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by Nina Somera

Jordanian media practitioners and activists have been caught by surprised when the King and his cabinet refused to issue licenses to 13 community radio station, including one run by women last 29 January 2009.

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by Nina Somera

The United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) has launched its newest publication, Progress of the World's Women 2008/2009, Who Answers to Women? Gender and Accountability?. The report provides an assessment of each Milennium Development Goal (MDG), using a gender lens. Moreover, it places emphasis on the role of duty bearers, particularly the state in ensuring women's exercise of their rights and access to resources.

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by Liang Jun* and Cai Yiping

November 26, 2008 was just another auspicious day in Chinese lunar calendar. Yet hundreds of jubilant guests and spectators congregated at the square, at the heart of the Zhoushan Village, Henan Province in Central China to witness an unusual wedding ceremony: The bride who was born and grew up in this village would receive her groom. The marriage ceremony would take place in her village. Once declared wife and husband, the newly married couple would live with the wife’s parents.

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by International Freedom of Expression eXchange

Foreign journalists are now being let into war-ravaged Gaza, only after Israel declared a unilateral ceasefire, International Freedom of Expression eXchange (IFEX) members report.

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by Nina Somera

In Thailand, the new year was not only ushered by a new set of politicians but also proposals. Among them is the application of lese majeste laws in cyberspace. With the king as the most revered figure among the Thais, the country actively implements lese majeste laws on content and actions that are otherwise disrespectful of the monarchy. In Thailand, lese majeste offense has a penalty of 15 years imprisonment.

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The World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters (AMARC) is set to provide a wide coverage of the World Social Forum (WSF), slated from 27 January to 1 February 2008 in Belem do para in Brazil.

Through the “Radio Forum”, AMARC members and partners especially from Latin America will perform documentary work and provide commentaries on activities that will take place at WSF 2009. Designed to enhance information exchange, the Radio Forum is open for community, free, citizen, independent, alternative and popular radio stations, networks, associations and collectives. Radio broadcasts and podcasts will be available in English, French, Spanish and other languages and may be downloaded from the Radio Forum website, http://www.foroderadios.org