Our weekly round-up of public service media related stories and headlines from around the world.
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ANGOLA: New financing for Angolan media (Portuguese)
RFI: The minister of Social Communication welcomed the rise of Angola in the ranking of freedom of the press and defined three objectives.
CAMEROON: In Cameroon, social media plays key role in vote campaign
France24: Footage of abuses published on Facebook, politicians tweeting their every move: for the first time, the West African state of Cameroon is heading into a presidential election in which social media is taking a central role.
EGYPT: Unprecedented crackdown on freedom of expression under al-Sisi turns Egypt into open-air prison
Amnesty: The crackdown on freedom of expression under Egyptian President Abdelfattah al-Sisi has reached alarming new levels unparalleled in Egypt’s recent history, Amnesty International said as it launched a campaign calling for the unconditional and immediate release of all those who have been detained solely for peacefully expressing their views.
ETHIOPIA: In Ethiopia, mobile internet cut in the capital amid clashes and protests
CPJ: Mobile internet was unavailable in the capital Addis Ababa, from September 17 to the morning of September 19 amid protests and clashes, according to media reports.
GAMBIA: Turkey grants Gambia USD152m vital media tools
MENAFN: Gambian state TV was announced to be receiving USD152,764 worth of essential media equipment from Turkey.
GHANA: Don’t giveaway our broadcasting space to China’s STarTimes – GIBA to Gov’t
KasapaFM Online: “If StarTimes is allowed to control both Ghana’s only digital television infrastructure and also the satellite space in the name of digital migration, Ghana would have virtually submitted its broadcast space to Chinese control and contents,” the Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association (GIBA) has warned.
MOZAMBIQUE: Mozambique’s brutal war on free speech
IPI: Proposed high fees will make it impossible for those reporting at grassroots level to continue
NAMIBIA: Editors challenge Katjavivi’s threat to bar journalists
The Namibian: “Shock and dismay” amongst journalists greeted National Assembly Speaker Peter Katjavivi’s “attack on the fourth estate”, said the Editors’ Forum of Namibia (EFN) in a statement on Monday.
SOUTH AFRICA: Hlaudi Motsoeneng loses bid to get SABC job back
Citizen: The controversial official was fired from the public broadcaster after a new board was appointed last year.
SOUTH AFRICA: Journalist loses column after submitting article critical of China
RSF: A collaborator with Independent Online, a South African news site partially controlled by Chinese investors, denounced the sudden end of his column after a proposal for an article critical of China.
SOUTH AFRICA: New era at SABC as board takes on ANC and government shareholder
The Media Online: That the SABC makes news instead of just delivering it to millions of South Africans is a fact of South African life. But its latest move, to start retrenching staff in an effort to decrease its admittedly exorbitant salary bill, has set the public broadcaster against some ANC members and even the communications minister, Nomvula Mokonyane.
SUDAN: U.S. Warns of Sudan Protests Against DW Show ‘Shabab Talk’
DW: The US has issued an alert warning citizens of potential protests against DW in the Sudanese capital Khartoum. Militants have issued death threats against the “Shabab Talk” host after an episode about gender equality.
Journalism.co.uk:The project aims to reflect the growing mobile and digital consumption of news in Africa, producing ‘short and snappy’ footage for multimedia platforms and clients every week, for both African and international audiences.
GENERAL: New geojournalism platform is changing how reporters cover Africa’s longest river
IJNet: A network of journalists in East Africa have launched Africa’s first geojournalism project focused on water. Through a platform called InfoNile, journalists are using data and mapping to better cover issues related to water resources along the Nile Basin.
GENERAL: Online Copyright Course Launched for African Journalists
EJN: A new free online training course to help journalists in Africa become more aware of their rights and responsibilities in terms of copyright has been launched by the Ethical Journalism Network (EJN), in partnership with the Federation of African Journalists (FAJ) and Thomson Foundation, with funding from the Norwegian-based Kopinor Licensing agency.
REGIONAL: After Uganda, Benin and Zambia impose “worrying” tax on social networks
RSF: This includes access to such online tools as Facebook, Twitter and WhatsApp, which are widely used by journalists to verify, access and disseminate news and information.
