Blogging Miles Around the Metro

For the past 2 weeks I’ve been consumed by a sense of depression. The depression is not serious in any way but instead of a slight sense of gloominess. It is the same feeling any newcomer would experience in an English city - the unrelenting drizzle interspersed with heavier showers. I have not been able enjoy a sunny day in what we would call summer at this time of the year. The rains we’ve been experiencing have been due to a tropical depression that has engulfed the region, particularly more towards the east, like China. Many parts of the country which have poor infrastructure are experiencing frequent flash floods.

Popularity: 26% [?]

The authorities these days seem to have a thing about blocking video-sharing sites. Metacafe is one of the most recent additions since the Youtube incident. Here’s a great post (translated by A.M.) by a friend of mine, Sunit Shrestha on the notion of blocking sites like these:

Everything is changing… Power is no longer in the state’s hands. Blocking YouTube because someone had uploaded a clip insulting His Majesty the King is what is needed to be done in the context of Thai society. The request made by the ICT Ministry to remove the YouTube clip is therefore the right thing to do.

But the era in which the state hold almost totalitarian power is shifting…Even though this scenario sounds familiar, involving familiar censorship methods, I feel like this is the last breath of traditional media censorship. Media censorship is crumbling down, bringing forth new complexities.

YouTube is one of the most popular video file-sharing website with content that ranges from entertainment to educational and beyond. When someone posts a video clip insulting the monarch, it is of course is unacceptable in the context of Thai society.

But foreigners also have a different point of view. The decision-makers for both ICT and YouTube also come from different values and backgrounds. Both don’t understand each other. Thais say this is wrong, but the farangs think it’s the norm – they’ve seen worse done to the English monarchy.

So we use the same old method – if this is the case we block it, so that Thais can’t access it. The key issue of this debate lies here: the fact that the entire site has been banned to censor a few offensive clips, blocking all Thais from the chance to access knowledge in the way other netizens of the world are enjoying.

When there is a situation in which content unacceptable to Thais have been created and the web-owner is non-Thai, which standard will we use to judge what’s right or wrong, whether the site owner should remove the file? What will happen when Thais see the content as wrong, but foreigners see banning the file as suppressing freedom of expression?

The clash between the interests of political, economic, cultural and technological establishments locally and internationally has manifested itself in this seemingly petty issue – the YouTube censorship.

First it was cnn.com, now YouTube. Does this mean that if Google or other search engines bring up offensive material in their search results, they should be blocked as well? If that’s the case, how can Thais ever capitalize on the Web 2.0 wave and the linkage of information and knowledge across the Internet – a cheap source of high quality self-education material?

Let’s exercise our imaginations a bit and suppose that the person who uploaded the clip really intended to wreck our country. If tomorrow, that person, his/her colleagues, or other people outside his circle but with the same intention, dumps those files on every major site, including the local ones that allow user participation, and does this on regular basis, what will we do?

From a traditional point of view, the only way to deal with this is to shut down the local sites and block the foreign ones. There isn’t much else the state can do, if something like that does happen. In the end, the Web is an open platform where there is no centralized control.

With so many sites are clamped down, the obvious side-effect is that the Thais will have no access to self-educational tools or wide-reaching platform to exchange knowledge, opinions, and ideas. Like a monkey with eyes, ears, and mouth covered.

So what’s the solution? I don’t have the exact answer, but I believe it’s for the policy makers to recognize, study, and understand the situation better. If we acknowledge that there is no way of controlling inappropriate content online, then perhaps we focus on a softer approach, like building ‘immunization’ against these types of content.

How do we ensure that people are equipped with the analytical power and moral sense to make their own judgment on content suitability? That is what we should aim for, not meek public acceptance of whatever the state brands as “right” or “wrong”.

We have to acknowledge that the world has moved on, that power is out of the state’s hands. Maybe some day in the future, technology will make it impossible to block websites.

We are already seeing examples of crowd censorship through sites like Wikipedia but we may need to think about how Thai values can exist in cyberspace. How would inappropriate content in Wikipedia be judged for example? If it’s something on Thailand placed in an international context then we may need to be open to others’ perspectives. At the same time, foreigners must also be ready to accept Thai cultural differences. I don’t know how to achieve
this, but the issue needs to be addressed, otherwise the Internet will eventually become a ‘wild west’ where robbers do their dirty work, and the censorship sheriff uses his power in whatever way to control it.

