The role of Facebook in Tunisia
Whenever there is popular unrest in the world, credit is often given to social media like Facebook for enabling the protesters to organize and get themselves heard. The recent turmoil in Tunisia, which ousted the president, seem to be no exception.
In this week's programme, with the help of Â鶹Éç Monitoring, we look back at the last few weeks in Tunisia. I learnt that for the first ten days of the upheavals, Tunisian media did not report on the events and social media played an important role as a sort of alternative news agency.
Hungary and the EU
Meanwhile in Europe, as Hungary took over presidency of the European Union it also passed a law which has prompted accusations that Viktor Orhan, the country's prime minister, is trying to stifle the press.
The law replaces, which replaces old legislation, is designed to restrict racist and anti-Semitic material, and makes radical changes which have attracted considerable internal criticism. The law is seen at being at odds with the values of other European Union countries, and has put the Hungarian presidency in the spotlight.
So I discussed these issues with Nick Thorpe, the Â鶹Éç's Hungary correspondent and George Schopflin, the Hungarian MEP and supporter of the law reform.
Wikipedia - and your views on the Royal wedding
Wikipedia turned ten this week, and the World Service has broadcast a documentary on this new media phenomenon - its producer came into the studio to discuss the way it has developed.
Finally, in the postbag listeners let us know what they thought about coverage of the British Royal Wedding in April - in particular, their reactions to the 100 day countdown to the wedding. As one listener said, 'aren't countdown's for moonshots?'
Keep your comments coming.
Rajan Datar is the presenter of Over To You
Over To You is your chance to have your say about the Â鶹Éç World Service and its programmes. It airs at 00:40, 03:40 and 12:40 every Sunday (GMT).
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Comment number 1.
At 21st Jan 2011, Rob wrote:Understood that the royal wedding is a big thing and it strikes me as a good respite from all the dark, difficult things going on in our world, but y'all sure running lots and lots... and lots and lots of ads about it.
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