AFGHANISTAN: Afghan journalists dying in record numbers to report the war
AFP via Yahoo: The losses have devastated the tight-knit community that faces the real prospect of tragedy every time they go to work.
BANGLADESH: Bangladesh parliament passes draconian Digital Security Act
IFJ: The draconian Digital Security Bill 2018 has passed the Bangladesh Parliament with provisions curtailing the freedom of expression and independent journalism.
CHINA: China Readies Law Restricting Foreign Television Content
Variety: The Chinese government is moving forward with plans to restrict foreign content on broadcast television and online video platforms.
CHINA: How #MeToo China Inspired a User-Generated Model of Investigative Journalism
GIJN: As the Chinese Communist Party tightens its grip on the news media, investigative journalism has suffered a heavy toll, disappearing from China’s newsrooms.
INDIA: DD FreeDish’s free service a concern for broadcasters
Economic Times: At a time when Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) is trying to get more transparency in the pay TV ecosystem with its new tariff order, public broadcaster Prasar Bharati’s free-to-air (FTA) platform DD FreeDish is becoming a concern for the TV broadcasters and the distribution industry.
MALAYSIA: Fighting for Media Reform in the ‘New Malaysia’: Situation report launched
IFJ: In Fighting for Media Report in the ‘New Malaysia’ the IFJ calls on the new Mahathir government to ensure they follow through on pre-election promises for press freedom, and set out recommendations.
MYANMAR: Wary Myanmar journalists adapt to Reuters verdict
CJR: Nonetheless, the verdict, as well as the mental and legal acrobatics the prosecutors and judge performed in order to reach it, serve as a warning from Myanmar’s leaders about how journalists are expected to do their jobs.
NEPAL: Nepal’s new legal codes spark medical, media protests and divide nation
Asia Pacific Report: Two new legal codes – civil and criminal – have been introduced in Nepal, threatening the medical profession and media industry, and dividing the country over the consequences.
PAKISTAN: Acts of Intimidation: In Pakistan, journalists’ fear and censorship grow even as fatal violence declines (Report)
CPJ: As killings of journalists in Pakistan decline so too does press freedom, as the country’s powerful military quietly, but effectively, restricts reporting by barring access, encouraging self-censorship through direct and indirect acts of intimidation, and even allegedly instigating violence against reporters.
PHILIPPINES: Duterte’s Media War in the Philippines
The Diplomat: The lack of justice in the Maguindanao Massacre underscores Duterte’s contempt for journalists.
PHILIPPINES: Media targeted online and offline in the Philippines
IFJ: Media in the Philippines has come under attack this week, both online and offline, raising serious concerns about the safety and security of the country’s media workers.
SINGAPORE: Singapore panel recommends regulation of tech firms over fake news
Reuters: A Singapore parliamentary committee said on Thursday the government should consider legislation to ensure technology companies rein in online fake news and that those responsible are punished.
AUSTRALIA: Acting ABC head David Anderson makes pitch to replace Michelle Guthrie
The Guardian: Anderson, a popular figure at ABC, says it is vital for the managing director to have good relations with government while remaining ‘fiercely independent’
AUSTRALIA: Next ABC chief must be advocate for public broadcasting, says MEAA
Asia Pacific Report: The next managing director of the ABC must be prepared to fight for better funding and independence, and to champion public broadcasting in a hostile political environment, says the union representing the ABC’s editorial staff.
AUSTRALIA: Michelle Guthrie sacked from ABC managing director role halfway through term
ABC: ABC managing director Michelle Guthrie says she is “devastated” and considering her legal options after being sacked just two-and-a-half years into her five-year term.
NAURU: Refugees, journalist detention in Nauru ‘overshadow Pacific issues’
Asia Pacific Report: While controversy dogged Nauru’s detention of TVNZ Pacific correspondent Barbara Dreaver during the Pacific Islands Forum earlier this month, some critics question how the reporting “overshadowed” climate change and other critical Pacific issues.
