Opinion and feature articles.
Romania is unjustly criticised for discriminating against its gypsy population with the Western media and poor journalism to blame, one reporter argues. In the media, the numerous social problems Romanian gypsies face in their home country have made headlines all over Europe for decades. As a Romanian journalist and observer, I have read most reports […]
Continue ReadingIt was a week in which the British Prime Minister was destined to leave the comfort of Downing Street; but his opponents have been left sorely disappointed. The week started for Tony Blair in a world of worry. He had spoken to his backbenchers about the divide over university top-up fees, but how would they […]
Continue ReadingAs most people cosy up with their drinks, presents and for those who don’t have satellite television, board games; others are plotting the downfall of a sacred annual institution. Ah, the festive season is with us one again. A time for plenty of Ho, Ho, Hos or maybe No, No, Nos! Is the 25 December […]
Continue ReadingWestern notions of what is appropriate for the developing world are based on preconceptions and hypocrisy. But leaders of the poorest countries can be just as ignorant, argues Nkem Ifejika. It could have been an Anthony Minghella adaptation of the Titanic story, set in the desert, complete with gushing oil fountains and picturesque date palm […]
Continue ReadingDoes invasive television win wars? Or does the rendering of the truth in all its grime and gore fly in the face of the ‘official’ truth? Sally Brooks investigates… It seems that the Second Gulf War is swiftly becoming the undoing of Tony Blair, but where did he go wrong? After the Falklands conflict, Prime […]
Continue ReadingAs virtual observations on the Iraq war die out, the internet’s bulletin boards return to profanities and partisan passion, abuse and angst, and hate and hysteria. But Tom Lewis finds not everyone has moved on… When setting out to research a review of Jeepers Creepers 2, something both shocking and amusing came to light. Which […]
Continue ReadingA reporter who helped in the 1997 Labour campaign that brought the party to power considers her political allegiance after the shock seizure of one of its "safe" seats this week. It is September once more and I have been sent a letter reminding me to renew my Labour Party membership. I joined the Labour […]
Continue ReadingA new thriller examines the reality of the Cold War and the subsequent "process" of de-nuclearisation… When a region is de-nuclearised, are the WMDs destroyed as people are led to believe or are they just used to turn another region nuclear? Can a terrorist organisation hold a nation hostage; to the extent it would be […]
Continue ReadingTelevision news channels that operate around the clock are cutting considered analysis and investigative journalism out of the picture, argues Alex Walker. The BBC spent nearly £50m on its News 24 channel last year according to its annual report, an indication of just how important round-the-clock news has become in the eyes of TV bosses. […]
Continue ReadingThe fast-buck business of licensing popular comic book-movie crossovers to video game developers has left a sour taste in this reporter’s mouth… The birth of the modern-day video game occurred in 1977 with the release of Space Wars, but what we know as "comics" today began with the Egyptian Book of Death in around 1600 […]
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