Our weekly round-up of public service media related stories and headlines from around the world
As the global COVID-19 pandemic continues, the need for community solidarity and mutual support has never been greater. But this support requires quality, fact-checked and evidence based news and information.
With this in mind, the Public Media Alliance has compiled an extensive and growing list of resources featuring recommended tools, advice and sources for journalists and the public alike. The resources can be found via the link below or in the Tools section of our website.
If you have any recommendations, please let us know.
PSM Innovations
Every fortnight, PMA highlights an innovation to demonstrate how public media are pushing boundaries, experimenting with new technologies, and coming up with solutions to new or existing challenges.
PBS Innovation Centers
A new production initiative by the US’ Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) exemplifies how public media is embracing digital innovation, collaboration, and diversity.
PBS Digital Studios – which produces content for Facebook and YouTube “designed to engage, enlighten, and entertain online audiences” – recently appointed three public media member stations to be “Regional Digital Centers of Innovations”. The participating member stations are Houston Public Media, Rocky Mountain PBS, and PBS North Carolina, selected for their efforts in serving a diverse range of audiences. The three stations will be given support to enhance their digital capacity and content development through digital workshops and training, and will work with three other PBS stations each to develop up to 15 new digital series over the next two years. The series will become available across digital platforms and social media later this year.
The content will focus on PBS’ ongoing commitment to elevate “more diverse voices” both in front of and behind the camera, said Sylvia Bugg, PBS Chief Programming Executive and General Manager. “These regional centers of innovation are a key part of our multiplatform content strategy and we look forward to delivering new stories that will educate, inform, and inspire all Americans.”
While the concept of innovation is exciting and often digital-driven, these initiatives and experiments can often be costly and risky. This new initiative has been made possible by a $3 million grant from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB). It is crucial that public media have the funding to be able to take these risks, to remain competitive and to serve new audiences in fresh ways.
If you have an innovation you think we’d be interested to hear about at your public media organisation, please get in touch with us at info@publicmediaalliance.org.
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As the coronavirus pandemic worsens, public media are rapidly adapting to best cover the crisis on a local level while also providing for educational needs and vulnerable groups as isolation policies are introduced.
We want to hear from our members about what you are doing to best cover the crisis on a local level. Email us using the link below.
Coronavirus: Resources & best practices
Essential resources for sourcing and reporting news about the coronavirus pandemic
What we're watching...
Meet one of the journalists fighting to keep press freedom alive in Myanmar
PBS NewsHour: Myanmar’s government continues to crackdown on freedoms after it removed Aung San Suu Kyi, the nation’s democratically elected leader after a coup. Special Correspondent Kira Kay meets one of the journalists risking their life to report on the civil conflict in their home country.
What we're listening to...
Today in Short: How IPI’s NewsSpectrum supports media pluralism
IPI: A pluralistic media landscape – with a range of news types and sources – is fundamental for democracy and for the public’s ability to access information and form opinions. It helps pierce the bubble in which we increasingly live and ensures that a diversity of views is represented in society. Supporting media pluralism is a core goal of the NewsSpectrum programme, a project managed in partnership by the International Press Institute and the European Association of Daily Newspapers in Minority and Regional Languages (MIDAS).
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Global Headlines
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DRC: National convention’s decisions could herald new era for journalists in DRC
RSF: Reporters Without Borders (RSF) welcomes the main conclusions of a five-day “national convention on communication and the media” in the Democratic Republic of Congo and urges the authorities to lose no time in implementing the proposed major reforms.
EGYPT: Brussels to host biggest jailer of journalists in Africa
IFJ: The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) calls on EU leaders and the Belgian Prime Minister to speak out against Al-Sisi’s repression of journalists and media in Egypt.
GAMBIA: TRRC reports on Arbitrary closure of media houses
The Point: Among the most devastating findings by the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC) was the coercive and arbitrary closure of media houses ranging from the print and broadcast media houses across the country.
GHANA: Ghana sees disturbing surge in press freedom violations
RSF: Reporters Without Borders (RSF) calls for an end to imprisonment for press offences in Ghana, where three journalists have been detained on various grounds since the start of February, and for a full investigation into a case of police violence two weeks ago against a journalist who is still hospitalised.