NEW ZEALAND: Māori TV head of news resigns after restructure plans
RNZ: The head of News and Current Affairs at Māori Television has resigned, but the network says it has nothing to do with the proposed restructure.
SAMOA: Life-saving information across Samoan air waves
ABC: When Samoa is threatened by a natural disaster, such as a cyclone, families huddle around the radio. That information allows listeners to make informed decisions to plan and respond to a disaster, to keep their families safe.
ALBANIA: Iron bars, automatic gunfire and impunity stalk Albania’s journalists
Index On Censorship: While intimidation is a criminal offence in Albania and is punishable by a fine or up to two years in prison, journalists find themselves without much support when they are threatened due to their professional duties.
AUSTRIA: Austria interior ministry aims to restrict access for ‘critical media’
IPI: In an email leaked to the press yesterday, a top ministry spokesman urged regional police spokespersons to “restrict communication with these media to only the most necessary (legally required) degree”.
BELARUS: Media censorship in Belarus:“it is time for the EU to react”
IFJ: Freelance journalists in Belarus face increasing threats, pressure and censorship and this is a concern Europeans should share, said Belarussian journalists Larysa Shchyrakova and Volha Chaichyts at a press conference held in Brussels, on Tuesday 18 September.
CYPRUS: CyBC unions protest ad ban on state broadcaster
Cyprus Mail: All CyBC employee unions on Thursday expressed their opposition to a cabinet decision banning the public broadcaster from airing ads as of next year and want to have it reversed.
CROATIA: HRT to reject complaints against Zovko, its editor and CJA president
Safe Journalists: Western Balkans Regional Platform for Advocating Media Freedom and Journalists’ Safety, representing more than 8000 members, strongly condemns the initiation of job contract termination procedure for Hrvoje Zovko, the editor and journalist of the Croatian Radio television (HRT) and the president of the Croatian Journalists’ Association (CJA) and urges HRT management to reject the complaints made against him.
DENMARK: Christianity in, integration out in new guidelines for Danish public broadcaster
TheLocal.de: The new contract for public service broadcasting between the Danish Ministry of Culture and broadcaster DR emphasises the importance of Christianity, while the word ‘integration’ has been removed.
DENMARK: DR to cut back on int’l drama following channel cuts
TBI Vision: Danish public broadcaster DR will focus increasingly on regional content following significant budget cuts that will shutter half of its channels.
DENMARK: Public service views are changing (Blog)
Swedish Radio: On Tuesday, Denmark’s Radio (DR) presented a comprehensive package of savings, which is a consequence of the political decisions taken by the Danish government. Comment from SR’s Director General Cilla Benkö.
FINLAND: Finnish gov’t approves €1.5m subsidy for struggling news agency STT
Yle: The Finnish government agreed on Thursday to grant a one-time 1.5-million-euro subsidy to the financially troubled domestic news agency STT.
FRANCE: How France beat back information manipulation (and how other democracies might do the same)
NiemanLab: “French success resulted from a combination of structural factors, luck, as well as the effective anticipation and reaction of the Macron campaign staff, the government, and civil society, especially the mainstream media.”
FRANCE: The public media industry will have to tighten its belt (French)
LesEchos: The budget presented Monday by the Minister of Culture and Communication, Françoise Nyssen, confirms the efforts that await France Télévisions and Radio France.
FRANCE: “Radio France can not be absent from the video” (French)
Le Monde: Sibyle Veil, CEO of the group, works on a project common to all French digital radio stations.
GERMANY: Attacks on journalists in Germany on the rise
DW: A recent report has shown most journalists are attacked while photographing, filming or holding cameras. Much of Germany’s violence against the press happens in the east and most perpetrators lean to the far-right.
HUNGARY: Hungary media sale fuels new press freedom fears
France24: The latest shake-up in Hungarian media since Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s election win in April sparked fresh fears Tuesday about increasing government control over the sector.
IRELAND: #JournalismMatters – outlets rally together to highlight value of news media
Independent: News outlets nationwide are joining forces in a campaign to safeguard the role of the press.
