Our weekly round-up of public service media related stories and headlines from around the world
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What is...
Our weekly explainers for key public media terms, phrases and values.
WEEK 16: What does MEDIA CONCENTRATION look like?
Media concentration happens when fewer companies or individuals own an increasing number of shares in mass media. The fewer news media owners there are, the higher the concentration of ownership. While media concentration can be dangerous due to its potential to restrict pluralism (as discussed in last week’s explainer) and ultimately democracy, its impact can be managed. For instance, in a country where a vigorous independent public media system might make up most of the media landscape, media pluralism, with diverse opinions, voices, issues, and media types, can still thrive. To minimise the harm of media concentration, editorial independence free of external pressures, the presence of an independent regulator, and the existence and implementation of effective disclosure and transparency policies on media ownership are important. But of course, these are not always attainable and as a result, concerns about media concentration have been on the rise globally, including across Latin America, in Australia and Argentina. Meanwhile in Poland, the growth in ownership of an array of media outlets by state-backed companies signals tightening government control over the country’s media.
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What we're watching...
Reporters Without Borders: Press freedoms under pressure in pandemic
DW News: The global COVID-19 pandemic has led to increased repression and attacks on journalism worldwide, a report published on Tuesday by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) concluded. Reporting on coronavirus developments has been restricted in countries across the globe. Some countries have also seen governments use the crisis to tighten their grip on the media while others, including Germany, have seen an increase in attacks on journalists.
VRT concludes a cooperation agreement with the Flemish Sign Language Center (Dutch)
VRT: 15 years after the recognition of Flemish Sign Language – the VRT and the Flemish Sign Language Center (VGTC) signed a cooperation agreement. 00: 00: 10: 16 From now on, the VRT and the VGTC are working together in three areas: the guidance of sign language interpreters, assistance with the selections and the training of interpreters.
What we're watching...
BBC Press team, behind the scenes
BBC News Press Team
Ever wondered what happens #behindthescenes while @annita_mcveigh reads the BBC News headlines? 👇 pic.twitter.com/LmJ2THvhHQ
— BBC News Press Team (@BBCNewsPR) April 21, 2021
‘Indian government hellbent on hiding real numbers’, says investigative journalist Rana Ayyub on Covid-19 ‘carnage’
Channel 4: There’s been growing criticism of the way India’s government has handled the pandemic and the way it’s responded by blocking critical tweets.
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CAMEROON: Cameroonian reporter jailed since August, abandoned by justice system
RSF: Reporters Without Borders (RSF) calls for the release of Emmanuel Mbombog Mbog Matip, a journalist who has been imprisoned without trial in Cameroon since last August and who is being held in an entirely illegal manner.
GHANA: MFWA Launches Independent Journalism Project with Team of Avid Journalists
MFWA: The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) has launched a non-profit, independent investigative journalism project called the Fourth Estate.
GHANA: NCA to shut down 49 illegal TV stations
Graphic Online: The National Communications Authority (NCA) has embarked on an exercise to shut down 49 Television (TV) stations for operating without authorisation.
GHANA & ZAMBIA: Zambia’s Ambassador calls on GBC Director-General (Watch)
GBC Ghana: The Ghana Broadcasting Corporation and Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation(ZNBC), are to establish a business forum which will allow both public broadcasters to exchange information and programmes on their networks.
GUINEA-BISSAU: Human Rights Lawyer Expresses Concern about Relentless Press Freedom Violations in Guinea Bissau
MFWA: A human rights lawyer in Guinea Bissau, Luiz Vaz Martins, has expressed concern about the deteriorating press freedom environment in the country and urged the authorities to take steps to pull the country back from the brink of press freedom notoriety.
KENYA: Exciting Adjustments To TV Landscape As KBC Relaunches
Broadcast Media Africa
KENYA: UNESCO DG urges investigation into killing of KBC journalist Betty Barasa
KBC News: United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization- UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay has called on the Kenyan authorities to investigate the murder of television journalist Betty Barasa in Oloolua, Ngong Kajiado County on 7 April.