GHANA: Ghana’s journalism and press freedom crisis: MFWA Director writes to President Akufo-Addo (Letter)
MFWA
MALAWI: MBC donates to flood victims (8 February)
Nyasa Times: Members of staff at the Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) on Monday donated assorted items to flood victims in Chikwawa district.
SOMALIA: Attacks on broadcasters mount in Somalia
IFEX: Somalian broadcast journalist Abdullahi Ali Abukar was assaulted, detained and tortured by police officers, while in a separate incident police raided a radio station and detained station director Mahad Bashiir Xilif.
SOUTH AFRICA: National Broadcaster Renews Technologically In-Line With Digital Strategy
BMA: According to the national broadcaster’s responses to parliamentary questions, the South African Broadcasting Corporation’s (SABC) technology renewal project is making significant progress.
SOUTH AFRICA: SABC looking for hundreds of contractors after axing 800 employees in 2021
News24: The South African public broadcaster, which is not out of the woods financially despite another government bailout, is looking to hire close to 500 workers in 2022 – this in the wake of axing 800 workers in 2021.
SOUTH AFRICA: South Africa could get a new TV licence tax next week: legal experts
Business Tech: Finance minister Enoch Godongwana is set to deliver his maiden budget speech on 23 February, with Treasury largely expected to stick to script. However, it could provide the government opportunity to introduce a ‘digital device tax’ for TV licences, say legal experts at ENSAfrica.
SUDAN: Supreme court revokes dismissal of 79 public media workers
IFJ: The Supreme Court of Sudan has overturned the dismissal of 79 journalists and employees of the Public Authority for Radio and Television, the Sudanese public broadcaster.
TANZANIA: Govt. To Promote Press Freedom Through A Participatory Approach
BMA: Media stakeholders have praised President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s sixth-phase government for promoting press freedom and adopting a participatory approach that attracts investments in the information sector.
TANZANIA: MISA Tanzania welcomes lifting of ban on 4 newspapers
MISA: The government of Tanzania recently lifted a ban that had been in place against four newspapers in the country.
REGIONAL: Briefing: Coups in West Africa increase dangerous conditions for journalists
IPI: Over the past year, there has been a dangerous trend of military coups in West African countries, including Mali, Burkina Faso, and Guinea-Bissau. With these coups have come increased attacks and harassment against journalists, especially those reporting on anti-coup dissent.
REGIONAL: How a Nigerian nonprofit is teaching fact-checking to journalists from West Africa
Reuters Institute: News outlet Dubawa has trained colleagues from Ghana, Liberia, The Gambia and Sierra Leone. Now it’d like to take its mission even further
REGIONAL: “No Digital Colonialism – Africa’s Archival Collections Must Remain In The Hands Of Africans” – David Larsen, Africa Media Online (Watch)
BMA: Mr David Larsen, the founder of Africa Media Online, shared some of his observations on the best possible steps to help in the management of collection access, monetisation, and IP rights.
REGIONAL: This project is helping African reporters to improve their coverage of climate change
Reuters Institute: Most journalists lack the right skills and some newsrooms aren’t committing resources. A fellowship from CJID is trying to change this.
AFGHANISTAN: 86 radio stations shut down in Afghanistan
RadioInfo Asia: As the rest of the world marked #WorldRadioDay on February 13, Afghanistan mourned the loss of as 86 radio stations which have halted operations over the past six months since the Taliban took control of the country.
BANGLADESH: Bangladesh national radio DG’s tenure renewed
RadioInfo Asia: The Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh has renewed the appointment of Ahmed Quamruzzaman as the Director General of national broadcaster Bangladesh Betar from February 7.
CHINA: Journalists’ group ‘dismayed’ by treatment at Beijing Winter Olympics
The Guardian: Foreign Correspondents’ Club of China says reporters tailed and manhandled by security despite assurances from Games officials.