ITALY: Italian state TV board renews push for ‘fake news’ journalist to be president
The Guardian: Appointment of Marcello Foa to head Rai looking more likely after Berlusconi drops opposition
NORWAY: Norway’s Switchover Proves Challenging but Necessary
Radio World: The nation’s digital switchover offers lessons for other countries
RUSSIA: New spate of repressive laws in Russia
RSF: The Duma (the parliament) last week passed amendments under which failure to remove prohibited content will be punishable by imprisonment. More draconian legislation is being considered.
SPAIN: Documentary: Digital Attacks on Female Journalists in Spain
IPI: Prominent Spanish female journalists speak in new IPI film about impact of threats and attacks on press freedom
SPAIN: RTVE experts rebel against the PP candidate without certification and send an official complaint to the Parliament (Spanish)
Vertele: Ten of the 17 experts who examine the candidates to the Council of RTVE sign a letter that they have sent to the [court] in which they regret that the appeal of José Manuel Peñalosa has been admitted, despite not having the qualification required to appear.
SPAIN: Why do you want to control RTVE? (Opinion – Spanish )
FeSP: The general secretary of the FeSP says that governments should win votes “for their political management, not manipulating information in public media.” Affirms that the news “have changed for the better” in the new stage.
UK: Average Briton spends 26 days a year watching on-demand TV
The Guardian: Adults spend eight times longer watching Netflix and iPlayer than exercising, survey reveals.
UK: BBC Africa used Google Street View, Facebook profiles, and sundials to dispel the Cameroon military’s “fake news” (Twitter Thread)
BBC: “In July 2018, a horrifying video began to circulate on social media. 2 women & 2 young children are led away by a group of soldiers. They are blindfolded, forced to the ground, and shot 22 times. #BBCAfricaEye investigated this atrocity. This is what we found…”
UK: The Guardian view on Bodyguard: to keep making brilliant shows, the BBC needs resources (Opinion)
The Guardian: The Guardian view on Bodyguard: to keep making brilliant shows, the BBC needs resources
UK: Tony Hall on taking on media giants Amazon and Netflix
BBC News: Rules controlling UK media need to change if British TV is to compete with Netflix, Amazon and YouTube, according to BBC director general, Tony Hall.
Knight Center: Honduran journalists reported being attacked by demonstrators, police officers and military members during demonstrations in Tegucigalpa on the 197th anniversary of independence.
MEXICO: AMLO spokesman says there will be no censorship for media (Spanish)
Publimetro: He added that government media should disappear and more public media should be created
Knight Center: Although Mexico is known as one of the deadliest countries in the world for journalists, the threat to media professionals in the country is not just physical. In many cases, the enemies of freedom of expression and of the press resort not to arms, but to the courts, in an attempt to silence journalistic coverage that goes against their interests.
MEXICO: In the AMLO government, public media will be encouraged to respond to society: Jesús Ramírez (Spanish)
Proceso: The government headed by Andrés Manuel López Obrador will deeply respect the freedoms of expression and information, will encourage investigative journalism, and will promote the creation of a Public Media System that responds to interests of the society, said Jesús Ramírez Cuevas, coordinator of Social Communication of the Presidency.
Knight Center: The outgoing government of Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto has assigned 75 million Mexican pesos (US $4 million) to the Protection Mechanism for Human Rights Defenders and Journalists and ensured its operation through the end of the year.
VENEZUELA: Access to Information Denied in Venezuela
HRW: Denying Crisis, Government Keeps Venezuelans in the Dark.
VENEZUELA: SIP condemns harassment against journalists in Venezuela (Spanish)
El Nacional: The agency, based in Miami, expressed in a statement its alarm over the climate of insecurity and harassment against press and media professionals who face situations of violence and instability in the country and also denounced the situation in Cuba and Nicaragua.
REGIONAL: ITU finalises coordination for Caribbean and Central American digital switchover
Digital TV Europe: The ITU has finalised the coordination process that will enable digital switchover to go ahead in Central America and the Caribbean region.
