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
Czech Television’s services for children on Russia-Ukraine war
Česká Televize has launched a new service for children to seek information and ask questions about the Russia-Ukraine war.
When reporting on stories as consequential and upsetting as the war in Ukraine, public media have a responsibility to provide sensitive coverage for children. As many public broadcasters recognise, what they produce for children is critical, as these age groups can be prone to experiencing anxiety as a result of a news topic, as seen with the climate crisis.
But where is the line between accurately answering questions while shielding children from the graphic details of the war, and being too overprotective and not telling them the truth? Public media has a responsibility to get this balance right, and be a place children, parents and teachers can go to find answers.
Česká Televize (Czech Television) has created one innovative solution to this issue. In collaboration with experts, the public television company has launched a ‘non-news’ website, Déčka, which collates “information and answers in a way that is unavoidable, but adequate to children’s age and perception.” The website hosts articles and explainer videos covering topics from how the war in Ukraine began, to the important role of journalists in covering the conflict. It also provides an opportunity for children to submit questions or send messages to Ukrainian children.
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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...
CASE coalition published new report on the nature and impact of SLAPPs in Europe
EFJ: The Coalition Against SLAPPs in Europe (CASE) has launched a new report entitled “Shutting out criticism: How SLAPPs threaten European democracy” based on data collected about 570 abusive lawsuits in 29 countries over the last 10 years.
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THE GAMBIA: Consortium To Support Interventions That Improve Working Conditions For Media Workers
Broadcast Media Africa: A collective bargaining agreement is in the pipeline for three media houses that have expressed their will to commit to the Gambia Press Union’s Collective Bargaining Agreement following a one-day consultation with broadcast media owners.
GHANA: New GBC Board inaugurated with members pledging to ensure higher standards
GBC: A 10 Member Board for the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation, GBC has been sworn into office by the Chairman of the National Media Commission, NMC Yaw Boadu Ayeboafo.
GHANA: NMC appeals to ECG to spare GBC in its disconnections
GBC: Chairman of the National Media Commission, Yaw Boadu Ayeboafo has appealed to the Electricity Company of Ghana, ECG to hasten slowly with its disconnection process when dealing with GBC.
GHANA: PSWU gives Fair Wages 2-weeks to open negotiations for conditions of service for GBC staff (Watch)
GBC: The Public Services Workers Union, PSWU, has given the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission, a two-week ultimatum to open negotiations for Conditions of Service of GBC staff.
KENYA: Media urged to demystify scientific jargon in climate change reportage
KBC: The media has been asked to grow their knowledge in climate change so as to inform the public from a point of knowledge.
MALI: Malian junta suspension of RFI and France 24 is ‘grave attack on press freedom’
RFI: Mali’s ruling junta has ordered French public broadcasters RFI and its sister TV station France 24 off the air, claiming they have falsely accused the army of committing abuses – accusations the broadcasters roundly reject.
NAMIBIA: Namibia Broadcasting Corporation And MultiChoice In Collaboration Invites Proposals From Filmmakers
Broadcast Media Africa: MultiChoice Namibia, together with the Namibia Broadcasting Corporation (NBC), is extending an invitation to filmmakers and producers to submit film proposals that showcase authentic Namibian stories.
NIGERIA: Broadcast Stations Gasping for Breath, BON Cries Out
This Day: The Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria (BON), a body representing broadcast stations in Nigeria, has cried out over the skyrocketing costs of operation following the high cost of petrol and diesel, saying broadcast stations are “gasping for breath.”
SOUTH AFRICA: Ntshavheni Rejects Claims Analogue Tv Switch-Off Will Leave Millions With No Signal
Media Monitoring Africa: The North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria is hearing an ongoing case, where Media Monitoring Africa and SOS Support Public Broadcasting Coalition are challenging Ntshavheni’s decision to switch off the analogue broadcasting signals.
SOUTH SUDAN: Media: Access to Information Is Tough in South Sudan
VOA News: Audiences in South Sudan are keen to hear news about the peace agreement and reforms, but journalists say it can be tough getting information from government agencies.
