BC Media

Happy New Year

2007-01-11T10:43:00.000Z

Dear all

Finally, a post in 2007! I have to say that it is very dark and wet and dreary in Edinburgh at the moment. I don't know if any of you had white, snowy Christmas or New Year...I suspect many of you won't! But it would be good to hear how you are getting on.

And yes, I am bringing up GlobalEyes again. It would be good to have a theme for the next issue before I head to Malawi in February. Then when I come back in early March I will pull it all together.

So - any thoughts? It can be anything to do with democracy and participation. I think the two big themes here at the moment would be voting - we have an election in May, and many people in Scotland do not vote. The lowest turnout (the areas where fewest people vote) are often the poorest and most deprived areas, where there is high unemployment. Young people in Scotland, and the UK in general, also do not vote. While many young people feel very passionately about some issues - the war in Iraq, the environment, and so on - they are not engaged with party politics.

We did cover this theme in Issue 3, but it might be interesting to hear about it again from a wider group.

The other major theme for everyone seems to be climate change. After all, we are all global citizens, and even if we don't feel passionately about party politics, we may be very engaged in the wider debate about the environment. One person's actions, whether in Scotland, Denmark, Hungary, Egypt, Argentina...can have an effect on people on the other side of the planet.

So it might be interesting to hear what is happening in your part of the world. What are your governments doing? Are they providing leadership? Or is the push for change coming from NGOs? From young people? Are people voting for Green parties?

It would be good if we could decide by the end of next week. I think I will cheat and email this to everyone as well...

Let me know how things are - and post some pictures of your Christmas/New Year/anything you like!!

Chris

Season's greetings

2006-12-26T17:15:00.000Z

Merry Christmas to everybody!
Szonja

GlobalEyes

2006-11-24T14:58:00.000Z

Issue 5 should be appearing in your inboxes about now. Thanks to all those who contributed. I know how busy you all are - I know the feeling... I hope that some who couldn't write this time will be able to do so in future.

Which brings me on to what you think would be good to cover in the next issue. It's quite some way off - we're talking about February/March. I'll be in Malawi for most of February, so either the first week Feb or the first week March.

Anyway, have a think about what's interesting and we'll see if we can come up with a theme.

Best
Chris

Team spirit!

2006-11-14T19:22:00.000Z

Hello again

2006-11-06T15:02:00.000Z

Hi all

I'm just back from a week off in London, visiting my sister, and have returned to a mountain of emails...
But I have just enough time to appreciate the new picture up there, and to remind everyone that it would be great to have something from you for the next GlobalEyes.
I'll post again soon with some rather more lucid comments (I hope).

Hope everyone is well; it would be good to hear from you.

Best
Chris

BC Media

2006-10-23T11:26:00.000+01:00

BC Media
Hi everybody!!
In the next days I will download some pictures to the blog, so you can remember some happy moments. First one: the new marlboro man.
Cheers
Ricardo

BC Media

2006-10-23T11:23:00.000+01:00

BC Media

Feedback

2006-10-10T15:33:00.000+01:00

Hi

Just wondering what everyone thought about the last issue of GlobalEyes. Although I put it together, it does belong to everyone, so let me know what you think about the design, layout, content, length and so on. I'm more than happy to discuss changes.

I'd also like to hear from you about the next issue. I'm hoping to publicise the next GlobalEyes and draw attention to the thinking behind the subject by writing about it in our next British Council Scotland e-newsletter. I'd like to be able to include some extracts from your articles. So please could you get in touch and let me know that you are going to write as soon as possible.

I'll be on holiday for one week at the end of the month, so the sooner you let me know, the better.

Please keep using the blog and sharing your news and thoughts - or let me know if it's not working for you.

Chris

We have a winner...

2006-10-03T15:52:00.000+01:00

...for the quickest ever entry for a GlobalEyes! Step forward Szonja, who has already submitted an article.
We've had some positive reactions to the theme - to coincide with the International Day to mark the fight against Violence Against Women - and we have not had any negative reactions. So I hope that means we are mostly in agreement.
If that is the case, then I would appreciate your stories by 10th November. Any images that you have would also be gratefully received.
I hope as many of you as possible contribute - remember that your stories are being read all over the world. You can highlight what you think is important in your country and give voice to your thoughts and ideas.
Email me if you have any questions, or, even better, put your questions up here and see what sort of response you get from your international colleagues.

