(Note: The following is the introduction to a talk I gave in Beijing this past summer about the experiences I have had in China in support of a conceptual understanding that the netizen represents in China. Thru this set of experiences I have proposed that we are in the early stages of a new Era, an Era I propose is “the Era of the Netizen.” The participatory empowerment of netizens as is happening in China, South Korea and other nations around the world is setting the basis for the creation of new models for economic, political and social development. I hope in the new year to develop this conceptual framework further.)

Introduction

I am happy to be here today and to accept April Media’s invitation to make one of the first presentations at April café and salon.

The title of my talk is” The United Nations, China and Journalism in… weiter lesen

[Note: The English language website of People's Daily asked for comments on the question, "How do you regard China's function in International Affairs?" Here is my response which has been published on their website.*]

As a resident correspondent at the United Nations reporting for a South Korean publication, it is helpful to hear China’s views on the different issues before the United Nations, particularly when China supports the effort for negotiation and political solutions to problems rather than coercive measures.

One such situation is the issue of whether Iran should have the right to do nuclear enrichment for the peaceful use of nuclear energy as Iran holds as its right under the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT). Some of the permanent members of the Security Council claim that mastering the process of nuclear enrichment will give Iran the ability to create nuclear weapons. These permanent members also hold that they… weiter lesen

“New Media and the Challenge of Reporting from the UN”

[Note: This is a slightly edited version of a talk I presented at "The International Conference on Soft Power" on September 8, 2009, at the Tsinghua International Center for Communication Studies, in Beijing, China.]

I want to share some lessons that have been learned in the three years I have been reporting from the United Nations (UN) as a resident correspondent for the online South Korean newspaper, “OhmyNews International”.

This past December, I won the Silver Award for Excellence in Print and Online Journalism presented by the United Nations Correspondents’ Association in honor of Elizabeth Neuffer, a Boston Globe reporter who died while on assignment reporting from Iraq.

In the brief remarks I made accepting the award I referred to the importance of the judges presenting this award not only for me, but also for other reporters at the… weiter lesen