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
Colombia’s local radio stations working for peace
In Colombia, local radio stations are being established to help communities rebuild after decades of conflict.
The first emisora de paz (‘peace radio station’) was launched in 2019 and last month, the twelfth was launched in Mesetas, a municipality in central Colombia.
The initiative was borne out the 2016 Peace Agreement signed between the national government and the FARC (Colombia’s largest rebel group). The Peace Agreement commissioned RTVC via Radio Nacional de Colombia, to set up peace radio stations to teach inhabitants in former conflict zones, like Mesetas, about the Peace Agreement. It has an additional mandate to connect communities through culture, music and information.
The creation of “peace radio stations” is an innovative way of using public media as a tool for peacebuilding and empowerment, and to document the transformation of communities affected by violence. There are 20 proposed peace stations to be installed in total in areas impacted by conflict across the country.
We also want to hear about your local public media coverage! Email us!
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...
The female perspective of foreign correspondence
Deutsche Welle
Even with the substantial rise of female foreign correspondents, they have to deal with threats and concerns for their safety to this day.
For #InternationalWomensDay, we discuss the female perspective of foreign correspondence with experts and those in the field. pic.twitter.com/GP51d0s8R1
— DW Freedom (@dw_freedom) March 8, 2022
What we're listening to...
Wireless – March 2022
In the March 2022 edition of Wireless, we look at the importance of the AM broadcasting band which has sprung back into life due to the war in Ukraine. Steve Whitt tells us about the work of the Medium Wave Circle and Peter Moore, manager of former pirate Radio Caroline, discusses the station’s plans for future AM broadcasting. As we await the report of the Future of Media Commission, Sally-Ann Wilson, CEO of the Public Media Alliance, discusses various models for the funding of public service media, and David Harris comments on future funding of the BBC in its centenary year.
Sign up to our Global Call Out
Promote, support and advocate for public service media
Global Headlines
Click on the tab menu below to reveal the latest regional stories.
BOTSWANA: Govt Approves Acquisition Of 100% Of Broadband Botswana Internet Company
BMA: The Botswana Competition and Consumer Authority have unconditionally approved Paratus Telecommunications’ (Paratus) acquisition of 100 per cent of Broadband Botswana Internet (BBi).
CAPE VERDE: Charges against three journalists investigating murder allegedly implicating minister must be dropped
RSF: Reporters Without Borders (RSF) calls for the cessation of these prosecutions, which constitute an obstacle to the exercise of journalism and the manifestation of the truth.
CÔTE D’IVOIRE: Media: the principle of freedom to publish, distribute or broadcast newsletters enshrined in a decree (French)
Afriki Press: In Côte d’Ivoire, the Council of Ministers adopted, on February 23, 2022, a decree relating to the legal regime of internal bulletins of public or private administrations, school or municipal newspapers, community or regional bulletins.
ETHIOPIA: Ethiopian journalists are taking a stand for press freedom in 2022 (Letter)
African Arguments: Over forty of our colleagues were arrested in 2021. In this open letter, we call on the government to respect media rights.
MFWA: The bootcamps allow the participating journalists to brainstorm, share ideas and learn from the experiences of some of Ghana’s finest multimedia journalists.
GHANA: Govt is ‘thin-skinned’ and ‘over-sensitive’ – MFWA on assault on journalists
GhanaWeb: A non-governmental organisation, Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) has labelled the government as “thin-skinned” and “over sensitive.”
BMA: The Principal Partner of TDMedia Company, Mr Tony Dara, in an interview with Broadcast Media Africa … took the opportunity to highlight the need for industry players to discuss actionable plans and strategies within the broadcasting sector as those are what will aid national development and progress.
SOMALIA: In Election Year, Somali Media Face Arrests, Harassment
VOA News: With Somalia’s delayed elections pushed back again, the country’s media are digging in for what has already been a lengthy and at times difficult election period.
SOUTH AFRICA: SABC proposes new media levy to replace TV licence regime
News24: The South African public broadcaster is pushing ahead to get the SABC TV licence fee system scrapped and replaced by a compulsory new tax in the form of a so-called “media levy” that will have to be paid by all households and businesses.
SOUTH AFRICA: SABC To Delay Launch Of Video Streaming Service To March 2023
BMA: The launch of the South African Broadcasting Corporation’s (SABC) video streaming service has been postponed until somewhere around the end of March 2023, after the state broadcaster missed its deadline this financial year.