Best
Chris

Hungarian situation

2006-09-29T20:13:00.000+01:00

Some of you might wonder about what is going on in Hungary right now - so her is a bit of update added to it. Things have calmed down a lot, so there are no more protestations during the night so violently. Instead there are people still before the Parliament, and they still talk there and demonstratte all day and night long. They have distributed food freely, but it is finished by today. We will have the local governmental elections on sunday, it is interesting what will happen on the square then, tomorrow and on Sunday, as there are such principles that there can be no publis talking on politics on the day before the elections and on the day of the elections... We will see how it works out.
Once more: I like the idea of the new Global Eyes. How long the article should be?
I have changed my name a bit, but I guess you still know who is talking here... and if you feel like you can pay a visit at my new personal blog too:)

BC Media

2006-09-27T10:48:00.000+01:00

HI EVERYONE! I THINK THAT I HAVE A HUMAN STORY ABOUT WOMAN, VICTIM OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. SO I THINK IT WOULD BE INTERESTING TO COVER ALL ARE STORIES WITH EXEMPLES, IF ALL OF YOU AGREE.
MARIJABC Media

HELLO

2006-09-26T10:18:00.000+01:00

HI everyone,

I am now checking my post on the blog , i wish it works
mona

GlobalEyes Issue 4...

2006-09-25T15:58:00.000+01:00

...is out now!

I emailed everyone today (Monday 25th), so I hope you have all received it. Congratulations to all the contributors. I hope you also like the updated style.

If by some chance you haven't had the new issue, let me know.

I'd be keen to hear what you think of it: how does this group's experiences compare to your memories of Scotland?

I've also emailed to say that as the new issue is out, that means we have to start thinking about the next one...the following is taken from the email I sent on the subject:

At the evaluation discussion in August, the participants in the latest media programme discussed what subjects could be covered in the next issue. When we were talking about what date Issue 5 would come out, the fact that November 25th is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women was raised. If the newsletter could be targeted to come out on that day, the topic could be around women and democracy, especially the subject of women who face violence.

Themes that could be covered included: domestic abuse – how is this subject addressed around the world?; trafficking of women, especially for prostitution; citizenship status of women, especially those who are trafficked; the human rights of women, again especially of those who are bought and sold; the fight against violence against women in war zones. These are just a few ideas we covered. We all agreed it would be interesting to get a global picture of the situation.

So – what does everyone think of this as a topic? Could you provide a story on the theme from your country? Or your thoughts on one of the topics? If we have agreement on that theme, then the deadline needs to be 10th November at the latest, for your articles. Any images would also be welcome (pictures from demonstrations etc). Let me know your thoughts as soon as possible – I look forward to hearing from you.

Chris

From Hungary...

2006-09-23T21:53:00.000+01:00

Dear All,

after Chris was so kind and caring to ask about how we are here in Hungary are, I almost feel obligated to try to tell you what is going on here - as much as I understand.
The whole thing had started just this Monday I think (I was on holidays in Africa so I did not even knew what is going on...) as a tape came to public with a speech of our prime minister. In this he told that they have fucked up everything (he did say it literally) and that they haven't done nothing with the government for past 4 years (they were re-elected just this spring). He told as well that it is a miracle that our economy did not collapse so far and stuff like that. since many people are against him and the government it all had lighted a fire and demonstations have started. The protestors took the hall of the national TV channel for a night and caused big damage, I think abuot 200 protesters were arrested in the days since Monday. Almost every night there are such riots on the streets of Budapest, and there are small demonstrations in bigger cities. People want the government go, but they do not want to resign. Plus there will be local governmental elections just on the 1st of October that makes everything even more complicated. The big problem is that many people kept telling that what the government does is wrong, and that we are in very bad situation, and they have kept denying, and finally we have learnt that it is true, and that they have lied. Noone knows how that tape went to public and who wants to take advantage of it.
In fact I feel safe now here at home - I live quite close to the Parliament where there are protesters ever since it all ha started, but if you do not go around that area, and if you do not go there esp in the night, it is OK. So far. We do not know how long it might last and what will happen in the end....
I must admit that I personally do not like our government, I did not vote for them and I really hated all that they have done in past months: higher taxes, lower salaries, paying for university for everyone (before that you haven't had to - I know in many other countries it is not like this, but here it was) and other bad stuff. But these demonstrations are really scary and I do not thinl that these will make the government go....
I will keep you uipdate with our news, if anything crucial happens. Thanks you for thinking of us:)

Pictures

2006-09-22T09:21:00.000+01:00

The group at Britannia Spice for the farewell dinner. Kim's missing so I guess she's behind the camera.