GENERAL: Journalism for Democracy, Caught Between Bullets and Censorship in Latin America
IPS: The murder of journalists and changing forms of censorship show that freedom of expression and information are still under siege in Latin America, particularly in the countries with the greatest social upheaval and political polarisation.
Knight Center: Journalists working in the Amazon now have a new fund at their disposal to help realize coverage of the region thanks in part to the initiative of reporters working in the area.
TURKEY: The total collapse of freedom, pluralism and diversity in Turkey’s mainstream media (Opinion)
LSE Media Policy Project
TURKEY: Turkey’s press faces further hardship as lira crisis sees paper costs soar
Middle East Eye: Paper has become unaffordable for many printed media outlets as the lira sinks, adding to challenges journalists face as freedoms dwindle
CANADA: New CBC president says future of public broadcasting is local and online
CBC: Catherine Tait is vocal about the direction she plans to take the national public broadcaster.
NiemanLab: Only 43 percent of Americans find it easy to distinguish opinion from news on digital news sites or social media, according to a survey from the American Press Institute. But the job gets easier when they’re consuming media from publications they’re most familiar with.
US: China reaches out to US over demand for media registration
ABC News (US): China has reached out to the U.S. over reports that the Department of Justice has ordered two top Chinese state-run news outlets to register as foreign agents, a spokesman said Wednesday, adding that Beijing opposed “politicizing” the role of the media.
US: NPR will ask Trump Administration Officials if They Signed Non-Disclosure Agreements
iMediaEthics: NPR staff will now ask interviewees who are or were affiliated with the Trump administration if they signed a non-disclosure agreement barring them from speaking fully.
US: PBS KIDS Announces Six New Licensing Partnerships
PBS: These new products will support the brand’s continued commitment to bringing new and exciting learning experiences to kids across the country.
5 Tools for Professional Looking Infographics for the Non-Designer
GIJN: Infographic building is a skill that some of us just don’t have. If you have the time, you could learn to use Adobe After Effects or, if you have the budget, hire someone who is a pro. But if you’re like us and had to dive in with no experience, here are a few tools that can help you create professional looking infographics.
Facebook’s attempts to fight fake news seem to be working. (Twitter’s? Not so much.)
NiemanLab: Plus: How YouTubers spread far-right beliefs (don’t just blame algorithms), and another cry for less both-sides journalism.
Global SVOD subscriptions to reach 777 million
Broadband TV News: Worldwide paying SVOD subscriptions will increase by 409 million between 2017 and 2023 to total 777 million. Eleven countries will have more than 10 million SVOD subscriptions by 2023.
Is the podcast bubble bursting?
CJR: Podcasting was supposed to be one of the saviors of digital media—inexpensive, addicting, profitable, and popular. But now it’s like the old line from baseball legend Yogi Berra: “That place is so popular, no one goes there any more.”
Journalists share experience covering US border issues and family separation
IJNet: Four journalists were reporting near the U.S.-Mexico border and El Salvador as part of an International Women’s Media Foundation (IWMF) fellowship. When they received the news of the policy, they started covering what was happening as the media attention increased. They sat down with IJNet to discuss their experiences and share their tips and recommendations for journalists that are interested in covering the border and immigration.
New brochure examines whistleblowing from the journalists’ perspective
EFJ: The author highlighted the “tier approach” as the main concern for journalists and the right to information, as it establishes in principle the obligation for the whistleblower to report internally before being allowed to report to an external authority.
No ‘lone wolf’: media urged to take care over terrorism vocabulary
The Guardian: #WordsMatter campaign says media should be careful not to ‘glamorise’ terrorism.
The New York Times is asking readers to help it cover election misinformation
Poynter: On Monday, the newspaper published a tip form where readers can send examples of potentially false or misleading content they find in their social media feeds.
UN must translate words into action on journalists’ safety
Article19: “I have no fear. I believe in justice, democracy and freedom.” These were the words of journalist Wa Lone as he was escorted to a Burmese prison on 3 September, with his Reuters colleague Kyaw Soe Oo.
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Header image: TV-Studio. Credits: freie-kreation/istock.
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