SUDAN: Sawa marks 20 years with the launch of Sawa Sudan
USAGM: The Arabic-language news and information network begins its broadcasts to Sudan today, March 22nd, with programs dedicated to Sudanese people and the challenges they are facing.
TANZANIA: ‘A rush of relief’: Tanzanian investigative newspaper allowed to publish after 5-year ban
CPJ: The ban was only supposed to last two years, but it stretched on as officials failed to lift it even after a court found it “illegal” and “irrational.” Then, in February, the government took a U-turn.
TUNISIA: In Tunisia, State Television the Latest Battleground
Human Rights Watch: Tunisian President Kais Saied has set about dismantling institutional checks on his authority since his July power grab, and state television is an obvious target.
TUNISIA: Tunisian journalism union warns of ‘dangerous’ press targeting after journalist detained
The New Arab: Tunisia’s main journalism union said anti-terrorism police detained a radio reporter on Friday for refusing to reveal his sources on a story about militants, describing the decision as a new attempt to undermine press freedom.
UGANDA: Two journalists held on charges of ‘cyber stalking’ the president
IPI: Tumuhimbise and Bikobere were detained after security forces raided the offices of independent online television station Alternative Digitalk TV in Kampala, arresting nine staff members, according to reports.
REGIONAL: Freedom in the World 2022 Report: A glimpse on trends in Southern Africa
MISA: A glimpse on trends in Southern Africa from the Freedom in the World 2022 Report.
AFGHANISTAN: The media spotlight on Afghanistan is fading fast – but the agony of its people is far from over (Opinion)
The Guardian: Afghans have been fighting since the 70s for the same reason Ukrainians are fighting but they have been neglected and betrayed.
CHINA: Why China is skeptical of local journalists working for Western media
Deutsche Welle: State media have published a series of critical articles against Chinese journalists, accusing them of helping foreign media with “anti-China reports.”
CHINA & RUSSIA: Chinese state media deviates from Moscow narrative
The Times: Chinese media has started to report Russian causalities in the Ukrainian war, in a departure from earlier coverage that more closely followed the narrative coming out of Moscow.
INDIA: Facebook charged BJP less for India election ads than others
Al Jazeera: Facebook’s algorithm offers cheaper advertisement deals to India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over other political parties, according to an analysis of advertisement spending spread across 22 months and 10 elections.
INDIA & AUSTRALIA: Prasar Bharati signs MoU with Australia’s public service broadcaster to boost co-operation
News On AIR: India’s public broadcaster Prasar Bharati has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Australia’s public service broadcaster Special Broadcasting Service (SBS) yesterday to boost co-operation in the field of broadcasting.
INDONESIA: Jokowi Increases Civil Service Allowances at RRI and TVRI, Here’s the Amount (Indonesian – 8 March)
Tempo: President Joko Widodo or Jokowi increased the allowances for civil servants or civil servants for functional positions of broadcast technicians working at TVRI and RRI. This allowance comes from the State Revenue Budget or APBN.
KYRGYZSTAN: Press Freedom in Kyrgyzstan Is Headed in the Wrong Direction (Opinion)
The Diplomat: We’ve seen how important it is that citizens of a country know the truth and are exposed to more than just propaganda. Kyrgyzstan’s backsliding is deeply concerning.
MYANMAR: Myanmar and the case for citizen journalists
Mizzima: Myanmar’s media is in dire straits over a year after the military coup. The military junta has clamped down heavily on “independent media” and journalists trying to tell the truth about the crisis.
PAKISTAN: Digital Archive Being Created To Protect Old Data Of Radio Pakistan: Fawad
Urdu Point: Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Chaudhry Fawad Hussain Monday informed the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Information and Broadcasting that a digital archive would be created in Radio Pakistan to protect and maintain its old data.
PAKISTAN: Pakistan Broadcasters Association condemns govt actions to control media freedom
Dawn: The Pakistan Broadcasters Association (PBA) has condemned a series of actions taken by the government aimed at “controlling editorial content, freedom of speech and depriving the citizens of Pakistan of their right to know”.