HONG KONG: Fears of online censorship in Hong Kong as rights group website goes down
The Guardian: UK-based Hong Kong Watch says outage could be part of wider Beijing crackdown.
HONG KONG: ‘I’m Afraid That I Cannot Be a Journalist Anymore’
The Atlantic: Government officials claim that Hong Kong’s media environment is “as vibrant as ever,” another addition to their accrescent portfolio of lies.
INDIA: Attacks against woman journalist Rana Ayyub must stop – UN experts (Statement)
OHCHR: Relentless misogynistic and sectarian attacks online against journalist Rana Ayyub must be promptly and thoroughly investigated by the Indian authorities and the judicial harassment against her brought to an end at once, UN human rights experts* said today.
INDIA: Washington Post shows support for Rana Ayyub, calls her ‘target of prejudiced investigations’
The Print: The Washington Post Sunday came out in support of Indian journalist Rana Ayyub, after the Enforcement Directorate on 10 February attached funds worth Rs 1.77 crore in her name, in connection with an ongoing probe in an alleged money laundering case against the journalist.
JAPAN: More fun for a wide range of generations 70 years after the start of main TV broadcasting, NHK has undergone a major reorganization. Terrestrial revision rate 42% (Japanese – Paywall)
Mainichi: In the spring of 2022, NHK will undertake the largest major reorganization since the start of terrestrial digital broadcasting in 2003.
MALAYSIA: #Showbiz: TV producers hopeful RTM director-general will resolve copyright issues
New Straits Times: After 14 years of “fighting” for their rights over television programmes, television producers are optimistic that Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) will finally reach a win-win situation with them.
MYANMAR: Citizen Journalists Fight Back Against Myanmar Military’s Crackdown
VOA News: Professional reporters in Myanmar say their job is nearly impossible under the fierce restrictions imposed by military rule. Now, citizen journalists have stepped into the breach, often working undercover to avoid arrests or worse.
NEPAL: Samir Jung Shah appointed Executive Chairman of Nepal Television (31 January)
MyRepublica: The government has appointed Samir Jung Shah as the Executive Chairman of the state-owned Nepal Television.
PAKISTAN: FIA arrests media personality Mohsin Jamil Baig, sessions court declares raid illegal
Dawn: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on Wednesday raided the residence of media personality Mohsin Jamil Baig in Islamabad and arrested him after he allegedly shot at and roughed up members of the raiding team.
PAKISTAN: Govt, media deadlock on PECA persists
The News: The media Joint Action Committee (JAC) on Monday walked out of the meeting with the Information Ministry over PECA calling the engagement a farce.
PHILIPPINES: In picking presidential bet, Filipinos turn to national TV, social media
Rappler: It’s a dramatic shift from the last presidential election, when only 2% of respondents said they’d turn to the internet or social media for information.
SOUTH KOREA: KBS Jeju Offers UHD TV Innovation Service to Viewers (Press release – Korean)
KBS: KBS Jeju General Bureau (Director Do-Young Lee) started high-definition UHDTV broadcasting based on ATSC 3.0 , expanded its public role as a broadcaster in charge of disaster broadcasting, introduced new technology services, and expanded viewers’ options to viewers using various services of UHDTV.
AUSTRALIA: ABC iview Login to Watch (Press release)
ABC: ABC iview audiences are set to benefit from the next stage of personalised services with the expansion of login-to-watch ABC accounts in March.
AUSTRALIA: New SBS guidelines and reporting commitment for representation on and off screen (Press release)
SBS: SBS is elevating its commitment to reflecting and exploring the diversity of today’s Australia in the distinctive programs it commissions, and expanding its accountability through new reporting, with the introduction of new guidelines for a more inclusive screen sector.
AUSTRALIA: One year on from Australia’s showdown with Facebook over the news media code, there’s still a lot we don’t know (Opinion)
The Guardian: In forcing an accommodation between big tech and big media, the mastheads may have ended up even more reliant and integrated than ever.
AUSTRALIA: SBS unveils unique, compelling and courageous content slate for all Australians in 2022 (Press release)
SBS
AUSTRALIA: ‘The critics don’t deter us’: ABC managing director launches passionate defence of broadcaster
The Guardian: New book from media veteran David Anderson outlines organisation’s contribution to Australian public life despite defunding and scrutiny.
