Do we really have freedom of speech?

The Constitution provides for freedom of speech and of the press, and the Government ‘respects’ this right in practice. An independent press and a functioning democratic political system combine to ensure freedom of speech and of the press.

However, the recent firing of Fazeer Mohammed as co-host of the morning programme on the Government-owned CNMG television station is the latest manifestation of the damaging scrutiny of freedom of speech in the country and the ills faced by those in the media.

So why was Fazeer fired?
Fazeer’s dismissal follows an argument on the morning show First Up with a Cabinet Minister about Prime Minister Kamla Persad- Bissessar being in a leadership position.

What happened to freedom of speech?
Aren’t journalists allowed to be free to report the news and voice their opinions since the Constitution allowed freedom of expression?


So, my fellow bloggers, I put two questions to you:
1. Do you believe the real reason behind Fazeer’s firing was because of the cost cutting exercise taking place at the company?
2. Do you truly believe that we are free to exercise our freedom of speech and expression?

The Shade Issue

We all see the advertisements on the TV, in the newspapers and in magazines. But there is something about these ads that don’t fit right. Have you ever noticed that these ads only cast people of a particular colour skin tone????? What is the colour of the Sacha cosmetics girls? They majority of them are light skinned. Anyone who examines entertainment and news media will notice that dark skinned persons are inadequately represented in the media. The mass media does not know how powerful they are and then by casting only light skinned models in their ads, they are making skin tone a requirement for and are contributing to the negative stereotypes that many dark skinned people face on a daily basis.
Stereotypes act like codes that give audiences a quick, common understanding of a person or group of people. Imagine you’re going for a stroll and because you have no milk in your coffee,you get comments like, “it’s night smile, so I could see you” or “ you better don’t fall in the pitch lake you know, we might be able to find you”. Some might get names such as toolum, sunburn, earth, pitch and blackie pookie. Or you meet this real hot guy. I mean gorgeous, ambitious hardworking, educated and has a JOB only to be told that you are no competition for the other girl. She will get him because she’s a “reds”. It’s not fair. And too make matters worse, if they didn’t feel that kicking you down was enough, they further slap you in your face by introducing bleaching creams. A study even showed that males evaluated light-skinned females higher on physical attractiveness and more favorably than dark-skinned female models because of these ads. So this is my question.
Do you think that the media contributes to theses stereotypes by only casting lighter skinned models in their advertisements and making dark skinned people feel insecure about their colour?
And do you think that if the media casted more dark skinned females in their ads, darker skinned person would “get more attention” from their male counterparts.

Sex & Social Media

They were told $40,000.00 and instant fame. All they had to do was perform a few sexual favours in front of the camera, and everything else will flow.

Some people call them stupid, naïve, sweet, hot, crazy, gullible, baddest. Just as the zip file or folder that their videos came in was named (1 whores).

The man in front and behind the camera also took some bashing; all the comments led to the size of his manhood, and the words he used to lure these girls into pornography. All this could have been seen by just clicking on a short link that included the words ‘media’ and ‘fire’ to download.

The media held the rod of correction over their heads, with posts upon posts, comments after comments, every Tom, Dick and Harry shared a view.

However, when I said media, it wasn’t the regular traditional media, no, this was the newest and fastest growing media of the 20th century; social media.

Almost 90% of the world population has access to any one type of social media, such as facebook, twitter & My Space, so I guess these girls, these ‘Trini girls’, are now worldwide celebs.

But was it right for persons using different social media (who can also be viewed as citizen journalists), to repost or resend these files to others? Didn’t the bible say ‘he who is without sin cast the first stone’? So why are we judging? Why are we encouraging it by reposting?

Or is it that the shocking imagery of these girls, forced us into a verbal trance, that we deemed it news worthy. And because it was so news worthy that the creator or heads of these social media did not need to censor or delete these footage from inception?

I am still not sure, can you tell me?

Who's Music?

An Above 'Normel' Day

Five COSTAATT Students wanted an A. Well everyone knows that-lecturer-whose-name-I-shall-not-call does not give those. These 5 students were given a 40% project to work on, to write a blog. A blog with "something to do with social media". In addition to this they were to find innovative ways to promote this blog.

Students listen attentively during "A 'Normel' Housewarming"
Photos By JB Photography

A "Normel Housewarming" was to be an event to assist with all of the above. A simple program with a theme which could never be emphasized enough. The program began with opening words from the COSTAATT Guild President, Mickel Garraway. After this Ken Sambury, one of the organizers, welcomed the gathering and introduced The Head of the COSTAATT Communications Department Ms. Clarinda Jack . Both Ms. Sophia Edwards and Ms Clarinda Jack spoke from a lecturer's perspective, about the reasons why they added the Course "Communication Via Social Media" to the college curriculum.

Karel Mc Intosh

Then the first feature speaker, Karel Mc Intosh shared her knowledge on social media from her experiences. To start she gave the history of her latest project, Outlish.com. She explained that even before the website was up and running she had hundreds of fans on the Outlish.com facebook fan page. She explained that she met many of the individuals who have assisted her with this project through social media. It was most remarkable she said, that the reason she was speaking at COSTAATT was because she developed a friendship with Ken Sambury through a bloggers meet-up earlier this year. To cement in the minds of the audience the power of social media she explained how several different individuals from several walks of life have been able to harness this power to create greatness. She spoke of Gary Acosta, the popular spoken word artist who has been able to use his talent and now has produced an album, has done several shows and has received support from major brands such as Red Bull Energy Drink. Another noteworthy example was that of the "trini puppet master", Roger Alexis who was simply doing a project for school, looking for no fame. And someone discovered his video after four months of it resting on youtube with minimal views. According to Karel, his video exploded and thanks to facebook and youtube over 800,000 people have seen his videos. His youtube channel alone has 763,681 Total upload views. That is according to the last census, half the population of Trinidad and Tobago.

