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May 21, 2008: Free Expression Watch: Committee Bows to Pressure From Small Group of Protestors
The Toronto Star today has published an editorial chastising the Toronto District School Board for bowing to pressure from a relatively small group of protestors, and thereby stifling free expression in the form of a previously accepted book for study.
Although Barbara Colorosa's book Extraordinary Evil: A Brief History of Genocide, had been previously cleared by the board for inclusion in the curriculum -- despite obvious controversial elements -- the delisting occured only under pressure from protestors questioning the history analyzed therein.
May 13, 2008: It's official. Writers no longer exist
According to a report in Masthead Magazine, Brian Segal, CEO of Rogers Publishing gave a talk recently at the Canadian Marketing Association's national convention and trade show, in which he heralded a new age for Canada's writers and editors.
Speculating on the future of magazine publishing in Canada, Mr. Segal "repurposed" the traditional editorial department, the former home of the soon to be extinct magazine writer.
"All of our content-providers - what we used to call editorial people - will become medium-agnostic," he said.
May 09, 2008: Anniversary of Nazi attack on texts and ideas
Both bookninja.com and Quillblog have made note of the fact that tomorrow is the 75th anniversary of a rather large and comprehensive burning of books in Nazi Germany.
The story continues over at abebooks.com, where other bookburnings are investigated, and that page also contains some fascinating interviews on the subject of fire-related censorship.
While some folks might consider book-burning the ultimate user right (I bought it, so I can do what I want with it), we at PWAC are dedicated to the fight against censorship, especially the burny kind.
For more information on censorship and challenges to reading and writing in Canada, please see the Freedom to Read website maintained by the good people at the Book and Periodical Council.
(cross-posted at johndegen.com)
May 08, 2008: Japan considers controversial "iPod tax"
Reports today suggest Japan is considering applying a levy to iPods and other content recording and storage devices "to compensate musicians and other copyright owners."
The
levy being discussed sounds relatively small -- several dollars on top
of the price of the gadget in question. Somewhat predictably, gadget
makers are resisting this scheme.
Thanks to Kristian over at Carfac Ontario for the heads up on this.
(cross-posted at johndegen.com)
May 07, 2008: Raging Grannies protest bad writing contracts
(image courtesy Straight Goods)
Canada's media conglomerates may feel comfortable introducing new contracts against the wishes of their freelancing industry partners, but are they prepared to answer to their grandmothers on the issue?
Straight Goods yesterday reported on a protest at the National Arts Centre by the Raging Grannies.
The Grannies rallied in support of freelance writers, and against the recent appearance of new contracts demanding complete rights transfer, including a waiver of moral rights. All of Canada's writer organizations have spoken out against these contracts. To see PWAC's response, go here.
(cross-posted at johndegen.com)
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