VIEWS ON NEWS

Why journalism remains one of the great careers of all-time

noreply@blogger.com (Ania B. Lewandowska) — Thu, 15 May 2008 22:16:00 +0000

Is it a glamorous lifestyle filled with freebees, or ethical principles and a crusade for the truth? Many reasons drive aspiring journalists into the profession, the key is to find one and truly believe in it. All of us who use professional media are the shapers of society. It’s a privilege as much as it’s a job.

For me this is a unique craft that questions everything and everyone, it exposes injustice and informs the public. Journalism is about interpretation of the world around us, but its first obligation should be to the truth. We don’t work for editors or media corporations, but for people. Some say that’s an over idealistic view of the profession of ‘whores’ selling their souls to rich and powerful. Maybe, but sooner or later those will be exposed too.

Coming from Poland, country where democratic structures are relatively young and people still learn how to exercise great power of the free media, I appreciate even more the British tradition of transparency in the press as well as on television. A student on a work placement in the foxnews.com, Audrey Bright, says that god wanted her to get into journalism. I am not so sure about that, I am more likely to believe that god wanted journalists to have media outlets like the BBC.

Although in general media in Britain are perceived as free, they are not free of all the restrictions, no matter if imposed by law, editors, political or economical factors. Journalists in Britain and all over the world are often struggling to put their message across. One specific feature of that struggle is that it will never be over. After one obstacle another will appear. It is endless, like Sisyphus in hell, constantly pushing his huge boulder up to an unreachable hilltop. Maybe not that rewarding, but isn’t it an exciting challenge?

The thought about becoming a journalist has been in my mind since I realised that being a lawyer scenario isn’t any close to Ally McBeal. And even before that I had been attending after school workshops for young journalists simply because I enjoyed writing for no good reason. It is only when I entered higher education I understood why it remains one of the great careers of all-time. As a student I have been trained not only to think like a journalist but also about journalism. One of my favourite aspects of the profession is media ethics. The code set by the industry, its strengths and weaknesses, but also principles and motives of individuals.

I have had my ups and downs. Believing in the public service very strongly one day and questioning the sense of being a puppet in the hands of powerful corporations the next. Janet Malcolm in her book, The Journalist and the Murderer, wrote: “Every journalist who is not too stupid or full of himself to notice what is going on knows that what he does is morally indefensible.” Some practitioners find themselves trapped in a morally defined cage, and start to wonder if often controversial methods of news gathering are purely pursued in the greater interest of the public right to know.

Last year I travelled across Eastern Europe to Russia through Ukraine and Belarus. First, in Kiev, at the Independence Square I took part in a ceremony in memory of journalist Heorhiy Gongadze. Hundreds of people were holding candles to mark the 7th anniversary of his disappearance and beheading. The posters read: ‘Ukraine, Aren’t you ashamed of this?’ Gongadze crusaded against official corruption. His killing triggered months of protests against then President Leonid Kuchma, and eventually lead to the Orange Revolution.

It was a very touching event and made me think a lot about the purpose but also the power of journalism. And there was more to come. In fact I was heading to Moscow to write an article about a life and death of a woman that I have always admired, Anna Politkovskaya. I didn’t find out much about her as Russian state secrecy and a lack of accreditation from recognised media organisations were obstacles too big to get over.
I met Tony Halpin, Moscow Bureau Chief of the Times. I asked him if he still believes in journalism as a defender of freedom and truth, he said that if he didn’t he wouldn’t be sitting in Moscow struggling with Russian state bureaucracy and hard-to-get officials. He said he would be in London working as a PR for much more money.

With my mind set, major doubts disappeared. But, it is still a big mission to accomplish – getting into journalism for real. Although I have had a few or more pieces published it is really hard to convince editors that your writing is not only worth printing but also a wage. There must be something that makes me stand out from the crowd of nearly thousands of people applying for the same dream job. Good degree, good start, nice portfolio and lots of placements – better. But, to find a particular area you enjoy with lots of scope and endeavor to become a specialist, that’s the key! Since I was ‘lucky’ enough to be brought up in Eastern Europe, I think it would be wise to use this.

Many critics claim that there are less and less foreign correspondents who are experts in their area, who would have language, knowledge and background to report from particular region and to explain not only what was happening but to explain why it was happening. And like in every business it’s about spotting a gap in the market. And, to be truthful, there are journalists out there who practise ‘hotel journalism’.

Fascinated by war journalism, I would like to reach a point in my career when I will be able to see it for myself. To report conflicts, question the war and military logic, with respect to the rights of the enemy, with as much emphasis on understanding the roots of war as possible. For now, the last thing I want is to be one of those young inexperienced correspondents who are facing war not ready enough to deal with such a huge challenge and stress. The road into journalism has many twists and turns, but I cannot think about more challenging, exciting and meaningful future.

Stop the Amarillo farse!

noreply@blogger.com (Ania B. Lewandowska) — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 21:11:00 +0000

This song is like a disease, like a virus passed from one person to another. ‘Amarillo’ has been around since early 70’s and Britain still can’t get enough of it, never mind it’s tacky.