PAKISTAN: PECA Ordinance: Journalists will not allow muzzling media
The News International: The Punjab Union of Journalists (PUJ) concluded its five-day protest camp against the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) Amendment Ordinance and in favour of freedom of expression, in front of the Lahore Press Club on Tuesday.
PAKISTAN: PFUJ asks PM Imran Khan to apologise for tirade against media
Geo TV: Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) on Monday demanded Prime Minister Imran Khan to apologise for “leveling allegations against media and journalists’ for receiving funds to campaign against the incumbent government in a rally in Malakand.
PHILIPPINES: NUJP, CMFR sound alarm over election-related incidents against Philippine media
Rappler: The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) and the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR) recently sounded the alarm over hostilities the media have been facing in the days leading to the May 9 elections.
SOUTH KOREA: KBS comes out top in election coverage (10 Mar)
The Korea Herald: Public broadcaster KBS had the most-watched presidential election coverage on TV in Korea Wednesday night.
REGIONAL: DRM to focus on innovation at ABU DBS 2022
RadioInfo Asia: The Digital Radio Mondiale Consortium will have a strong presence at the upcoming Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union Digital Broadcasting Symposium, to be held from March 21 to 24.
AUSTRALIA & THE PACIFIC: ABC wants more journalists, expansion of radio into Pacific region
SMH: The ABC is planning to employ more journalists in the Pacific region and re-establish satellite feeds for its international service under a $12 million request for funding submitted to government last year.
AUSTRALIA: Digital code of conduct fails to stop all harms of misinformation, Acma warns
The Guardian: Need for damage to be serious and imminent before Facebook and Google take action means ‘chronic’ problems build, watchdog says – citing mistrust of vaccines
AUSTRALIA: Rudderless or taking time? Key decisions mount as ABC awaits news boss
SMH: The ABC is expected to announce its new director of news within three weeks, more than six months after Gaven Morris first signalled to senior management his intention to leave the post.
AUSTRALIA: Scale of ABC social media disciplinary action revealed
SMH: Australia’s national broadcaster has recorded four instances where it had to discipline staff for their conduct on social media in the past six months under a recently introduced policy that attempts to crack down on personal views being posted on platforms like Twitter.
AUSTRALIA: ‘You want to cry, but you don’t dare’: Reporting on the Queensland and NSW floods disaster
ABC News: ABC journalists reflect on covering the floods, scrambling to evacuate Brisbane HQ and the stories that resonated.
NEW ZEALAND: Gavin Ellis: Fundamental flaws in public media plans call for big fixes (Analysis)
Asia Pacific Report: The proposal for a new entity to replace Television New Zealand and RNZ has two fundamental flaws that must be fixed if it is to gain the public’s trust.
NEW ZEALAND: Muslim call to prayer broadcast on New Zealand radio for Christchurch massacre anniversary
The New Arab: The Islamic call to prayer was broadcast on radio stations across New Zealand for the anniversary of the Christchurch mosque massacre, which killed 51 Muslims in March 2019.
NEW ZEALAND: Pulling young Kiwis into the loop with news
RNZ Mediawatch: Younger Kiwis have been turning away from traditional news media outlets and bulletins for years, and the media they’re using most heavily have little news.
NEW ZEALAND: Time for a ‘save public broadcasting’ campaign (Opinion)
NZ Herald: There was a fair amount of enthusiasm and optimism several years ago when the Government announced a restructure designed to boost public broadcasting.
NEW ZEALAND: TVNZ and RNZ merger: why I’m dubbing it ‘Ti Kōuka’ (Opinion)
Stuff: The country’s new public media entity will be “built on the best of TVNZ and RNZ”, Broadcasting Minister Kris Faafoi declared on Thursday, and that leads to a couple of obvious questions.
REGIONAL: How China is winning the information war in the Pacific
ASPI: As China seeks greater influence in the South Pacific, its manipulation of local news outlets is having a serious impact on media independence.
REGIONAL: Televising Australian Soft Power in the Pacific
Australian Institute of International Affairs: Australia is attempting to maintain its influence across the Pacific. But this soft power campaign will not work if viewers are shown the wrong content.
