Newscast for Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Syrian military steps up attacks on Homs, leaving dozens dead

In Syria, military shelling on the central city of Homs continued today, killing more than 80, according to local activists and media reports. Three journalists have also been killed, including Syrian videographer Rami al-Sayed, who friends and residents remembered for his bravery and for shedding light on the violence and attacks. The French government confirmed the identities of two Western journalists who were killed, Remi Ochlik, a photographer, and American Marie Colvin, who was working for Britain’s Sunday Times. Human rights groups have warned of a humanitarian crisis in Homs, and The International Red Cross is calling for a daily cease fire in order to allow medical access to civilians. Many residents in Homs have been cut off from vital supplies and medicine since an attack by Syria’s military stepped up nearly three weeks ago. Also today, an anti government demonstration took place in Hama. A video posted online by the Activist News Association, a Cairo-based group, showed crowds of people in the street waving the rebel flag. Activists also reported Syrian military helicopters with machine guns opening fire in the northern village of Ifis and government forces conducting raids in Damascus neighborhoods, setting up checkpoints and entering homes and shops. This week, US officials have suggested the possibility of aiding opposition forces more directly. Senator John McCain said the US should increase “assistance” to rebels, including the possibility of training. When asked today specifically about military intervention in Syria, White House Press Secretary Jay Carney said diplomatic measures would still be the priority.

“Right now, and I was asked this yesterday and I just want to make it clear that we do not believe that adding to the militarization of Syria is the right approach. We believe that the right approach is for the international community to speak with one voice to pressure Assad and get him to relinquish power and to cease the brutal assault on his own people.”

On Friday, Tunisia is scheduled to host a conference on Syria for international delegates to discuss the situation. Last week, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution condemning the “widespread and systematic” human rights violations in Syria.

Obama unveils plan to close tax loopholes and lower corporate rate

The Obama Administration unveiled a proposal Wednesday to lower the corporate tax rate, as an incentive to manufacturing and renewable energy companies. This would be balanced by closing dozens of loopholes and tax breaks, and according to the Treasury Department, would not add to the deficit. But some tax policy experts are concerned. They say that many corporations currently pay little or no taxes, and they will lobby hard in order to continue to do so. FSRN’s Alice Ollstein has more, in Washington, D.C.

Thai journalist, Chiranuch Premchaiporn, to present final defense in online freedom case

Attacks on media workers continue across the globe, from targeted killings in Mexico and Pakistan to strict cybercrime laws in Angola and Thailand. The Committee to Protect Journalists annual Attacks on the Press report, released Tuesday, documents the risks faced by reporters worldwide. The report notes that innovations in technology have allowed journalists to break through censorship and to access a wider audience, such as during the uprisings across the Arab world in 2011, but that it also brings persecution and danger to journalists. In Thailand, a criminal case that pits the government’s increasing crackdown on the media  with Internet freedom wrapped up a key phase this month. Chiranuch Premchaiporn, editor of the online new site Prachatai, faces years in prison after the government charged her with violating a Computer Crimes Act after criticisms of the monarchy were posted to the comment section of the news site. Premchaiporn was originally arrested in March 2009 and this month in Bangkok, the government finished presenting its case against her. In 2011, Premchaiporn was awarded the Courage in Journalism Award from the International Women’s Media Foundation for her defense of online speech. At FSRN, we have followed her case during the past three years. For the latest, we go to Bangkok to speak with Premchaiporn.

In India, activists fight Dow Chemicals and Olympic Committee ahead of summer games

In India, criticism of the International Olympic Committee is growing ahead of this summer’s games. Opponents want the committee to scrap the sponsorship of Dow Chemical Company. DOW bought Union Carbide, the company responsible for the 1984 Gas leak in the city of Bhopal that has killed an estimated  15,000-25,000 people. Some want the Indian Government to come out in opposition and others are recommending a boycott of the Olympics. FSRN’s Jasvinder Sehgal reports.

Drought and food crisis endangers tens of thousands of children in Chad

Countries in the Sahel region of Africa are facing chronic drought, which human rights advocates say is causing a severe food crisis. In Chad, humanitarian experts estimate tens of thousands of children will experience malnutrition and hunger this year. For more, UN Radio’s Derrick Mbatha spoke with Bruno Maes with the United Nations Children’s Fund.

For A Revolutionary Black History Month with Mumia Abu-Jamal

Commentary by Mumia Abu-Jamal.