What is so special about that chart-topping song? Maybe… lyrics? Well, Amarillo was the only name that Sedaka and Greenfield, authors of lyrics, could think of that rhymed with "willow" and "pillow". Piece of...art! Music is simple, common and may get stuck in your head for ages causing distress and anxiety. And millions of Britons had that suicidal idea to get Tony Christie’s single. ‘Is This the Way to Amarillo’ has been spreading ever since.

Even British Ministry of Defence IT system was infected. The Servers couldn’t cope with a number of downloaded files containing a spoof video performed by British soldiers in Iraq. Computers crashed but the MoD said the spoof was "brilliant" and the crash didn’t cause problems. Even if it did, for the sake of Amarillo, British national defence systems may stop working now!

Soon after, the song made its way to Berlin’s World Cup and Men’s Single final at Wimbledon. ‘Cult’ tune proved to be suitable for every occasion, even opening titles in the last general election on BBC One’s This Week. The song was used by boxer Amir Khan and the PDC darts player Peter Manley. Falkirk F.C and Bolton Wanderers play it as their ‘goal’ song. But, Chelmsford in Essex went even further and named their football club with glory – FC Amarillo!

And you would wonder when it’s going to stop? A few months ago a woman who annoyed her neighbours by playing the hit single Amarillo has been given a two-year anti-social behavioural order. Mrs Webb was forced to pay £300 in compensation and police took away her stereo. This is good news for all of us. Let’s hope that this will become a general rule, as common as that awful song.

All eyes on Russia

noreply@blogger.com (Ania B. Lewandowska) — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 19:01:00 +0000

By Ania B. Lewandowska

Russia has always been ruled by strong, authoritarian leaders, from Ivan the Terrible through tsar Alexander I, to Vladimir Putin. Now, with a new president, the power is about to be shared between two men.

Although many had expected Vladimir Putin to amend the constitution to allow him a third term in office, he moved out from the Kremlin. Commentators believe that with Dmitry Medvedev as a president it could be easier for Russia to warm up relations with the West. Mr Putin would still remain in charge, overlooking the economy and social services as a head of the government.

Welcome to Mr President
The mainly pro-Kremlin media in Russia have welcomed Mr Medvedev's victory. Izvestia newspaper said the vote was a "triumph of the majority" that created a "bridge to the future for Russia". But Western media wonder how the new president will work with his predecessor. In the West, Mr Medvedev is perceived as more liberal and a better face of Russia. Maybe this is the reason why he was designated as the third president of the Russian Republic.

The Western leaders congratulated Dmitry Medvedev, 42 year-old lawyer, on becoming Russia's new president but gave him rather cool welcome. Gordon Brown’s spokesman said that Britain would judge the new Russian government on its actions. In a letter to Mr Medvedev, Mr Brown said that he looked forward to meeting the new Russian leader at the G8 Summit in Japan in July. He added that Britain hoped to get Russia's cooperation "on a number of issues".

But, Tony Halpin, Chief of Moscow bureau of The Times said: “Mr Brown pointedly failed to invite Mr Medvedev to Downing Street, underlining the continuing strains over the murder of the dissident former spy Alexander Litvinenko in London and Vladimir Putin's refusal to extradite the main suspect to Britain.”

What’s next?
The Western world is yet to see if Russia will take a long-awaited, softer course in its foreign policy. Dr Alexandra Smith, lecturer in Russian at Edinburgh University, said: “Mr Medvedev is younger and belongs to a different generation altogether.” But Dmitry Medvedev vowed to continue the path which has been carried out by President Putin so changes are unlikely. "I think (my presidency) will be a direct continuation," he said, referring to Mr Putin's eight years in office.

Soon after being elected Mr Medvedev said: “We will increase stability, improve the quality of life and move forward on the path we have chosen.” According to Russian constitution the president defines Russia’s foreign policy, defence and security services, but Mr Putin’s influences are very likely to be reflected. Both politicians have known each other for years and declared harmonious relations. The question is if Mr Medvedev accepts to be the junior partner.

A teacher from Moscow, Nina Trufanova said: “Dmitry Medvedev has always been Mr Putin’s right hand; they have supported each other and probably will in the future. Russia is a huge country and needs a strong and consistent leader. Vladimir Putin knows what he is doing and has been taking care of our interests abroad. Russia has become more respected country and we hope that Dmitry Medvedev is going to continue that trend.”

Elections in Russian style
Mr Medvedev, was the clear favourite from the start and enjoyed generous coverage of the state owned television. The head of observers from the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), Andreas Gross, said Russia's "democratic potential" was unfulfilled. The PACE was the only Western observer mission in Russia with only 300 international observers monitoring the 96,000 polling stations. The candidates had been denied equal access to the media, and registration procedures made it hard for independents to stand.

Dr Alexandra Smith said: “Mr Putin’s vision of managed democracy has a certain influence on the media and other institutions related to power structures and public opinion.” Nonetheless, Mr Medvedev, President Vladimir Putin's chosen successor, won a solid mandate from the majority of Russian people with a support of 70.23% of the votes.

