Readings and guests for Wednesday 4-29-09
We are talking with Violet Gonda from SW Radio Africa on Wednesday. Please listen to two broadcasts from their site and give your reactions in the comment section of this entry.
In addition, we will be joined by Denis Burgierman, a magazine editor from Brazil. He’s currently working on launching a new magazine that aims to document youth culture in the country. Before that, he was the editor-in-chief of one of the most popular magazines in Brazil, as well as a best-selling author of the nonfiction book “Pirates at the End of the World.” He has given us a translated chapter from that book to read.
Please come to class with questions for both Denis and Violet
In addition, our talks with Denis and Violet will allow us to also engage in a conversation about press around the world and how it’s different than in the US. Please read the following to help inform our discussion:
The United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights Article 19 states: Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.
But it’s not happening everywhere:
Reporters Without Borders: Press Freedoms 2008 index
Tally of journalists killed worldwide in 2008
Online, it’s no better.
Committee to Protect Bloggers
Chinese blogger beaten to death
Burmese blogger sentenced to 30 years in jail
Case Study: Iran
US Reporter jailed in Iran
Iran: a nation of bloggers
The entry’s I read on the website was the weekend of the 18-19th of April: Building of Zimbabwe and Through the Valley.
The first thing I noticed about the broadcast was the similar format that the United States have. They seem to have similar problems as the United States have on the it’s economy if not worst. I also enjoyed the music in the beginning. I found it very interesting they have a segment towards a poem.
Chris Ross
April 28, 2009 at 8:13 pm
The entry I heard was from the Hot Seat and the host is Violet Gonda. As I heard it, it reminded me of how the interview’s sounded on Chicago Public and on Newsradio 78. They spoke in english and were very clear as they spoke.
She interviewed Ghandi Mudzingwa who was speaking through the telephone from hospital bed and he was a personal aide to MDC President Morgan. It seems like corruption and police brutality is the same everywhere after hearing this interview.
Sonianne Lozada
April 28, 2009 at 8:43 pm
The first entry I listened to was entitled “Letter from America” which was broadcast on Monday, April 27th. The first thing I noticed was its sound production value. I naively thought it may not have been as clear because I assumed the technology would not be as great.
It seemed that the information they were reporting may have been very controversial. They discussed how Zimbabwe was affected by Thbabo Mebeki who was taken out of office early due to corruption. I found the fact that they were discussing this interesting since there have been many horror stories about people speaking out against African leaders and later being found dead.
The second entry I listened to was entitled, “Through the Valley” which aired on the weekend of April 24-25. The show began with a gospel song. The singer was fantastic and I found myself listening to it more and more. I then quickly realized the broadcast was for some sort of church service. It was celebrating the third Sunday of Easter.
I found the service very interesting. Having been raised Catholic, I found it interesting how a mass or service in somewhere such as Africa is not really any different than the masses I grew up attending. I found this to be an interesting sort of almost culture shock.
Sarah Bonkowski
April 28, 2009 at 10:43 pm
I listened to the episodes that aired on April 21st and April 22nd . At first when I noticed each episode was two hours long, truth be told I got slightly apprehensive. I thought that the information must repeat itself. Every morning I watch the morning news and after every other commercial the reporters repeat the news all over again. For a moment, I prepared to be bored but I was pleasantly surprised with the content of the episode.
When I listened to the first episode, the music was blaring, a man’s voice filled with confidence and conviction stated the mission of the independent new radio, “…news you need to hear.” I got a true sense of what is going on in Zimbabwe.
I was amazed with the topics discussed and the people that were interviewed. During one segment the host spoke to a lawyer that represents men who were rearrested. The men were in a hospital at the time of the arrest. The men were political detainees, who were tortured and recovering from their wounds they endured while in police custody. The lawyer for the accused, could not give the reason why the men were rearrested. I found this story partially interesting because no one including the lawyer can justify the arrests. This segment carried over to the next day. When I heard both episodes it reminded of WBEZ.
I liked the local perspective and feel to the broadcast. I also enjoyed the tone and vibe from the hosts. The hosts were engaging and brought an element of compassion to each story.
