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Abducted by Aliens? Don’t Call the British Ministry of Defense

February is requiring a sense of humor:

The New York Times reported on the British National Archives recent release of documents regarding UFO sightings:

“Abduction is a criminal offense and as such is a matter for the civil police to handle,” the ministry advised a constituent from Lancashire. “The police can only investigate allegations of abduction if there is evidence to suggest that such a crime has taken place. As to date, the M.O.D. is not aware of any evidence which might substantiate the existence of extraterrestrial life forms, the matter of abduction by ‘aliens’ remains a nonissue as far as the M.O.D. is concerned.”

Good to know.

Global Issues in Context does not have a portal covering UFOs and alien abductions.  But, as with all other topics, please do let us know if you’d like for us to cover a specific topic.

Posted on: February 22, 2010, 12:55 pm Category: News in Context Tagged with: ,

By: maomeara

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How to Handle a Recall, Or Not

Toyota’s recall mess doesn’t seem to be going away.  The U.S. Congress has “invited” Toyota president Akio Toyoda to testify regarding the problems that have led to a huge recall — some 10M cars worldwide.  The accelerator problems have allegedly led to deaths and “unintended acceleration.”

It has certainly led to a PR mess.  Toyota has been criticized for not acting quickly and decisively in handling the problem — for not responding at all for several years after concerns had been raised. 

But some analysts are now suggesting that Toyota is also the victim of unfair and inappropriate bashing, and that people (and other automakers) are reveling in Toyota’s troubles.  How fun is it to watch the largest car manufacturer — and a non-U.S. car manufacturer — take a hit?

Discussion Questions and Activities:

1. Imagine you are the PR director for a large company.  The company is facing a recall of its flagship product.  What is your recommendation for approaching the recall?

2. How do you think cultural differences have impacted how the Toyota recall has been handled?

3. You are Toyota’s chief marketing officer.  Create a one-page marketing plan for rebuilding the company’s image.

4. You are the chief marketing officer for a key Toyota competitor.  Create a one-page marketing plan to encourage Toyota’s customers to become your customers.

Additional Resources for Global Issues in Context Subscribers:

Posted on: February 19, 2010, 10:12 am Category: News in Context Tagged with: , ,

By: maomeara

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Anonymous Winner of Polk Award

Long Island University annouced the 2009 George Polk Awards this week.  The Polk Award honors superior journalism.  For the first time, an award was given to a work produced anonymously.  The work — in the new category of videography — honored the person who took and posted online the death of Neda Agha-Soltan, a young woman shot during antigovernment protests in Iran.

The young woman had just exited her car on her way to attend protests against the outcome of the 2009 Iranian presidential election when she was shot and killed.  Her death was filmed by an anonymous bystander, and was posted on the Internet.  It became a rallying point for the protesters, who challenged what they claim was the fraudulent re-election of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

During the Iranian Revolution a Pulitzer was given to a man who filmed the execution of 11 Kurdish men.  The photographer’s name was known to the committee, but withheld to protect him from retribution.  He has subsequently been identified and honored.

Since the videographer of Neda Agha-Soltan’s death is likely not a professional, and with the use of social media for distribution, this represents an acknowledgement of the changing nature of journalism.

Discussion Questions:

1. How do you ensure the accuracy and objectivity of “news” posts by amateurs?

2. What is the best way to honor individuals who make anonymous — but brave — contributions to news?

Additional Resources for Global Issues in Context Subscribers:

Posted on: February 18, 2010, 11:00 am Category: News in Context Tagged with: , ,

By: maomeara

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Italy’s Government Ponders Internet Regulations

Italy may be a country of food, wine, and afternoon naps, but it isn’t much for unrestricted access to the Web, apparently.  Unlike in many other communities in the west, Italy is distinctly un-wired: reportedly only about 1% of Italy has WiFi coverage.  And now the Italian government is mulling instituting some of the strictest Internet regulations in a western democracy.

 The regulations would establish a body to ensure that nothing uploaded to the Internet (specifically YouTube-like videos) were pornographic or harmful to national security.  Critics state that it would destroy the Internet in Italy.  The NGO Reporters Without Borders has expressed concerns that this will further limit freedom of the press in Italy. 

Discussion Questions:

1.  How do you fairly balance concerns about copyright enfringement with freedom of speech?

2. Do you feel that the Internet should be regulated to protect national and world security?

Additional Resources for Global Issues in Context Subscribers:

Posted on: February 16, 2010, 10:43 am Category: News in Context Tagged with: , ,

By: maomeara

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Smokers Need Not Apply? Lesson Plan

9-12 social studies/health/global issues/economics 

Smokers Need Not Apply? (video from Fox News)

Overview: A series of lesson plans exploring the topic: should employers be able to refuse employment to those who smoke?

 

The Interviews–Lesson Plan 1

Objective:  Students will conduct interviews, gather and analyze results.  Interviews will be on the issue discussed in the video clip (should employers be able to refuse employment to those who smoke?). Students will share results via a presentation. 

 

Commercial–Lesson Plan 2

Objective:  Students will complete a television commercial advertising their opinion on the issue

 

The Economics of Smoking–Lesson Plan 3

Objective:  Students will analyze smoking from an economic perspective.

 

Additional Resources:

Employer Initiatives to Stop Smoking, from the Journal of Employee Assistance, May 2006.

Can Employer Refuse to Hire Smokers?, from HR Recruiting Alert, 21 August 2009.

Does Refusing to Hire Smokers Amount to ‘Discrimination’?, in Emergency Physicians Monthly, 11 February 2010.

Refusal to Hire Smokers Criticized, in Seattle Times, 23 January 2009.

Companies Increasingly Saying Smokers Need Not Apply, in Seattle Times, 10 October 2004.

 

 

Resources for Global Issues in Context Subscribers:

Big Tobacco’s New Targets, in Time. 27 July 2009.

Gruesome Photos on Cigarette Packages Reduce Tobacco Use, in Bulletin of the World Health Organization, 1 August 2009.

Public Smoking Ban, in The Times (London, England), 2 December 2003. 

Posted on: February 11, 2010, 12:31 pm Category: Lesson Plans and School Projects Tagged with: ,

By: maomeara

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