SOUTH AFRICA: Sanef worried about media freedom after RT goes dark in SA, other countries
News24: The South African National Editors’ Forum (Sanef) is concerned that media outlets are being prevented from reporting on the war in Ukraine.
SUDAN: Int’l diplomats call for restoration of freedom of expression and media freedoms in Sudan
Radio Dabanga: Leading members of the diplomatic corps in Khartoum, have underlined their “steadfast support of the Sudanese people” to achieve the rights to freedom of expression and media freedoms.
UGANDA: Rosebell Kagumire is fighting for women’s rights in Africa
DW: Rosebell Kagumire started writing for different national and international online media outlets from the age of 18. Protecting women from abuse and violence has always been one of her main concerns.
REGIONAL: Journalists share their experiences on fighting disinformation (French)
24 Heures au Bénin: A meeting for exchanges between journalists, factcheckers, bloggers, cyber activists on good practices against misinformation in West Africa.
REGIONAL: Media coverage of Ukraine shows it’s time to rethink what we know about Africa
CNN: “It’s very emotional for me because I see European people with blue eyes and blonde hair being killed.” These were the words of Ukraine’s Deputy Chief Prosecutor, David Sakvarelidze, during a recent BBC interview about the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
AFGHANISTAN: Four stations in Logar may close down
RadioInfo Asia: According to a report in Pajhwok Afghan News (paid subscription), four radio stations, including a state-run one in central Logar province, may shut down due to lack of income and government’s support.
AFGHANISTAN: Taliban Threatening Provincial Media
Human Rights Watch: Taliban authorities have carried out far-reaching censorship and violence against Afghan media in district and provincial centers, drastically limiting critical reporting in Afghanistan, Human Rights Watch said today. The situation facing journalists outside Kabul appears much worse than inside the capital, particularly for women.
BANGLADESH: CPJ joins call for Bangladesh authorities to withdraw proposed internet regulations
CPJ: On March 7, 2022, the Committee to Protect Journalists joined 43 other press freedom, digital rights, and civil society groups in a letter calling on Bangladesh’s communications regulator to withdraw new proposed policies that could stifle free expression online.
INDIA: “Media Under Attack”: Ex-Top Court Judge’s Don’t “Toe The Line” Advice
NDTV: Former Supreme Court judge Justice Madan B Lokur said a series of events, including lodging of FIRs against scribes and putting them under arrest for doing their job, has had “a chilling effect” on mediapersons.
INDIA: Prasar Bharati signs MoU with Yupp TV an OTT platform
News on Air: India’s public broadcaster, Prasar Bharati has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Yupp TV, an over-the-top (OTT) platform, which is a gateway for television viewers across the globe.
JAPAN & UKRAINE: AI-translated Ukrainian subtitle service for live video streaming (Press release)
NHK WORLD JAPAN: NHK-WORLD JAPAN began providing Ukrainian subtitles for its live video streaming on March 2, 2022. The translations are generated by artificial intelligence technology.
MYANMAR: Myanmar Media on the Verge of Collapse (Watch)
NHK WORLD JAPAN: More than a year after the coup In Myanmar, the military is not only targeting protestors, it is also detaining and torturing journalists covering the situation.
NEPAL: Nepal makes it mandatory for online TVs including youtube channels to receive operating license
My República: The government has introduced new regulations making it mandatory for all online televisions including Youtube channels to receive operating licence.
PAKISTAN: Alvi gives up constitutional immunity in PTV attack case
Dawn: President Dr Arif Alvi on Friday appeared before the Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) here and submitted an application seeking withdrawal of his constitutional immunity, asking the judge to decide the case against him on merit.
PAKISTAN: Pakistani media remains hostage to repressive tactics, says rights commission
The Print: Pakistani media remains hostage to repressive tactics and critical reporting results in violations against journalists, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) said on Monday.
PHILIPPINES: Calida petition vs Comelec-Rappler MOA an ‘attack on media,’ says election watchdog
Rappler: Solicitor General Jose Calida’s move to file a petition with the Supreme Court (SC) against a fact checking and voter’s education agreement between the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and Rappler is not only an attack on the online news site, but on media in the Philippines, warned an election watchdog.