NEW ZEALAND: Anti-media sentiment among protesters cause for concern – experts
RNZ: The anti-mandate protests in Wellington and around the country have also contained a strong anti-media sentiment with reporters abused and threatened.
NEW ZEALAND: How the media can improve the toxic dynamic with government (Opinion)
Stuff
PAPUA NEW GUINEA: Despite UN Rights Review, attacks on press freedom continue in PNG with suspension of journalist
Civicus Monitor: Among concerns documented in the country are the harassment and threats against human rights defenders, particularly those working on land and environmental rights, as well as intimidation and threats against journalists.
PAPUA NEW GUINEA: Jack Lapauve: Why we walked out in protest over EMTV news independence (Commentary)
Asia Pacific Report: EMTV’s deputy news editor Jack Lapauve Jr in Port Moresby writes in defence of the newsroom’s decision to walk out in protest over the suspension of head of news and current affairs Sincha Dimara on February 7.
PAPUA NEW GUINEA: Papua New Guinea TV news chief suspended for “insubordination”
RSF: Reporters Without Borders (RSF) condemns the unacceptable political meddling behind Sincha Dimara’s suspension as head of news and current affairs at EMTV News, Papua New Guinea’s main public television news channel, after three news stories annoyed a government minister. She must be reinstated at once, RSF says.
REGIONAL: Pacific public broadcasters concerned about Chinese government pressure, says ABC managing director
ABC: The ABC managing director says public broadcasters in the Pacific have raised concerns about Chinese government pressure to carry state-owned (controlled) news content.
AZERBAIJAN: A New Draconian Media Law In Azerbaijan Gives The Government The Power To Decide What’s News
RFE/RL: Journalists hounded and harassed to the point where many have fled the country. Independent or opposition media shuttered or blocked online. Nearly all news media reaching the public controlled by the government.
AZERBAIJAN: Azerbaijan Says It Will Remove Police Officers Over Media Harassment
VOA News: Police officers who beat and insulted journalists covering a protest this week will be removed from their positions, Azerbaijan’s Interior Ministry has said.
BULGARIA: Bulgarian Media Mull Response to Rise in Cyber-Attacks
Balkan Insight: As cyber-attacks on Bulgarian media – disabling their websites and impeding freedom of speech – get more ruthless and more frequent – they have to tighten their defences.
BULGARIA: Bulgarian National Radio has something important to tell you (Kapital)
IPI: The public radio is key in the fight for press freedom in Bulgaria but two years of leadership crisis have distracted it from its purpose, writes Kapital weekly.
FRANCE: Sibyle Veil: “In the middle of the presidential campaign, it is no longer a question of talking differently to young people, but of talking to them simply” (Opinion – French)
Le Monde: The change in the uses of information requires the media to “create the common” by integrating young people into the conversation, writes the CEO of Radio France.
GERMANY: INTERVIEW WITH TELEVISION COUNCILLOR JENNY LUCA RENNER: “My goal is the normalization of the special” (German – 31 January)
MDR: Jenny Luca Renner has been a member of the ZDF television council since 2016, delegated by the Thuringian state government for the German Lesbian and Gay Association (LSVD), and represents the interests of the LGBTQI+ audience.
GERMANY: The federal states want to protect journalists better during corona demos. This is more than just a declaration of intent. (German)
DJV: DJV national chairman Frank Überall pointed out the situation of the reporters at Corona demos at a press conference in Berlin in mid-January.
HUNGARY: How Hungary’s pro-government outlets are favoured at press briefings (Telex)
IPI: Data analysis by Telex shows the extent to which independent media are overlooked at government press conferences
ICELAND: RÚV fills two key roles (Icelandic – Listen)
RÚV: Heiðar Örn Sigurfinnsson has this week been appointed the new head of news at RÚV. At the same time, Matthías Már Magnússon was appointed the director of Rás 2 radio.
