Tuesday, May 2, 2017

Saturday morning, at 8:00 a.m. local time (0500 UTC), residents of Turkey who tried to view Wikipedia in any language received only a “connection timed out” screen. According to watchdog group Turkey Blocks, this was not a technical issue but rather the Turkish government barring access to the crowdsourced encyclopedia under a law stipulating it can block websites that contain obscenities or threats to national security.

Just hours later, roughly 3900 officials, scholars, clerks, prison guards, and other employees suspected of being anti-government were fired.

The Turkish government has allegedly previously blocked international websites such as Facebook and Twitter, often after militant attacks or other unpopular events, but has blamed the “outages” on overload from users seeking information. The government did not immediately claim credit for blocking access to Wikipedia, as such, but the Transport, Maritime Affairs and Communications Ministry said access will be restored if Wikipedia removes some content claiming the Turkish government is working with militant groups and issued a statement to the state-run Andalou news agency: “Instead of coordinating against terrorism, [Wikipedia] has become part of an information source which is running a smear campaign against Turkey in the international arena.”

Wikimedia Foundation spokesperson Juliet Barbara told NPR, “We are committed to ensuring that Wikipedia remains available to the millions of people who rely on it in Turkey. To that end, we are actively working with outside counsel to seek judicial review of the decision affecting access to Wikipedia. We hope the issue can be resolved promptly.”

The government did publicly announce the firings, stating that everyone dismissed was suspected of associating with “terrorist organisations and structures presenting a threat to national security” and it has connected recent similar actions to the failed coup in the country last year.

This is the second political purge to take place since Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an was granted considerable additional powers after the April 16 constitutional referendum.

The Turkish government also banned televised dating shows, stating “such programmes in which people are introduced to find a friend[…] cannot be permitted.”

Sunday, June 28, 2009

Citing a lack of results from the primary autopsy by the Los Angeles (LA) Coroner’s Office of Michael Jackson’s body, the Jackson family has requested that an independent coroner examine the body in hopes of finding the cause of death.

The LA Coroner’s have ruled out foul play, but the toxicological tests could take as long as 6 weeks, and as of now have not specified the reason for Jackson’s death. The Coroner’s officer has stated though the decision for an independent autopsy was surprising, they didn’t have any issues with allowing it.

The Jackson family has been unable to contact Michael Jackson’s personal physician, Conrad Murray, who was with the star during his final hours. Police have stated that Dr. Murray is not a suspect, but they are attempting to set up an interview.

Reverend Jesse Jackson, an American civil rights activist and Baptist minister, has been in contact with the family and has been providing counseling. He stated “they [the Jacksons] didn’t know the doctor…He should have met with the family, given them comfort on the last hours of their son.” An associate of Ed Chernoff, Dr. Murray’s lawyer, stated that “contrary to what has been out there, Dr. Murray has been co-operating with authorities from the outset and will continue to do so.”

Sunday, July 8, 2007

Installations of closed-circuit television (CCTV) security cameras into schools in the Australian state of New South Wales has alarmed teachers.

Over 50 schools in New South Wales already have surveillance cameras in playgrounds and outside dining areas. The concern from teachers arises from the pending installation of further cameras inside classrooms and also corridors.

Teachers have expressed concerns about privacy and misuse of the equipment. Senior vice-president of the New South Wales Teachers Federation, Bob Lipscombe, said that teachers are worried about the footage being used improperly, as well as the fact that both teachers and students would be filmed at work by the cameras.

The increase in security cameras being used in schools is an attempt to protect valuable schooling equipment from theft and damage, in particular computers in computer rooms. Lipscombe said that installations in computer rooms will potentially affect many teachers, as all subjects can be taught with the integration of technology.

CCTV surveillance is preferred by some schools over fitting alarm systems and physical bars on entrances to the room, as it is cheaper to install.

Lipscombe said that the Teachers Federation isn’t against CCTV systems provided they are operated properly and with appropriate consent. A solution proposed is to only have the surveillance system record during times when the room is unattended.

A spokesperson for the New South Wales Department of Education and Training has said that the footage obtained is confidential and used to assist police in investigating criminal activity.