SOUTH KOREA: KBS, terrestrial UHD smartphone direct reception demonstration event held (Press release – Korean)
KBS: After starting UHDTV main broadcasting in May 2017, KBS (CEO Kim Eui-cheol) has provided innovative additional services such as MMS (Multi Mode Service) and IBB (Integrated Broadcast Broadband), which are one of the various functions of ATSC 3.0, after the Tokyo Olympics. and through the Beijing Winter Olympics.
SOUTH KOREA: XR, Metaverse, AI future technology total set… This presidential election is also a ‘national representative’s vote counting broadcast’ KBS! (Press release – Korean)
KBS: KBS, which has maintained the overwhelming viewership ratings in the previous election counting broadcasts, will once again present a high-quality election broadcast in the 20th presidential election on March 9, 2022.
THAILAND: Thai PBS Emergency Coordination Center in the fight against COVID-19 receives “Good People of Thailand” award to help society in the Covid-19 crisis (Press release – Thai)
Thai PBS: Today (2 March 2022) Public Broadcasting Authority of Thailand (SAT) or Thai PBS has been selected to receive the award. “Good People Thailand”, Outstanding Social Assistance Branch from Dr. Sumet Tantivejkul, Member and Secretary General of the Chaipattana Foundation.
REGIONAL: COVID-19 and the Media in South Asia (Event)
DW: DW Akademie presents a round table with regional experts in the fields of journalism, health communication and media development.
Reporting ASEAN: Just over 84% of news executives in Southeast Asia believe that sexual harassment is not a problem in the industry. Yet one in five media professionals in the region say they have experienced sexual harassment in their work settings — and less than one in six cases are reported to management.
REGIONAL: Ukraine conflict highlights gaps in media freedoms, allegiances across Asia
Radio Free Asia: More open countries have balance and criticism of Russia, while China and Myanmar’s junta echo Moscow’s stance.
AUSTRALIA: Morrison government asks Facebook, Twitter and Google to block Russian state media ‘disinformation’
The Guardian: The Australian government has asked Facebook, Twitter, Google and other digital platforms to block content generated by Russian state media to curb “disinformation in relation to the Russian invasion of Ukraine”.
AUSTRALIA: NSW flood-affected towns turn to Facebook and WhatsApp after local news sources disappear
The Guardian: The closure of local newspapers in many of the flood-hit towns in northern New South Wales has left some victims invisible and made residents increasingly reliant on local Facebook groups for information.
AUSTRALIA & UKRAINE: Retired ABC veterans step into the breach, backing up broadcaster’s Ukraine coverage
The Guardian: Return of Williams and Brissenden shows the impact of Coalition cuts to the public broadcaster.
MARSHALL ISLANDS: Marshall Islands media icon leaves a lasting legacy
RNZ: Micronitor News and Printing Company founder Joe Murphy moved the goal posts of freedom of press and freedom of expression in the Marshall Islands, a country that had virtually no tradition of either, by establishing an independent newspaper that today is the longest running weekly in the Micronesia region.
NEW ZEALAND: Broadcasting ‘flying blind’ on public media plan (Listen)
RNZ: What could be the biggest shake-up of public broadcasting for 30 years reportedly got a green light from Cabinet ministers last month. But the public’s still waiting for the government to announce what’s been decided behind close doors over many months – and so are the broadcasters themselves, with TVNZ’s chair telling MPs this week are they “flying blind.”
NEW ZEALAND: The NOIAs: New media awards highlight the battle for information
NZ Herald: The watchdog for journalists’ rights has announced a new initiative to highlight ongoing problems reporters have getting information from public agencies.
NEW ZEALAND: The battle for Parliament: What it was like inside Camp Freedom for a visual journalist (Opinion)
Stuff: Stuff visual journalist David Unwin was there, among the protesters, as police took back Parliament grounds after 23 days of occupation. He shares what it was like to be in the thick of Camp Freedom.
WEST PAPUA: ‘Double standards’ claims as world reacts to Ukraine crisis, ignores Papua
Asia Pacific Report: International media has been facing scrutiny from indigenous groups in the Pacific for the way it has been covering the Russia-Ukraine war.
CYPRUS: Cypriot MP reveals secret blacklist in state media
KNEWS: Budget session for state television gets heated as named of blacklisted individuals enter discussion.