IRELAND: Delayed plan will see new media levy to replace TV licence
Irish Examiner: Local and national print media could also be eligible to draw from the new levy but Government sources say speculation Revenue will collect it is ‘premature’
IRELAND: ‘Several million euro’ investment required for RTÉ Player, says broadcaster
Digital TV Europe: Irish broadcaster RTÉ has said that it requires significant investment to modernise its streaming service RTÉ Player.
KOSOVO: Kosovo Cautioned Over “Dangerous” Verbal Attacks on Media
Balkan Insight: An editorial oversight at the Kosovo newspaper Gazeta Express has triggered a barrage of what one media law expert said was “very dangerous” criticism of the media by the government and the presidency, potentially hurting the country’s media freedom rating.
LITHUANIA: LRT does not continue to participate in public procurement to create and broadcast programs or content similar to journalism (Lithuanian)
LRT: The public broadcaster firmly adheres to its position, published as early as 2019, which states that LRT does not participate in any public procurement to develop and broadcast programs or content similar to journalism.
COE: It contains recommendations for safeguarding media freedom and ensuring the safety of journalists, protecting the lives and dignity of refugees, asylum seekers and migrants and strengthening women’s rights.
The Shift: One of the co-founders of the IGM (journalists’ association) has resigned in protest against the media experts committee set up by the government to implement the recommendations on press freedom stemming from the public inquiry into Daphne Caruana Galizia’s assassination.
NORWAY: “The world’s best job” – NRK Super’s editor thanks for himself (Danish)
Nordvision: Since the start of NRK Super’s success story, Hildri Gulliksen has been involved in content production with an unbeatable desire to experiment, but also with increasingly fierce competition from outside.
POLAND: EU must urge Polish leaders to respect press freedom
CPJ: European Union ministers should prioritize press freedom reform in Poland when the EU General Affairs Council meets to discuss rule of law concerns in the country, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Thursday.
POLAND: Polish media board to grant controversial public TV broadcaster €400 million
Euractiv: Poland’s public television, widely accused of being openly pro-government and spreading radical conservative propaganda, was granted nearly half a billion euros by the government on Monday.
SLOVENIA: RTV Slovenia elects new executives
Broadband TV News: Peter Gregorcic has been appointed the president of the Programme Council at RTV Slovenia. At the same time, Andrej Prebil will take over the position of deputy.
SPAIN: The RTVE Institute launches a virtual tour of its facilities (Press release – Spanish)
RTVE: RTVE invites you to learn more about the environment in which future professionals in the audiovisual sector are trained thanks to the virtual tour offered by the RTVE Institute through its facilities, with testimonials from teachers and students.
SWEDEN: SVT: News feed on play arouses Nordic interest (Danish)
Nordvision: More specialization and more expert roles are required in the news story.
SWEDEN: Swedish Radio strengthens foreign reporting (Press release – Swedish) (3 February)
Sveriges Radio: Swedish Radio is investing and further broadening its foreign coverage. As of March 1, a new correspondent position will be appointed in South Asia and Naila Saleem will be the first correspondent there.
UK: 100 cultural figures on 100 years of the BBC
The Guardian: David Hare, Ali Smith, Steve McQueen, Russell T Davies, Meera Syal, Melvyn Bragg and others tackle some difficult questions about the corporation’s prospects to mark its centenary – and pick the shows they’d like to take to a desert island.
UK: Birmingham base of the future as BBC launches new apprentice hub (Press release)
BBC: Birmingham will be “home to the future of the BBC” following the launch of a new apprentice hub, Director-General Tim Davie says.
UK: ‘Channel 4 isn’t broke, don’t fix it’: MPs launch bid to stop sell-off
The Observer: Senior Tory MPs called on Sunday for Boris Johnson to drop plans to privatise Channel 4, arguing that such a move would damage the “levelling up” agenda, and run contrary to the founding vision of Margaret Thatcher.
UKRAINE: OSCE Media Freedom Representative reiterates her concern about sanctions against media in Ukraine
OSCE: Ribeiro’s comments follow the decision made on 11 February 2022 by the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine to impose five-year sanctions against several legal entities, resulting in the effective banning of access to the television channel Nash.