The group with Farah and me - I think Ricardo must have taken this one...

Two days after the coup

2006-09-21T17:47:00.000+01:00

Dear All,

Thanks to every of you who were worried about me. Thanks for every e-mail that you guys dropped me. Really appreciate that.

As you all have already heard, a swift and peaceful coup took place on Tuesday night, Thailand time. No single violent incident. Instead of feeling scared, people came out on the streets, greeted the soldiers with flowers and took pictures with the tanks!!

As a journalist, this is an exciting time. On Wednesday, I was at the Army headquarters with at least 200 other journalists to cover the press briefing by the coup makers (CDRM). You can read my story here: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/09/21/headlines/headlines_30014216.php

More info can be found on www.nationmultimedia.com

Everything returns to normal today except that you see more soldiers on the streets. There are also soldiers guarding my office, or rather our TV station.

************************

What happened in Thailand might sound scary to you. The military coup is never a right thing. Political conflicts should be resolved in a democratic way, you may think.

To me, certainly the coup doesn't sound good, but when something is needed to be done to save this country, perhaps a coup is the best option we have. Thaksin has abused democracy and crippled every possible democratic channel that could get him out of the power. As I have told you, he (used to) own a TV channel, had strong influence over the election committee, constitutional court, army and police, not to mention the MPs and Senators. He was the one who left this country with not many choices.

By getting Thaksin out, we could have a new start. It's a dark spot in our history but in the long run it might be for the better. Some said this coup will drag the country backwards. I'd argue that letting Thaksin running this country will be even more disasterous.

However, we must not take the coup for granted. CDRM leader insisted that the group has no intention to run this country, and has promised to give us a civilian government in two-weeks time. My job as a a journalist and citizen of this country, is to keep a close look on these guys and make sure that they will return the people's power back.

Despite history says no military has ever returned power back to the people without bloodshed, I have 'faith' that these guys will be different. At least they have shown one good sign - a press conference!!!! Never seen such thing before!!

There are many people who disagree with me (including my Thai friends). So feel free to discuss with me :) I'll be more than happy to hear your comment.

All the best,
Yong/Sopaporn

PS. My e-mail is sopapornkurz@gmail.com. For MSN Messenger, please add me by sopaporns@hotmail.com

Colleagues in Hungary and Thailand

2006-09-21T16:45:00.000+01:00

Hi

I have been in touch with Yong and Szonja and they are both fine. Although they both have a lot going on at the moment with the situations in their countries, they have both said they will try to keep us up to date via the blog when they can.

Chris

New success of Vietnamese media

2006-09-18T10:17:00.000+01:00

Hi, everery one. How are you? Let's see our success story

"Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has decided to revoke state funding for an English training course in the UK of former Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Minh Hien. The decision was made at a cabinet meeting held on 15.9.

In early September Mr Hien came to London to attend a four-month English course. After the course, he will stay in the UK for one month more to research higher education in this country.

The problem is the whole expenditure for Mr Hien’s five months in the UK comes from Project 322, including GBP2,000 for the English course, $860 of stipend per month for the first four months and around $3,000 for the last month.

This is considered the exceptional case since Project 322 was implemented in 2000 because to receive scholarship from this project, candidate must be less than 50 years old while Mr Hien is 59 now. And Project 322 only finances state officials to research foreign culture and languages at the level of master and doctor degrees, not to ‘improve foreign language skills’ like the case of Mr Hien. After six years of implementation, the project has never funded any case like this.

After media discovering Mr Hien’s trip, The PM revoke the funds allocated already to Mr Hien’s course".

I don’t know how he can live in UK for 6 months without sponsor. Hihi

Desperate plea

2006-09-15T14:22:00.000+01:00

Dear all

Hope everything is good with you. GlobalEyes is coming along nicely - just waiting on a few more articles. Thanks to those of you who explained that you will be a little late - not a problem.

The 'desperate plea' of the title is for pictures! If anyone is able to a) post some on the blog b) email me c) put them in a virtual album like Yahoo Photos, I would be very grateful. It will help with making GlobalEyes look good and it will also mean I have a visual record of the programme.

The other option, if you have photos on a CD, is to give them to your contact at your local British Council office, and they can get the CD to us.

Please keep posting - let us all know what you are doing, where you are travelling, what you're writing about at the moment. Any notes, queries, thoughts or comments appreciated.