The reality
Since Vladimir Putin came to power eight years ago, Russians, in general, have become wealthier and Moscow itself has been experiencing economic boom. The rapid economic growth in the country and pro-Kremlin media propaganda won millions of supporters for Mr Putin’s regime. But Vladimir Putin’s years in power have also been marked by a restriction of democratic freedoms and tough attitude towards Russia's former Soviet neighbours and the West.

Under Vladimir Putin, the security services have regained their former prestige, their budgets and numbers are now higher that ever. According to research by the Russian Academy of Science, quoted by the BBC, three quarters of senior politicians have a background in the security forces, including ex-president Vladimir Putin. No surprise that Russia is often called a police state. There are more than five policemen on every hundred people in the country. In Moscow the rate is even higher.

No doubt, oil-rich Russia has been going through a rapid economic growth and is one of the most influential players on the world’s political arena. But, there are serious questions to be asked about the democratic freedoms in the country. In terms of a future development and investment is Russia, Dr Alexandra Smith said: “More money should be given to education, health, science and culture.” The potential is already there, just needs to be recognized.

noreply@blogger.com (Ania B. Lewandowska) — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 23:17:00 +0000

Exotic lion dances and colourful fireworks marked the launch of China Now in Scotland, a year-long national celebration of the connections between the two countries, in Edinburgh last night.

Figures from Scotland’s political, business, artistic and academic sectors along with strong representation from the Chinese community gathered together at the Botanic Gardens to open the lantern festival ‘Spirit’ which is a visual starting point for China Now in Scotland.

Shauna Hay from the Botanic Gardens press office said: “The Royal Botanic Garden has a long-standing relationship with China and we are proud to present a programme of events, including ‘The Spirit’ as par of the festival.”

China Now Scotland is a fascinating showcase of Chinese culture and a dynamic exploration of the ancient and modern links between two countries. It is the UK’s largest ever festival of Chinese culture with over 800 events taking place nationwide.

The programme is coordinated by the Confucius Institute and has won political support at the highest level, including First Minister Alex Salmond and Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jia Bao.

Prof Francesca Bray, convenor of Chinese Society at Edinburgh University said: “China Now in Scotland has come being through commitment of numerous individuals and organisations which recognise the growing influence and impact that China ha on our lives.”

She said: “Chinese culture is very different from our own and through this festival, we can learn about this fascinating country and its culture both historic and contemporary.”

The Gardens are expecting hundreds if not thousands of visitors in the following month. Charlotte McDonald, Garden’s marketing officer said: “Hopefully good weather will encourage people to visit our Glasshouses to admire that magnificent exhibition.”

The patron of China Now in Scotland is Sir Robert Smith, current Chairman of Weir Group. The Lantern Festival exhibition, The Spirit exhibition will be open to the public from February 22 until March 9.

The BIG FREEZE in Edinburgh

noreply@blogger.com (Ania B. Lewandowska) — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 22:12:00 +0000

Hundreds are expected to take part in an unusual event and ‘freeze-in’ for five minutes at Edinburgh Waverley train station on Sunday afternoon.

After New York, London, Toronto and Berlin, now it is time for Scotland’s capital to slow down. A message about ‘the Big Freeze’ has been spreading via the social networking website Facebook.

Over 800 people have already confirmed their attendance.
Stafanie Graham, the organiser of frozen in time mission in Edinburgh said:”We want to make as big impact as possible, make people stop and wonder.”

The plan is as follows, after a short briefing, agents will synchronise their watches and approach the Waverley in small groups.” At 3pm the time will stop and all the participants will freeze for 5 minutes, unfreeze and get out. There will be no talking, no moving, not even flinching.

Stefanie said: “I attended the Big Freeze at Waterloo station in London and it was great fun. People started talking to each other, trying to figure out what was going on.”

The Big Freeze was initiated by members of ‘The Improv Everywhere Global’ website at the world’s largest train station, Grand Central, in New York three weeks ago. The video from Grand Central was posted on YouTube, and so far has had nearly 5 million hits worldwide.

Jonathan Godshaw Memel, Edinburgh University student said: “It’s something different to have fun with. Getting together, doing something unique, causing lots of confusion and catching people's reactions."

Nick King, Network Rail media relations manager, operating at Waverley station in Edinburgh, said: “We have not being informed about the Big Freeze or any other event taking place at the station next Sunday. Obviously, we will not stop people from coming but we hope there will be no disruptions caused to our passengers.”

A prostitute or just a girl?

noreply@blogger.com (Ania B. Lewandowska) — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 23:18:00 +0000

A prostitute is not necessarily a vulgar, uneducated drug addict with a dark past and no future. She is often an average looking and nicely dressed, friendly girl with dreams, ambitions and hobbies. But she must change her image when she is going to work. Ola, is a foreign girl who never expected herself to work in the Western sex industry.

A 22 year old girl from the south of Poland, after finishing High School, wanted to study psychology but she couldn't afford to go to university. Ola would have to travel thirty miles everyday or rent a flat in Cracow – it was too expensive. And there was more and more pressure from her family to contribute some income. "I have a great loving family but my parents are not rich and they never have been. My mum is with my sisters at home and my father doesn't earn a lot."