Deutsche Welle: In a time of crisis and war, a free and unbiased media is key to upholding democratic norms. Angelina Kariakina, head of news at public broadcaster UA:PBC, explains how it feels to work in an atmosphere of war.
REGIONAL: 3 IMPROVEMENTS TO THE DIGITAL SERVICES ACT (Blog)
EBU: The EU has been working on new legislation, the Digital Services Act (DSA), that has the potential to become a new gold standard in how platforms are regulated.
REGIONAL: Mapping Media Freedom records 626 violations in 2021 (Report)
Via ECPMF: Partners of the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) have published the latest MFRR Monitoring Report, outlining the state of media freedom throughout all EU member states, candidate countries, and the United Kingdom in 2021.
REGIONAL: Latest research confirms DAB+ radio as standard in new cars across Europe
RadioInfo Asia: DAB+ radio came as standard in 95% of new cars sold in key European markets in 2021, according to figures released by WorldDAB.
ARGENTINA: The Ministry of Science and RTA come together to promote knowledge in the area (Spanish)
Total Medios: The Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation of the Nation and Radio and Television Argentina will collaborate in the development of cultural, academic, technical and scientific materials.
ARGENTINA & CHINA: The China Media Group signs a cooperation treaty with the Ministry of Media and Public Communication of Argentina (Statement – 6 Feb – Spanish)
CGTN: On the occasion of Argentine President Alberto Fernandez attending the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games opening ceremony and related activities, China Media Group Chairman and General Editor Shen Haixiong signed the Cooperation Treaty between the China Media Group and the Secretariat of Media and Public Communication of Argentina.
BRAZIL: FENAJ launches campaign for taxation of large digital platforms (8 Feb – Portuguese)
FENAJ: The National Federation of Journalists (FENAJ) launched a campaign in which it defends the taxation of major digital platforms and the creation of the National Fund for the Support and Promotion of Journalism (Funajor).
LatAm Journalism Review: Driven by total investments of €700,000 (USD 794,000), the Franco-Brazilian newstech Headline will go live this year, intending to serve as a content platform for journalists and independent organizations.
COLOMBIA: Dialogue with Álvaro García Jiménez, the journalist at the head of RTVC (Spanish)
El País
COLOMBIA: ‘We are neither from the guerrilla nor from the Government’: Juan Ricardo Pulido (Spanish)
El Periódico: Next week, in Mesetas, they will officially inaugurate peace radio station number 12 in Colombia, out of 20 foreseen in the Peace Agreements. A challenge for the communication of the inhabitants in conflict zones.
MEXICO: As Mexico journalists face deadly violence, AMLO attacks the media (Opinion)
The Washington Post: Mexico is experiencing one of the deadliest periods on record for journalists, with five killed so far this year. But instead of addressing these dangers, President Andrés Manuel López Obrador devoted much of his regular news conference on Friday to attacking one of the country’s most prominent media figures, Carlos Loret de Mola.
MEXICO: The IAPA asks López Obrador to “immediately suspend” his attacks on journalists (Spanish)
VOA: The agency warns that the attacks are an “abusive practice from the Executive Branch.”
NICARAGUA: Journalists in Nicaragua between a rock and a hard place to report truthfully (Spanish)
Marti: A guilty verdict against sportswriter Miguel Mendoza in Nicaragua under a law approved in 2020 puts dozens of journalists in the country against the wall.
REGIONAL: #BTColumn – The power of radio
Barbados Today: Radio is the oldest, most popular electronic medium, which was introduced to Jamaica in the 1930s. Those of us who are old enough will remember a time in Jamaica when we only had 2 radio stations:
REGIONAL: Hispavisión and a journalism channel, projects materialized in an Ibero-American audiovisual forum (Spanish)
La Jornada: The collaboration between public television stations that participated in the first Ibero-American Forum of Audiovisual Public Service held this week in Madrid, Spain, will allow the materialization of two joint projects: the Hispavisión music festival and the creation of an Ibero-American channel for cultural journalism and scientific.