Chris

From Nguyen- Vietnam

2006-09-11T04:11:00.000+01:00

Hello my dear friends,
I jush came back hom a week ago and I have been so busy. Wish all of you be safe turning back home and.... writing something for our blog. This is my writing below:

Journalism ethics and standards include principles of ethics and of good practice to address the specific challenges faced by professional journalists. Historically and currently these principles are most widely known to journalists as their professional "code of ethics" or the "canons of journalism." The basic codes and canons commonly appear in statements drafted by both professional journalism associations and individual print, broadcast, and online news organizations.

While various existing codes have some differences, most share common elements including the principles of "truthfulness, accuracy, objectivity, impartiality, fairness and public accountability" as these apply to the acquisition of newsworthy information and its subsequent reportage to the public.

In modern world, journalism ethics play a more important role. In a more interractive working enviroment, when journalists can receive more information from various sources, he or she must be impartial and truthful in reporting the news. Besides, in a world with abundant media agencies like nowadays, people become more influenced by media, and that is why journalism ethics need to be appreciated and put in practice.

2006-09-08T10:04:00.000+01:00

hello my dear friends, wish u all returned back home safely, miss u

this is my article, i don't know how to classify it, but what i can say is i really feel it

yours sincerely
omneia

Actually places don't differ a lot for me, its people, especially when you spend a week with them. It was just one week, and as usual when you feel you begin to get used to the group, you can cope, cooperate and enjoy your time, you suddenly and unfortunately realize that clock strikes to go back home, you hurry up to exchange details with an innocent promise to keep in touch.
chatting, having fun and going out with people grown up in a different society with a different culture and religion, making fun of each other, makes time so interesting, even if it took very short time to know them and u don't even have any idea if you are going to meet them again or not, and most probably the answer is not.
This trip loaded me with broader horizon for others, may be because the topic of the festival of politics was "religion". I've traveled abroad more than once and dealt with many foreigners but I can say it's the first time to meet Europeans and Asians following what's happening in the Middle East and Arab world, may be because of their work as journalists and reporters, regardless they can't till now understand our culture.
I learnt
· how media is very much capable of changing our minds, way of thinking and attitudes, simply "our world"
· Tolerance and understanding of others is indispensable in this world
· Difference between you and me doesn't mean you are wrong, and we must be sure there can always be a compromise
· Convincing others by a certain idea or principle depends to a great extent on the personality of the speaker and his way in introducing his ideas to the others using body language ,"it can be a matter of acting"

Edinburgh looks like London but more beautiful with its splendid mountains. The Scots are very nice, helpful and friendly and of course it’s good luck to visit Edinburgh in the week of festivals
One day I was having a walk with Mona in royal mile, we saw a guy standing in front of a panel with some stickers talking about Christianity. Near from him a beautiful girl with a very calm face approached us as we were crossing to give us some papers she was diffusing, at first we thought she needed donations, so we left her but when we noticed the guy with the panel talking to people about Jesus, we just returned back to the girl- her name is "Corrina"- to find her still looking at us and as soon as we approached her she asked: from where are you? What's your religion? And we began talking about god, Christianity and Islam, it seems she didn’t believe in god before, she admitted she committed great sins then finally returned back to god and worked for the church or as she used to name it "serving Jesus", we had a long chat which lasted more than an hour but passed as if it was a moment, she gave us the testament in Arabic, we exchanged emails and phone number, and we took pictures. At that moment when we were searching for a person to take us a picture, "Jim" appeared, a very polite, nice, broadminded and intellectual guy who was attracted by Mona's veil and asked me of course why don't you wear it? He had very good information about Islam but not very exact one about our culture, we spoke about religions and politics, he said he is Christian, believes very much in his religion and respects ours, he believes the strong ties between United States and Israel would last long because it's based upon 'Christian Zionism".
After spending more than two hours and a half – which were really interesting and beneficial – with Corrina and Jim, I started shaking hands with Jim and he kept looking at me with anxiety while shaking hands and said: do you shake hands! I said yes, so he smiled saying oohhhh it's my first time to shake hands with a Muslim girl and asked if he could make it again!, so I laughed and understood how far the distance is between us and the west, and how sometimes the main task of media becomes "delusion".
I liked so much the Balloon play and I was astonished to find “faith” winning at the end which means or as I understood the Scots are religious or may be they didn’t find anything else deserves to vote for! , also it was weird finding Arts failing from the first stage.
I must admit that some events were interesting, inspiring and creative will others were boring and encouraged me to sleep with a satisfied conscience.
Well I’ll always remember the elegant Marija with her decent smile, the arrogant Ricardo which I do believe he is broadminded and his arrogance is false, sopaporne with her very nice reactions and impressions, hospitable Rhona and Kim, the so kind Vietnamese Tham and Phan, the funny Mussalem and friendly Milad, thanks a lot for helpful Christine and Farah.
Some may think I knew Mona from a long time, but I would say I saw her for the first time in the airport, yes I felt I knew her from a long time, I do believe we dealt in a way bolstering this impression and I’m sure and hope we continue in the future.
Last but not least I can’t ever forget Zsombor eyes when he was just saying goodbye.