Buhwhamoder listens attentively as Ken Sambury asks a question

The second feature speaker, Buhwhamoder Latchmanpersadsingh kept the crowd in stitches. This comical character, the brain behind the fiercely popular Trini Slap Chop Parody was eager to share his lifestory. He spoke of his journey through life, dropping out of school during form 3 to sell doubles. His opinion is that anyone and everyone should do their own thing and forget asking for handouts and depending on other people. For him harnessing the power of social media was his way out of doing his own thing. He explained that spontaneity has kept him going and social media only showcased his true personality. Now he will be sharing his spontaneity to Trinidad and the World for Carnival 2011.

Buhwhamoder and Kadiela Mcsween Perform during the info session

Students had an opportunity to ask questions and Buhwhamoder matched these with comprehensive answers. When asked on his opinion of Traditional Media by Trini Corner House blogger Kaelanne, he heralded youtube as the future and didn't comment on his thoughts of print, radio and television. He gave the students a quick dose of his slap chop song and Kadielia Mcsween danced the slap chop dance briefly before the close of the info session.

A Normel Housewarming is TOMORROW!

This is a Trini Corner House info session. Welcome to our Living Room. This is an Open House & Discussion on the Power of Social Media hosted by 5 COSTAATT Undergraduates. Trini Corner House examines media related issues, which we notice and give our opinion on what we see. We pride ourselves on missing nothing, as from the corner house one can see "everything".

Featured Speakers: Buhwamoder (trini SLAP CHOP video guy), Karel Mc Intosh (CEO of local online magazine, Outlish.com)

The Event will also feature a word from the Guild President and Ms. Sophia Edwards, a full time lecturer of the course "Communication via Social Networking"

Location: COSTAATT City Campus, Downstairs lobby\Cafeteria Area

Time: 12pm-1pm

Date: Monday 6^th December, 2010

See updates here in this blog and check http://www.facebook.com/costaattevents for more info!

CEO and Editor in Chief of Outlish Magazine
will be a Feature Speaker see: outlish.com for her latest work!

Blue Whale Bus in my head like Gun

No, this isn't a line straight out of a 1990 Rambo Film, or something uttered just under the breath of a Sci Fi Thriller. That was what we heard playing from a passing car which so conveniently slowed down outside our corner house.. The lyrics I heard were: "grab up ur crotches, sidong on the body, what u say; "U love sausage?" white girl c it and say "what that is?" "

Do the Gully God and the Gaza General have more say than Kamla and our Laws or the Pastor and his Bible? Isn't it remarkable that you actually know who I am referring to by saying "Gully God and Gaza General". Is mainstream media filtering to the masses what it should or are they subject to the whims and fancies of the cultural or genre trend setters? Are local trends just as eye opening?

Which thousand words does this image convey? Considering the dictionary definition of "thug" is an aggressive and violent young criminal. And also considering the fact that this individual is singing to us as we speak (turn on the radio and see for yourself) TELL US: Which thousand words does this image convey?

What ever it is, as far as I am concerned. I do not know what a blue whale is, nor how it could possibly "bus in my head like gun". But somehow the media has in bedded in my head that this phrase is catchy and must be listened to. Maybe I may be nieve and in religious denial that had their existed no media I may have fallen in love with that said tune. Whatever it is, I personally believe the masses, more particularly the female masses should not be encouraged to "cock up your foot like clothes on the line".


Have a listen:





Read some Lyrics for yourself:
http://vybzkartel.net/2010/04/vybz-kartel-grab-up-yuh-crotches-lyrics/


Tell us what you believe? Is it Radio Teenagers, Brainwashed Adults?

Social Media for World Aids Day

From inside the house we could tell it was world AIDS day. Never before has their been so many updates and posts about getting tested. Looking out the window the sidewalk now in the shadow of that mobile health clinic and the line stretches around the corner. Ken just wanted to see what's going on, but the line blocked him. Where is marypoppings when you need her to clear the corner?

The caption of this video is : "Watch our new video explaining why universal access to HIV prevention, treatment and care is the key to ending the global AIDS epidemic. Includes single by Sdia." What is remarkable is that a key point in "access" is awareness. Especially in Trinidad and Tobago, many free HIV and AIDS drugs exist but I am sure you, the reader is unsure where to access these.

Social Media is actually key in the campaign of (RED). (RED) is not a nay fly by night partnership charity company. According to Wikipedia: "Product Red, styled as (PRODUCT)RED, is a brand licensed to partner companies such as Nike, American Express (UK), Apple Inc., Starbucks, Converse, Bugaboo, Penguin Classics (UK & International), Gap, Emporio Armani, Hallmark (US) and Dell. It was founded in 2006 by U2 frontman and activist Bono and Bobby Shriver of ONE/DATA to engage the private sector in raising awareness and funds to help eliminate AIDS in Africa"


This is one opportunity we can applaud the media, and this is an excellent example of the power of the comman man, the power of blogs such as these and the power of social media in general. The facebook fan page spareheading the slogan: "Aids Free Generation due in 2015" has reached over 600,000 world wide. And 44 of my friends from right here in Trinidad.


I turned the world Red today. I am using Media as my catalyst to change the world, what are you doing with your day?

Ken Sambury TURN THE WORLD (RED) FOR WORLD AIDS DAY, DEC 1.

http://f.joinred.com/nJJ
Last year nearly 1/2 million babies were born with HIV. By 2015, that number could be zero. Change your profile picture to a (2015)RED image and help turn Facebook, and the world, (RED) for World AIDS Day. http://f.joinred.com/nJJ

Turn the World (RED)

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