RSF: The Latin America bureau of Reporters Without Borders (RSF) is today releasing the findings of a lengthy investigation and analysis of protective mechanisms for journalists in Latin America’s four most dangerous countries for the media – Mexico, Honduras, Colombia and Brazil.
IRAN: Iran tightens grip on internet freedom
DW: The Iranian parliament has introduced new measures to enforce restrictions on internet users. Rights activists have slammed the move.
IRAN: Wiper Used in Attack on Iran National Media Network
Security Week: An analysis of a January attack targeting Iran’s national media corporation has found the use of multiple malware families, including a data-wiper and custom backdoors.
ISRAEL: Israeli inquiry sees no indication of unlawful use of spyware by police
Middle East Monitor: A high-level Israeli inquiry found no indication to support allegations that police had used controversial spyware on the phones of a number of public figures without warrants, the Justice Ministry said on Monday, Reuters reports.
ISRAEL: The shaky legal ground of Deutsche Welle’s anti-Semitism probe (Analysis)
The New Arab: Legal experts tell The New Arab why the German broadcaster is on shaky legal ground with its decision to terminate seven Arab employees accused of anti-Semitism based on years-old social media activity.
SYRIA: Syrian Orient TV news team kidnapped by IS turn up in regime prison 9 years on (Analysis)
The New Arab: On 25 July 2013, a news team from Syrian TV station Orient News vanished, their precise fate still unknown today. Now, an Al-Araby Al-Jadeed investigation sheds light on the kidnapping, revealing IS involvement and Syrian regime collusion.
TURKEY: Last 72 hours for DW Turkish, Euronews Turkish and Voice of America (Turkish)
Diken: The 72-hour period allowed by the Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK) to apply for licenses to DW Turkish, Euronews Turkish and America’s Sesi news sites has begun.
TURKEY: Turkey: A Month Behind Bars Under “Lèse-Majesté” Law
RSF: Following the rejection of the second application for Kabaş’s release, RSF urges Turkish authorities to immediately release Kabaş, respect ECtHR rulings in terms of freedom of expression and abolish article 299 of Turkish Criminal Code.
YEMEN: War isn’t the only threat to women’s activism in Yemen
Saferworld: Activism in Yemen is on standby. Activists – especially women – are facing many difficulties: security, access to information, and access to decision makers.
CANADA: As TV has changed, so has CBC TV — and it’s stronger than ever (Press release)
CBC/Radio-Canada: In the Hill Times, Catherine Tait, our President and CEO, highlights how CBC TV has met the challenges of our ever-changing media environment — to great success.
CANADA: Hostility towards journalists on the rise (French)
La Presse: The erosion of public trust in the media, the influence of pro-Trump currents on this side of the border, the poisoning of social media and the tensions caused by the pandemic have taken their toll.
CANADA: Press freedom, convoy protests and the safety of journalists (Listen)
Toronto Star: Reporters are being threatened on the streets and online. The hostility is even greater if the journalists are women or from other vulnerable groups.
CANADA: Traditional media continue to be the most trusted source for news, research shows
News Media Canada: Traditional media continue to be the most trusted source for news and information in Canada, according to the most recent release of the Edelman Trust Barometer.
US: Corporation for Public Broadcasting Renews Support for Public Media Journalists Association Editor Corps (Press release)
CPB: The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) announced today a $115,000 grant to continue the Public Media Journalists Association (PMJA) Editor Corps, which provides short-term editing assistance to public media newsrooms facing significant burdens.
US: CPJ calls on US Justice Department to stop compelling media outlets to register as foreign agents (15 February)
CPJ: On February 11, 2022, the Committee to Protect Journalists submitted comments to the United States Department of Justice concerning problems presented by labeling media organizations as “foreign agents” under the Foreign Agents Registration Act.
US: DIRECTV STREAM Completes Nationwide Rollout of Nearly 250 Local PBS Stations (Press release)
PBS: DIRECTV STREAM, an industry leader in live local news, entertainment and regional sports, has completed its national rollout of local PBS member stations in three months – nearly nine months ahead of its original schedule.