Ola is drinking her tea slowly, in the restaurant in Edinburgh city centre. In a place full of strangers, she doesn't want anybody to know what she is doing for a living and even her family is not aware of it. "People don't have any respect for prostitutes. They think we are after easy money. But for us this is a profession like any other or even a harder job than most."

She has been working in one of the Edinburgh saunas for six months. Ola says that after coming to Scotland she was looking for a job behind a bar but everywhere required experience and good English. "I ran out of money after three weeks. A girl in the hostel asked me if I wanted to meet her friend who offered me this job. Work in the sauna was my only opportunity."

Mary Blackford, Parliamentary Assistant to MSP Margo MacDonald, confirms: "If Eastern Europeans come here and there is a problem, they cannot find a job and run out of money, there is a danger they may find themselves working in the sex industry".

Ruth Morgan Thomas, an ex-prostitute and Scot-PEP coordinator says: "Out of all sex workers in the UK 37% are immigrants and of that 52% are from Eastern Europe and the Balkans." These figures did increase after new members joined the EU but not as dramatically as everybody expected. Scot-PEP is a charity organization which supports sex workers in Edinburgh. Volunteers help girls who work on the streets as well as indoors.

But, according to Morgan Thomas more Eastern European sex workers will arrive in Scotland when Romania and Bulgaria join the EU next year. She says: "Foreign sex workers in Edinburgh are much more likely to work in saunas, massage parlours and private flats than on the streets."

At present, Edinburgh City Council licence about 20 premises for sauna and massage. Sauna owners find girls without any problem. Girls come and ask for work themselves, sometimes girls who work for us recommend a friend. "Usually an advertisement in a German or Eastern European newspaper is enough, says Norman, owner of a sauna in Edinburgh city centre.

He adds: "The business has been changing in the last couple of years and more girls are choosing to work in private flats and putting themselves at greater risk of offence".

Morgan Thomas said: "Saunas are safer for the women, they can work together and it reduces public nuisance. Research has shown that 48% of women who work indoors have experienced crime from a client compared to the 82% of street working women who have reported it."

Ola says that 'the street' is the last place she would want to work. "The customers that come to the sauna are often regular visitors, we even become friends and we feel safe. Also girls from Scot-PEP come and visit us so we know we are not left alone."

The council works with the police to stop and prevent street prostitution. Katie Emslie, Media Officer for Edinburgh City Council says: "We seek Antisocial Behaviour Orders, and we use a mobile CCTV van to deter customers and to encourage the prostitutes to leave residential areas."

The Head of the Diversity unit of Lothian and Borders Police, Chief Inspector George Denholm says: "There are some cases of street prostitution in Edinburgh but not on the scale of many other large cities in Scotland."

A Scot-Pep coordinator says: "There are approximately 10 women working on the streets in Edinburgh each night to compare to around 120 in Glasgow. And 95% of them are heavy drugs users." Prostitutes cannot be imprisoned but fines have been introduced and it becomes a cycle for women who have to pay up to £500.

In this business girls are coming and going, it is not a job for life, not for Ola. "One day I would like to have my own family and a normal home, just like the one I had when I was a child but with more money to spend. Then everything would be much different and a lot easier."

Moscow in my eyes

noreply@blogger.com (Ania B. Lewandowska) — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 22:56:00 +0000

The capital of the biggest country in the world and home for over 10 million people - this is Moscow, mysterious and beautiful place.

Each year more and more tourists are coming to see for themselves what Moscow has to offer. This is a city of contrasts. It can amaze during the day and get pretty dangerous during the night.

Wonderful pravolsavic churches, Red Square and Kremlin are contrasting with new built offices and huge billboards with perfumes, watches and other western products. Although the text on the advertisements must be written in Cyrillic alphabet, the western influences in Moscow are more and more visible.

One on the places to visit is astonishing metro which was opened in 1935. Moscow metro is known to be the fastest and the cheapest in the world. It is also a paradise for pickpockets! Handbags and pockets squashed in the train are very easy target. During the rush hours there are over 6 million people underground and trains are arriving even every thirty seconds. Everyone is running somewhere, the tempo is unbelievable!

Absolvent of the Moscow State University, Artem Rusakovich said: „Especially at night, in the metro or on the streets of Moscow, you should not stop. You should keep going reasonable quick and avoid eye contact with suspiciously looking strangers or police. Maybe it sounds drastically but they are just waiting for lost, non-Russian speaking tourists.”

He said: „If you get in trouble and the police is involved then it is very likely that you are guilty simply because the other person can explain that he or she is not.”

Moscow consists of two different worlds, the world of very rich and very poor people. They are passing each other on the streets but have hardly anything in common. Rich people love their Bentleys, Porsche and other expensive, often black cars with black windows. They drive very aggressively. Noise from tires on the streets of Moscow has no end. On the pavements girls like Paris Hilton, wearing expensive jewellery, with little dogs on their hands, are passing by homeless and hungry people.