MALAWI: Magistrate court commits Sumbuleta sexual harassment case to the High Court
Nyasa Times: Former Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) director general Aubrey Sumbuleta on Wednesday appeared before the Lilongwe Chief Resident Magistrate Court where his sexual harassment case has been transferred to the high court.
NAMIBIA: NBC strike could cripple corporation – chairperson
The Namibian: The Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) says an industrial action planned for this afternoon (Thursday) by workers will be counterproductive to the corporation’s solutions.
NAMIBIA: Govt. Allocates US$8.7 Million To Public Broadcaster As Part Of Budget
Broadcast Media Africa: Namibia’s Minister of Information, Peya Mushelenga, has revealed to the country’s National Assembly that the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) will receive N$130 million. From the allocated figure, N$58 million will be disbursed to the refurbishment of its old studio equipment, as well as the upgrading of its network to enable high-quality content delivery to the public.
NIGERIA: Breaking: NBC suspends Channels TV for speaking with IPOB
Vanguard: The National Broadcasting Commission, NBC has suspended Channels Television with a fine of N5 million for breaching the broadcast code.
SOUTH AFRICA: Public Broadcaster Drives Non-Core Assets Disposals Despite Community Backlash
Broadcast Media Africa: In South Africa, the public service broadcaster – SABC has announced it is going ahead with its planned disposal of non-core assets, including real estate properties in the country’s North West’s capital, Mahikeng. This is according to news reporting seen by Broadcast Media Africa (BMA).
SOUTH AFRICA: Sanef condemns intimidation of SABC Radio news journalist
SABC News: The South African National Editors’ Forum (Sanef) has condemned the intimidation of Pretoria-based SABC Radio news journalist Phanuel Shuma over a murder case he had been covering.
ZIMBABWE: Analysis of the newly enacted Zimbabwe Media Commission Act
MISA: The legislative wheel has been turning since the approval by Cabinet in February 2019 of the repeal of the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA). As a result, the Freedom of Information Act was enacted in July 2020, the Cybersecurity and Data Protection Bill was gazetted in May 2020 and more recently on the 2nd of April 2021, the Zimbabwe Media Commission Act (hereinafter called the ZMC Act) was enacted.
ZIMBABWE: Zimbabwe: Regulator Extends Grace Period For TV Stations Set To Lose Licenses
Broadcast Media Africa: Recently, BMA had reported that the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe (BAZ) had awarded six free-to-air national commercial television broadcasting licences. Since then, three of those awarded the broadcasting tv licenses have failed to pay their licence fees.
HONG KONG: Fear Grips Hong Kong’s Public Broadcaster
VOA News: An important Hong Kong public news broadcaster is at risk of becoming a government mouthpiece as Beijing tightens its grip, according to an insider who described rising editorial pressure and orders to pull out of journalism contests.
HONG KONG: Hong Kong broadcaster RTHK rejects media award for TV doc about police handling of mob attack
Hong Kong Free Press: “During the transition period, RTHK decided not to nominate programmes for awards, would also withdraw their entries from those competitions, and would not accept related awards,” RTHK Head of Corporate Communications & Standards Echo Wai told HKFP.
HONG KONG: Hong Kong journalist improperly accessed public records, court rules
Reuters: A Hong Kong court found a journalist guilty on Thursday of making false statements to obtain data for a documentary on the police handling of a mob attack on pro-democracy protesters, reporters and bystanders in 2019.
HONG KONG: Media regulator officials given new posts at RTHK
RTHK: Two officials from the Communications Authority are joining RTHK to provide “special support”, staff were told on Friday.
HONG KONG: RTHK signs up Carrie Lam as new TV host
RTHK: Yet another change to RTHK’s television offerings is in the works, the latest schedules reveal – but rather than a programme being dropped this time, new talent has been signed up in the form of Chief Executive Carrie Lam.
Hong Kong Free Press: A chorus of condemnation from international press organisations has followed Thursday’s conviction of documentary-maker, Bao Choy, saying the decision marks a grim milestone in the decline of press freedom in the city.
