Media & communications - openDemocracy (Page 141)

Does the government need new internet surveillance powers?

The UK faces a range of cyber threats to its security – including terrorist cells, child pornography and cyber-crime. Are they enough to justify extending the government’s powers of online surveillance?

By Gilbert Ramsay

/ 21 Jun 2012

From 'special interest' to public interest: minority programming and the BBC’s democratic mandate

One of the BBC's most lauded strengths is its ability to tailor programming for its audiences' special interests. The future DG should attempt to harness the ethos of this diverse and high quality output with a view to rebuilding the institution's democratic vision.

By Jamie Mackay

/ 15 Jun 2012

BBC beta – Any better?

The latest incarnation of the BBC website is a revealing insight into the institution's changing priorities. But what does the new, stark layout reveal about the influence of Government policy on public service broadcasting in the UK?

By Sam Caleb

/ 13 Jun 2012

Global, independent, watchdog media is good for business. And enlightened business should support it

Independent media throughout the world - but especially in the emerging world - is having to re-invent its business models. At the same time, the business sector benefits directly from the honest public sphere that watchdog media creates. There is room, therefore, for imaginative business solution

By Mark Lee Hunter

/ 10 Jun 2012

Trust, universalism and funding the BBC: video highlights of a debate with Greg Dyke

Video highlights of a debate over the future of the BBC with Greg Dyke, Lis Howell, Liz Forgan, Helena Kennnedy, David Elstein and Anthony Barnett, on trust, legitimacy, universalism and how to pay for them regarding Britain's public service broadcaster.

By Anthony Barnett

/ 9 Jun 2012

The BBC must join the fight for internet freedom: an open letter to the new DG

In an open letter to the BBC's future Director General, Nick Fraser, editor of the internationally renowned documentary series Storyville, calls for an embrace of online resources as the focus for a renewed strategy to defend liberty and assert long term vision.

By Nick Fraser

/ 7 Jun 2012

The age of impatience: towards a democracy of instant gratification?

By definition democracy is a permanent deception, as imminent problems are made manifest and no immediate response is offered to them. Moreover, pressure of this sort can only become stronger as the grass always looks greener on the other side of the web.

By Ivaylo Ditchev

/ 5 Jun 2012

Deal Or No Deal: the Murdoch factor and our democratic deficit

Whether you believe there was an overall agreement between the Tories and News Corp (as Anthony Barnett does) or not (David Elstein's view), the underlying story of the failed BSkyB take-over is that Rupert Murdoch's great skill has been to fill the vacuum created by the feeble structures in our m

By David Elstein

/ 5 Jun 2012

Some people, Mr Cameron - the Murdochs and a Satanic deal

Cameron has again denied any 'great conspiracy' between the British government and the Murdochs, despite accusations by 'Some People'. Anthony Barnett, who counts himself in this group, sets out why the pact was doubtless Faustian, and the denial heaping insult onto injury.

By Anthony Barnett

/ 31 May 2012

Government by corporate text messages: what is left of the British constitution after Leveson?

The picture of collusion between the Cameron government and Murdoch's NewsCorp is enough to make you LOL - or cry. A British citizen is aghast.

By Stuart Weir

/ 27 May 2012

Twicktivism: could the illusion of power be potent after all?

The criticism of clicktivism may be well founded - that it is a substitute for action, a feel-dummy that makes life easier for the perpetrators of injustice. The author reflects on his participation in recent bicycle activism to offer the optimistic twist that an illusion of power could give peopl

By Julian Sayarer

/ 24 May 2012

Fukushima: rumours, emotions and Rousseau’s general will in the digital age

In the digital age, how does government deal with rumour in a crisis? After Fukushima, the anti-rumour strategies of the Japanese government led some to question which party, the masses or the government was more involved in the dissemination of rumours. Dominant political thinking considers rumou

By Fabian Schäfer

/ 17 May 2012