When I called my mother last week, she said everybody is worried because of the increase of ‘al-lasiqa,’ a term I have not heard of before I left Baghdad in July 2006. I asked what that is and she said it’s a sticky bomb usually put under the car.
For those who do not know what the sticky bomb is, read this New York Times articleabout it and how insurgents are using it in Iraq.
Last night my employer the International Center for Journalists (ICFJ) held its annual Awards Dinner. Several awards were granted to some outstanding journalists who covered wars, disasters, and government abuse all over the world.
The International Center for Journalists is a non-profit, professional organization that promotes quality journalism worldwide in the belief that independent, vigorous media are crucial in improving the human condition. Aiming to raise the standards of journalism, ICFJ offers hands-on training workshops, seminars, fellowships and international exchanges to journalists and media managers around the globe.
At the Awards Dinner, pioneering editor and free-press champion Aliaksei Karol of Belarus and human rights investigative reporter Frank Nyakairu of Uganda received Knight International Journalism Award. And the London Bureau Chief for The New York Times John F. Burns received the ICFJ Founders Award for Excellence in Journalism. Christiane Amanpour presented the keynote address and ABC News’ George Stephanopoulos was the master of ceremonies
In honor of Burns, the ICFJ decided to offer a financial award to an Iraqi journalist who covered the war and proved excellence in his/her career. When the ICFJ Vice President asked me my opinion during the preparation for the dinner, I couldn’t but think of Jehad Ali. As a cameraman for the Iraqi state television, Al-Iraqiya, Ali roamed the streets in search of stories along with the channel’s reporters. One day and as he was going to work a group of armed men cordoned off the street and started shooting at him. As he fell wounded, one of the insurgents wanted to finish him off. Bullets penetrated through most of his body leaving him very close to death.
I knew about Ali through the CPJ which posted his journey from Baghdad to the United States to have certain surgeries that cannot be done in Iraq due to the collapse of the health and medical system there. Although we are an organization that basically deals with training opportunities around the globe, I thought that by giving Ali the award we would be saving his life to bring him back to his job. That, I considered, was similar to training him to work again.
When Jehad’s name was announced in the Awards Dinner, I felt very proud. It was not because I chose him, but because there are people who do appreciate the danger and the risk Iraqi journalists are going through every day in their lives. I felt proud because I’m from a country where people are brave, a country that has journalists like Ali, Salih, Othman, Khalid, and many others.
Now with Ali receiving his award in honor of John F. Burns, it has become an annual thing where every year an Iraqi journalist is going to have the opportunity to receive a fund to be trained in journalism. This left me extremely happy and grateful to all of the efforts that are being done to make journalism in Iraq move towards the right path of quality journalism.
On November 10, 2008, Pakistani president Asif Ali Zardari approved the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Ordinance 2008, a new law to combat cyber terrorism in his country.
"Whoever commits the offence of cyber terrorism and causes death of any person shall be punishable with death or imprisonment for life and with fine and in any other case he shall be punishable with imprisonment of either description for at erm which may extend to ten years, or with fine not less than ten-million rupees, or with both."
"Any person, group or organization who, with terroristic intent utilizes, accesses or causes to be accessed a computer or computer network or electronic system or electronic device or by any available means, and thereby knowingly engages in or attempts to engage in a terroristic act commits the offence of cyber terrorism."
As far as I’m concerned, I believe that this law is one of the good means in combating terrorism. We all know how the internet played a big role in spreading terrorist propaganda and how powerful this means is. So having it criminalized might help limit such acts and also lead to catching terrorists.
However, this law might be used for other means. It could be used in restricting the freedom of people using the internet and give excuse to authorities to monitor people’s personal emails or get access to their computers.
I hope such laws will be considered in other countries, but they should not violate the personal rights of the regular citizens as it will turn into censorship, not terrorism combating.
Like millions across the world, I was glued to the TV last night. CNN did an incredible job in covering the elections night. When Obama was announced the elect president I jumped off the couch and the first words I uttered were, “I have a huge respect for this country.”
Indeed, Obama’s victory was a victory to the entire world that has become fed up and tired of Bush’s policies. Looking at Obama taking the stage and addressing his supporters in Chicago left me with a great feeling that this man changed the history of America. Now change can be good and bad. Bush and his administration did their part (bad of course) but Obama represented the good change. He wrote history like Martin Luther King and the founding fathers. All I could think of at that moment was how great the American democracy is and how the American people moved to the next step which should have been done way earlier. Nevertheless, they did it. They forgot about their race differences and finally voted for an African American. American democracy has entirely become the model of all democracies around the world.
Obama’s speech was very moving. The very first sentence made me respect him even more.
If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible, who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time, who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer.
Last night’s victory was indeed the answer to all those who had ever suspected American democracy. As for McCain, as much as I didn’t like him, as much as I highly respected him after hearing his speech. I commend him for his respectful speech. His words showed he was not a loser but someone who truly loves his country.
There are no enough words to put on this thread. So I’ll just say that last night was a historic moment not only for the United States, but for the entire world. I am glad I had the chance to witness that great event in my lifetime. The entire world looks to America differently now. They see the new great, bright face of America, not what they used to see for the last eight years. Obama’s victory brought the world together to love America again.
Last night my employer the International Center for Journalists (ICFJ) held its annual Awards Dinner. Several awards were granted to some outstanding journalists who covered wars, disasters, and government abuse all over the world.
Like millions across the world, I was glued to the TV last night. CNN did an incredible job in covering the elections night. When Obama was announced the elect president I jumped off the couch and the first words I uttered were, “I have a huge respect for this country.”