MEDIA: Ten Stories That Desperately Need to Be Told

Every year, the U.N.'s Department of Public Information (DPI) unveils its list of the world's 10 most under-reported stories, implying that politics, murder and sex scandals still take precedence over poverty, peace-building or economic development.

MEDIA-MALAYSIA: Film on Communist Leader Banned on Shaky Grounds

The Malaysian government has banned a film on the life and times of an octogenarian communist insurgent leader, who had also collaborated with the British during World War II, setting off a hornet's nest of charges about denial of freedom and space for democratic expression.

MEXICO: Zapatista Leader Back in the Spotlight

Mexico's Zapatista guerrillas are no longer thinking in terms of armed conflict, despite the state of "social indignation and rage" in the country, the group's leader "Subcomandante Marcos" said in an interview with the Televisa TV network, which he has criticised vehemently in the past for its political influence and power.

CULTURE-INDONESIA: Anti-porn Bill Dangles on ‘Dangdut’ Dancer

It is not often that a single individual occasions an act of parliament. But ‘dangdut' star Inul Daratista's vigorous pelvic gyrations are propelling Indonesia's anti-pornography bill.

MEDIA-US: The Immigration Debate…En Español

When Blanca Gonzalez, a founding member of the Florida-based group Immigrants United for Freedom, was starting to plan Monday's national boycott in support of undocumented workers a few weeks ago, one of the first contacts she made was with the Spanish-language radio station WQBN-1300 AM in Tampa.

MEDIA-SRI LANKA: Press Left to Fend for Itself

It speaks for the state of press freedom in this strife-torn country that even as journalists were holding a candlelight vigil for dozens of colleagues killed in two decades of ethnic conflict, two more were shot dead at the offices of the newspaper they worked for, this week.

WORLD PRESS FREEDOM DAY: UN Chief Asks Media to Shun “Terrorists”

The United Nations is willing to convene an international conference to formulate ethical guidelines for journalists covering one of the most politically sensitive issues in the world body: terrorism.

WORLD PRESS FREEDOM DAY: Cause for Hope and Concern in Southern Africa

As countries around the world commemorate World Press Freedom Day on Wednesday, a mixed picture has emerged of the state of media freedom in Southern Africa.

WORLD PRESS FREEDOM DAY-MEXICO: Stalked By Death

Since Mexican President Vicente Fox took office in December 2000, 15 journalists have been killed in the line of duty, five were murdered for reasons unrelated to their work and two are missing.

WORLD PRESS FREEDOM DAY: Of Information Bills, and Schools on Bars

As preparations to mark World Press Freedom Day (May 3) in Kenya move into high gear, calls for government to pass a freedom of information bill are intensifying.

WORLD PRESS FREEDOM DAY-US: A Chill in the Air

As the world reflects on the best and worst places to practice journalism on Press Freedom Day Wednesday, independent writers' groups and civil liberties advocates warn that Washington's "war on terror" is putting a growing chill on the basic democratic right of free expression.

WORLD PRESS FREEDOM DAY-IRAQ: What Can You Believe?

There is so much more media around now; the problem is that Iraqis do not know what to believe anymore.

WORLD PRESS FREEDOM DAY: Little Said or Heard of Jailed Eritrean Reporters

Good news about media freedom in Eritrea is rare - so it's understandable that delight and relief greeted the announcement last November that Isaac Dawit, an Eritrean journalist with Swedish nationality, had been released after four years in prison.

TECHNOLOGY-US: Information Highway May Soon Get Tollbooths

In a move long sought by large telecommunications companies, conservative lawmakers in the United States are pushing for new legislation that critics say would undermine the ability of Internet users to freely access any website, from the lowliest weblog to the fanciest corporate home page.

DEVELOPMENT: Companies Joust to Wire the Caribbean

When he wanted to buy a new mobile phone, the only problem Kadeem Simon had was just how long he would wait in line to be served.

JAPAN: Women Juggle Careers and Caregiving With Cell Phones

Mobile phone technology is helping many Japanese career women cope with a traditional role they are unable to shake off - that of providing care for the elderly.

NEPAL: Behind-the-Scene Battles

On one side are hundreds of protesters, most of them college-age men in T-shirts, some waving party flags, some pumping fists in the air. "Down with the king!" they chant. Facing them are rows of armed police in blue camouflage and body padding. Most carry metre-long canes ('lathis') and wear helmets; some tote plexiglas shields, rifles or thicker teargas guns.

PAKISTAN: Tackling Quake Trauma With Cameras

''I fainted as the school collapsed. When I woke up I found myself outside the school. The roads were blocked. There were so many dead bodies and we had to walk over them. I was crying. Even now, tremors remind me of that terrible day. But I am not afraid because life is coming back to normal,'' said a child survivor of the Oct.8, South Asia earthquake.

MEDIA-THAILAND: Thaksin’s Departure Spells Press Freedom

With Thaksin Shinawatra stepping down as Thailand's leader, the country's media are rediscovering traits that had earned them a reputation for in the region - criticising and exposing those in power.

MEDIA-US: And Now the News… Or Is It an Ad?

If you had tuned into New York's WCBS-TV on Feb. 22, you would have gotten some very good news about glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate, two dietary supplements the anchors said can help blunt pain from osteoarthritis.

INDONESIA: Debate on Pornography Bill Steers Clear of Religion

Public debate on an anti-pornography bill, although presented in parliament by conservative Islamic groups, has managed to steer away from religion.