BELARUS & RUSSIA: EU must provide emergency visas for Russian & Belarusian journalists fleeing repression (15 March – Statement)
ECPMF: The undersigned partners of the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) today call on the Member States of the European Union to set a global example of support for media freedom in crisis by extending emergency shelter and visa waivers to Russian journalists fleeing the country, as well as Belarusian journalists seeking refuge from war and repression.
GIBRALTAR: Job applications open for new GBC CEO
GBC: Applications have been invited for the role of Chief Executive Officer at GBC following the retirement of Gerard Teuma.
FINLAND: Yle’s economy remained stable despite the effects of the pandemic (Press release – Finnish)
Yle: The second year of the corona pandemic had a significant impact on operations and required exceptional arrangements in production and other operations. However, the company’s finances remained in balance.
FRANCE: Abolition of the fee: “Deprived of independent and sustainable funding, public broadcasting will only have independence in name” (Opinion – French – Paywall)
Le Monde: Personalities from the world of audiovisual and culture, including Dominique Besnehard, Jérôme Clément, Annie Ernaux, Pascale Ferran, Julie Gayet, Michel Hazanavicius, Agnès Jaoui, Bruno Solo, speak in a forum to the “World” to Emmanuel Macron to express their opposition to the abolition of the audiovisual license fee which promotes culture and protects democracy.
FRANCE: France Télévisions, the first French media to obtain the JTI label (Press release – French)
France Télévisions: With the trust placed in it by 3 out of 4 French people, France Télévisions strengthens its legitimacy by obtaining the “Journalism Trust Initiative” (JTI) standard that promotes the integrity and credibility of its information offer.
FRANCE: France’s TF1 & M6 merger faces in-depth probe into effect on rights, channels & advertising
TBI Vision: France’s competition watchdog, the Autorité de la Concurrence, has decided to open a ‘phase 2’ in-depth probe into the planned merger of commercial broadcasters TF1 and M6.
GEORGIA: TV Crew Attacked in Tbilisi Café
Civil.ge: Government-critical Formula TV crew – a journalist, her cameraman and cameraman’s assistant — came under verbal and physical attack while conducting an interview in a café in Tbilisi’s Vake neighborhood.
GERMANY: Commercial streaming service under public law: what actually is ARD Plus? (German)
Netzwelt: “Das Erste” not only runs a free media library. Under the name ARD Plus there is also a paid offer from three providers – with a certain added value.
GERMANY: Irritation about ARD push (German)
Der Spiegel: How many news channels do the public sector need? At his inauguration, the new ZDF director Norbert Himmler commented on possible conversion plans for Tagesschau24 and Phoenix.
HUNGARY: Mission Report: Media Freedom in Hungary Ahead of 2022 Election
IPI: IPI publishes new report assessing challenges for independent journalism.
ICELAND: RÚV access policy announced (Press release – Icelandic)
RÚV: The first main aspect is that access to RÚV media should be ensured. This includes access for blind and visually impaired people, deaf and hard of hearing people, deaf people (deaf people who speak sign language), people with developmental disabilities and finally access to RÚV media for people with a mother tongue other than Icelandic.
ICELAND: RÚV election coverage (Press release – Icelandic)
RÚV: Preparations for RÚV’s coverage of the 2022 local elections have begun. The coverage will be on a special election website, on television, radio and broadcast.
IRELAND: The BBC at 100: what are the lessons for RTÉ? (Paywall)
The Independent: Technological innovation has played a key role in the success of the world’s most famous media organisation. It is an example our own national broadcaster should follow.
LATVIA: New public media oversight body approved
LSM: At an extraordinary sitting on Wednesday, August 4, the Saeima confirmed Jānis Siksnis, Jānis Eglītis and Sanita Upleja-Jegermane as the members of the newly established Public Electronic Mass Media Council (SEPLP) which will oversee the output of public media [including the LSM web portal you are reading now as well as Latvian Television and Latvian Radio].