I believe there will be new type of media censorship……a new order is emerging. The internet is driving human interaction like never before, and we need to all actively create this new order together, not just let it be or apply the conservative style of media censorship, which will not work in the new millennium.

Otherwise, the easiest way to make the Thai people’s intelligence lag behind those of other nations’ populations would be to shoot offensive content onto all the popular websites. When the ICT ministry blocks those sites, these troublemakers would congratulate themselves for using the state’s own hands to cover the Thai people’s ears, eyes, and mouths, and rid them of the tools for any learning beyond the classroom walls.

Popularity: 34% [?]

Cinekatipunan at Mag:Net is a daily affair, and is just about the only place where you’ll find a constant stream of independent video screenings whose make and treatment vary from the avante-garde to college theses to hard-hitting social documentaries. Initiated by independent filmmaker Kiri Dalena of the group Southern Tagalog Exposure, Cinekatipunan seems to be slowly gaining ground and a steady audience, not just from the universities around the area, but from among groups of independent filmmakers, creative folk from all walks, and film enthusiasts.

Last Tuesday, Lisa Ito of the Kalikasan-Center for Environmental Concerns presented a number of documentaries on the anomalies and on the devastating effects of poorly maintained mining operations in the country. Though some of the footage was dated, the screening was a good venue to provide updates and answer questions on the status of investigations and addressing of grievances of those affected by the ill effects of irresponsible mining (unfortunately for me, my mind was still swimming with the dead corals as they were discussing).

I found this clip on the Lafayette incident in Rapu Rapu. Researching a bit, I’ve learned that sanctions have already been dished out for their disastrous booboo of unscheduled wastewater discharges. What we don’t know is if the government actually made good on those sanctions (or if they were adequate enough) and if Lafayette actually delivered what they were supposed to (including what they had initially promised the residents of Rapu Rapu before their operations began). With that, all I can say is that governments can be appeased and people can be paid off, but it’s nearly impossible to undo, or even make up for the harm that’s been done to the waters and marine life of Rapu Rapu Island.

Popularity: 22% [?]

That would be cool. Imagine adding that to your roster of public transportation, Dev (where are youuuuu?)! It would be rather tricky to implement though, given the already established diesel-powered jeepneys, and the huge role they play in keeping households economically afloat. And how would this affect commuters? Would rates be more expensive? This would definitely call for a massive education campaign, not just on clean air, but on economic alternatives, and social responsibility transcending economic strata.

E-jeeps Proponents decry lack of enthusiasm for clean energy projects

Representatives of Green Renewable Independent Power Producer Inc. (GRIPP) and Solar-Generation Youth yesterday challenged local officials of Bacolod led by Mayor Bing Leonardia to fast-track support for a pioneering effort to introduce electric jeepneys in the city under a project called “Climate Friendly Cities”.

“We are calling on all Bacolod officials to step up and join the millions of voices around the world demanding climate action. Bacolod can show the way towards sustainability and development based on clean energy. Will you choose to lead or remain passive observers?” said Athena Ballesteros, Chairperson of the GRIPP Board and Greenpeace International’s Climate and Energy campaigner.

The Climate Friendly Cities project, the first of its kind in the Philippines and in the Asian region, is an integrated approach to solving urban environmental problems while creating innovative solutions for mitigating climate change through a range of cutting-edge technologies. The project will begin full operations with a fleet of 50 electric jeepneys within a 3 year period. A pilot fleet of six (6) electric jeepneys will be launched at the national level on May 9-10, 2007 and in Bacolod on May 10 and 11. The jeepneys will run on batteries that will be charged by a power plant fueled by biogas. The biogas will be generated from a high solid anaerobic digester (HSAD) using a feedstock of organic waste collected from the commercial food establishments and wet markets of the City.

GRIPP Inc., the project’s proponent, is a consortium of private sector and non-government organizations working towards making Negros a renewable energy reserve. The goal of the project is to introduce an alternative to the local, diesel-based, small public transport system that will not only reduce air pollution, carbon emissions and the solid waste stream but will also provide enhanced incomes to the drivers of these vehicles.

