Culture and Communications

Culture is in every layer of human existence. Economy, politics, worldviews, self-understanding, music and food. They are all related to cultural heritage and the present.

I am passionate for culture and social communications. I believe culture is the best path possible to understand people, societies, nations.

Curiosity is in human nature, and journalism can canalize it to enrich the 21st century with peaceful understanding among distant countries in a globalized era.

The 21^st century is one of unsatisfied basic human needs for a high portion of global population. At the same time, humanity might face the scarcity of natural resources as basic as water.

Journalism should promote intercultural peaceful comprehension, the respect for human rights and have and compromise with the environment´s health.

We journalists have the privilege of being social communicators. Our passion is directly linked to the exercise of a human right. We must take that responsibility. We provide the public with tools that help them construct their worldviews.

New technologies transformed social communications and journalism. Instead of broadcasting, media has democratized.

Technology provides the tools for the democratization of journalism in the 21^st century. Those of us who studied and/or worked hard to apprehend journalism skills live in a privileged time for reaching our highest potential in our vocation.

Emerging journalism should combine both, the spirit of participatory journalism, and the quality and skills of professional journalism. Always keeping in mind the responsibility of being a social communicator.

World Vision Report

The spirit of an abandoned Cinema comes back to life and glory. Listen: http://www.worldvisionreport.org/Stories/Week-of-October-16-2010/Gloria-2-Cinema

Gloria 2 is a theater in downtown Ingeniero Maschwitz, not far from Buenos Aires. Marcos Federman lives there and belongs to the group that opened the movie theater in the small town square.

BBQ and construction workers.

Listen: http://www.worldvisionreport.org/Stories/Week-of-May-1-2010/Barbeque

After a long week of hard, physical labor, construction workers in Argentina often celebrate with a barbecue at the construction site. Much like the way they teach each other construction skills, they also share their skills at the grill.

Education´s Impact.

Listen: http://www.worldvisionreport.org/Stories/Week-of-September-4-2010/Education-s-Impact

This week, reporter Marcos Federman, from Argentina, and an olive wood carver from Bethlehem (recorded by reporter Daniel Estrin) share how teachers from their past have made an impact on their lives.

Home-made bread by the river.

Listen: http://www.worldvisionreport.org/Stories/Week-of-November-6-2010/Baking-Bread-in-Argentina

As part of the World Vision Report’s Street Vendors series, reporterMarcos Federman introduces us to a baker in Buenos Aires, Argentina, named Delia.

Free Speech Radio News

 

Argentine hospital uses radio to treat mental illnesses.

LISTEN: http://www.fsrn.org/audio/argentine-hospital-uses-radio-treat-mental-illnesses/5129

A hospital in Argentina is using radio to improve life for psychiatric patients. People who suffer from mental illnesses are broadcasting their own programs on FM Desate, while they run the station along with communication specialists and psychologists.

The station managers say radio programs are therapeutic, and they allow patients to express themselves.  Marcos Federman reports from Buenos Aires.

Argentine Parliament debates on protecting Glaciers from mega-mining. Listen: http://fsrn.org/audio/argentina-lawmakers-debate-protection-glaciers-andean-mining/7297

And now we go to Argentina, to look at another environmental issue. Today lawmakers are debating a measure that would protect glaciers and natural resources from contaminating activities such as mega mining. If passed, Multinational corporation Barrick Gold would have to stop its massive open-pit mining operation in the Andes Mountains, one of the largest in the world. Marcos Federman reports.

Argentine Government accuses Media Monopoly Clarin of human rights abuses.

Listen: http://fsrn.org/audio/argentina-case-draws-attention-media-groups-and-human-rights-abuses/7621

In Argentina, the government has filed a lawsuit against two of the biggest media corporations, accusing them of human rights violations during the bloody military dictatorship in the 1970s and 80s. This follows the release of a 26,000-page investigation into the companies alleged crimes. But this issue goes beyond past events. At the center is Papel Prensa, the country´s biggest newsprint producer. President Cristina Kirchner and other officials want to declare paper production in the public interest, citing the effect of the near-monopoly on small newspapers. Marcos Federman has more.

No Chains: global clothing brand against slavery.

Listen: http://www.fsrn.org/audio/new-clothing-brand-fights-dismal-factory-conditions/6820

Textile workers in Thailand and Argentina have joined forces to fight against slave labor. Workers cooperatives in the two distant countries are collaborating to fight against dismal working conditions in clothes factories, by launching a brand of their own.