HONG KONG: The FCC Condemns the Prosecution of Journalist Bao Choy
Foreign Correspondents’ Club: The Foreign Correspondents’ Club, Hong Kong strongly condemns the prosecution of Bao Choy, the former RTHK journalist convicted on Thursday for her use of a public database in the course of reporting a documentary.
HONG KONG: Today is a very dark day for journalists: Bao Choy
RTHK: Investigative journalist Bao Choy said on Thursday that it was a “very dark day for all journalists in Hong Kong”, after she was convicted over car licence plate searches she made for an RTHK documentary on the 2019 Yuen Long attacks.
INDIA: ‘Indian government hellbent on hiding real numbers’, says investigative journalist Rana Ayyub on Covid-19 ‘carnage’ (Watch)
Channel 4: There’s been growing criticism of the way India’s government has handled the pandemic and the way it’s responded by blocking critical tweets.
INDIA: Indian journalist live-tweeting wait for hospital bed dies from Covid
The Independent: A journalist in India died while live-tweeting his deteriorating condition from Covid-19 and his wait for help from the authorities, in what is the latest example of overstretched health resources in a country that has become the global epicentre of the coronavirus pandemic.
JAMMU & KASHMIR: Withdraw ‘Draconian’ J&K Advisory Barring Journalists from Encounter Sites: Editors Guild
The Wire: The Editors Guild of India (EGI) has said the Jammu and Kashmir police’s advisory barring journalists from reporting from encounter sites is “draconian” and “undemocratic”, and must be withdrawn immediately.
MALAYSIA: Govt committed to press freedom, says minister
Free Malaysia Today: The government will continue to provide the widest possible access for the media to report news in line with the existing provisions under the Federal Constitution, says Saifuddin Abdullah.
MALDIVES: Maldives Advances Media Freedom, But Long Way to Go
Human Rights Watch: After years of ignominy as one of the worst countries in Asia for media freedom, the Maldives has risen to 72nd place in the latest rankings of the World Press Freedom Index, up from 120th place three years ago. That improvement reflects how far the island nation has come since President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih took office in November 2018.
MYANMAR: How Myanmar’s Journalists Are Defying the Junta
Vice: The Feb. 1 coup destroyed press freedom gains in the country. But the media has a long history of evading censorship.
MYANMAR: Myanmar: Call for the release of imprisoned activists and journalists
IPI: Junta’s intimidation of the press continues to grow.
NEPAL: Stop intimidating journalists, take rightful measure to identify fake news, respect free speech
Freedom Forum: Freedom Forum has been alarmed over the intimidation intensified by the security persons on journalists over critical news on secret agreement between a foreign official and the Prime Minister.
PAKISTAN: Pakistani journalist critical of the military wounded by gunfire
RSF: Absar Alam, a prominent journalist, was shot in broad daylight near his home. He has faced threats because of his strongly critical stance toward the government and the military. Given that background, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) demands a completely independent investigation of this shocking attack.
PHILIPPINES: CHR: PH facing ‘a worse state of press freedom’
Inquirer: The Philippines is facing “a worse state of press freedom” after it ranked 138th out of 180 countries in the 2021 World Press Freedom Index, the Commission in Human Rights (CHR) said Thursday.
SRI LANKA: New online laws will threaten Media freedom says FMM
Economy Next: The Free Media Movement (FMM) is calling on the Media Community to take concerted action to prevent the enactment of laws to regulate online posts warning that these statutes could impinge on media freedom.
TAIWAN: Taiwan needs to go further on press freedom (Editorial)
Apple Daily
THAILAND: Thai PBS plans to organize a special program “Thai PBS Fight COVID-19” by the Emergency Coordination Center. Thai PBS fights COVID-19, starting 27 Apr (Press release – Thai)
Thai PBS
VIETNAM: Three more independent reporters arrested in Vietnam
Via IFEX: Independent journalists Nguyen Thanh Nha, Doan Kien Giang, and Nguyen Phuoc Trung Bao were arrested after denouncing abuses by two recently promoted senior officials in Vietnam.
