As violence is escalating against journalists working in war-torn countries, low profile or nearly invisible still and video cameras, and content capture and distribution technologies are becoming necessary survival gear.

  The Committee to Protect Journalists has reported an unprecedented number of casualties: eleven journalists have been killed this year worldwide, eight of the eleven in the Middle East, one in Vietnam, one in the Philippines, and one in Mexico. CPF reports that there have been more than 300 attacks on journalists covering the recent political unrest in the Middle East.

CNN's Anderson Cooper and his camera crew were attacked by pro-government supporters on February 2, 2011 in Cairo while covering the Egyptian conflict. A video shot by Cooper for CNN's AC360 can be seen on this link. Cooper was able to keep his small Flip video camera recording, as he was escaping from his attackers. While Cooper was able to broadcast his reports and fly back to New York, many other journalists have not been as lucky. Some have been jailed, brutally beaten, stabbed or shot, their equipment destroyed, or worse - killed.

The large, conspicuous shoulder mounted video cameras have quickly been replaced by low profile gear such as the miniature Flip video cameras. Laptops are being replaced in the field by iPhones and other cell phones which can transmit still images, audio and video, and update blogs, Twitter and Facebook accounts.

On Sunday April 10th, Chef Arnold Wong is hosting a Special Benefit for Japan Night at E&O Trading Co. 314 Sutter Street in San Francisco to aid Japan following the country’s devastating natural disaster. This amazing evening brings together San Francisco’s finest restaurants, wineries and mixologists to raise funds for the victims of the Earthquake and Tsunami that hit Japan on March 11th.

Liam Mayclem of Eye on the Bay will preside as emcee from 5-9pm, live entertainment will feature local favorite Chef Joey Altman & The Backburner Blues and burlesque dancers, and the Bon Vivants will be mixing up amazing cocktails during this evening of great food, wines, spirits, live music, entertainment and a silent auction.

Tickets for the event are priced at $75 and 100% of proceeds from the evening will be donated directly to Give2Asia. …Representatives from Give2Asia will be in attendance to speak about their involvement with the Japanese community and outreach underway. Click here to purchase tickets. Tickets will also be available at the door based on capacity!

http://www.give2asia.org/documents/Give2Asia-JapanTsunami-HowToHelp.pdf

Participating Restaurants:
Betelnut
Butterfly
Contigo
Range
Slanted Door
Grand Cafe
StarBelly
Beast & Hare
One Market
Tres
Citizen’s Band
Live Sushi
Le Soleil
Basil Canteen
& More

Desserts:
Cocotutti
Kara’s Cupcakes
Nash Baker’s
Raison d’etre Bakery
Pinky’s Bakery
Namu Restaurant

Beverages:

As we approach April 11, one month after the Japan earthquake and tsunami, Japan continues to suffer through it’s worst crisis since World War II, as the country’s prime minister said. First the earthquake, then the tsunami, and now the erosion of nuclear power plants in the affected area is creating an emergency equal to Chernobyl.

The Minami Tamaki LLP law firm and Inspirational Opportunities for Youth and Seniors (IOYS), a nonprofit foundation, have been working together to raise funds for victims of the Northern Japan earthquakes and tsunami. To encourage support through this campaign, Minami Tamaki and IOYS pledged to match 50 percent of your donation up to a combined $10,000. As of April 6th, they have exceeded their second target of $100,000 by raising $192,000 in combined donations and matches. All donations and matches raised to date have been sent to the Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Northern California (JCCCNC) so that they can put the donations to immediate use towards citizen relief efforts in the most affected areas. Watch a thank you video from JCCCNC Executive Director Paul Osaki.

Because the need in Japan continues to be so great, they are pressing on and have set a new goal of $250,000 in combined donations and matches. With the help of new campaign partners, they will continue to match 50% of donations up to pledged amounts through April 30, 2011.

Donate today in support of their new goal