On the first sight it may seem that in Moscow majority of people is fairly wealthy this is just wrong impression. In fact luxurious shops Salvatore Ferragmo, Estee Lauder, Christian Dior and Ferrari are only for a small number of people.

One of the things that strokes new arrivals to the city is manifestation of power. Governmental cars are going through the city with no end and no respect for any road rules. They drive very fast with blue sirens on the roof and the escort of police.

Since Vladimir Putin became president, Russians, in general, have become wealthier and Moscow is going through economic boom. The improvement of the economic situation in the country with endless pro-Kremlin propaganda makes Russians to be in favour of Putin’s regime.

A teacher, Nina Trufanova said: „I know he used to be a KGB agent. Everyone knows that. But, Russia is a huge country and needs a strong and consistent person in charge. And Putin is good at what he is doing. He is also taking care of our interests abroad. We are strong country, respected in the world. The situation in Russia is not ideal but it is better than it used to be.”

Not without a reason Russia is often called a police state. There are 5 policemen on every 95 people in the country. In Moscow itself the rate may be even higher. This is a world’s record! So when being in Moscow to meet a policeman is not difficult and often this is when trouble starts. However, Russians are used to it and they do not really care.

The police are asking for documents almost everyone on the street it is necessary to have passport and valid visa at all times. Mostly they are focusing on illegal immigrants from republics which used to be part of the USSR. There are about one and a half million illegal immigrants in Moscow itself. Russians hate them, police is hassling all the time, call them terrorists but also hey are a source of income for a vast number of corrupted police. They know where illegal immigrants work and often show up there on the day workers get their wages for obvious reasons.

One of places to go in Moscow is a former KGB building in Lubianka. Although it is impossible to get inside, the building itself is an attraction for tourists. Nowadays, it is headquarter of the Federal Security Service (FSB). Before, in the years of KGB there was one officer for every 428 citizens. In Putin’s Russia there is one officer for every 297 people...

Sometimes you can gat an impression that tourists in Moscow are not particularly welcomed. People on the streets are unlikely to help lost foreigners. They turn round, almost run away from you. If you do not speak Russian, buying a train ticket may be a real problem. Often a lady at the cash desk will hit the window with a note saying „break time” or say that simply there are no tickets left.

Gdansk - see it for yourself!

noreply@blogger.com (Ania B. Lewandowska) — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 22:47:00 +0000

Three hundred feet shuffle slowly forward, pushing an assortment of bags across the airport floor. The plane to Gdansk is going to be full – there are 150 people here taking the dare, seeing for themselves. This is the new destination of choice – made popular by a £100 round ticket from Glasgow or Edinburgh.

The historic city of Gdansk may be known for the Lenin shipyards and the birthplace of Solidarity movement, but soon it will be put on the football map of Europe. As a part of a winning bid by Poland and Ukraine, Gdansk is set to play a major role in Euro 2012. Group matches and quarter final are planned for a new 40,000 seater stadium, to be named the Baltic Arena.

Gdansk is a beautiful city in spite of, or with thanks to, its turbulent history. And there are not many places in the world where the history of our times seems more immediate. After all it was here in September 1939 that the hell of the Second World War started and the first shots fired.

But in the queue, that all seems a long way off. Nearly four out of five making their way to the check-in are Polish. They are going to see their missing friends and families.

Maria is next in the line to the check in desk. Soon Maria and her bag with gifts from Scotland will be on the plane to Gdansk. She is very excited to go home again. “Last time I went to Poland it was winter, just before Christmas. It feels like ages ago! I remember freezing wind that stroked me when I got off the plane, the temperature was far below zero.”

The plane will take off in 40 minutes. Airport staff is closing the check-in, those who were late won’t get on WZ3096 flight to Poland this morning.

The city centre of Gdansk was completely destroyed during WWII. In the Dlugi Targ (Long Market) with the beautiful coloured houses, only two were standing after the bombardments. When the war was over all of these houses were rebuilt stone by stone by those who survived.

Passengers are going slowly through the security check. Some of them still don’t know new airport restrictions and keep liquids with them, soon all the bottles are binned. In the departure lounge they learn that the flight is half an hour delayed. Somebody spotted the information on the screen and let others know, who may have not understood it.

Jane is going to Poland for the first time. She says:”My best friend Kate is Polish, I know, her real name is Kasia but we all call her Kate. I don’t really know what to expect, I have never been further east than Germany. Kate was going home for a few days and asked me to come with her, I said, why not?”

The girls are going to be very busy. Kasia planned almost every hour of their trip to impress her friend, to show her that Poland is so much different from what old stereotypes say.

Kasia’s brother will come to pick them up from the Lech Walesa Airport. Polish, traditional dinner will be on the table when they arrive to their final destination – home.

Walking along the medieval docks and city is an experience in itself. Gdansk was a major port during the late middle ages and renaissance periods, the restored city and in particular the cathedral bear testament to the city’s undoubted former wealth. The city itself is a colourful heaven of magnificent architecture and boasts a vibrant evening and nightlife.