Argentina media law promises to break up monopolies.

Listen: http://www.fsrn.org/audio/headlines-thursday-september-2-2010/7428
A new media law takes affect today in Argentina, replacing regulations imposed by the US-backed Military Junta in 1980.  Under the old law, only for-profit media companies were allowed to broadcast.  FSRN’s Marcos Federman reports.

Under the new law, 33% of radio and TV stations will redistributed to non-profit organizations, universities, labor unions and NGOs.  Gabriel Mariotto is head of the Federal Authority of Communications.

“Parte de la busqueda de libertad de expresion y pluralidad es que haya nuevas voces y que no haya monopolios.  Porque si los hay se atentan contra los puntos de vista.  Hay alguien que tiene un privilegio en su punto de vista en detrimento del resto.  Y eso no construye democracia ni ciudadania.  por eso esta ley es antimonopolica.”

“We want to strengthen freedom of speech by allowing new voices in the media.  Media monopolies decrease diversity; their point of view is given an unfair advantage.  Monopolies do not strengthen democracy and citizenship, which is why this new regulations outlaw monopolies.”

The new law, passed last October, allows a maximum of 13 TV and radio licenses per owner.  Argentine media giant Clarin currently has about 250 licenses, and used its vast resources to fight the law all the way to the Supreme Court.  But the Court ruled in June that the law could stand.  Since then, the government has been writing the rules and regulations through which the new media law will finally take effect.  Marcos Federman, FSRN, Buenos Aries.

Argentine Supreme Court democratizes the media.

Listen: http://www.fsrn.org/audio/argentine-supreme-court-expands-media-access/6929

In Argentina, some lawmakers and public interest groups are celebrating Tuesday’s Supreme Court decision on a new media law that will redistribute radio and TV licenses amongst private, non-profit and state entities. The law gives community groups access to media for the first time in 30 years.

Veterans of Falklands-Malvinas war still fighting for recognition and benefits.

Listen: http://fsrn.org/audio/veterans-falklands-malvinas-war-still-fighting-recognition-and-benefits/6487

Today marks the 28th anniversary of the Falklands-Malvinas war between Argentina and the United Kingdom. The Falklands islands are in Argentine waters, but have been occupied since the 18th century by the French, British and the Spanish. Recently, England initiated off shore petroleum exploration near the Islands, which has renewed the centuries-old sovereignty debate. But while diplomatic conflict grabs international headlines, there’s a lesser-known story connected to the Falklands-Malvinas island dispute. It has to do with veterans of the war and their ongoing fight for recognition and benefits, nearly three decades later. FSRN’s Marcos Federman has more.

Argentina´s plan to give One (Intel) Laptop Per Student.

Listen: http://www.fsrn.org/audio/argentina-plan-increase-computer-access-draws-corporate-competition/7449

Four years ago, a US-based non-profit set out to expand educational opportunities for poor and low income children by creating low-power, durable and internet connected lap-tops. The first One Laptop Per Child  units were delivered to Uruguay and Birmingham, Alabama. Over the last few years, Massachusetts-based One Laptop Per Child has delivered more than one million units. But the new market also caught the attention of computer giants Intel and Microsoft. Now some countries, including Argentina, are contracting with these corporations. FSRN’s Marcos Federman reports from Buenos Aires.

Argentine Senate will legalize same sex marriage today.

Listen: http://www.fsrn.org/audio/argentina-senate-set-take-gay-marriage/7089

This week, Argentina´s Senate is scheduled to decide on whether to legalize same sex marriage. The lower chamber of government approved a bill in May and the president has vowed to sign it if passed by the senate. The bill´s proponents have waged a long-campaign for same-sex marriage, winning support from a wide spectrum of groups. But in a largely Catholic society, there`s still strong opposition.

Argentina considers legalizing gay marriage.

LISTEN: http://www.fsrn.org/audio/audio-tag-title-raw/5767

This week (Nov.11th 2009) a gay couple in Argentina has received the country’s first marriage license. A judge ruled last week that stopping the couple from marriage is a violation of the country’s constitutional guarantee to equality. The decision makes Argentina the first country in Latin America to allow same sex marriage. The ruling does not extend beyond the specific case, but Argentina’s parliament is now debating two measures that could legalize same sex marriage outright.