Crissy
April 28, 2009 at 11:17 pm
The first entry I listened to was “A Letter from Zimbabwe,” which aired on Friday, April 24th. I was intrigued with this broadcast right of the bat. The broadcaster’s voice is almost memorizing, and makes me want to listen to the broadcast. I was especially intrigued by the character that she added to the broadcast to make it personal and unique. The title was even clever; Honey Comb Home. I was also impressed with the quality of the podcast.
After listening to “A Letter from Zimbabwe,” I decided to listen to “Heart of the Matter 090409,” as well as, “Gerry Jackson – Women are from Venus – 191208.” I was just interested to see the variety of styles that SW Radio Africa provides. I love music, so listening to the podcast of music was relaxing.
Overall, I really think that SW Radio Africa has some pretty interesting podcasts. I love seeing different cultures express their individualism.
Kendra Callari
April 28, 2009 at 11:25 pm
The first broadcasts I began listening to were not in my native language, so I was rather confused! Then I found the broadcast for the 20th of April. The opening music is very soothing, and makes me feel lighthearted. It sounds like the music of one of my friends, who is a singer from Kenya. At times, it was a little difficult for me to understand the broadcasters, but this program was not made just for me! It lends to America’s influence that so many countries are learning English. I also notice America’s interconnection in the mention of Hillary Clinton and Mercedes-Benz. It is interesting that they also discuss an ‘economic rescue package’.
The reporting format was similar to NPR’s. Everything was relevant and serious. There is much emphasis placed on the government’s actions in these broadcasts I enjoy how the news is presented as part of a continuum, rather than the latest novel or breaking story. I also listened to a weekend broadcast from this past weekend, the 25th and 26th, as well as Healthbeat. I sometimes wish there was more journalistic interest in maintaining everyday health in America, beyond the superficial. It is sad that a lack of means of transportation and access to healthcare is still a roadblock in curbing the cholera outbreak.
Previously, I never would have pondered the radio and journalism scene in Africa. Listening to these programs has expanded my view, and I now wonder about the format in other countries.
Alexandra Laman
April 29, 2009 at 12:38 am
I listened to Through the Valley, and I like how it opened up with music and I expected for it to sound totally different, and I didn’t know that their technology was this good and they speak English just as well as I do. I also listend to Rebuilding Zimbabwe which I also found very intersting. It was just really cool to hear broadcastings from another country and you can kind of get a feel of what is really going on over there.
Erica Elleby
April 29, 2009 at 7:28 am
The first entry that I listened to was Diaspora Diaries and it was aired on April 10, 2009. This broadcast was about rights for Zimbabawaens rights in South Africa because most of them that live in South Africa as of now are living there in exile. While I was listening to that I started to think that this was a similiar situation that United States was having with People crossing at the borders illegally. It talked about how the people were constantly being exploited and for sex and labor. It also talked about how women were being raped. This is very disturbing to me how people take advantage of power. I really hope that the the people of Zimbabwe get the rights that they deserve as people because no matter how a person entered a country it does not mean that they should have to live like that and mistreated. This was an entry that moved me the most because people as a whole don’t seem to be sympathetic towards these peoples situation. Also this was a story that opened my eyes and let me know that things that I hear are going on in America are not just happening in America people are mistreating and abusing people all over the world. What makes people think this behavior is ok? I don’t understand why we have to always pass a law for people to have rights. What happened to treating people like you would like to be treated? Who came up with these ideas?
As a radio show I feel that SW Radio Africa is not only interesting but it is also informative and lets people know what is going on. The only problem that I had was when I first started listening to the broadcast it was hard for me to understand what they were saying but as I listened for a longer period I became use to their accent and it was easier for me to understand what they were saying.
Sherri Williams
April 29, 2009 at 7:43 am
I listened to “a letter from Zimbabwe” and thought it was very interesting. The way that the broadcaster told the story made it so much more interesting to listen to. After a little while of listening to that I found myself wondering what else this station broadcasts and really wanted to try and look up more.
After “a letter from Zimbabwe” i decided to listen to Through the Valley. I really liked the feel of the story because of the way it was told and the music that backed it. It was really interesting to listen to something so soothing over a broadcast.
Overall I liked them quite a bit.
Amber's photo essay
April 29, 2009 at 8:18 am