Somali-Canadian rapper K’naan called on members of the media on Tuesday afternoon to step up reporting of the famine that has a stranglehold on Somalia.

The United Nations estimates that more than 11 million East Africans are affected by a drought that has become a famine in Somalia, where 3.7 million are among the worst hit thanks to ongoing civil war. Aid organizations trying to help Somalis in and out of giant refugee camps face bans and/or looting from militant groups.

K’naan held a press conference with fellow musician and activist Bono of U2, Tuesday. In an interview afterward, K’naan told CBC that “the media first and foremost has to draw attention to this cause because Canadians don’t know this is happening."

When news first broke the other week that the UN was going to give the crisis in East Africa official ‘famine’ status, the first such move in over 20 years, a Canadian friend with Somali parents posted
a question on Facebook: Why do you think no one cares about this?

On MSN, it has become clear this isn’t a story that strikes a chord with most of our users. Given a choice between ‘how to stay cool in a heat wave’ or learning more about ‘tens of thousands killed
by Somalia famine’ on the homepage last week, users chose the heat wave. Both news headlines were given roughly equal play, running near each other as text links, but the heat wave generated more interest.

So, The Folo will pose this same question: Why don’t you care about the Somali famine? Or, if you’d rather, why don’t you care about it as much as other news?

Do MSN and other news agencies have a responsibility to prominently run this story, even if there is a lack of interest in it, or is that pushing an agenda on users who are more than capable of choosing for themselves what is important?

Corina Milic

It's already being called "the social media trial of the century."

And though there's still a lot of century to go, it's undeniable that Casey Anthony's recent murder trial has captured the American imagination. With tense minute-to-minute updates playing out on American cable news, the case reached a level of publicity not seen since O.J. Simpson ruled the airwaves.

Bing: Who is Casey Anthony?

Anthony, a 25-year-old mother from Florida, was accused of murdering her two-year-old daughter Caylee and then lying to police about her daughter's disappearance. This week, a jury found her not guilty of the first count and guilty of the second. Anthony was sentenced to four years in prison, but will be released July 17 because of time served and good behaviour.

The jury stated there wasn't enough evidence to convict Anthony beyond a reasonable doubt, but the decision didn't quell the court of public opinion.

Public backlash erupted on social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter as people reacted emotionally to the verdict.

Anthony had been villified for failing to report her daughter's disappearance to police for several weeks and also for getting a tattoo and partying with friends in the meantime.

Anthony's lawyer blamed the media for judging his client and for stoking negative public perception.

Commentary in the social media sphere judged her largely based on circumstantial evidence and speculation. The jury showed this week that it could not be so easily swayed.

Up next for Anthony is a possible memoir where she tells her side of the story, and rumours are already brimming about a movie adaptation of her life, with Twilight star Kristin Stewart playing the lead.

What do you think about the case?

Does social media influence your views more than traditional media?

Chris Mitchell