'Lessons for BBC' after killing

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/7751011.stm

In short:

After an inquest on the body of a BBC producer, Kate Peyton, who was shot in Somalia, it was found out that she was unlawfully killed. Kate Peyton, 39, got shot outside a hotel in Mogadishu in February 2005. When coroner Dr. Peter Dean announced the news at Ipswich Crown Court he stated that journalists should not feel pressured into taking dangerous jobs. Peyton’s family said that the BBC and other journalists would learn from this incident and it will improve their safety. The incident provoked a lot of discussion about the BBC taking unacceptable risks.

What does Rene think about this:

After having read the article I think that the BBC has no blame on taking the risks they took. In this article you can definitely see that the BBC was taking risks, but the fact that this story was important to report about and that Kate Peyton said she really wanted to do this, makes it acceptable. You can’t take no risks when you want to report about important issues going on in the world, of course there are many wars, where journalists are in great danger, but the importance of reporters in those places is huge.

Europe's 10bn-euro space vision

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7749761.stm

In short:

The European Space Agency (Esa) is going to open a research centre on the Harwell innovation campus in Oxfordshire, UK. This was announced after a meeting between science ministers in the Hague. In the research facility scientist will work on space robotics and climate change science. At this moment Britain is the only major ESA member state that doesn’t have its own technical centers. Senior Esa executive Daniel Sacotte has told the BBC that this agreement was a symbolic moment for the Esa: “It’s important. It shows renewed interest for Britain to be part of Esa, to be involved in space activity, and we welcome that. The agreement with Esa states that the UK will bear the cost of constructing the new research centre.

What does Rene thinks about this:

I think that this is a good step that has been taken by the Esa. Of course every country that has a big role in the Esa should have to give a contribution in the form of a research centre or another important facility. This will not only be good for the Esa as a whole, but also for the people in Britain, there will be more knowledge that can be exchanged with other countries and there will be more work available in this sector. Hopefully it will get there soon because these things can take a lot of time to be constructed.

The end of the internet

Police and teachers on BNP list

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/7736794.stm

In short:

Serving and former police officers, teachers and soldiers are listed as members of the British National Party in a leaked document published online. On the list, which dates from 2007, are 10,000 people with their names, addresses, jobs and phone numbers. The leader of the BNP, Nick Griffin, accuses former members to have published the list. He stated that his party is going to use the Human Rights Act to try to protect the identities of its members, despite the party being against the European legislation. On the other hand, he was happy with the media interest, and that everyone could see that they also have average citizens as members.

What does René think about this:

When I read these kind of articles, I am happy that someone did publish ‘secret’ information of a party that is so extreme in its believes against foreigners. It is almost funny to read that they are going to make use of the Human Rights although they are against these kind of supranational agreements. Also the fact that he is happy with the media attention on the other hand, makes me think this guy is stupid. I am not familiar with the party that he is leading, but it makes me think of the party that the guy with the nice haircut is running over here in the Netherlands.

Prostitute users face clampdown

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/7735908.stm

In short:

Paying for sex with prostitutes who are controlled by pimps is going to become a criminal offence in England and Wales according to Home Secretary Jacqui Smith. Customers who are aware of the fact that they are paying for sex with an illegally trafficked women, could face rape charges, also kerb crawlers could face prosecution. With this sanction the Home Secretary want to reduce demand for trafficked women. She told the BBC: "My proposal is that men should think twice about paying for sex. The reason they should do that is actually the majority of women don't want to be involved in prostitution."

What does René think about this:

This is of course a very noble plan of the Home Secretary, but I do have some troubles with the practical side of this plan. I agree with her that it is absolutely wrong to make use of women who are knowingly trafficked and really don’t want to be involved in prostitution, and are being forced by their pimps. But what I find difficult to imagine, is the way they are going to find out that customers know that they’ve paid to have sex with an illegally trafficked prostitute, how are they going to prove that.