Uruguay passes bill to allow citizens choose gender identity.

LISTEN: http://www.fsrn.org/audio/uruguay-passes-bill-allow-citizens-choose-gender-identity/5887

In Uruguay, the Parliament has approved a bill that allows citizens to choose their gender identity. This means any citizen can decide which gender should appear on their IDs as long as they prove with a witness that they have lived under such sexual identity for the past four years.

Grassroots in Chile and Argentina oppose Barrick Gold’s mining project. Listen: http://www.fsrn.org/audio/groups-chile-and-argentina-oppose-barrick-gold-mining-project/5435

Gold mining operations in South America are under fire from hundreds of NGOs and community groups.  In July, the Canadian firm Barrick Gold secured an agreement with the governments of Chile and Argentina to look for gold in a large water reserve. But groups from both countries have come up with an action plan against the company´s operations. FSRN´s Marcos Federman has the story.

Headline: Argentine’s ruling party suffers unanticipated blow at polls.

LISTEN: http://www.fsrn.org/audio/headlines-monday-june-29-2009/4965

Argentina’s ruling party was stunned by the results in this weekend’s mid-term elections – Marcos Federman reports from Buenos Aires.

Headline: Argentineans Rally for Gay Rights on Anniversary of Stonewall.

Listen:http://www.fsrn.org/audio/headlines-tuesday-june-29-2010/6997

In Buenos Aires, thousands gathered yesterday in front of the Parliament calling for the passage of a gay marriage bill — Marcos Federman was there

The rally coincided with the 41st anniversary of the 1969 Stonewall riots in New York that ushered in the gay rights movement in the United States. Hundreds of social organizations and individuals joined dozens of NGOs, actors, intellectuals and several congress members that spoke in support of gay marriage. Maria Jose Lubertino, president of the National Institute Against Discrimination, addressed her remarks to the Senate:

“ Maria Jose Lubertino in English: we know the Senate has an important opportunity, an opportunity to reconcile with the citizens, to reconcile with democracy, to enhance our democracy. The Senate has to come out of the closet!”

These are the last weeks of what might be a turning point in Argentine civil and gay rights history. The nation’s Lower Chamber has already passed a bill legalizing gay marriage. It goes to the Senate for approval July 14th.

Headline: UK rejects OAS call for Falklands-Malvinas sovereignty negotiations.

Listen:

http://www.fsrn.org/audio/headlines-thursday-june-10-2010/6896

Despite the leaking oil well in the Gulf of Mexico, internationally, prospects of offshore oil exploration and drilling have re-ignited the row between the UK and Argentina over the Falkland Islands, or Malvinas.  International pressure has been building on England to sit down to diplomatic talks on the issue, but as Marcos Federman reports from Argentina, without much success.

Earlier this week, all 33 countries of the Organization of American States (OAS) supported Argentina’s desire to initiate negotiations with England over Falkland-Malvina sovereignty.  But Wednesday, Great Britain rejected the calls to open talks.  The two countries fought a brief war over the territory in the early 1980s, with the UK maintaining control.

Recently, Argentina hardened its position after British companies began offshore oil exploration.  Argentina says the exploration is illegal because it takes place in Argentine waters.  Argentine Foreign Minister, Jorge Taiana, declared that Great Britain’s claim to the island almost 5 thousand miles away from British national territory is due to a “spirit of colonialism” that represents a menace in the region.

The British government announced their policy has not changed with the arrival of new Prime Minister David Cameron.  The government says it will not initiate talks unless the people of the Falklands ask for them.

Headline: UK finds oil in area claimed by Argentina.

Listen: http://www.fsrn.org/audio/headlines-friday-may-7-2010/6695

Tensions between Great Britain and Argentina continue to escalate as a British oil company announced they have discovered oil off the Falkland Islands, called the Malvinas by Argentina.  FSRN’s Marcos Federman reports from Buenos Aries.

Three months ago Great Britain authorized off shore oil exploration in waters off the Falklands.  Argentina responded by raising opposition in international forums.  The government has prohibited companies that do business in Argentina from any involvement in British oil exploration.

The Falkland-Malvinas are in Argentine waters, but Argentina and England have been arguing over sovereignty issues since 1833.  The conflict reached a peak in 1982 during the Falklands War.

Today the Foreign Ministry once again denounced the oil explorations and said the islands were the property of the Argentine people.  It also said Argentina will do everything necessary to prevent actions that are illegal according to international laws.

