The Media Freedom Foundation » industry

Peer to Peer Lending

admin — Mon, 13 Dec 2010 21:47:12 +0000

Several members of the Helsinki Commission, which is “an independent federal agency, which by law monitors and encourages progress in implementing provisions of the Helsinki Accords,” has written to Richard L. Armitage asking about what is being done to ensure that, “U.S. contractors do not participate in prostitution … in Iraq or elsewhere”. The letter cites the fact that in post-conflict Bosnia and Kosovo, prostitution was allowed to develop and “thrive due to the arrival of large numbers of multinational personnel involved in post-conflict reconstruction and peacekeeping”. The letter was sent to ensure that this would not happen in post-conflict Iraq, and inquires as to what safeguards are in place to protect the Iraqi women and children.
“The United State and the international community failed to address these issues at the outset in Bosnia-Herzegovina and Kosovo” because of our lack of foresight in this matter, we are still combating the human trafficking industry that has evolved there. The letter asks the deputy to provide information about what is being done to ensure that sex trafficking and prostitution will not develop in Iraq “because of the influx of international civilian and military personnel from the United States and other countries”.

Title: Combating Prostitution, Human Trafficking in Iraq
Source: Scoop World, 5/30/10
Press Release Media Contact: Ben Anderson
URL: http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0305/S00297.htm

Faculty Evaluator: Sheila Katz, Sonoma State University
Student: Jordan Hall 12/6/10, Sonoma State University
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Human Trafficking in Post Conflict Iraq

admin — Mon, 13 Dec 2010 21:39:52 +0000

Title: Combating Prostitution, Human Trafficking in Iraq
Source: Scoop World, 5/30/10
Press Release Media Contact: Ben Anderson
URL: http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0305/S00297.htm

Faculty Evaluator: Sheila Katz, Sonoma State University
Student: Jordan Hall 12/6/10, Sonoma State University
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World Tobacco Treaty is Saving Lives, US Still Absent

admin — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 07:39:48 +0000

Five years in, 168 countries around the world have ratified the World Health Organization’s tobacco treaty to protect the public from the tobacco industry. After five years, the US is still absent from this list. “It’s time for the United States to join the global community and reclaim a leadership role in taking on the tobacco epidemic,” said Kellett. “This treaty will outlast all of us, setting not only a strong standard for tobacco control but also a powerful precedent for safeguarding democracies against the interference and abuses of powerful industries.”

Title: Five Years In, Tobacco Treaty is Saving Lives, Continues to be Stymied by Industry, US Still Absent

Corporate Accountability International, February 26, 2010

http://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2010/02/26-2

Author: Gigi Kellet

Researcher: Bretta Diekmann

Faculty Evaluator: Julie Andrzejewski

St. Cloud State UniversitySimilar Posts:

The Oil Companies’ Say in Clean Energy

admin — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 03:28:18 +0000

Oil industries create their own version of federal energy bill after spending $80 billion on public relations and lobbying regarding policy debate on climate legislation. The industry’s “”Creating Renewed Economic Activity through Energy Jobs Act of 2010″ bill dispenses with the key word “clean” — as in clean energy jobs — in its title and then proceeds to require expedited oil drilling, well, everywhere — in the Arctic Refuge Coastal Plain, throughout Alaskan waters including the Arctic Ocean and fish-rich Bristol Bay, and on the Florida Gulf Coast and Panhandle. This drilling could only occur by rescinding, waiving, or limiting federal laws, state authority, and people’s ability to protect these areas, while expediting judicial review of federal leasing and permitting decisions. The bill would promote and lead to increased oil use which would lead to less attention and action to reduce carbon emissions, further destabilizing the climate. The secured jobs for oil employees could lead to less security for the futures of people all around the world.

Sources:

Alternet.org, December 4, 2009

“No Future Act of 1010: Oil Industry Comes Up With Their Version of A Federal Energy Bill”

Author: Riki Ott.

Student Researchers: Emily Schuler and Trisha Himmelein

Faculty Instructor: Kevin Howley, Associate Professor of Media Studies, DePauw University, DePauw University

Evaluator: Jeremy Anderson, Assistant Professor of Philosophy, DePauw UniversitySimilar Posts:

Internet’s Expanding Carbon Footprint

admin — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 00:35:30 +0000

The internet’s increasing appetite for electricity poses a major threat to not only companies such as google and the future of internet use, but is also having a negative impact on the environment. “In an energy constrained world, we cannot continue to grow the footprint of the internet…we need to rein in the energy consumption” (Suodh Bata, Vice President at Sun Microsystems). With more than 1.5 billion people online around the world, scientists estimate that the energy footprint of the net is growing by more than 10% each year. This leaves many internet companies in a bind: energy costs are escalating because of increasing popularity, while at the same time advertising revenues come under pressure from the recession. Thisdouble bind poses a problem for internet companies affording enough energy to meet consumer demand; and while the demand for electricity is a primary concern, a secondary issue as a result of the explosion of internet use, is the computer industry’s carbon debt, which is increasing drastically. From having a relatively small impact just a few years ago, it is now leapfrogging other sectors like the airline industry that are more widely known for their negative environmental impact. It is apparent, that the demand for internet access far exceeds the readily available amount of energy available.