CZECH REPUBLIC: Czech Television offers support for children, parents and teachers on the web in connection with what is happening in Ukraine (Press release – Czech)
Česká televize: Czech Television has launched a non-news website that deals with the current conflict in Ukraine. On the thematic website, Déčka offers answers to the most frequently asked children’s questions and tries to calm down the youngest generation in particular and offer help to orientate oneself in the whole situation.
DENMARK: DR pays compensation to 22 former members of the DR Girls’ Choir (Press release – Danish)
DR: Norrbom Vinding has now completed the legal investigations. The lawyers’ assessment is that in 22 out of the 64 cases where abusive behavior in the form of sexual harassment against the choir members has been shown, there is a basis for paying compensation.
FINLAND: Consumption of Yle’s news content grew tremendously over the past week – Yle’s TV news reached 2.2 million viewers in one day at its best (Press release – Finnish)
Yle: The war in Ukraine has led the public to access Yle’s news content. The average reach of television news broadcasts on Thursday, February 24, increased 44 percent from the previous day.
FINLAND: New Yle law brings restrictions on text-only content
Yle: In future Yle should attach moving pictures or audio to text based articles. The rules do not apply to minority languages.
FRANCE: Emmanuel Macron promises to abolish the audiovisual license fee if he is re-elected, Gabriel Attal evokes funding over five years (Paywall – French)
Le Monde: The candidate president proposed it at the turn of a sentence and it is the turn of his entourage to clarify his idea. Emmanuel Macron undertook, on Monday March 7, if he is re-elected, to abolish the audiovisual license fee.
FRANCE: Representation of women on television and radio (Report – French)
Arcom: The fair representation of women and men on the airwaves and the fight against discrimination on grounds of sex are essential missions for the Regulatory Authority for Audiovisual and Digital Communication, Arcom.
GERMANY: 100 percent female (Press release – German)
Deutschlandradio: On March 8, only women have the floor on Deutschlandfunk Kultur.
GERMANY: ARD signs declaration “Together against sexism and sexual harassment” (Press release – German)
ARD: On International Women’s Day, ARD committed itself to the declaration “Together against sexism and sexual harassment!” affiliated with the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth.
GREECE: Journalists targeted in several SLAPP lawsuits
IPI: IPI calls upon Greece to create adequate anti-SLAPP legislation.
HUNGARY: Leaked documents show how Orbán’s circle dictates the news at Hungary’s state news agency
Direkt 36: In November 2019, Bertalan Havasi, the Prime Minister’s chief of press, sent an email to Zsolt Németh, director of the Hungarian Telegraph Office (MTI), the state news agency that belongs to the public media.
HUNGARY: Opposition turns to OSCE over false media coverage (Hungarian – 28 February)
Klubrádió: “In the Unity for Hungary, its parties find it unacceptable that the state and the pro-government media, which are also publicly funded, are taking part in spreading the Putin war propaganda. That is why members of the opposition alliance are turning to the OSCE mission in Hungary,” the parties said in a statement.
HUNGARY: Smear Campaign Targets Critical Voices
Human Rights Watch: A smear campaign by a leading pro-government newspaper against independent journalists and activists poisons political and public debate ahead of the April 3, 2022 national elections, Human Rights Watch said today.
IRELAND: Changing channel: can RTÉ keep its focus and remain relevant in the digital age?
Business Post: A glance at RTÉ’s finances is enough to show the national broadcaster is not on a sustainable footing. While this has been the case for the past 20 years, it is now faced with competition from a multiplicity of streaming services.
KOSOVO: Kosovo Media Weigh Solutions to Boom in Fake News
Balkan Insight: The case of a woman beaten up on the basis of a fake news report has got experts pondering what measures Kosovo should take to counter this increasingly damaging phenomenon.
MALTA: OSCE Representative on media freedom calls for public discussions on Malta’s draft media legislation
The Malta Independent: The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media (RFoM) Teresa Ribeiro presented a legal analysis of two Maltese draft laws on media, the OSCE said in a statement.
MONTENEGRO: Radio and Television Montenegro Leverages Calrec Technology For Hybrid IP Networking
TVTech: Public service broadcaster Radio and Television Montenegro (RTCG) has completed an upgrade of its Radio Montenegro and Montenegro Television facilities, including IP technology from Calrec to support its move to hybrid IP networking.
