Media

The BBC reports on a new website that aims to engage young people with politics, or at least with politicians (although I think it’s been online for a while) – Where Is My Public Servant? or WIMPS – An..erm.. unfortunate acronym.. but there you go.Some teething troubles are apparent – the email system for contacting representatives seems clumsy and there are no links to individual politician’s websites – even where they do exist. More worrying is the events list Upcoming …

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Norman Geras gave a marvellous interview on BBC Radio 4 this afternoon explaining, in the most understated way, how blogging works (sound file)! There’s also decent piece on Irish poet Brendan Kennelly later in the programme, which underwrites the idea that langauge is most powerful when ego is at its least. Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the impacts of the Internet on politics and the wider media and is a regular guest and …

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Here’s a story we’ve had pointed out to us by several readers, thinking that Slugger may have been the target. But we’re fairly sure that Slugger is not the blogger that Anderstonstown News columnist Squinter had in mind: “The National Union of Journalists thinks it’s time that journalists were subjected to regulation in the same way that lawyers and accountants are. As it stands, anybody at all can call themselves a journalist. Squinter, who’s been covering community centres and irish …

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Breaking News reports that Myers apologises for single mothers column. Will those so quick to accept Mary McAleese’s apology be as forgiving of Myers? Will there be a rash of letters from supporters saying that he too was only speaking the truth ? Was there more behind the criticism than that particular incident? Should the apologies from McAleese, Blair and Myers be the end of these three matters? Are the media – including blog sites – desperate for things to …

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A nod to Richard as an new exponent of extreme Irish bloggery. Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the impacts of the Internet on politics and the wider media and is a regular guest and speaking events across Ireland, the UK and Europe. Twitter: @MickFealty

There was interesting piece on the back of the FT today on how bloggers are starting to shake up corporate America. It charts how one blog entry has led to a major lawsuit against the second largest mobile network, Verizon Wireless. It remains to be seen where blogging is going to cause the first serious disruption in Ireland and the UK.The key was communication, which effectively bypassed the companies customer care and PR departments: Hundreds of disgruntled Verizon Wireless customers …

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Well that’s what the media seems to think, pretty much across the board, they believe that after seven years of drawing everyone else into the Good Friday Agreement, it has simply walked out of it. Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the impacts of the Internet on politics and the wider media and is a regular guest and speaking events across Ireland, the UK and Europe. Twitter: @MickFealty

AN extensive interview with Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams on the Last Word. Audio file here (about 35 minutes in). Mark Devenport will be exploring similar issues on BBC Radio Ulster’s ‘Inside Politics’ tomorrow at 12.45pm with Anthony McIntyre and Prof Paul Bew of Queen’s University, BelfastThe Last Word interview took place at 5pm Thursday: 3/2/2005 It’s well worth listening to for a good overview of the Sinn Fein position. And hopefully, the start and end of ‘Inside Politics’ on …

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Steven King returns from Canada (BTW Congratulations Steven) to the Belfast Telegraph (ah well) with reaction to the launch of what ATN obviously hope will be their new flagship title, Daily Ireland. – he notes the expensive colour adverts paid for by NIO Departments [though no PSNI ads.. yet], and wonders if it will be more successful than Eddie Shah’s little-lamented Today newspaper.His first impressions – The layout is similar and the prejudices about America and Israel are the same …

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Help Slugger win a Satin Pajama – or maybe two! We are currently ahead in the Best Political Blog; very narrowly trailing the excellent Perfect.co.uk in the UK competition; and out of in the single region/country category. Today is the last day – so if you want to do something to help boost Slugger’s profile across Europe (yes, that includes all of you guys in Brussels too), then give us your votes now! Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of Slugger. …

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The Andersonstown News Group launch Daily Ireland with a tidy new tabloid design modelled partially on the viewspaper style of the English Independent. The paper’s is clear and unambiguous Republican in outlook will no doubt be articulatly expressed by columnists, who will include Danny Morrison, Tom McGurk and Jude Collins. Contrary to a remark by Seamus McKee on on Good Morning Ulster, there are no Unionist columnists on the paper.The paper’s inaugural editorial does however welcome a piece written on …

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AS Daily Ireland – the latest pro-republican newspaper from the Andytown News stable – launches this week, the Guardian takes a look at the crowded local market and sees worried competition. The most direct competition is the Irish News, set to go tabloid, as is the Belfast Telegraph with a new morning edition. The News Letter‘s layout has also changed dramatically recently. A busy time for subs desks all round…MediaGuardian reports: It is no coincidence that this hardline paper is …

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Sorry for the slow blogging today. I’m in Belfast but otherwise committed. Hope the others can keep you entertained. Don’t forget to vote for Slugger at the Satin Pajama Awards – where we’re still in contention for two categories: Best Political Blog; and the Best UK based blog. Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the impacts of the Internet on politics and the wider media and is a regular guest and speaking events across …

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THE One Small Step campaign steps up a gear with the launch of an advertising campaign aimed at breaking down racist and sectarian attitudes in Northern Ireland. Featuring the voice of Belfast-born actor Kenneth Branagh, the TV campaign will run throughout February.One Small Step chairman Trevor Ringland said: “The One Small Step campaign believes that Northern Ireland’s future must be a shared one and that the only way to achieve this is if we all try to overcome the many …

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Just to remind you, in the midst of the heated discussion, that Slugger has been shortlisted for a competition for European blogs – the Satin Pajamas. We are currently just ahead in one category – Best Political Blog. And trailing the leader in two others. After you’ve had a look at the other ‘damned fine blogs’ named there – don’t forget to Vote! Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the impacts of the Internet …

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Hearts and Minds tonight: the DUP say there can be no resumption of the talks process until the IRA jump the raised bar of decommissioning and decriminalization..we ask Peter Robinson what happens in the mean time. And on this day when our thoughts focus on the horrors of Auschwitz we reflect on the welcome offered to Jewish families who found themselves in Northern Ireland. If You Ask Me comes from Slugger regular Alex Kane. Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of …

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To some anyway. CNET News.com has an interesting report on an Internet research company’s stated intention to monitor positive and negative commentary about Super Bowl XXXIX adverts – $2.4 million price tag for a 30-second spot during the game this year – and sell their findings to the advertisers. Last year, an all-time high of 144 million Americans watched the Super Bowl, although how many were traumatised by the half-time show is still a source of concern (hat-tip Sheila)There is …

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If you want to understand the value add of blogging, check out the latest coup from worldbankpresident.org. The current incumbent, James Wolfenden reads the month old blog, and is using it as an active tool. He even took a printout of the site into his latest meeting with US Treasury Secretary John Snow, who as Bush’s point man will be key in the decision of who’s appointed the bank’s next head man, or woman – of whom, according to the …

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Fascinating article which is now nearly two years old, which asks is there a hierarchy in blogging: and if there is, is it fair? Noteable too for an early mention of Slugger on one of the charts. Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the impacts of the Internet on politics and the wider media and is a regular guest and speaking events across Ireland, the UK and Europe. Twitter: @MickFealty

The fistful of Euros blog is running their weblog award competition, and they’ve got Slugger down as a finalist in their UK, single country and political categories. If you want to add your vote (continue scrolling for the others) – hurry along before it closes again. The excellent perfect.co.uk is way out in front in the UK section! Have a browse around – there’s some good stuff in there. Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers …

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