MOLDOVA: The battle for the war narrative in Moldova
CJR
NETHERLANDS: Agreement on new broadcasting collective labor agreement 2022-2023 (Press release – Dutch)
NPO: Partly thanks to the support from the supporters of these three trade unions, a collective agreement can be signed that provides for a structural wage increase for all employees of the national public broadcasters (NPO) and regional public broadcasters (RPO).
NORWAY: Vibeke Fürst Haugen will be the new head of broadcasting (Press release – Norwegian)
NRK: Vibeke Fürst Haugen (54) will be the new head of broadcasting at NRK after Thor Gjermund Eriksen – and thus the first woman in the role.
RUSSIA: IPI documents 200 attacks and restrictions on media in Russia-Ukraine war
IPI: IPI launches today tracker that systematically collects all forms of attacks and restrictions
RUSSIA: Putin tolerated some critical voices in his 22-year assault on Russian media. His war in Ukraine ends even that. (Opinion)
CPJ
RUSSIA: Russia’s state TV hit by stream of resignations
BBC: When Marina Ovsyannikova burst into Russian living rooms on Monday’s nightly news, denouncing the war in Ukraine and propaganda around it, her protest highlighted a quiet but steady stream of resignations from Russia’s tightly controlled state-run TV.
RUSSIA: Russian journalist explains on-air TV protest over Ukraine war
BBC News: Russian TV journalist Marina Ovsyannikova, who interrupted a live Russian news broadcast holding an anti-war sign, said her interrogators could not believe her decision to protest war in Ukraine was her own decision.
RUSSIA: The west underestimates the power of state media (Blog)
LSE: Stephen Cushion, Professor at Cardiff School of Journalism, Media and Culture, at Cardiff University, explains just how different the media landscape is in Russia in comparison to that of many western countries, and the implications of this.
RUSSIA & UKRAINE: Chilling account of Radio France fixer who was kidnapped and tortured by Russian soldiers in Ukraine
RSF: Kidnapped by Russian troops on 5 March, Nikita (his name is changed for his safety) was held for nine days. He was beaten with an iron bar, tortured with electricity, and subjected to a mock execution. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has collected and verified his story.
SLOVAKIA: News channels growing in Slovakia
Broadband TV News: The Slovak public broadcaster RTVS plans to make its recently launched news channel a permanent service.
SLOVENIA: Assault on trade union freedom and critical voices! (Slovenian)
Slovenian Union of Journalists: Although Slovenia guarantees trade union freedom … the public broadcaster’s governing body in matters of content, on 17 March adopted a decision demanding of the director general of RTV Slovenija to restrict freedom of expression and trade union freedom.
SLOVENIA: Director General of RTV Slovenia Andrej Grah Whatmough appointed for another four years (Slovenian)
RTV SLO: The Program Council of RTV Slovenia has appointed the current General Manager Andrej Grah Whatmough for the next four years. He will also temporarily perform the duties of the director of Television Slovenia. The new term begins on Friday.
SLOVENIA: Dnevnik says SDS tightening its grip on public broadcaster
STA: Noting the appointment of Igor Pirkovič as acting editor of the MMC web portal of the public broadcaster, Dnevnik says in Thursday’s commentary that it seems that the circles close to the political centre-right or the Democratic Party (SDS) of Prime Minister Janša have now firmly consolidated themselves at the top of RTV Slovenija.
SPAIN: 200 Fridays of protest against manipulation on public television controlled by Feijóo (Spanish)
El Diario: The future leader of the PP leaves behind a history of control and retaliation as a work ethic for the public media under his command
SPAIN: A TVE in low audience hours reorganizes its organization chart (Spanish)
El País: TVE has found neither internal stability nor the lost audience at the beginning of 2022, after two years of turbulence in which the audience of public television has marked historical lows, with the consequent loss of influence as an informative reference, and subjected to continuous internal earthquakes.
SWEDEN: SVT’s assignment the election year 2022 – in the light of the world situation (Press release – Swedish)
SVT: When Russia invaded Ukraine, the domestic political agenda changed in one fell swoop. The usual questions sank away and the war is likely to affect both politics and public debate for a long time to come. And in the midst of all this, we have long planned for the autumn elections. With a new world situation – are our intentions before the election still relevant?