THE NETHERLANDS: Fledgeling public broadcaster accused of racism and biased reporting
DutchNews: Public television association ombudsman Margo Smit is starting an investigation into complaints about alleged racism and biased reporting by fledgeling broadcaster Ongehoord Nederland.
POLAND: How ‘licence wars’ curb Poland’s free media (Gazeta Wyborcza)
IPI: Two recent attempts to pass laws restricting Polish broadcast media were averted at the last minute, but Gazeta Wyborcza explains how this is a pattern of making life difficult for free media.
RUSSIA: BBC website blocked in Russia as shortwave radio brought back to cover Ukraine war
The Guardian: Website reportedly available at only 17% of normal levels in Russia, hours after broadcaster revives radio technology to reach Ukraine and parts of Russia.
CPJ: Governments around the world should allow independent Russian journalists fleeing prosecution to enter their countries and find safe haven, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Monday.
RUSSIA: Russia backs jail time for ‘fake’ army news, restricts media
France 24: Russian lawmakers moved Friday to impose harsh jail terms for publishing “fake news” about the army, which a senior lawmaker said will apply to foreigners too, as Moscow moves to muffle dissent over its invasion of Ukraine.
SPAIN: The RTVE Institute publishes its Equality Guide in the co-official languages, English and French (Press release – Spanish)
RTVE: The RTVE Equality Guide has been edited by the Institute of the Corporation in Spanish, Catalan, Basque and Galician, in addition to English and French.
SWEDEN: SVT sign language interpreters several extra broadcasts (Press release – Swedish)
SVT: Russia has launched a large-scale military invasion of Ukraine and SVT is expanding its coverage.
UK: BBC confirms first thematic review as part of 10-point impartiality plan (Press release)
BBC: Sir Andrew Dilnot and Michael Blastland will chair and author the BBC’s editorial review into its taxation and public spending output.
UK: BBC hit by resignations of executives from diverse backgrounds (Paywall)
The Times: The BBC has been hit by a wave of resignations among executives from diverse backgrounds as the corporation’s staff exodus continues.
UK: Millions turn to Channel 4 News to follow Ukraine’s defence against the Russian invasion (Press release)
Channel 4: The invasion of Ukraine has led to a dramatic rise in numbers of people turning to Channel 4 News’ social media channels and its evening bulletins.
UKRAINE: Cameraman Yevhenii Sakun killed in TV tower bombing
IFJ: Journalist Yevhenii Sakun, 49, an EFE correspondent and camera operator for the Ukrainian television channel LIVE, was killed during the shelling of the TV transmission tower in Kyiv by the Russian military on 1 March.
CPJ: Twice a day, Sevgil Musaieva, chief editor at Kyiv-based independent news site Ukrayinska Pravda (Ukrainian Truth), checks in with her staff, now scattered around the country for security reasons as they report amid Russian missile and rocket attacks.
UKRAINE: For media workers in Ukraine, watching the news means ‘a great deal of pain’
Deutsche Welle: DW Akademie staff and partners in Ukraine fear for their lives and the lives of their family and friends. But they also fear for the survival of freedom and democracy in their country.
UKRAINE: RSF to launch the Lviv press freedom Center (Resource)
RSF: As Russia’s invasion of Ukraine continues to be backed by an information war, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) announces that – together with its local partner, the Institute for Mass Information (IMI) – it will be launching the press freedom Center, in Lviv, western Ukraine, to provide vital assistance to journalists in danger.
REGIONAL: EBU MEMBERS COME TOGETHER TO SUPPORT UKRAINIAN PUBLIC SERVICE MEDIA (Press release)
EBU: As the war in Ukraine intensifies, public service broadcasters across Europe have stepped up in a show of solidarity for the EBU’s Ukrainian Member UA:PBC.
REGIONAL: Nordic public service mobilizes crisis aid to Ukraine (Press release – Danish)
Nordvision: In a very short time, several of the Nordic public service companies, in collaboration with national support organizations, have planned fundraising concerts for this week, in support of the victims of the war in Ukraine. We do a review of the events that are arranged during the week.
REGIONAL: Posting for success: Public broadcasters in the Baltics embrace TikTok
Deutsche Welle: “It is crucial for public broadcasters to know how to reach out to younger audiences,” said Jakov Leon at the wrap-up of a new grant program from DW Akademie and the Baltic Centre for Media Excellence.