WEST PAPUA: Press freedom under threat in Papua as journalist targeted
RNZ: Indonesia’s Alliance of Independent Journalists has condemned actions of intimidation against a leading West Papuan journalist.
AUSTRALIA: 10 years after Finkelstein, media accountability in Australia has gone backwards (Opinion)
The Conversation: In September, it will be ten years since the Gillard government established the Independent Inquiry into Media and Media Regulation in Australia, otherwise known as the Finkelstein inquiry. In the succeeding decade, media accountability in Australia has, if anything, got weaker.
AUSTRALIA: Journalists’ union gives notice to quit Australian Press Council (Statement)
MEAA: The Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance, the union for Australian journalists, will be giving notice that it intends to withdraw from the Australian Press Council.
AUSTRALIA: Less than half of Australian adults know how to identify misinformation online
The Conversation
AUSTRALIA: Why ABC News is assessing the impact of our journalism (Feature)
ABC Australia: News moves fast and, as journalists, we are always thinking about the next development, the next day or the next story. We don’t often stop to think about what we’ve produced or published and the impact it may have had. At the ABC, our news teams do measure success across our platforms.
FIJI: Fiji drops three places in RSF press freedom index over gagging critics
Asia Pacific Report: Fiji has dropped three places in the latest Reporters Without Borders World Press Freedom Index and been condemned for its treatment of “overly critical” journalists who are often subjected to intimidation or even imprisonment.
FIJI: Fiji health chief attacks ‘reckless’ reporting over covid outbreak
Asia Pacific Report: Fiji’s Health Secretary Dr James Fong strongly attacked his country’s media for “reckless reporting” today, saying it could spark panic… He gave no evidence of this.
NEW ZEALAND: Dr Ruth Harley reappointed as Chair of NZ On Air
NZ On Air: Dr Ruth Harley has been reappointed as the Chair of NZ On Air Irirangi Te Motu (NZ On Air), for a three-year term from 1 May 2021.
NEW ZEALAND: Media commentator Andrew Holden – news outlet diversity (Listen)
RNZ: Major appointments around the world see a welcome increase in diversity of major news outlets.
NEW ZEALAND: Media merger not the only option
Waatea News: The chair of the group looking at a new public media entity says it’s still not certain whether it needs to involve the merger of Radio New Zealand and TVNZ.
NEW ZEALAND: Reporters finally have a nice day (Listen)
RNZ: On Monday, New Zealanders tuning into the news witnessed something rare: bulletins filled almost entirely with joy, relief, and even a bit of singing. It was a welcome respite not just for the people who watched and read the news, but for those that reported it.
NEW ZEALAND: Trust in news, NZ on Air gets first news boss (Listen)
RNZ: Media commentator Atakohu Middleton joins Kathryn to talk about a new report coming this week into which New Zealand media organisations are the most trusted.
ALBANIA: Election Data Breach Story Renews Press Freedom Debate in Albania
VOA News: First came the news that the personal data of over 900,000 Albanians might be in the hands of party officials. Then came the news that the journalists who broke the story had been ordered by an anti-corruption court to hand over devices, including computers and cellphones.
AUSTRIA, GERMANY & SWITZERLAND: After Corona: Newsrooms are getting smaller, editors are increasingly working from home (German)
Der Standard: Corona pandemic also led newsrooms to work from home – journalists and media managers surveyed expect hybrid models in the future.
BELGIUM: Radio 2 remains the most popular station, MNM is hit (Dutch)
De Morgen: More than 1.3 million Flemish people listen to Radio 2 every day. This is evident from the listening figures collected by the Center for Information on the Media (CIM) for the period from September 2020 to February 2021.
BELGIUM: VRT concludes a cooperation agreement with the Flemish Sign Language Center (Dutch)
VRT: Calculated 15 years after the recognition of Flemish Sign Language – the VRT and the Flemish Sign Language Center (VGTC) have concluded a cooperation agreement.
CZECH REPUBLIC: Czech Television has experienced the greatest interest of viewers since the Nagano Olympics, the most watched in the last 23 years (Press release – Czech)
Česká Televize: Since the beginning of this year, Czech Television has been by far the most watched TV group on the domestic market. All day and in prime time.
