Editorial
The shocking news on Monday: The Australian media mogul Rupert Murdoch has increased his empire. Last Monday he absorbed the media corporation Dow Jones and hence the formerly independent Wall Street Journal. Critics fear for the independet news coverage of the paper as Murdoch is well known to intervene in the editorial process. So does the editorial staff of the Wittenberg Summer School Journal 4. This is why in this issue we dedicate a Dossier to one of highest achievments of civilization: the freedom of speech. [Full text]Dossier: Freedom of Speech
Freedom of Speech is a basic and important right in the western society. Especially, in the United States this right is guarded carefully, maybe even more than in some European countries. However, it has happened quite often in history that people had to face a lot of criticism, if not even complots against them, when they had the courage to say their opinion. A current example is the quite provocative singer Pink, who is, nevertheless, loved by millions of people. One of her latest songs is a very critical one called “Dear Mr. President”. It questions President Bush's politics, criticises his moral concepts and even offends him personally. [Full text]Dossier: Freedom of Speech
“The President’s wife is a witch and should perform euthanasia on herself”. Who can say such things and not be punished? Where can it take place? It’s not a member of the Ku Klux Klan but the untouchable Redemptory Father Director Tadeusz Rydzyk. It’s not puritan England 350 years ago but Poland, a EU country since May 2004. [Full text]Dossier: Freedom of Speech
“Goebbels was in favour of free speech for views he liked. So was Stalin. If you’re in favour of free speech, then you’re in favour of freedom of speech precisely for views you despise.” When the American philosopher and linguist Noam Chomsky made this statement in 1992 the developments of the new digital era and web 2.0, such as customized news access and online communities were still impossible to predict. [Full text]Technology
The iPhone is said to be the next big thing in the mobile devices market which will change the face if the media as we know it today. The question whether the iPhone will succeed to match the high expectations will depend on its ability to gain market share and the willingness of the media industry to provide matching content. [Full text]
Education
The Bertelsmann company is the fifth-biggest media conglomerate in the world. Backed by a yearly turnover of 19 billion Euro, its lobby work has an impact on German society that should not be underestimated. In the following, two examples will serve to show the finger Bertelsmann has in the pie of German universities and primary schools, which caused it to be deemed the informal Department of Education. [Full text]Our Times
No internet access? No mobile service available? Young people are freaking out when they have to face conditions like that. At least that is the impression older generations can get when they hear laments like: But I need to talk to my boyfriend! Or: I’m used to check my emails before I go to sleep! Or: I feel uninformed when I can’t read at least three international newspapers with my first coffee in the morning! [Full text]