BRAZIL: EBC: workers make an act against salary deduction this Monday (7) (Portuguese)
SJPDF: This Monday, March 7th, at 1 pm, EBC employees in DF, Rio and SP perform an act against the point cut in front of the company’s headquarters. Arbitrarily and cowardly, the EBC confiscated up to 2/3 of the workers’ wages, despite the ongoing collective bargaining process.
BRAZIL: Rádio MEC and Rádio Nacional are patrimonies of Brazilian society and cannot be turned off (Portuguese)
Ouvidoria Cidadã da EBC: In a new attack on the right to quality information and communication, without interference from the market or the State, the federal government wants to shut down Rádio MEC AM and Rádio Nacional in Rio de Janeiro.
COLOMBIA & ITALY: RTVC signs alliance with RAI Italia for content exchange (Spanish)
RTVC: In order to strengthen the exchange and joint production of content of general interest, RTVC Public Media System and the Italian Radio and Television (RAI) signed an agreement that seeks to promote culture, education and information for its citizens.
GUATEMALA: Journalists in Guatemala: “During the Giammattei presidency, journalistic work has been criminalized” (Spanish)
VOA News: Despite the complaints, the Guatemalan government assures that “at no time has it carried out acts of censorship towards the media, reserving only the right of clarification so as not to distort the information.”
HAITI: Patrick Moussignac, director of Radio Télévision Caraïbes, kidnapped then released (French)
Le Nouvelliste: Patrick Moussignac, CEO of Radio Télévision Caraïbes (RTVC), was kidnapped by heavily armed individuals on Thursday March 3, 2022 before quickly recovering his freedom, without payment of a ransom, learned Le Nouvelliste.
MEXICO: Journalist Juan Carlos Muñiz is murdered in Zacatecas, the seventh case in the year (Spanish)
Animal Político: Journalist Juan Carlos Muñiz, a contributor to the newspaper Witness Mining, was murdered this Friday in the municipality of Fresnillo, Zacatecas.
MEXICO: Mexican journalists demand an end to the attacks (Spanish)
DW: Press men and women from 10 Mexican states gathered in San Cristóbal de las Casas, Chiapas, where they demanded justice for their murdered colleagues.
MEXICO & ARGENTINA: The future is feminist: lessons from journalists in Mexico and Argentina
Reuters Institute
PERU: Incidents were reported during the march for the vacancy to Pedro Catillo (Spanish)
Canal N: In Plaza San Martín, there were several attacks between those who request the vacancy of the head of state and those who defend the current government, they even tried to attack journalists.
REGIONAL: How to stay safe while covering violent conflict in Latin America
LatAm Journalism Review: Coverage of violent conflict deviates from the traditional image of a war front for journalists working in Latin America.
LatAm Journalism Review: A comparative study on the mechanisms for protecting journalists in Brazil, Colombia, Honduras, and Mexico found “serious problems” and “structural failures” that thwart the proper functioning of these state bodies.
JORDAN: Poll: 77% of Jordanian journalists summoned by security agencies in 2021
Middle East Monitor: The Centre for Defending Freedom of Journalists (CDFJ) said yesterday that 77.3 per cent of Jordanian journalists were summoned by security agencies in 2021, Arabi21 reported.
TURKEY: 108 Turkish journalists appeared in court in February: report
SCF: A total of 108 journalists appeared at court hearings in February, while three journalists were newly charged and three were arrested, according to the “Cost of News’ monthly report published by the Turkish Journalists’ Association (TGC).
TURKEY: Turkish court sentences 4 former Taraf journalists to prison for exposing state secrets
CPJ: Turkish authorities should drop all charges against former staff members of the shuttered liberal daily Taraf and should free journalist Mehmet Baransu immediately, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Monday.
TURKEY: Turkish journalist tops ’10 Most Urgent’ list of press freedom cases focused on women
The Boston Globe: Ahead of International Women’s Day observed on March 8, the One Free Press Coalition in partnership with the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and the International Women’s Media Foundation (IWMF) are highlighting 10 cases of women journalists who have faced retaliation or threats because of their reporting.
REGIONAL: CNN Arabic launches Her Story initiative focusing on Arab women
Arab News: CNN Arabic is launching a new multi-platform editorial and training initiative which will focus on telling the stories of Arab women who are creating an impact in their local communities.
