Patrick Cockburn: ‘An effective terrorist attack requires the complicity of governments’

The prizewinning reporter talks about his famous father, writing with his son and his new book about Islamic stateThe morning I meet foreign correspondent Patrick Cockburn is, appropriately enough, one that will reverberate in world politics for some time to come. As I step off the train in Canterbury, news has just broken of murders at the offices of Charlie Hebdo. Such is the seriousness of the attack, the location and the nature of the target, it’s immediately clear millions will be drawn into the drama: western governments and their Middle Eastern counterparts, Muslims living unexceptional lives and, indeed, journalists everywhere. A web of reaction and counterreaction, of just the kind Cockburn has spent his life examining, will extend from Washington to Lahore.Events are still unfolding as I reach his ancient house, half a mile or so from the cathedral, and I explain breathlessly what has happened. “Let’s watch the news for five minutes, and then we’ll talk,” he suggests, wondering whether Sky or the BBC will be better, and settling on the latter. “Of course, there’s often very little to say at times like this, so you end up with a certain amount of speculation.” We watch in silence as video of what appears to be a shootout on a Parisian street is played over and over again. Cockburn sits impassively, absorbing what information there is, then asks me to press the mute button. He calls the newsdesk at the Independent and leaves a message offering to weigh in as... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'

[ The Guardian | 2015-01-24 00:00:00 UTC ]

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Kindle v Glass, apps v text: the complicated future of books | Antony Loewenstein

Antony Loewenstein: Is the future an interactive novel read on a Google Glass? One thing's for certain: the transformation of the written word is one of the defining issues of our ageAntony Loewenstein Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2014-03-26 00:00:00 UTC ]
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NYT boss attacks Bloomberg for saying it shouldn't publish anti-China stories

Mark Thompson says New York Times journalism will remain impartial and won't be swayed by commercial considerationsMark Thompson, the chief executive of the New York Times, has hit out at rival Bloomberg for saying it shouldn't have published investigative news stories criticising China, because... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2014-03-26 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Left Coast Crime: Attack of the Calamari

With close to 1,000 attendees this year, the annual Left Coast Crime mystery writers’ convention returned to Monterey, Calif., for the first time in a decade. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-03-25 00:00:00 UTC ]
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It's Complicated review – 'online space is teenagers' only public space'

This study of teenagers' social networking habits shows that's it's not technology they are 'addicted' to – it's friendship groupsForget the revelations about the NSA: one group in society has been living with surveillance for years. A group whose every move is tracked, whose freedom of movement... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2014-03-24 00:00:00 UTC ]
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IDG Founder Patrick McGovern Dies

Patrick J. McGovern, who became a billionaire as founder and majority owner of Boston-based technology publisher International Data Group, has died. He was 76.He died Wednesday at Stanford Hospital in Palo Alto, Calif., the company said in a statement. No cause was given. He lived in Hollis, New... Continue reading at Advertising Age

[ Advertising Age | 2014-03-21 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Diversity in children's books: colouring in required

There are growing calls for young people's reading to broaden its picture of society from what is currently a depressingly monochrome viewRead Tanya Byrne's top 10 black characters in children's booksAfter a study in the US showed that of 3,200 children's books published in 2013, just 93 were... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2014-03-20 00:00:00 UTC ]
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'Twelve Years a Slave' and the Oscar Effect

Sales of the movie-tie-in have climbed steadily in the lead up to the Academy Awards on Sunday—reaching back to holiday highs. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-02-27 00:00:00 UTC ]
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In France, Right Wing Attacks “Immoral” Children’s Books

A growing right wing movement France has begun attacking children's books depicting content (nudity, homosexuality) they call 'immoral.' Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2014-02-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Religion Update February 2014: For Christian Fiction Editors, It’s Complicated

Acquiring editors face a daunting task when it comes to Christian and inspirational fiction: find gifted writers with strong voices presenting distinctive stories to lure readers looking for familiar yet unique, similar yet special books. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-02-07 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Canadian Government Signs E-book Consent Agreements with Four Publishers

After what the government said was an 18-month investigation, Canada’s Competition Bureau has reached consent agreements with four multinational publishers regarding their ebook pricing policies. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-02-07 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Facebook, Google and Yahoo now say when the US government requests user content (update: Microsoft too)

Last week, the US government finally relented on letting technology companies publish more detail about national security requests; today, some bigger firms are taking advantage of the looser rules. Facebook, Google, LinkedIn and Yahoo have updated ... Continue reading at Engadget

[ Engadget | 2014-02-04 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Privacy is complicated. We're a mystery not just to others but to our ourselves | Giles Fraser

We find out so little about a person by watching them on Big Brother or reading their secrets exposed in the Daily MailWe just met half an hour ago. But I'm sitting in a Soho tapas bar, drinking sherry, and telling Josh Cohen my life story. The joke – lost on neither of us – is that he has just... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2014-02-01 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Writers attack 'overrated' Anglo-American literature at Jaipur festival

Xiaolu Guo warns that English-language mainstream has warped a broader 'reading habit', on panel with Jhumpa Lahiri and Jonathan FranzenAmerican literature is "massively overrated", the award-winning author and film-maker Xiaolu Guo told the Jaipur literature festival – and fellow panellist and... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2014-01-20 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Government refuses to disclose legal opinion on press regulation

The government is suppressing official advice over press regulation, according to a report in the Sunday Telegraph.It says that the culture and media department (DCMS) is refusing to disclose a paper which "is thought" to set out advice on whether the government-sponsored royal charter breaches... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2014-01-19 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Patrick Carman's 'Half Nelson' proposal: for each Amazon purchase, buy a book at an independent bookstore

'39 Clues' author Patrick Carman says he knows Amazon is a convenient option, but suggests buying a book from an independent bookstore each time you buy from Amazon. Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor

[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2014-01-17 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Patrick Janson-Smith to Retire

Patrick Janson-Smith, one of the most popular figures in modern British publishing, has announced he will retire next autumn. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2013-12-20 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Autumn statement: UK's special effects industry cheered by tax relief plan

Chancellor's measures to help film business likely to encourage more Hollywood studios to use British post-production facilitiesThe UK's film special effects industry has received a shot in the arm with the government announcing plans to make it easier for Hollywood studios to qualify for UK tax... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2013-12-05 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Harry Potter Alliance brings together fans to effect social change

The Harry Potter Alliance is a nonprofit coalition whose work so far has included creating a YouTube video titled 'The Hunger Games Are Real' which aims to raise awareness of poverty and hunger in the US. Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor

[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2013-11-28 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Robert Peston attacks Daily Mail for revealing wife's cancer

BBC business editor calls for 'common decency on newspapers' amid criticism of Daily Mail for disclosing details of wife's illnessRobert Peston, the BBC's business editor, has criticised the Daily Mail for revealing that his late wife had cancer without calling her to check the story and before... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2013-11-27 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Is Government the Only Force Able to End Amazon Dominance?

Speakers at last week's UK Futurebook conference offered ideas for combating Amazon dominance, including advocating government intervention and ending DRM. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2013-11-25 00:00:00 UTC ]
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