US: Nearly a quarter of Americans get news from podcasts
Pew Research Center: The controversy around Spotify and its podcaster Joe Rogan has drawn new attention to the medium at a time when podcasting has grown to become yet another platform that Americans turn to for news.
US: NPR’s WHYY has lost at least half its journalists. Many complain about pay and lack of innovation
Philadelphia Inquirer: The turnover at WHYY has occurred during a time of volatility and disruption in local news media, as outlets here and across the country work to diversify their newsrooms and broaden their coverage.
US: Parents really want useful education news. They aren’t all getting it.
Nieman Lab: American parents identify information about education and schools — their local schools, in particular — as their top news need, and that need has only grown during the pandemic.
US: Public TV asks FCC for flexibility in preserving multicast channels amid ATSC 3.0 transition (Paywall)
Current: To bring more public TV stations into the world of ATSC 3.0 “NextGen” broadcasting, the FCC needs to follow through on a proposal to modify its rules on simulcasts with ATSC 1.0 signals.
US: Stations encounter burnout, frustration in ‘long game’ of advancing DEI goals (Paywall)
Current: Among the dozens of public media stations that made commitments to improve diversity, equity and inclusion at their workplaces in 2020, some managers and staffers say they are seeing momentum in their efforts, despite a slow and at times bumpy start.
US: Twin Cities PBS Announces 10 ‘Facing Suicide’ Grants to Help Prevent Suicide in Communities Across the Country (Press release)
CPB: Twin Cities PBS (TPT) has awarded a total of $165,000 in grants to 10 PBS stations to create suicide prevention initiatives in their communities in collaboration with the national PBS broadcast of “Facing Suicide.”
Nieman Lab: NPR sells itself on the idea that it’s a public broadcasting network. But, Christopher Chávez argues in a new book, that hasn’t fully included Latinx listeners.
A turbulent Winter Olympics for the press
CJR: TWO WEEKS AGO, with the Winter Olympics having just gotten underway in Beijing, L’Equipe, a French sports daily, published an interview with Peng Shuai, a Chinese tennis player who disappeared from public view for weeks late last year after accusing a senior Chinese politician of sexual assault in a social-media post that was swiftly censored.
Diversity, equity and inclusion strategies in the U.S may not work globally. Here’s why.
IJNet: For years, global media discussions have been centered around U.S.-based organizations and examples for innovation, business models, and reporting styles often flow globally from North to South. Now, something similar is happening around DEI initiatives.
Global Initiative to Help Newsroom Leaders “Elevate” Their Operations
ICFJ: Journalists who run small- or medium-sized independent news outlets anywhere in the world can now apply to take part in Elevate, a news business hub launching today from the International Center for Journalists (ICFJ).
How having queer folks in power at non-queer media organizations can shift coverage
Poynter: ‘I want to create work that unites people to have more compassion for each other,’ Sticky Rice founder Viet Tran says of his work.
How the ‘first rough draft of history’ can be revised and reimagined
Poynter: What we can learn about the evolution of Three Little Words, a 25-year-old serial narrative about the AIDS epidemic.
La Disparition, a one-of-a-kind media outlet in letter form
IJNet: “To you, reading me today.” This is how the first edition of La Disparition addresses its reader. This new media, whose motto is “epistolary and political,” tells the story of the disappearances of our world, whether it be a profession, a tree, or hope.
Media in Figures: TikTok To Grow To Almost One Billion Users by 2025
Media Power Monitor: Interesting statistics extracted from cool studies and research projects about media and journalism.
Money and the politicization of press freedom
CJR: While Sarah Palin may have lost her defamation lawsuit against the New York Times, the legal climate for journalists nevertheless seems to be getting worse.
My journey down the rabbit hole of every journalist’s favorite app
Politico: Otter.ai has saved reporters countless hours transcribing interviews. Caveat emptor.
Where does virtue signalling belong in digital journalism?
Journalism.co.uk: JOE Media has amassed millions of hits from videos that take a strong position on stories that matter to their audience. But is that not just what news outlets have always done?
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