REGIONAL: Women’s voices battle surveillance, sexual violence, and online trolls
IFEX: Ahead of International Womens’ Day (IWD), a look at how women and civil society organisations in the region continue to battle gendered attacks online and offline for their free expression.
CANADA: APTN AND CBC/RADIO-CANADA TO COLLABORATE MORE CLOSELY ON INDIGENOUS CONTENT CREATION (Press release)
CBC/Radio-Canada: APTN and CBC/Radio-Canada today announced a new collaboration to create more Indigenous content for all Canadians.
CANADA: Open letter to Ottawa police regarding press freedom violations
Newswire.ca: This is an open letter from the Canadian Association of Journalists addressed to the Ottawa police
US: Campaign to expand freedom of information laws on hold
WKAR: The petition campaign to expand the state’s open government laws is on hold and could be delayed until a future election cycle instead of aiming for the 2022 ballot.
US: New spin on ‘Reading Rainbow’ features interactive format, young crew of diverse hosts (Paywall)
Current: The return of one of public TV’s preeminent reading programs after more than a decade of silence can be pinned on a lawyer in New York City.
US: NPR launches ‘State of Ukraine’ daily podcast (Press release)
NPR: State of Ukraine, a podcast that brings listeners everything they need to know about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, launched today.
US: Ohio public radio stations launch ‘The Ohio Newsroom’ statewide news service
WVXU: Ohio’s public radio stations have joined forces to start The Ohio Newsroom, the largest daily statewide radio and digital news service in the Buckeye state.
US: Sinclair’s One Media to Offer Webinars Covering NextGen TV Broadcasts and Emergency Alerts (Event)
TVTech: The three part series will tackle the intricacies and advantages of using ATSC 3.0 to deliver Advanced Emergency Information.
US: Station Resource Group’s founders reflect on decades of helping public radio grow
Current: Tom Thomas and Terry Clifford stepped down in January as CEOs of the Station Resource Group, the organization they founded in 1984 to assist public radio stations with advocacy and strategic planning.
As an oil-funded war ravages Ukraine, climate coverage struggles to find its footing
Reuters Institute: This week’s IPCC report didn’t get enough attention. But reporters think the conflict can spur more comprehensive coverage on global warming
DG8 to support journalists and media freedom in Ukraine
Deutsche Welle: The international public service media organizations, DG8, held an emergency meeting on March 1 affirming their commitment to supporting Ukrainian public service media and ensuring free flow of unbiased information.
Global news media on defensive after Putin signs ‘fake news’ law
Reuters: Global news media said they were suspending reporting in Russia to protect their journalists after a new law that threatened jail terms of up to 15 years for spreading “fake news”.
International: Advocating for the safety of women journalists (Resource)
Article 19: Today ARTICLE 19 and IFEX launch the first in a series of #JournoSafe AdvoSheets, comprehensive but easy-to-use advocacy tools for media freedom and safety of journalists advocates.
Council of Europe: Member states should recognise the democratic value of journalism and the media in times of conflict and aggression.
Of Course Journalists Should Interview Autocrats
The Atlantic: Thursday morning, after the publication of my profile of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) in the April issue of The Atlantic, Saudi Arabia’s propaganda machine cranked into operation.
Time to end media inaction over online abuse, says IFJ
IFJ: Urgent action is needed to tackle the widespread online abuse and harassment faced by women journalists around the world, according to the International Federation of Journalists. The call comes after the results of two global surveys, launched on 7 March, exposed a serious lack of action among media companies.
Women and leadership in the news media 2022: evidence from 12 markets
Reuters Institute: The ‘who’ in ‘who decides what is news?’ matters both practically and symbolically. The people who occupy top editorial positions in news media wield power and influence and are among those who come to represent both their specific organisation and the industry as a whole.
PSM Weekly is available via email. You can subscribe by signing up to our mailing list at the bottom of the page or email editor@publicmediaalliance.org.
All PSM Weekly stories are provided for interest and their relevance to public service media issues, they do not necessarily reflect the views of the Public Media Alliance.
All headlines are sourced from their original story.
If you have any suggestions for our weekly round-ups, please email PMA at editor@publicmediaalliance.org.
Header image: A row of journalists writing in their notepads. Credit: The Climate Reality Project / Unsplash.com
Sign up to PSM Weekly
Receive our weekly round-up of public service media headlines and PMA news straight to your inbox.
Related Posts
