ACOMSDave

Community Journalist

Archives for 2024

“World Press Freedom Index 2024”

By Leave a Comment

 

 

"World Press Freedom Index 2024"

In a summary of a report by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), “World Press Freedom Index 2024”,  has stated that more than 50% of the global population resides in countries classified as having a “very serious” press freedom situation, according to Reporters Without Borders (RSF)’s 2024 World Press Freedom Index. This alarming statistic highlights the dire circumstances faced by journalists, with individuals in these regions often risking their lives and freedoms to report the news. Presently, 36 countries—up from 31 in 2023—are marked in red on RSF’s press freedom map, indicating severe restrictions, including five of the world’s ten most populous nations: India (159th), China (172nd), Pakistan (152nd), Bangladesh (165th), and Russia (162nd).

Recent elections in these countries have underscored the extent of press freedom violations, with governments exerting control over information and resorting to violence against journalists. For instance, China remains the world’s largest jailer of journalists, while Russia has introduced laws to suppress dissent ahead of its own elections. In Bangladesh, journalist safety deteriorated amidst political turmoil, and Pakistan’s media censorship intensified during election campaigns. In India, disinformation campaigns and harassment of journalists have escalated as Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeks a third term.

RSF emphasizes that the coming year poses risks for information freedom, as 76 countries with a combined population of 4.1 billion are set to hold elections, creating fertile ground for government manipulation of news. The situation is already tense in other populous nations like Mexico and Indonesia, highlighting a worrying trend for media freedom worldwide.

The report calls on the 36 countries categorized as having severe press freedom issues to address and rectify these obstructive practices.

 

Links:

Jack Daniels has bowed under pressure!

By Leave a Comment

Jack Daniels, the US beverage brand (whiskey-maker has bowed under pressure and announced (supposedly to Robby Starbuck) that they have decided to drop diversity, equity and inclusion programmes.  This affects the 5700 employees of the Brown-Forman Corporation which has the Jack Daniels brand, and has an impact on the wider population of the USA and the world.

This is yet another example of how the (far) right of American politics is seeking to isolate the LGBTQI+ community.  Also, look at the link I have provided about Florida quietly pulling LGBTQ+ travel info from the state website.

 

See the article in the Pink News:

Jack Daniel’s scraps diversity initiatives in face of anti-LGBTQ+ pressure

Jack Daniels Photo by <a target=

Business owners who cater to Florida’s LGBTQ+ tourists said Wednesday that it marked the latest attempt by officials in the state to erase the LGBTQ+ community.

Ed Reynolds – Artist – About Belfast

By Leave a Comment

I was animated to see Ed Reynolds, the artist, painting live in the venue of 2 Royal Avenue this week.

Ed Reynolds’ work depicts the city of Belfast in a dynamic essence through a fusion of traditional and impressionistic views.  

Because he is painting live at 2 Royal Avenue, his exhibition is dynamic, it is bright, cheerful and full of surprises.  I wonder if you will recognize all the buildings and locations he has used, and in some cases merged.

The exhibition is on until July 22nd 2024, come along, see Ed Reynolds at work, enjoy the paintings, have a coffee and relax and if you are fortunate you will have a pianist playing some wonderful music.

 

Links:

 

Ed Reynolds - 1

10 Year Strategic Plan [2024-2034] – The Arts In Northern Ireland

By Leave a Comment

Good evening everyone

The Arts Council for N Ireland launched its ’10-Year Strategic Plan [2023-2034] – TheArts In Northern Ireland’ in January this year, with it closing its doors for comments in early April for comments.

Unfortunately, I only got to hear of it after the comments closure, so I have decided to put my thoughts on it here:

I’ve now read with interest the 10-Year Strategic Plan [2024-2034] – The Arts In Northern Ireland, but I believe that a fundamental area is missing, that is education in schools. Yes, various organisations have put in place band-aids to try and help the flow of art education, i.e.

  • Creativity and the arts in the curriculum
  • Creative Schools Programme

but fundamentally the problem is that the Government (both in Westminster and at Stormont) does not value the Arts (unless they are paying for expensive seats in theatres etc) and the Art in Education in particular.  In the past the ordinary person had access to arts both in terms of going to watch and listen, but also in terms of participating in locally run courses in schools and colleges. (both for academic qualifications and also for personal development).  Organisations such as the Workers Education Association (now defunct in Northern Ireland,  due to government funding being withdrawn for all of its huge range of courses (including e.g. Fiances for running WEA Groups, Finances for Homesheds (both of which I have written courses for)); or the Crescent Arts Centre, which like so many other organisations have had successive cuts to its finances, and has had to reduce its offering accordingly, but manfully keeps on trying.

Art education is fundamental to all of us and the desired outcomes such as personal development or entrepreneurship cannot develop without that continuance from Primary to High School.

If you check the current University of Ulster’s  School of Art, its courses range from BA, BDes, MA, MFA; I believe that before it became a university it offered courses of a shorter period which enabled people from other walks of life to dip into art and develop abilities – university degrees are not for everyone, and indeed generally cannot be afforded by most!

I have discovered several avenues for my art, Dermot Cavanagh, a local artist who runs courses locally and online,  and also Art Class Belfast, but it took time and no little effort.  I know that there are amateur art groups such as:

and they do a wonderful job, but some would like the regime of a classroom environment with a teacher.  I did check an online GCSE in Art costs £999 over two years – more thought needs to occur within the Arts Council, and the government needs to do some proper joined-up thinking = something which it has lacked for the last 10+ years.

 

 

 

10 Year Strategic Plan [2024-2034] - The Arts In Northern Ireland

Art Class Belfast

  Learn To Paint Dermot Cavanagh