Title: Web Providers Must Limit Internet’s Carbon Footprint, Say Experts”

Author Bobbie Johnson,

Source: San Francisco Guardian News Media Limited. May 3, 2009

http://guardian.co.Ku

Student Researcher: Anne Cozza

Faculty Evaluator: Buzz Kellogg
Sonoma State UniversitySimilar Posts:

US Senator Protects Formaldehyde Industry

admin — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 23:13:03 +0000

Senator David Vitter is standing in the way of Obama’s nomination of Paul Anastas to be initiated into the EPA’s office of Research and Development. Anastas’ specialty rests in researching the design of safer chemicals and chemical processes to replace hazardous substances. The formaldehyde industry is placed under extreme risk with his nomination.

Senator David Vitter’s position on this issue raises several questions as to his connection with the formaldehyde industry. Formaldehyde is found in several building products, such as plywood, fiberboard, and adhesives. In slowing the process of instating Anastas, Vitter is putting off research done on formaldehyde, which has been announced by the International Agency for Research on Cancer to be a probable carcinogen.

Vitter’s intentions are heavily weighted by the financial campaign support he was granted by the most significant polluters in Louisiana’s formaldehyde polluters.

After Hurricane Katrina, many victims were sheltered in portable buildings wrecked with formaldehyde. Vitter is ultimately standing in the way of saving lives, and preventing illness in many people across the country.

Title: Sen. David Vitter (R-Formaldehyde)

Publication: Mother Jones, November 12, 2009

Author: Andy Kroll

Student Researcher: Lauren Faulkner

Faculty Evaluator: Peter Phillips

Sonoma State UniversitySimilar Posts:

Tiny Troubles: Nanoparticles are Changing Everything From our Sunscreen to our Supplements

admin — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 20:01:15 +0000

Over 600 products now on the market contain nanoparticles so small that they may have dangerous biological impacts yet to be determined. Nanaparticles could be the asbestos of this century.

Nanotechnology is a quickly growing global industry which is, for the most part unregulated. The worry lies in the fact that when these materials are reduced down to the miniscule nano scale, they take on an entirely different and uncommon set of properties. For example, they could become electrically conductive, or able to penetrate cell walls. More specifically, studies conducted on the negativities of nanotechnology are diminutive compared to those conducted on the positive effects produced. Of $1.5 billion in federal nano spending each year, only between 1% and 2.5% goes towards studying environmental, health and safety risks.

On the other hand, these particles “are used to build innovative materials currently used in hundreds of products worldwide, from socks to sunscreens and even food supplements,” according to Louise Gray, Environmental Correspondent. Along with this, medical researchers are investigating ways to use nanomaterials to target tumors. This would allow doctors to deliver medication directly to cancer cells within the body, and leave the healthy cells absolutely unharmed. Also, possible green tech applications would make for cheaper, more efficient solar panels and water filtration systems, energy-saving batteries and lighter vehicles that ultimately use less fuel.

However, nanoparticles are being compared to asbestos. A substance once seen as a miracle fire-proofing agent, is now associated with lawsuits, illness, and death. Much of the damage caused by asbestos could have been avoided if the government had taken note of the very present danger signs

Title: Tiny Troubles: Nanoparticles are Changing Everything From our Sunscreen to our Supplements

Source: E Magazine July/August 2009

Author: Carole bass

Student Researcher: Lauren Faulkner

Faculty Evaluator: Jon Fukuto

Sonoma State University: Sociology of Media, Fall 2009

Instructor: Peter Phillips, #03Similar Posts:

Investing in Conflict – Goldcorp Mining in the Americas

admin — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 23:50:57 +0000

Student Researcher: Nick Carelli
Faculty Instructor: Christina M. Knopf, Ph.D.
Evaluator: Trista Lang, Canadian Nurse in Central America & Rights Action member

Goldcorp Inc. mining company is demonstrating North American mining industry’s socially and environmentally destructive practices throughout the hemisphere. Goldcorp, one of the world’s largest gold mining companies, is stationed in Vancouver, B.C., with operations in the U.S., Mexico, Honduras, Guatemala, the Dominican Republic, and Argentina. Goldcorp in the Americas links mining companies with international finance institutions to increase production of large-scale mining operations, which are the direct cause of deforestation, erosion, water contamination, and water shortages in mining communities. Goldcorp operates mines throughout Central America, including the San Martin and Marlin open pit, cyanide-leaching gold mines. These have contributed to many health and environmental harms in numerous Mayan communities in Guatemala. As mining operations continue to contaminate vital water sources, they also contribute to repression and community tensions. These mines operate without community consent and Goldcorp has not properly addressed community health problems. National and international law requires that governments consult with, and acquire, the consent of communities who will be affected by economic enterprises like mining, but this is not happening in Central America. This systemic industry issue is unknown to many U.S. and Canadian citizens, as many North American investment firms and pension funds are invested in Goldcorp.

“Central America: Winners and losers in the global mining industry” Russell, Grahame Upside Down World, July 2008

“Goldcorp Inc. mining company in Honduras – health and environmental harms” Russell, Grahame, CDHAL.org October 26-31, 2008,

“The mining debate: Who is “anti”-what?” Karen Spring, Rights Action. September 2008,

http://www.rightsaction.org/articles/Mining_debate_100708.htmlSimilar Posts: