Keeping abreast of developments in Facebook row

Despite all the awful in the world, at least Facebook exercised some sense this week. Hope for all.

The petition which followed Facebook's announcement banning breastfeeding pics is an unfortunate side-effect of progress.

Eds note: I do love women.

Anticipating Che

Benicio del Toro and Steven Soderbergh's eight-year labour of intrigue into Cuban revolutionary icon Che Guevara finally hits UK shores on the 2nd January, thankfully giving me a day to shake off the inevitable New Years' hangover so I can approach the multi-hour bio-pic with a clear, objective head.

The film, entitled simply Che, has been split into two parts, which were initially to be called The Argentine and Guerilla, but are now just Part One and Part Two, and by all accounts will be nothing if not a very unique take on both the revolutionary subject and the biopic genre. Needless to say, the film will divide audiences.

Most critics who've seen the pre-release screenings say it's the overwhlemingly didadict (some say dispassionate/ unconventional) approach Soderberg has taken with Che which has really got people pigeon-necking [1], [2], [3], [4]. Opinion is divided.

Little White Lies' Jonathan Crocker said "it had the look and feel of a seminal film...as with any cinematic landmark, it may take years to fully absorb." Roger Ebert named it as one of his films of 2008, whilst James Rocchi of cinematical.com went a step further and named it as his film of the year. On the flipside, Variety film critic Todd McCarthy called it "non-dramatic" and that "[n]either [Part One or Two] feels remotely like a satisfying stand-alone film, while the whole offers far too many aggravations for it's paltry rewards."

So, no pressure for Che to perform at the box-office then.

As a political entity, Che has made waves as well. Miami Cubans protested at a screening near a US screening in Little Havana (despite many not having seen the film), Soderberg had to deal with rowdy invitees and a marathan Q&A session in New York and del Toro has received praise from Cuban national newspaper Granma, a Cannes Best Actor win and a letter of approval from Guevarra's wife.

I'll report back on here with a full review in January, but until then, enjoy a trailer. (Might be a Youtube special, might be the official one, not entirely sure.)

Telegraph row with Greenslade, get blog-post kicking

About a week ago there was an interesting little blog feud/debate between Media Guardian critic/all round journalismystro Roy Greenslade and The Telegraph honcho Justin Williams over goings on at the Telegraph.

You might be wondering I've decided to bring this up now. The reason is not so much about the feud, although that was good, but because of the feedback left on Williams blog since. He's had his face metaphorically rubbed over a dirtdee washing-filled floor, by almost all the posters. Can it really be that bad at the rebranded-Torygraph?

I'd like to think not, simply because the editor, Will Lewis, is City Uni journalism alumni and if he's tarred then the rest of us (probably) are too. Although, as I'm unlikely to ever make a huge difference to the mainstream British press, maybe I shouldn't care.

Anyways, back to the story. Greenslade, who lectures a bunch of us trainee journalists every term-time Monday afternoon at City University, is concerned the Telegraph is becoming an evil enterprise which lays off staff, systematically breaks journalists' morale and is trying to become the new Daily Mail - "unashamedly popularist," says the Green man.

He left a post after the said blog in which he braced himself for the Williams shizen to really hit the fan, but maybe secretly goading the Telegraph deputy ed to really let loose. Which he did.

Cue mud-slinging, anger, vitriol etc. and an interesting debate on the future of print journalism and how journalists should do their jobs in the UK.

Iraqi journo gives Bush the boot

Normally, George Bush doesn't need any help to put his foot in it. However, at a news conference in Iraq today he was introduced to the sole of journalist Muntadar al-Zeidi's shoe as a thank-you for all of his good work building a new American oil base, er..., future for the country.

In Arabic culture to show someone the sole of your foot is the something like the equivalent of calling some a c**t in Britain. Hmmm...

Eds note - I will learn how to upload video to this blog asap.

Update 17th December 2008 - If it appeared Bush was just a little too good at ducking from those shoes, the reason is now clear, as shown in the footage below. He's been taking lessons from the Matrix Trilogy. So we now also know what he actually does all day. In addition, to feed your inner child, play Sock and Awe, Flying Babush or Bush Boot Camp.

Not funny, Elton? Guardian wins landmark court case against singer

Elton John likes to throw tantrums that most newborns would be proud of. Unfortunately, he'll have to cry into his pillow alone over his latest spat after a judge ruled the Guardian had not defamed or libelled the moody singer in a spoof article about his annual White Tie and Tiara Ball.

Guardian writer Martina Hyde wrote the piece, which is essentially a mock diary of Elton's week as he prepares for his AIDS charity ball. The article has Reg Dw..., sorry, Elton seeing the ball as less a chance to raise money for research and more a chance for him to reseach which attending celebs would be useful to be seen with for the next twelve months. Any cash heading for his foundation would be subject to costs, which Hyde has Elton amusingly named 'care-o-nomics'.

The decision is a great one to me, professionally and personally. As a writer it's good too know that the law agrees we're allowed to prod at the celeb piggies for a bit of fun, just to remind them that their egos aren't universally appreciated by all. Elton John needs goading, if only to ensure he continues to have a hissy fit everytime he gives someone enough ammunition to wind him up. Which is all the time.

Legally, journalists have been vindicated by this decision, which was hailed as a "landmark decision" by Guardian writer Duncan Campbell.

The former Watford chairman will now be out of a substantial amount of cash (which he would have otherwise payed into his charity, of course) for legal fees for both himself and the Guardian.

As a human being, it's also good to know that freedom of speech has been protected; I was starting to get the impression celebs have immunity from all laws normal people are subject to. I was starting to think I might have to apply for a spot on next year's X-Factor or throw an egg at Boris Johnson at his next public appearance just to get some press exposure. I'd then become a Z-Lister for a few weeks, enabling myself to do some really bad journalism and get away with it on grounds that I'm too important to be bothered by some silly editor... he's not as famous as me and therefore bypasses the radar.

So, Elton, take the decision on the chin. We're awaiting your next tantrum with some very tickly feathers.

Flat Earth News: Journalists - do not read

I've just had one of the most exhausting few weeks of my life. Fellow journalism students at City might think I'm referencing the massive workload we've had (two reporting port-folios due on the same day is enough to crush the strongest of spirits) but I'm not.

My exhaustion is self-inflicted and on-going. I'm reading a book. A book about journalism. A book about journalism by a journalist who thinks journalists are no longer doing journalism. No no, instead, they do 'churnalism'. This basically means they are expected to write up to ten stories a day by evil editors who will chop off their hands, Saudi-style, if they don't hit their target. It means they rely on Press Association press releases to write those ten stories and that they often have neither the time nor the talent to check the facts of those ten stories because the deadline means deadline or, like a former editor told me recently, "only doesn't mean deadline if you're dead, a family member's dead [questionable excuse] or you're unconscious [does being drunk/hungover count?]." It sounds really, really crap.

As someone spending a goddawful amount of money to be training as a journalist, I should have immediately burned this book, Flat Earth News by veteran hack Nick Davies, on sight. And other journalism trainees should have done the same - what's a few Waterstones up in flames if the alternative it is to have our souls smashed to shit by seasoned journalists who know too much?

In all honesty, most of Flat Earth News is probably spot on but I don't want to know that. Leave me to be idealistic and naive, or at least let me learn the truth in my own time. I start a month's work experience at two magazines tomorrow and by Nick Davies assertion, that must make me a idiot, a fool, all of the above or just a glutton for lies, the lying liars that tell lies and the lying media that lets those lying liars lie.

Down with Davies and his insider knowledge. Up with the liars.