SWEDEN & UKRAINE: This is how Swedish Radio supports the Ukrainian public service (Swedish)
Swedish Radio: Since 2018, Sveriges Radio has supported Ukrainian public service. The work continues despite extensive challenges. Earlier this week, an aid shipment with technical equipment from Swedish Radio arrived in Ukraine.
UK: Channel 4 launches 4Schools to open up creative careers to young people (Press release)
Channel 4: Channel 4 will open up the world of television to young people in a new initiative aimed at encouraging them to pursue a career in the creative industry.
UK: Local BBC Radio across England wants to award great neighbours, key workers, volunteers and more in Make A Difference Awards (Press release)
BBC: Categories cover the unsung heroes of every community from great neighbours, inspirational teachers, awesome volunteers or even outstanding key workers.
UK: Why is BBC News so late to the TikTok party?
Journalism.co.uk: Most UK news outlets have flocked to the platform bustling with young viewers, but it took a war in Ukraine for the public broadcaster to follow suit.
UKRAINE: Out now: Ukraine’s media landscape guide
Deutsche Welle: What do people need to know in case of a disaster? It is crucial in a crisis to know the country’s media. The Ukraine Media Landscape Guide is now published.
UKRAINE: Ukraine’s public broadcaster saving lives: UA:PBC is more important than ever
Deutsche Welle: Before the Ukraine invasion, Dima Khilchenko coordinated DW Akademie’s projects in Kyiv. He’s now fled to Lviv, supporting Ukraine’s public broadcaster UA:PBC staff members who, despite all odds, continue to report.
UKRAINE: Ukrainian president Zelenskyy merges national TV channels to halt alleged misinformation
TBI Vision: The order has put an end, for the moment, to privately owned media outlets in Ukraine, with Zelenskyy claiming that the move was made to prevent Russia from spreading misinformation via the media and to “tell the truth about the war.”
UKRAINE: War in Ukraine – List of journalists who are victims gets longer by the day
RSF: Since the start of the Russian offensive in Ukraine, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has documented attacks directly targeting journalists wearing a “Press” armband, and has seen more and more of them killed or injured in the course of their work.
REGIONAL: CASE coalition published new report on the nature and impact of SLAPPs in Europe (Watch)
EFJ: The Coalition Against SLAPPs in Europe (CASE) has launched a new report entitled “Shutting out criticism: How SLAPPs threaten European democracy” based on data collected about 570 abusive lawsuits in 29 countries over the last 10 years.
REGIONAL: Council of Europe calls on states to support quality journalism: new guidelines
Council of Europe: The Council of Europe has adopted a Recommendation calling on its 46 member States to create a favourable environment for quality journalism to thrive and to play its essential role in democracy.
ARGENTINA: Public Advocacy: People seek to see themselves represented in the media (Spanish)
Vía País: To listen to the voice of the audiences of the Cuyo Region, the body created by the Audiovisual Communication Services Law arrived in Mendoza. Its owner, Miriam Lewin, spoke about the most common claims, the right to be forgotten and the danger of generalizing, among other topics.
BRAZIL: Brazilian journalists injured by explosive devices at police protest
CPJ: Authorities in Brazil’s Minas Gerais state should promptly investigate the recent attacks on journalists covering a police protest, and hold those responsible to account, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Friday.
LatAm Journalism Review: Monitoring carried out by the Brazilian Association of Investigative Journalism (Abraji) recorded 119 cases of gender violence against journalists in 2021 in Brazil.
BRAZIL: STF minister determines blocking of Telegram in Brazil, key application for Bolsonaro (Portuguese)
Swissinfo: Minister Alexandre de Moraes, of the Federal Supreme Court (STF), ordered this Friday (18) the blocking of the messaging platform Telegram in Brazil, a key application for President Jair Bolsonaro and his supporters with an eye on the election, when considering that the platform does not collaborate with the authorities and does not fight disinformation.