CZECH REPUBLIC: There is no conflict of interest. The Supervisory Board did not find any shortcomings in the relationship between ČT and Dvořák’s Gopas (Czech)
Hospodářské noviny: The Supervisory Board of the Czech Television Council did not find any shortcomings in ČT’s business relations with the training company Gopas, which is co-owned by Petr Dvořák, CEO. The commission examined the period from 2011 to 2020, when Dvořák is the director of television. This follows from the conclusions of the commission, which was published on Twitter by Councilor René Kühn.
DENMARK: DR moves closer to the Danish young people (Press release – Danish)
DR: DR expands and structures the involvement of young people and its ambition is to be the ones who know young people in Denmark best. The new initiatives will further target and adapt DR’s content to the young target group.
FRANCE: Radio audiences: franceinfo confirms its position as the third most listened to radio station in France (French)
France Info: The radio group Radio France consolidated its third place in cumulative audience conquered at the end of 2020, at 8.9%.
FRANCE: “The question of the merger with France Televisions will have to be asked”, affirms Bertrand Delais, president of LCP (French)
France Info: Renewed for a new three-year term at the head of the parliamentary channel, Bertrand Delais believes that the situation remains fragile in a competitive context for the channel, which has gained 20% of the audience since 2018 and which must gain momentum.
GERMANY: ARD broadcasters: Money back and redistributed (German)
Süddeutsche Zeitung: NDR, SWR and SR received money back that they had invested with Greensill. In addition, the ARD regulates the internal financial equalization.
GERMANY: Protection for journalists in Germany
DW: Attacks on the media have increased sharply during the COVID-19 pandemic. Publishers, broadcasters and politicians are working to find solutions, with the first proposals already on the table.
GERMANY: Why the police get a “press code” (German)
Deutschlandfunk: Attacks during demos, hate speech online – the Ministry of the Interior of Baden-Württemberg sees journalists increasingly threatened in the corona pandemic. A new police “press code” is now intended to strengthen the freedom of the press and make public relations work by the police more transparent. A look at the new guidelines.
ICELAND: Annual General Meeting, Annual Accounts and Annual Report 2020 (Icelandic)
RUV: The year 2020 was characterized by a large use of RÚV media by Icelanders, satisfaction with services and increased trust.
ICELAND: Report: Iceland’s Media System “Increasingly Less Viable”
Iceland Review: Iceland’s ranking has fallen in the World Press Freedom Index, which just published its annual ranking for 2021. Iceland fell by one spot, from 15th to 16th place, and has fallen slowly but steadily since it was ranked 10th in 2017. An Index statement says the climate for journalists has been worsening in Iceland and cites funding as the main issue facing the country’s media.
IRELAND: RTÉ facing reduced services without licence fee changes
RTÉ: The Director General of RTÉ has warned that the organisation is facing a decline in financial sustainability, relevance, and a reduction in the number of services it can provide unless changes are made to the TV licence fee system.
KOSOVO: Kosovo Media Criticise Call for State Regulation of Online Content
Balkan Insight: Proposals to regulate ‘toxic’ online media content by law have drawn concern from the Press Council of Kosovo and the Association of Journalists of Kosovo, which have described the initiative as ‘harmful’.
LUXEMBOURG: Luxembourg drops more in freedom of press ranking
Luxembourg Times: A lack of government transparency caused Luxembourg to lose three places in an annual ranking of freedom of press, as the Reporters Without Borders (RSF) group that compiled it also criticised the fact that state agencies “still tend to refuse to provide information to journalists”.
MALTA: PBS board director fronts government propaganda
The Shift News: Pablo Micallef, a director on the board of the Public Broadcasting Services, is leading several of Labour’s propaganda efforts including the presentation of productions on One TV and government events, despite the national broadcaster’s duty of impartiality.
ROMANIA: Romania: abusive legal action by former bishop against journalists and outlets in Romania (Statement)
ECPMF: Civil society coalition concerned about abusive legal action by former bishop against journalists and outlets in Romania.
