How'd Ya Find Out? Facebook.

Twitter, Facebook, Youtube, and whatever else is out there now (maybe even this blog) is considered social media. Social media helps to connect people through the use and sharing of images, video, text, and other content. That was an understatement. Websites like Twitter and Facebook allow people to communicate whether they are in Poland or Kentucky. The spread of news and other information can be sent through these social media outlets, categorizing them as “new media” because of the use of newer technology to spread or share information. Other types of new media include BlackBerry's, DVD players, laptop computers, etc. New media is rapidly becoming a way of life all across the world, even in Italy, where the government might not be so ready to accept it.

According to a Time online article, the popular Italian show, Annozero, was taken off the air on Italy’s RAI network. The obvious reason: politics. The even more obvious reason: Berlusconi. If you remember from one of my earlier posts, I mentioned that he owns quite a few of Italy’s television networks, RAI not being one of the exceptions. The Prime Minister probably saw the show, which features political commentary, as a threat to his People of Freedom Party (right-wing). The show appears to be back on the air now, but during the time of Italy’s regional elections (which had a low turnout) the show was axed. This wasn’t the first time that Berlusconi gave the boot (like my pun?) to the show which is hosted by Michele Santoro; a former parliament member, journalist, and member of Italy’s “left-wing”. The show was taken off of the programming line up back in 2002, when Mr. Berlusconi blamed Santoro of using the network for “criminal” activity.

This time around, Santoro didn’t put up with Berlusconi’s antics. He filmed a show live through local television and streamed it online. To help pay for the production that wasn’t being funded by RAI, Santoro spread the word on Facebook and collected $3.33 per person who were willing to donate (which ended up being 50,000 people).  This speaks volumes for the progress Italy’s made in embracing social media. It’s considered a secondary news source in the country where its Prime Minister acts as a dictator of programming.

While Italy is gobbling up the new media phenomenon, using social websites as primary news sources, they are not alone. Many United States newspapers and news organizations are now either strictly web based (meaning they cut their print version) or they also have a web edition to go along with either televised or print news. This makes the spread of news much faster. When social media is added, news travels faster than the speed of light. Alright, well, maybe I’m exaggerating but it’s FAST. Not only can people check their Twitter feeds from their Palm Pilot’s, BlackBerry’s, and IPhone’s but they can choose to follow local, national, and international news organizations for live updates.

In a recent article that I co-wrote for the Lion’s Eye, I discovered that while Italy’s programming control is extreme, Communist China and other Asian countries have content blatantly left out programming and print. Part of the new and social media movement is a non-profit called Radio Free Asia. They enable citizens of those countries to access news and information they might not otherwise be getting. Part of China’s news and information block includes RFA searches and most recently on Google who stopped censoring searches in China last month only to be retaliated against with a firewall.

The potential of new media is only going to be expanding, but that doesn’t mean that “leaders” around the world are going to broaden their horizons along with it. Whether it be in Italy, the States, or anywhere else social change among the citizens is always going to be presented with a firewall of sorts from less than ideal government officials. Not all countries are as Democratic as the U.S., nor do they have a President with a Facebook or Twitter page. As long as these countries show an interest in using the technology and moving along in the right direction, there’s usually hope or at least a news resource waiting around the corner for them. Now only if changing a government system or impeaching a Prime Minister could be done through a Facebook fan page or a “text-in to vote”.

Grazie,


Nancy

Buona Pasqua

Easter, is a holiday that my nieces (and most children in America) have come to know and love for the Peeps, chocolate bunnies, and Peter Cottontail. Reader beware: some of the following content may have to do with religion. Behind all of the “superficial” aspects of the holiday (who doesn’t love digging to the bottom of their Easter basket looking for more jelly beans?), Easter is actually a Christian holiday.

Traditionally, it is a day that Christians celebrate Jesus’ resurrection from the dead because He died to give them new life. Easter is a “Holy Day” so Christians attend church or mass to give thanks. This is after a period of 40 days, otherwise known as Lent, where most Christians/Catholics abstain from something as it is their belief that Jesus died and rose to save them from sin and give them eternal life in heaven. Catholics also abstain from eating meat on Fridays during the Lenten season as an additional sacrifice. Which in comparison to their belief of Jesus carrying a cross up a hill (being tortured along the way), being hung to it with nails, and being ridiculed (crown of thorns) up until He finally dies hanging up there half-naked isn’t such a hard thing to do.

What does this have to do with being Italian? My answer for you is everything. Italy and Italians are usually members of the Roman Catholic Church. This is just from my personal experience and knowledge; however; if you wanted to know how many Italians in the U.S. and Italy that are Catholic I would look at official Census or statistical data (mine might not be so up to date). The Pope and the Vatican haven’t really moved from Italy since the Church was founded, so that may also play a big part in its influence. Easter or Pasqua in Italy is traditionally the next major holiday after Christmas. If you wanted to look at it as comparable to an American holiday, even though Americans celebrate Easter, you could say it’s similar to Thanksgiving because the believing Italians feast and give thanks for what Jesus did for them.

Without explaining the whole Easter, Roman Catholic tradition, it is a big deal. Even Easter Monday, or Pasquetta, is celebrated in Italy where people take picnics to just enjoy the Spring weather and continue to give thanks. This is something, obviously, not observed in the States while parochial schools do get the day off. “Little Easter” as it’s called, may also reflect the relaxed, European, lifestyle that Italy has going hand in hand with their afternoon naps.

All of this bias is coming to you from a self professed, Roman Catholic, Italian. Despite my being a lazy Catholic (I blame college), Easter is still just as important to me and I’d hate to see the real meaning getting lost in translation. I’d like to think that even people who don’t follow Catholicism or who aren’t Christian can appreciate the way people like me commemorate points of our religious “history”.  Maybe it can be seen as the same as Muslim prayer being allowed in public schools or even just people from other nations recognizing what the significance of the American flag is and Independence Day. That being said, commercialism of holidays and holy days should probably be taken with a grain of salt as well. It’s all in good fun and like good nutrition we should probably find a healthy balance so that our teeth and traditions don’t rot.

Grazie,

Nancy