Headline: Activists push for court approval of Media Reform law.

Listen: http://www.fsrn.org/audio/headlines-friday-april-16-2010/6566

Media activists are calling on the Argentine Supreme Court to allow democratic media reforms to go through.  Tens of thousands marched to the Buenos Aries court yesterday to keep the pressure on, as FSRN’s Marcos Federman reports.

After Congress approved a new media reform law last December, multimedia conglomerates in Argentina filed lawsuits to block the legislation.  The companies are worried because the new law divides TV and radio licenses into thirds: one third for private businesses, one for NGOs and one for the government.

More than 300 social organizations are supporting the law, and supporters came from all over the country to march.  Julio Cesar Rios of the NGO Carta Abierta was carrying the flag of his organization:

“To defend this law is to defend Democracy.  This new law really allows freedom of speech by opening new channels of communication all across the country, and it crushes media monopolies.”

Now it’s the Supreme Court’s decision whether to take up the case.  A timeline for this has not been set.  Marcos Federman, FSRN, Buenos Aries.

Street Beat. Latin Americans discuss US military presence in Colombia.

Listen: http://www.fsrn.org/audio/streetbeat-latin-americans-discuss-us-colombia-military-agreement/5345

Latin American presidents met in Argentina to discuss what was perceived as a menace by many countries in the area. A protest was held at the Colombian Embassy in Buenos Aires. People protesting and those passing by had something to say.

Headline: Uruguay seeks to overturn law protecting perpetrators of military crimes during 1973-85 dictatorship.

Listen: http://fsrn.org/audio/headlines-friday-october-22-2010/7704

For 25 years, the perpetrators of military crimes committed during the Uruguayan dictatorship have enjoyed amnesty under a law passed soon after the junta fell. But now, the country’s congress is moving to overthrow the law, which has prevented victims of the dictatorship from receiving justice.  FSRN’s Marcos Federman has more.

The Uruguayan Lower Chamber voted in favor of annulling the Amnesty Law, which sidestepped trials for crimes committed by the military dictatorship between 1973 and 1985. President José Mujica is a former member of the resistance and was incarcerated for several years by the military. His governing coalition is leading the effort to throw out the Amnesty Law. The law was approved in 1986 by the first democratic government after the Military Junta. Two public referendums, one in 1989 and another last year, failed to garner enough votes to overturn it. The law now moves to the Senate. The ruling party has a slight majority, but passage is still uncertain.  Members of the government are still trying to garner enough votes.  Marcos Federman, FSRN.

Psyquiatric Radio in Buenos Aires

FM Desate is a radio station run by psychologists and mental patients in Buenos Aires. It’s creation was a result of an interdisciplinary experience in which a team of Social Communications specialists from Buenos Aires Unviersity (of which I am part of) collaborated with Doctors and patients in the Moyano Psychiatric Hospital.

It was an incredible experience for all of us. We gave Radio Workshops at the hospital, for doctors and patients, and after 6 months, radio became part of reality. Patients participate as Producers and Hosts of radio programmes that air through the internet: www.fmdesate.org.

They also have special live ‘Open-Radio’ shows that take place at the hospital and to which anyone can attend and enjoy.

Currently the Moyano Hospital is in danger of being shut down by city government, and patients debate this issue in a video we filmed in this context. You can see the video on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7coNhEjYWc (faces of patients are not shown for legal reasons).

Patients say they feel radio has ‘healing powers’.

Silvia Maltz is the Occupational Therapist that leads this proyect that has been declared of Cultural Interest  by the Buenos Aires Parliament. The experience has called the attention of the academic world, and we have been invited to share our experience in several Conferences held at the Universidad Popular Madres de Plaza de Mayo, at the Montes de Oca Psychiatric Hospital and at the Moyano Hospital.

Listen to the Mundo, radio for travelers

Listen to the Mundo was a creation of three travelers who love to experience and learn from other cultures.

Patricio Puleio, Mr.Niger and myself created one of the radio shows I most enjoyed being part of. I was the radio host, and story-teller. We aired traveling-world-stories backed by a ‘rusty-sound’ and

Logo de Listen to the Mundo

very good mixing skills that gave the stories a ‘reality sense’.Stories were narrated by ourselves and by our listeners that had traveled and wanted to share their experiences. We added the audio effects to their narrations. From New Delhi to LA, going through Colombia and Mexico, the world had it’s words and sounds on Listen to the Mundo.

