Blogging and Free Speech

Since I started contributing at the CPB site, I have been struck by the length people would go to stop others from airing their views.  It is very sad indeed that there is even a plan in Iran to pass laws that would sanction the execution of bloggers deemed errant.

TechCrunch today wrote about the dangers of blogging focusing on the WIA report in which 64 blogggers have been arrested so far world wide.  There are more of these cases than one might think and the funny thing is that it is not only, so-called dictatorial governments that arrest or threaten bloggers and website publishers but also individuals and otherwise democratic and free societies like Canada.

Such a sad state of affairs.

New Blogging Gig

I musy say that I am proud to be joining the Committee To Protect Bloggers as a contributor.  The site is one that aim to report and does indeed report on threatened bloggers and threats on bloggers all over the world.

With governments slowly realising the power of the www they are slowly but surely clamping down on freedoms of speech.  This through various means, like blocking access to sites, jailing activists and some even passing laws which all but criminalise blogging.

I thank Curt for taking me on and hope this partnership will be mutually beneficial and will strengthen the cause.

If you have any info on the same feel free to write to me or Curt.

Cheers

Facebook Re-union

Recently I got a message from a former schoolmate of mine who we had recently hooked up on facebook.  I had not seen him for like 10 years.  Now we are planning a reunion of sorts, contacting all our mates, hoping to see each other finally at the end of this month.

 

This got me thinking of the benefits from new media, I am sure if it was not for facebook I would not have met many of my old classmate again.  Not because I do not want but how to do it.

 

I have also met made many new friends on twitter, came across many opportunities which would have otherwise went past me.

 

What I am saying it that new media has made the physical boundaries and limitations non existent.  Picture this with snail mail, you’d write a letter then wait like two weeks for it to arrive, another week for the recipient to write out his reply and another two weeks for it arrive.  Now contrast this with the instant response you get.

 

Extrapolate this to commerce no more waiting for payment cheques, quicker and faster decision making processes.  The multiplicity of ideas, you can go on and on.

 

I am worried though that, Kenya, might be left behind as the world moves on technologically; there are some chaps who seem averse to technology.  You know thing are not going wrong if a company is still using typewriters and all and not for the lack of money.

 

Rather than digress, I would like to tell all those chaps who I was with in primary school, if you manage to read this head over to facebook and let’s link up.