CHILE: “It is necessary to deconcentrate the media”: Faride Zerán (Spanish)
El Siglo: The new president of the National Television Council (CNTV) asserted that “if that is through a media law, without a doubt it must be done.”
EL SALVADOR: El Salvador: The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights will hold a hearing on the abusive use of the Pegasus spy program (Spanish)
Amnesty International: The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) will examine in a hearing on Wednesday the large-scale use of the Pegasus spy program to monitor journalists and members of civil society in El Salvador.
HAITI: Journalists march to denounce insecurity and demand justice (French – 10 March)
Le Nouvelliste: Dozens of journalists, mostly from online media, walked the tarmac this Wednesday, March 10, to denounce the murder of their colleague Maxiben Lazarre. The latter was shot and killed while covering a demonstration by workers in the textile sector on Wednesday 23 February.
HONDURAS: Police make 2 arrests after alleged gang members shoot at Radio Globo newsroom in Honduras
CPJ: Honduran authorities should swiftly and transparently investigate the recent attack on Radio Globo’s office and ensure that the perpetrators are held to account, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Tuesday.
JAMAICA & TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO: The Gleaner joins Trend Media, Trinidad Express in piloting publisher alliance
Jamaica Gleaner: The Gleaner has partnered with The Trinidad Express and Trend Media – developers of Loop News – in a push to promote and protect the indigenous Caribbean media industry.
MEXICO: Here’s why we should care about the recent spate of journalist killings in Mexico (Opinion – Paywall)
The Boston Globe: When the cost of killing a journalist in Mexico is close to zero, it devalues the lives of journalists — and the survival of a free press — everywhere.
MEXICO: Mexican authorities have 16 detainees for murders of journalists in 2022 (Spanish)
France 24: Authorities have arrested 16 people for their alleged involvement in four of the murders of journalists recorded this year in Mexico, the government reported Thursday.
MEXICO: Mexican journalist Armando Linares shot and killed in Zitácuaro
CPJ: On Tuesday, March 15, unidentified attackers shot and killed Linares, the co-founder and editor of news website Monitor Michoacán, at his home in the central city of Zitácuaro, according to news reports.
NICARAGUA: Daniel Ortega’s plan to legitimize the closure of media outlets (Spanish)
Semana: The IAPA warned of and rejected the scenarios of judicial censorship to which several journalists in that country have been subjected, including former presidential candidate Cristina Chamorro and her family.
NICARAGUA: Practicing Journalism Under Dictatorship (Opinion)
Havana Times
IRAN: UN must take action on institutional impunity (Watch)
Article 19: ARTICLE 19 and Amnesty International welcome the report of the Special Rapporteur, which highlights institutional impunity and the absence of a system for accountability for gross violations of human rights in Iran.
TURKEY: Turkish police investigated 106,000 social media accounts in 2021
SCF: A total of 106,000 social media accounts in Turkey were investigated in 2021 due to posts found problematic by the authorities, Turkish Minute reported, citing the Security Directorate General.
TURKEY: Turkey Trial Blog: Journalists trials based on arbitrary charges continued in February
Free Turkey Journalists: IPI monitored three hearings of several journalists in February.
TURKEY: US – RSF Endorses Congressional Act Promoting Rights of Journalists in Turkey
RSF: Reporters Without Borders (RSF) is proud to announce its endorsement of H.R. 4546 and S. 2403 — The Turkey Human Rights Promotion Act of 2021 — a bipartisan bill providing federal government assistance to politically persecuted journalists in Turkey.
CANADA: CRTC bans Russian state-controlled TV channels RT, RT France from Canadian airwaves
CBC News: Canada’s telecommunications regulator has removed the state-controlled Russian television network RT from Canadian airwaves.
CANADA: ‘My dream was to land a job with mainstream media’
New Canadian Media: Based on 101 written survey responses and 47 in-depth oral interviews, the groundbreaking study reveals the systemic barriers that keep immigrant and refugee journalists out of the industry, despite decades of experience.