Thanks
Omneia from Egypt

BC Media

2006-09-07T10:34:00.000+01:00

Hi! I am back home finally. I had a beautiful weak in Edinburgh and I just want to thanks all the people who was there with me for a great company.BC Media

First attempt to blog

2006-09-05T12:38:00.000+01:00

Hi everyone,

I humbly apologize for taking so long to blog in some words:) My name is Petra, turned 23 just some time ago, political science student in Zagreb, Croatia-hopefully not for much longer. Am working on my thesis; actually pretending to work at this stage. Keep doing anything but the big stuff (I like to think of myself as an activist!). Yesterday I met the Danish prime minister! Sorry, Rikke, he took only 3 questions and the the place was packed, so there was no time to pick his brain on the state of the Danish economy:)
More importantly, there is this man in the Danish protocol, who is a Brad Pitt look-alike (Rikke, please investigate into this, by the name of Rasmus:)
Seriously, I took part in the Media Training last year, and I loved it because I hope to do some media stuff myself one day, and some of the stuff I'd learnt at the Festival of Politics about the state of the British media turned to be quite helpful. At the moment I'm investigating into scholarships for postgrad studies in Europe and the States which is more work than I'd ever imagined. By mid-December I will have hopefully turned in all of my applications and start looking for a more serious job.
Big kiss to everyone I know, and to this year's participants: I hope you had as much fun as we did! And learnt as much, of course:)
P.

2006-09-05T10:33:00.000+01:00

Following on from the last post - this is the best group picture I've got, and it's a bit on the dark side...

And finally...

2006-09-05T10:26:00.000+01:00

Dear all

Sorry for not posting sooner - I had a couple of days off and have been busy ever since clearing up things here and there...and planning more media events.
So I hope everyone who was here in August is home safe and sound. Please do put your thoughts up on the blog. I would also make a special plea for some pictures - mine are all fairly terrible...It would be good to see a picture of August's group up here.
I'm sorry to have to remind you about deadlines, but I need articles for the 'Edinburgh special' GlobalEyes by Friday. I have one already - step forward, Kim! - so I look forward to the rest.
Please keep posting!

Chris

How it was???

2006-08-30T20:32:00.000+01:00

Dear all,
I feel some mind of nostalgy now... I would really love to hear about how it all was over there:) Even that we do not know each other.... Szonja

Home ok?

2006-08-30T18:15:00.000+01:00

Hi everyone!
Hope you all got home safely. Sorry I didn't get to say goodbye to everyone. I hope you enjoyed Scotland. Stay in touch

xxx

Get the party started!

2006-08-20T09:56:00.000+01:00

Dear all,
if I am informed well, the programme starts today, so enjoy every moment of it, OK?

hugs

Szonja

Media and Society, June

2006-08-17T11:55:00.000+01:00

This is the Media and Society group, taken in June at the Civicus World Assembly 2006.
Left to right:
Bota, Aina, Amira, Aida, Nora and Julian. Bader is at the back.

About me

2006-08-16T15:48:00.001+01:00

As I am trying to encourage everyone to talk a bit about themselves, I suppose I should start.

I've been with British Council Scotland for almost two years as Governance Co-ordinator. Previously, I worked for Holyrood magazine, which covers Scottish politics. I was, often at the same time, Chief Sub-Editor, Web Editor, Supplement Editor, Feature Writer and Commissioning Editor. I also wrote a column on civil society in Scotland.

I'm a member of the National Union of Journalists, and I still freelance from time to time, mainly about environmental and sustainable development issues. I'm also involved with a Scottish cultural and political magazine called Product.

Before I was a journalist I worked in the music industry for several years.

One of my main interests is with media and society, such as the importance of freedom of information, the relationship between media and politics, and the rights and responsibilities of journalists. I'm also looking at environmental citizenship, and how issues such as climate change, Fair and ethical trading and sustainability affect our attitude towards our society.