It aired during 2008 on www.kskradio.com in Buenos Aires. Some of our stories (in spanish) can still be listened to on our blog (use Explorer if possible, Mozilla Firefox cannot detect the audios): http://www.listentothemundo.blogspot.com/

I recomend the firs one we aired: http://listentothemundo.blogspot.com/2008/05/un-argentino-en-los-angeles.html

Geek Nation, tech radio show

Geek Nation was a beautifull experience. Very professional. It was a technology trend radio programme that aired during two years (2006-2008). I was the producer of the show, and my collegues were the voices of tech news for that period of time.

This show aired on www.kskradio.com in Buenos Aires. FM 101.9

Hola World

Culture, People, Radio, journalism are my passions.

I am related to radio since 2004, when a good friend introduced me into such world. Since then I have gone professional and worked and collaborated in radio stations and programs in diverse ways. I have done both, very commercial programmes and very fulfilling volunteering community radio activities.

It is good to be in contact with the world and it’s good people. So, lets get in touch!

My Personal information:

• Marcos Benjamin Federman Schultz (marcosbenjaminfs@gmail.com\\\cel phone from abroad: 00 54 9 113 949 8888)
• Born in Argentina, also US citizen. Live near Buenos Aires.
• University of Buenos Aires, Social Communications. I am now working on my thesis.

Experience:

• Free Speech Radio News (www.fsrn.org): correspondent from Buenos Aires since September 2009. Reference: Nathan Moore, FSRN´s General Administrator. Contact: (608) 554-0225, thetallnathan@gmail.com
• Free Speech Radio News: member of the Personnel Committee since January 2010.

Reference: same as above.

• The World Vision Report (www.worldvisionreport.org). Independent producer since January 2010.

Reference: Diane Toomey, WVR´s Senior Editor. Contact: d_toomey@comcast.net

• Sirius Satellite Radio (www.siriusoutq.com/). Correspondent from Buenos Aires since October 2009.

Reference: Tim Curran, OutQ News Director. Contact: SIRIUS XM Radio   212-584-5116, Tim.Curran@siriusxm.com

• Psychiatric Radio Station (www.fmdesate.org): I was part of the founding team that carried out the Diagnosis and Planning which resulted in the creation of radio station at Mental Health Hospital Moyano in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Reference: Psychologist and Occupational Therapist Silvia Maltz, head of FM Desate Project. Contact: radialmoy@yahoo.com.ar

• KSK Radio (www.kskradio.net/): Geek Nation, a radio show about technology trends. It was on the air of during the period 2006-2008. And Listen to the Mundo (2007-2008) (www.listentothemundo.blogspot.com), a radio show about the world, travelling, travellers, stories, places, world music, world food, world arts.

Reference: Patricio Puleio, KSK Radio General Manager. Contact: patopuleio@gmail.com

• Dia 32 Magazine: I write for this news and culture magazine.

Reference: Ciro Yacuzzi, General Director. director@dia32.com.ar

University studies: Science of Social Communications at the Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA). Currently working on my thesis.

Other information:

• I am currently President of NGO Colectivo Cultural (http://www.colectivo-cultural.com.ar), an argentine grassroots local organization that promotes cultural activities that integrate members of the community in actions that benefit the community as a whole by creating networks between individuals and organizations through the course of action.

• Radio Workshops 2010: I designed and lead two radio workshops organized by NGO Colectivo Cultural in Public School number 4 from Ingeniero Maschwitz, Argentina.

Reference: Gabriela Krobot, School Director: Daka_76@hotmail.com.

• NGO Radio Program 2010: as a result of the first radio workshop, a team was created and NGO Colectivo Cultural has a radio show once a week on FM Lider 98.9.

Reference: Gabriela Perez de Simone. NGO Colectivo Cultural´s Vice-President. perezdesimone_mg@hotmail.com. Alvaro Maipah, FM Lider´s General Director: alvaromaipah@hotmail.com.

• I´ve travelled and known different cultures and idiosyncrasies. I have visited several times family members in the United States, Mexico, Israel and Greece. I also traveled in Holland, Canada, Cuba, Costa Rica, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay, and Uruguay. I believe these experiences have enriched my view on people and the way different cultures and individuals have their own perspectives. I would be extremely pleased if I could combine my vocation for journalism and my passion for learning from other cultures.