CANADA: Pierre Poilievre wants to privatize CBC, but not RDI (French)
Le Devoir: Conservative Party of Canada leadership candidate Pierre Poilievre reiterated Monday his desire to privatize part of CBC/Radio-Canada. But he would spare at least the continuous news channel RDI, he assures, since it is the only source of information in French for many citizens outside Quebec.
CANADA: The Saturday Debate: Should the CBC lose all its advertising revenue? (Opinion)
The Toronto Star: Peter Menzies and Marla Boltman debate if advertising should be allowed on the CBC.
CANADA: Two years of COVID-19 and the media’s role in it
New Canadian Media: While journalism as an industry did a fine job at tracking COVID-19 data, it failed to critically analyze the events that have unfolded over the last two years, much less to hold leaders to account, some critics argue.
US: GBH establishes Kids Catalyst Fund supporting educational media for children (Paywall)
Current: The fund, which will seek donations in perpetuity, will also back community-based initiatives and research aimed at providing equitable and inclusive access to curriculum-based content.
US: How Native American Tribal Papers Are Forging a Path to Press Freedom
VOA News: From press protections in tribal constitutions to new funding models, Native American journalists push for editorial independence.
US: Ohio news collaboration seeks to fill coverage gaps, understand community needs (Paywall)
Current: The Ohio Newsroom, a project among the state’s public radio stations, already has four CPB-funded freelancers on board assisting with reporting and editing.
US: PBS and Member Stations Named “Most Trusted” Media Organization for 19 Consecutive Years (Press release)
PBS: According to a nationwide survey, PBS was named the most trusted media organization for the 19th year in a row. PBS continues to outscore government institutions and media sources— such as broadcast, cable, streaming and social media— in both value and trust, respectively.
US: PBS Releases Annual Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Report (Press release)
PBS: PBS announced today the release of its annual Diversity, Equity and Inclusion report. The report, which covers fiscal year 2021, is part of a concerted effort to build upon PBS’s strong foundation of inclusion by increasing transparency, reporting and accountability across the public television system.
US: What NextGen TV Means for Public Broadcasters (Watch)
Streaming Media: WKAR Public Media Director of Broadcasting and General Manager Susi Elkins discusses the impact of ATSC 3.0 on public broadcasting in this clip from Streaming Media Connect 2022.
Reuters Institute: Ukrainefacts.org has gathered hundreds of fact-checks on the invasion. Clara Jiménez Cruz explains how the project works and why it matters
CNN: If you examine the media moments and products that have had some of the greatest impact so far, they are so traditional and old-school in their journalistic excellence they could have happened in World War II or even the Civil War in some cases.
Media4Women addressed attacks on women journalists
Free Press Unlimited: The sixth Media4Women campaign concluded yesterday with an interview and video by Irene Khan, Special UN-Rapporteur of Freedom of Expression and Opinion.
MFRR Summit 2022 – Boosting Press Freedom (Event)
IPI: Three-day summit explores how to strengthen media freedom in Europe.
Race and leadership in the news media 2022: evidence from five markets
Reuters Institute: In this Reuters Institute factsheet we analyse the percentage of non-white top editors in a strategic sample of 100 major online and offline news outlets in five different markets across four continents: Brazil, Germany, South Africa, the United Kingdom (UK), and the United States (US).
Takeaway from final conference “How can gender equality and diversity promote trust in the media?”
EFJ: Gender equality and diversity in the media are far from the reality, highlighted in a two-day conference organized by the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) in cooperation with its affiliate, the Andalusian Journalists Union (SPA) and the Federation of Journalists Unions (FeSP), in Malaga on 14 and 15 March.
The Future of Local News Innovation is Noncommercial
CJR: IN FEBRUARY, Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota reintroduced the Journalism Competition and Preservation Act, which is designed to make Silicon Valley’s billionaires pay for the harms they’ve inflicted on the news industry.
Tool for journalists: IPI Tracker, for monitoring attacks on the press throughout Ukrainian war (Resource)
Journalism.co.uk: This database helps you search for all attacks on reporters and restrictions on media freedom linked to the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
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Header image: An outdoor press conference with multiple cameras and journalists. Credit: Michael Fousert / Unsplash.com
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