On the plane everyone seem very happy and chatty, cabin crew speak in Polish and then translate information for passengers to English. Only a few seats stay empty when the plane is ready for the take off.

For most passengers it is a happy time of holidays, break from work or school, time to relax and see those who they had been left behind before moving to Scotland.

It is estimated that around fifty percent of workers who have entered Britain since the EU’s expansion have come from Poland. And this is not surprising as out of the 80 million people who entered the European Union last year, 40 million of them were Poles.

Majority of passengers are young, in their twenties or thirties, a few of them speak English, planning stag night celebrations. Two Scotsmen moan about coming back to work in Gdansk but they seem to look forward to seeing their Polish girlfriends.

Gdansk, called by many the Baltic’s golden oldie has a new spring in its step, and what’s more, her two brothers Sopot and Gdynia are making sure that Poland’s coastline has more than one ace up its sleeve.

According to The Times, economists calculate that by relieving labour shortages and pay pressures, the Poles have contributed to economic growth and held down inflation and interest rates. When their own economy is stronger, many of the Poles will return home. In the meantime, we should celebrate the fact that they are here.

“Take a dare, see it yourself” – this is the slogan from a new advertising campaign to encourage foreigners to visit the city of Gdansk, northern Poland. With daily budget flights from Edinburgh and Glasgow it has become easier than ever.

Since Britain opened its borders to the new EU member states, Poles have made the biggest influx of all, but also Brits more and more often decide to go to see what Poland has on offer.

Direct return flight to Gdansk from either Prestwick or Edinburgh airport cost around £100 if booked in advance, the prices vary and depend on season. And after we leave airport terminal everything becomes cheaper than in Britain.

Just over two hours later the plane gently lands in its final destination. Some of the passengers start to clap their hands and shout “Bravo”. This is to thank the pilot for safe and pleasant flight. A few passengers cannot wait to get off. They take their seatbelts off and try to reach their hand luggage even before the plane completely stops. Cabin crew ask them to sit down.

In just a few minutes all of the passengers will go in different directions. Many will see their relatives who take them home, some will get a taxi to the hotel, others will go home o get ready to work the next day.

End

The Scottish fashion industry

noreply@blogger.com (Ania B. Lewandowska) — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 21:37:00 +0000

Scots are among the biggest names in the world fashion industry, Scottish fabrics such as traditional tartan, tweeds, knitwear and contemporary designs are in constant demand by international designers and retail houses. But majority of well-known designers work away from home and the textile industry employs less people than ever.

The designer behind legendary fashion house Escada is a Scot, Brian Rennie, from Dundee. Scottish designer Graeme Black is creative director of Salvatore Ferregamo in Milan, and four-time winner of the New Generation Award, Jonathan Saunders works in London.

Graeme Black, after graduating in fashion at Edinburgh University moved to London and then Milan. He says: “Designers may move from Scotland to London, Paris, New York, Milan or even Tokyo but they are eventually successful thanks to what they have learned here in Scotland. When you look at the designs coming from Scotland – the cut, the shape, the form, the materials used – you can tell they have been inspired by Scotland.”

He said: “Scotland really has the best textiles industry in the world. When I was working at Armani, we would regularly look to the Scottish textile companies for their high quality Linton Tweed.”

Malcolm Birkinshaw, the lecturer at Edinburgh College of Art and designer, said: “The Scottish fashion industry is at a desperate time. More knitwear mills are cutting jobs; there are no manufacturers that can produce the level required for designers to sell internationally. And the support for Scottish designers to take their work to trade shows virtually is non-existent.”

Malcolm Birkinshaw says: “The Scottish Textile Network only offers part-founding for trade shows, which still leaves designers with a mighty bill. For designers like myself, who are trying to sell internationally there is no support.”

He says that a true fashion festival should be a week of promotion for Scotland-based designers. This could create jobs for former students of our colleges, which in turn would create manufacturing to revitalise the Scottish fashion industry.

But Edinburgh’s new fashion festival has been shelved after just one year because of major funding problems. Last year's event was launched without a major sponsor in place and almost £500,000 of public funding was spent to get it off the ground. But this year, the city council has refused to bail out the festival, which attracted world-renowned designers, Matthew Williamson and Jonathan Saunders.

Ian Broadfoot, City Centre Manager, Edinburgh City Centre Management Company says: “The decision has reluctantly been taken not to hold the event in 2007.” To establish the Festival on the city’s event calendar require substantial private sector investment, which has not been forthcoming to date.

Organizers had hoped to expand the event after attracting sell-out crowds and backing from top designers including Vivienne Westwood to the first festival. Also city centre clothes stores hailed the first event a huge success after they saw sales soar during the four-days it ran. But they have been forced to pull the plug on this year's event after failing to attract enough private-sector backing.

Malcolm Birkinshaw says:” With news of a Glasgow initiative to found six Glasgow-based or trained designers to show at London Fashion Week, it seems obvious how wrong Edinburgh has got it.”

