …
In the past two months, the disappearance of Sombath Somphone, a well-known activist and NGO leader, has garnered international media attention. The Laos government is being urged to do a more extensive search on the whereabouts of the missing activist. It’s a very good thing the world media is so…
Full Article LAOS: When the Governments Says It Knows Nothing …NEW ZEALAND: Green for Profit?
New Zealand’s popularity as a tourist destination relies on its natural beauty and flawless scenery. The Government has chosen to market itself to tourists on this basis, with a clean, green brand. However, according to the New Zealand Herald, the Government has not been supporting the green brand like it…
Full Article NEW ZEALAND: Green for Profit?