Mayor Leonardia was presented with a youth declaration entitled: “Our Climate, Our City, Our Challenge” as well as a draft Memorandum Of Agreement between the city and GRIPP.

“We decided to confront Mayor Bing in a creative way to enlist his unequivocal support to the Climate Friendly Cities project. We have been working with GRIPP to make this project a reality, and despite their efforts at securing a resolution from the City Council or MOA from the office of the Mayor, GRIPP has received no written support from the city and no concrete measures to provide the counterpart services and resources to make this pilot project a success”, said Karla de Guia, one of the volunteers of SolarGeneration Negros who presented the declaration.

Mayor Leonardia has promised GRIPP and SolarGeneration that he will fast-track the drafting of the MOA with the proponents. “We don’t want empty words, we demand real action. We hope you will honor this commitment”, added de Guia.

“GRIPP has been meeting with local officials for almost 2 years now, exploring ways to secure firm commitments that will demonstrate the city’s ownership of this project. Our team has done much to make this a highly exciting pilot for Bacolod. We chose Bacolod as it is the provincial capital of Negros Occidental, declared by the national government as the first ever province whose development shall be powered by renewable energy and home of the 100% Mabuhay Renewable Energy Negros Campaign. We remain hopeful that the city council and the city leaders would lead the way without wasting any more time,” said Reina Garcia, GRIPP Coordinator based in Negros.

GRIPP led the development of the project together with partner organizations such as Greenpeace and Solar Electric Co. It has successfully secured funding for the initial fleet of 50 electric jeeps. “We have been providing technical, financial, human resource support for this project since 2005. We have worked intensively to develop this project so we can pilot this in Bacolod. Now, it is being handed to the city on a silver plate. All the city has to do is deliver the required counterpart services,” added Ballesteros.

Since the project strongly adheres to the principles of sustainability in public-private partnerships, the host city is required to commit to certain services and resources to demonstrate co-ownership and long-term commitment to the success of the project. These include the: (1) land as site for the bio-gas plant and depot; (2) services for the collection of purely organic and biodegradable waste; and (3) routes for the test period of the e-jeeps and assistance in identifying the best route for its commercial operations.

GRIPP representatives earlier asked the City Council to introduce a resolution endorsing the implementation of the project in support of earlier Resolution 648-A. However the council informed GRIPP that a MOA is required prior to the resolution being adopted by the Sanggunian.GRIPP then worked on the MOA with Mayor Bing but later were told that the Sanggunian needs to authorize the Mayor to sign the MOA on behalf of the City of Bacolod.

“I hope we are not given the usual bureaucratic roundabout here. This is a golden opportunity for the city to lead the way so that other cities are able to meet their twin goals of climate mitigation and sustainable transport while generating employment opportunities. While other cities have offered to embrace this project without hesitation, Bacolod chooses to be a fence sitter. This project in fact should form the backbone of the political agenda of officials and candidates who are running for public office, “added Ballesteros.

“It is sad that urgent environmental issues and proposed solutions take a back seat to intrigue and political controversies. This is a wake-up call to all local officials: candidates, incumbent and those running for new posts. If your platform is based on a program such as this: a program that combines the goals of climate change mitigation, cleaner air and sustainable transport then you will definitely win the hearts and minds of voters,” stressed Ballesteros.

For more information, contact:

Athena Ballesteros, Greenpeace International Campaigner and GRIPP Chair: 0917-8131562<
Reina Garcia, GRIPP Coordinator: 434-9269; 0917-3001585 (mobile)
Albert Lozada, SolarGeneration Youth Coordinator: 0917-3016684 (mobile)
or visit solargenerationyouth.multiply.com

Popularity: 18% [?]

From personal experience, I know the subject of illegal dwellers is no laughing matter. This announcement on ClicktheCity.com just put the subject so casually–and treated the issue (or putting it further than that, the illegal dwellers themselves) like some pest that needs to be exterminated. You can line this one up beside the ad searching for exterminators. Having seen this issue from both sides (long story), I think you can trust me when I say that no one wins. Employment and housing are key issues that need to be addressed (calling on our local government, congressional and senatorial candidates).

Also, catch podcasts from interviews with the different senatorial candidates here. Thanks Dang, for the heads up on this one.

Popularity: 16% [?]