I'm 30 years old and have lived in Edinburgh for 12 years, having studied Linguistics and Classics at Edinburgh Uni. That's enough from me I think.

I look forward to more about you...

Szonja's foreword from after-fest Budapest:)

2006-08-16T15:47:00.000+01:00

Dear all,

I am Szonja, one of last year's participants from Budapest, Hungary, Metro Hungary newspaper. First of all: I envy all of you, who have the opportunity to go to lovely Scotland to this fantastic programme. All I can tell you is that you will simply love every single moment of it!!!! I was attending the same stuf last year wioth Rikke and all the others, so I know what I am talking about. This April I had to luck to be in Edinburgh again for 4 days, and all Christine told me then about the programme is a great promise that it will agai be super.
I also envy you for the fact that Scottish journalistst will join the fun - I hope you'll be great mates with them very soon. As far as I can add to this subject, I have only met nice people in Scotland, so again a promising sentence to you...
I wish you could make the best of this one-week-long stay (if it will be one week long...). Good luck with the airports to those who travel via London... And OMG, I should have written something about the experiences from last your to Christine but with this Sziget festival work I forgot it:(((( I hope she won't be too angry with me:)))
All the best to everyone, enjoy beautiful Edinburghs, the Starbucks, the astonoshing Castle, the festival, the top class bokkstores and everything....
Freindyl greetings,

Szonja

Look forward to this

2006-08-15T19:43:00.000+01:00

Hello all participants at the BC programme,

Im a danish journaliststudent, now doing an internship at a small business paper.I participated last year and all I have to say is: ENJOY this, its a great chance to meet new people. - especially if you stay in the same apartment.

I will follow your programme and hope to read some of your experiences here. Enjoy.

Rikke from Denmark

2006-08-15T15:27:00.000+01:00

good first impression I would say - I think you will enjoy your time in Scotland if you can drink like that!

Anyway, hello people!

I'm Rhona, one of the Scottish students who will be joining you all next week.
Really looking forward to meeting everyone. I live in Glasgow so not to familiar with Edinburgh but I do know a few good places to go and the festival will still be on so if we have some time off there is plenty to do!

See you all on Sunday,

Rhonax

Some pathetic whimper from Hungary

2006-08-15T12:25:00.000+01:00

Hello,

ouch. There's a festival going on here in Budapest too and yesterday as the last day seemed like a great time to check out how much wine I can drink in one hour. (Surprisingly much.) Now I'm after four hours of sleep and two early morning phone interviews but I didn't feel anything from either of them.

To top this, my editors constantly keep calling me this morning, offering possible assignments for the weekend. (Everybody must be on holiday.) They've just called me with their third offer but this time I was really close to cancel that short trip to Copenhagen that I planned for the way to Edinburgh (as without a direct flight I must stop somewhere). They asked whether I want to "go up" with one of the planes of the big weekend air show (it's a weird tradition which in the past few years became part of our national holiday) and "write a funny feature about it". It's the largest national broadsheet so they rarely beg for a story and even less often ask for something "funny". How ironic that I'll be away -- first time this summer.

Is this enough for a first impression?

Zsombor / Hungary

2006-08-15T12:14:00.000+01:00

Just to brighten up the page a bit - this is last year's group of journalist visitors to the Festival of Politics.

Front row, left to right:

Alejandro, Petra, Szonja and Rikke

Back row, left to right:

Me, Oya, Joana, Esther, Maja, Farah (my colleague)

Hello from Bangkok

2006-08-15T11:19:00.000+01:00

Sawasdee kha!

First of all, Thanks to Christine for the invitation. So long I have never written anything on a blog. This might be a good start :)

I'm Sopaporn, a reporter from The Nation Newspaper - one of the two English-language paper in Thailand.

I'm excited about the trip and the seminar. But certainly, the new travel regulations somewhat worry me. Oh well, we'll see how much hassle we'll have to go through. Already, that could be one possible story :)

That's all for now, mate!

BirthDay!

2006-08-15T11:10:00.000+01:00

I've been invited. OK, thank you Christine %)

Welcome

2006-08-15T10:42:00.000+01:00

Welcome to the BC Media blog. This is for all participants in our media programmes, and we hope you'll use it to keep in touch, swap ideas, ask for advice and share your news.
I'll keep this first post short and sweet - hope to hear from you all soon.

Chris