But despite the Edinburgh Fashion Festival being cancelled, The Scottish Fashion Awards event again will attract numerous fashion lovers and creators. The organizers say that the SFA was established to celebrate our home-grown talent and encourage more of the same. Malcolm Birkinshaw, says: “The fashion Awards are great for Scotland, as it simply highlight some of the biggest names in fashion today are Scots.”

He says: “There are many talented Scottish designers like Malandleigh, Beca Lipscombe, Claire Ferguson, Cameron Taylor, or Chistopher and Totty Rocks, who are delighted to take part in such an event.” In September last year, Totty Rocks was nominated alongside Jonathan Saunders, John Rae (Gucci) and Graeme Black (Ferragamo) as Scottish Designer of the year at the Scottish Style Awards in The Tramway, Glasgow.

Lyndsey Miller, one of the founders of Totty Rocks label, said: “To take part in that event was a pure pleasure, to be named the Scottish Designer of the Year, was a great surprise.”

Holly Campbell and Lynsey Miller, graduated from Edinburgh Collage of Art six years ago and, after serving stints in London design studios, decided to go back home and opened their own shop. This is how Totty Rock label was founded. They say their style is fresh, young, and energetic a mix of print and tailoring.

Lynsey says: “Inspiration to us is a constant process. We are inspired by people, culture, and anything around us. We draw ideas from exciting vintage and second hand garments. We always try to be original, combine fine fabrics and wools. It is all about energetic look for every season.”

Before setting up Totty Rocks, Holly designed her own name collections, sold in Corniche (Edinburgh), and was a freelance designer for fashion and knitwear labels in London, such as N.Peal, Shirin Cashmere, Lachlan Munro and Panepinto in Milan. Lynsey worked for Haxton Boutique in London, designing and was a stylist working on shoots for i-D, the Guardian and others. Holy says: “Working in London and Milan was really great experience, the experience I wanted to bring home.”

They believe that the Edinburgh College of Art is one of the best schools for designers in the country. Holly said: “The teachers were working artists themselves. Their drawing skills were exceptional and with the studios overlooking the castle we couldn’t dream of better place to be as aspiring designers.” She says: “There is so mush inspiration in Scotland. If you are looking for vintage clothing there is no better place than Glasgow, not even London.”

Totty Rocks successfully join fashion and good cause. Holy says: “We are trying to support local charity initiatives.” Totty Rocks show their clothes on the Mission in Action annual dinners to help rise money for children from orphanage in Nakuru, Kenya.

Holy says: “We can see our future here in Scotland, but there is a lot that needs to be done to promote and support the Scottish Fashion and Textiles industry, this is the only way to encourage young designers to stay in Scotland.”

James Sugden, chairman of STMA, says: “There are nearly 450 companies in the Scottish textiles industry employing around 18,000 people and with a combined turnover of £1.084m.” But only 26% of companies sell internationally, textile exports are estimated at £390m.”

Sugden, says: “The textiles industry in Scotland has moved a long way from the 1970s and 1980s. Investment in technology means that a mill is now a quiet, high tech environment, while an emphasis on design has meant that Scottish companies are working in specific niche and luxury markets and supplying some of the world's leading couture houses as well as developing already well known Scottish brands.

Developed by the industry, in partnership with both trade unions and Scottish Enterprise's Scottish Textiles team, the strategy outlines a clear route for the textiles sector to increase the contribution it makes to the Scottish economy, by raising the proportion of bigger companies operating in the sector, investing more in research and development and building globally recognised brands.

Deadly Russia

noreply@blogger.com (Ania B. Lewandowska) — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 22:55:00 +0000

A year ago she was found dead in her block apartment in Moscow. It may be chilling coincidence that she was killed on Vladimir Putin’s birthday. Russian journalist, Anna Politkovskaya, paid the highest price for reporting the truth.

On October the 7^th last year, 48-year old, Politkovskaya drove to a local supermarket. Her pregnant daughter had planned to meet her there but was delayed. As a surveillance camera later showed, Anna was not alone. A young woman and a tall, slender man have been following her.

Politkovskaya made her name reporting for Russia’s liberal newspaper, Novaya Gazeta. On the day of her murder, Politkovskaya had planned to file a lengthy story on torture practices believed to be used by Chechen authorities, editor of Navaya Gazeta, Dmitry Muratov said.

Anna drove home and parked her silver Vaz 2110 just outside the entrance of her apartment block. The entrance security system was in order. She carried two bags of groceries up to her apartment, on the seventh floor, in the building’s elevator and dropped them at the door. Then she went down to get the rest of the shopping. When the elevator opened on the ground floor she met her killer.

He shot her four times, the last shot was a control shot from inches away, in the head. A pistol was left by her side – the obvious hallmark of a contract killing. The gun found was a 9mm Marakov, known as the weapon of choice for Russian hitmen.

After her murder, President Putin claimed that Politkovskaya’s influence on political life in the country was “extremely insignificant” and that the consequences of her murder were in fact more serious for him than the “damage inflicted by her articles”. This is how he described a journalist who was recognized and honored with numerous international awards for her work, courage and commitment.

