Information Policy

Internet search engines: A crystal ball into the future?

Can Internet searches help industry watchers predict the success of a movie or the spread of an epidemic? Plenty of current studies show that when a trend in politics, consumer goods or even disease rises or falls, the Internet search volume for related terms rises and falls along with it.

http://www.latimes.com/health/boostershots/la-heb-yahoo-20100927,0,1361403.story

Nokia Sees African Mobile Penetration at 69% in 2014

Nokia has revealed that it expects to see massive growth in its African markets over the next few years, where it expects to see mobile penetration reach 69% in 2014, compared with just 39% in 2008. The Finnish handset giant expects to see 300 million new subscribers in the continent by 2014, outstripping projected growth in India and China put together. Africa is one of Nokia's key emerging markets, where it currently commands a market share of more than 50% of mobile users.

Significance: Despite its dominance in Africa, Nokia has suffered of late due to a falling share of the lucrative smartphone market. The company has recently announced a fight back to smartphone leadership, pointing out that its Symbian operating system remains the most widely used smartphone platform in the world. The world handset leader announced earlier this month that chief executive officer Olli-Pekka Kallasvuo will be replaced by former Microsoft employee Stephen Elop, following a series of disappointing quarters. Nokia still controls some 40% of the global smartphone market, but has lost out at the highest end to new rivals such as Apple, Research In Motion, and Google's Android.

https://communicationsdirectnews.com/do.php/150/41744?7649

New Free Online “Outdoor Education” Course Released to The Public

Irish-based online education and certification provider ALISON is delighted to have launched a new suite of course offering a comprehensive exploration of “Outdoor Education and all its facets. The course takes a broad all-encompassing view and approaches the topic from a psychosocial, anthropological, geo-environmental, historic and marketing angle.

This free online course presents the learner with a basic introduction to the world of “Outdoors Education”. Using an interactive presentation style, the lessons begin by defining the word “Adventure”. The tutorial then explores the topic through a psychological lens and examines motivation for pursuing adventure sports and the common denominators between disparate adventures activities.

The course then proceeds to consider the subject from a social perspective and looks at the portrayal of adventures in the mainstream media. The first course concludes by outlining the practical equipment needed for adventure and the grading and guidebooks needed for a variety of adventure activities.

This second installment of the free Adventure course examines the environmental impact of human activity and conservation, sustainable living in the context of aboriginal Australia.

This lesson is a useful introduction for those who wish to learn and understand the various facets of Adventure sports and outdoor activities. It is particularly valuable for students and for those who wish to acquaint themselves with the fundamentals of the Outdoor Education

To access the free ALISON course "Outdoor Education" click on the following link.

http://alison.com/courses/Outdoor-Education-1

Hanoi arrested blogger Pham Minh Hoang for peacefully expressing his political view

This is a guest blog entry from Trinh Nguyen, Viet Tan Fellow. Viet Tan is a pro-democracy group with members inside Vietnam and around the world. Viet Tan aims to bring about democratic changes in Vietnam through nonviolent means and civic engagement.

Minh Hoang, a blogger and lecturer at the Ho Chi Minh City Polytechnic Institute, was arrested on August 13, 2010 for blogging about democracy and social justice in Vietnam.

Initially, the Vietnamese government detained him quietly but later acknowledged his arrest. This was only after the detention was brought to international attention by Viet Tan.

Authorities continue to remain silent on the detentions of three other Viet Tan members: Pastor Duong Kim Khai, Ms Tran Thi Thuy and Mr Nguyen Thanh Tam.

Believing in the potential of young leaders in Vietnam, Professor Hoang refused to let a stalled education system fail his students and sought innovative ways to empower and encourage civic participation among his pupils through workshops on leadership skills. Known by his pen-name Phan Kien Quoc, Hoang is a politically committed blogger whose articles on corruption, the environment, and the defence of Vietnam's sovereignty have been widely circulated online.

Currently detained at the Ministry of Public Security Detainment Center at 238 Nguyen Van Cu, District 1, Saigon, Hoang was officially charged on September 29, 2010 under Article 79 of the penal code, which bans “carrying out activities with intent to overthrow the socialist government.” This charge of subversion carries a maximum penalty of capital punishment.

The Vietnamese authorities violated their own Criminal Procedure Code by holding Pham Minh Hoang beyond the time limit permitted without an official detention order and notification to his family. By covertly arresting and denying him his right to legal representation, the authorities’ possess unchecked power to commit physical abuses and force confessions.

Freedom of expression is one of the many basic human rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights to which Vietnam is a signatory.

You can help Pham Minh Hoang by signing a petition calling for his and other activists’ release. You can also contact your embassy/consulate in Vietnam asking them to intervene and demand the release of these peaceful activists. For more information, you can visit the Free Pham Minh Hoàng campaign blog or Free Them Now.

http://advocacy.globalvoicesonline.org/2010/09/29/hanoi-arrested-blogger-pham-minh-hoang-for-peacefully-expressing-his-political-view/

Iran blogger jailed for 19 years

An Iranian court has sentenced a blogger to more than 19 years in prison, according to a news website in the country. Canadian-Iranian Hossein Derakhshan was convicted of co-operation with hostile countries, spreading propaganda against the ruling establishment, promotion of counter-revolutionary groups and insulting Islamic thoughts and religious figures, said the conservative website, Mashreghnews.ir, which is close to the office of Iran's president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Derakhshan, who made trips to Israel and blogged in both English and Farsi, has been in prison since 2008. It is unclear if he would benefit from time served. The report said he could appeal. Iranian authorities have arrested numerous bloggers in recent years in a bid to clamp down on dissent.

http://www.ejc.net/media_news/iran_blogger_jailed_for_19_years/