Malaysia has some of the most dangerous roads in the world, but a ragtag group of vigilantes have been taking matters into their own hands.
Listen to the full audio documentary – http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/rnafternoons/taking-road-repairs-into-their-own-hands/8138368
And read the article here – http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-12-21/meet-the-rebel-road-fixers-making-malaysias-roads-safer/8093470
Malaysian artist Fahmi Reza has been charged with violating Malaysian media laws for depicting Prime Minister Najib Razak as a clown on social media. He explains why he thinks artists have a duty to tackle controversial subjects.
Listen here from the 15:30 mark – http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0405c50
Back in 2007, Ken was really keen to vote in the Australian federal election. Ken was a swinging voter. But after 11 years of John Howard’s coalition government, he was excited to see change, and he wanted to see what the opposition could do in power.
The problem was, Ken couldn’t just go down to the local primary school on Election Day, because he was in prison. So instead, he told the guards that he was on the electoral roll and wanted to arrange a postal vote. It wasn’t anywhere near as easy as you’d think.
Listen here – http://www.wheelercentre.com/notes/housekeeping-5-locked-out-do-prisoners-have-the-right-to-vote
In the second episode of Housekeeping – the Wheeler Centre’s five-part mini-series of short podcast features on Australian democracy – Jarni Blakkarly looks into the practice of multiple voting. Should voters be required to present photo ID on Election Day?
Listen here – http://www.wheelercentre.com/notes/housekeeping-2-ID-who-votes-more-than-once
Artist Tiriki Onus is reviving the traditional Aboriginal craft of possum skin cloaks. The cloaks were important cultural artefacts for his ancestors and his is the first in over a century to be made only from entirely traditional techniques.
Listen here from the 20:30 mark – http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p03tbwc9
Still and video cameras are not allowed inside these detention centers, however, as FSRN’s Jarni Blakkarly reports, one Sydney-based artist has found a way around the rules and is telling the stories of those in detention through graphic novels.
Listen here – https://fsrn.org/2016/05/profile-artist-uses-graphic-novels-to-illustrate-realities-of-australian-immigration-detention/
Japanese Australian playwright Mayu Kanamori explains why she was inspired to delve into Australian history to discover the forgotten story of a Japanese photographer for her new work.
Listen here at the 13:30 mark – http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p03n87rd
Australia celebrated its national holiday on Tuesday, for most it was a day of relaxing with friends and family.
However the date of Australia Day, January 26th is marred by controversy as it marks the beginning of British colonial settlement in Australia.
Indigenous Australians refer to the date as ‘Invasion Day” and each year protests are held against the national celebrations. Asia Calling’s Jarni Blakkarly attended one in Sydney.
Listen here – https://soundcloud.com/audiokbr/national-day-no-cause-for-celebration-say-indigenous-australians
Malaysia’s dormant democracy movement is rising, fighting to unseat Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak who is now tainited by a $700 million corruption scandal. Come onto the streets of Kuala Lumpur for one of the biggest protests the country has seen. Activists who are used to facing jail sentences for criticising the government talk about the need for democratic reform in this country that has been ruled by one party for 58 years.
Listen here – http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/earshot/democracy-rising/6953604
The holiday season is observed in a variety of ways. For some, it’s a time of reflection. For others, it means being able to take time off from work or school and spend time with family. But one element has become a constant: a barrage of advertising. Many people engage in the rampant consumerism, and others tune out the ubiquitous marketing messages. But Jarni Blakkarly reports on one Melbourne man’s mission to beat back the onslaught of advertising in public spaces.
Listen here – http://fsrn.org/2015/12/paint-it-black-anti-advertising-activist-doing-time-in-australia/
jarni blakkarly 