Anna often said that with a KGB officer as president, the least you could do was to smile sometimes, to show the difference between him and you.

A year later

Political opponents of the Kremlin can end up in jail, such as the oligarch Mikhail Khodorkovsky, only Iraq has claimed more journalists' lives than Russia in the past decade. Though, nobody is suggesting that Mr Putin had anything to do with the deaths.

Former Russian spy and author of a book critical of Russian president Vladimir Putin, Alexander Litvinenko, had publicly accused Putin of her murder. He was poisoned a few months later.

At the end of August, this year, the Kremlin proudly announced that it was close to solving Politkovskaya’s murder. Prosecutor General Yuri Chaika said that 10 suspects had been arrested, mostly Chechens, but also three former police officers and an employee of the domestic intelligence agency, the FSB. The case, Chaika told reporters, was as good as solved.

Chaika said plotters abroad had controlled a Chechen gang boss and several serving or former security officers in Moscow suspected of murdering Politkovskaya. He blamed conspirators interested in undermining President Vladimir Putin's authority and destabilising Russia.

Anna Politkovskaya’s son, Ilya Politkovsky, told Reuter news agency that Mr Chaika's announcement was politically motivated. A prominent journalists' organisation in Moscow - the Centre for Journalism in Extreme Situations - has called the official version a fabrication. Also former associates of Politkovskaya were skeptical about Prosecutor General Yuri Chaika's murder plot theory.

And, within days many of the 10 arrested suspects had been released and the investigation had been severely compromised. The prosecutor’s office had failed to present a solid case against two men. Alexei Berkin, a bodyguard, and Oleg Alimov, a police officer, were freed the next day.

Sergey Khadjikurbanov, a police major with the Interior Ministry's organised crime unit, presented an astonishing alibi: he claimed that he was in prison on the day of the Politkovskaya murder. And another suspect, Pavel Ryagusov, a lieutenant colonel with the FSB, appeared to have been only marginally involved in the Politkovskaya murder. He was also released.

A petite woman brave beyond believe

“Anna published over 500 articles in the Novaya Gazeta. Almost each of them could have been the reason of her murder” – claims the Editorial Board of the Novaya Gazeta.

Politkovskaya was writing form the wrecked villages and shattered towns of Chechnya, talking to soldiers’ mothers, trying to find their sons’ corpses in military morgues. Anna constantly reported on “filtration camps”, where kidnapped Chechens, often teenagers, suffered torture, mutilation, rape and death.

She had been in Chechnya over 40 times. On one occasion she said: “I simply reported what I saw. I feel that it’s my professional duty - if you hide information, you have failed in your duty.” In the other interview she said: “Actions of authorities are supported by a huge propaganda machine. This machine has been able to create a picture of the enemy, this enemy living down south.”

She had no other life apart from her profession. Politkovskaya’s husband, Alexander, left unable to cope. She had been trough a lot but always came back for more. She had been locked in a hole in the ground by Russian troops and threatened with rape. On her way to Rostov, after the Beslan school siege in 2004 she was poisoned by FSB and nearly died.

Politkovskaya had acted as a negotiator in the Dubrovka theatre siege in Moscow in 2002, when 129 people died after the special services released gas into the building. A year earlier, she had been forced to flee to Vienna after receiving serious death threats.

During a conference on the freedom of press organized by Reporters Without Borders in December 2005, Politkovskaya said: “People sometimes pay with their lives for saying aloud what they think. In fact, one can ever get killed for giving me information. I am not the only one in danger. I have examples that can prove it.”

She had piles of post and hundreds of phone calls, people were offering information, more often asked for help. They believed she could make a difference. She always tried, she said, to do what she could.

Deadly Russia

Over the past 15 years, Russia has become the third-deadliest country in the world for journalists, after conflict-ridden Iraq and Algeria, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists. It is estimated that 47 journalists have been killed in Russia since 1992. More than half of them lost their lives after Vladimir Putin came to power in 2000. The majority of the murders have never been solved.

In the essay titled “Am I Afraid” Politkovskaya wrote: “People often tell me that I am a pessimist that I don’t believe in the strength of the Russian people, that I am obsessive in my opposition to Putin and see nothing beyond that.” And she concluded with words: “If anybody thinks that they can comfort from the ‘optimistic’ forecast, let them do so. It is certainly the easier way but it is the death sentence for our grandchildren.”

Shot, stabbed or poisoned, the journalists have two things in common: no one has been convicted, or in most cases even arrested, after their deaths. The Kommersant reporter, Ivan Safronov, is the most recent journalist to die in suspicious circumstances.

Despite falling four floors from a window in his Moscow apartment block, he did not die immediately. Witnesses say he tried to get to his feet after hitting the ground, but then collapsed for the final time.

The police say the death of the well-respected journalist, who worked for the daily Kommersant newspaper, has all the hallmarks of suicide - though they are willing to consider the possibility that he was "driven" to kill himself. But his friends insist he was not the sort to take his own life. Why should he?

In September The prosecutor’s office of Moscow Central Administrative District closed the criminal investigation because of 'an absence of foul play'.

END