RUSSIA: Freedom of the media in the Russian Federation: UK-Canada statement (Speech)
Gov.uk: Ambassador Neil Bush raises concerns about the erosion of independent media and critical voices in Russia at the OSCE Permanent Council.
SLOVENIA: Andrej Grah Whatmough is new DG of RTV Slovenia
EBU
SLOVENIA: Commissioner Ylva Johansson to broach media freedom during Slovenia visit
Euractiv: Slovenia has been in the international spotlight for months over the government’s attitude to media and journalists and the issue is expected to be high on the agenda when European Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson starts a two-day visit on Thursday.
SPAIN: The new president of RTVE promises workers salary transparency and limits on outsourcing (Spanish)
El Confidencial Digital: Pérez Tornero explained in a meeting with union representatives that executive payroll must be public and that formats will only be purchased when they cannot be produced in the Corporation.
SWITZERLAND: SRF: Only three percent more women than external experts (German)
Klein Report: Swiss Radio and Television (SRF) is making slow progress in terms of gender balance: Since November 2019, the proportion of women in reporting has only increased by three percentage points to 40 percent.
Diginomica: Don’t waste a crisis! As COVID struck, Channel 4’s digital focus accelerated to great success, says the broadcaster’s CEO Alex Mahon.
UK: BBC defends coverage of Prince Philip funeral after complaints
The Guardian: Corporation says editorial choices reflected national broadcaster’s role at moment of national significance.
UK: BBC helps advance women’s representation in world media (Press Release)
BBC Media Centre: Over 100 organisations spanning industries including media, fashion, law and finance have voluntarily joined the BBC in a challenge to feature 50% women contributors* in their own content, with results published today for the first time.
UK: Public broadcasting: does the UK’s regulator have the public interest at heart?
The Conversation: The government is finalising its choice for the vacant position of chair of the UK’s broadcasting and telecoms regulator, Ofcom. It’s potentially a contentious issue as, according to well-informed government leaks, former Daily Mail editor Paul Dacre is in pole position for the job which – while notionally subject to an “independent” appointments process – is effectively in the prime minister’s “gift”.
UK: Record-breaking start to 2021 for BBC iPlayer (Press Release)
BBC Media Centre: BBC iPlayer has seen its best quarter on record with over 1.7 billion streams in the first three months of the year.
UK: The BBC follows the path of Swedish public radio and tests an algorithm that primes journalistic values (Spanish)
Laboratorio de Periodismo: Cupid, as the project has been named, focuses for the moment on audio clips, but will be extended to texts.
Council of Europe: On April 19, 2021, the independent debates of candidates for the position of Head of Management Board of Public Broadcaster was held, where participants discussed the achievements and challenges of the Public Broadcaster, and four candidates for the position of Head of Management Board presented their programs.
REGIONAL: After the campaign: Now eleven new young projects are in development (Swedish)
Nordvision: In a short time, the youth collaboration has become the third largest – but Nordvision wanted to do more. Following a decision by Nordvisionsfonden’s board on extra support, the companies gathered for a big pitch, and now eleven new projects for the young adult audience can be developed.
REGIONAL: Commission to propose a European Media Freedom Act, Breton says
Euractiv: In a speech delivered to the European Parliament’s Committee on Culture and Education on Monday (19 April), the EU Commissioner for the Internal Market Thierry Breton raised for the first time the prospect of passing a European Media Freedom Act.
REGIONAL: European Public Broadcasters Facing Twin Threats
VOA News: The pandemic has boosted audiences for Europe’s public service media, with Europeans turning to fact-based news, according to the broadcasters’ trade association and academic studies.
REGIONAL: Reporting Democracy Identifies 7 Trends among COVID’s Lingering Effects (Report)
Balkan Insight: Trends Report highlights how symptoms of Long COVID in Central and Southeast Europe include assaults on transparency and media freedom, infectious disregard for the rule of law, and ideological entrenchment and polarisation.
REGIONAL: Study: EU ‘largely lost leadership’ on media freedom
EU Observer: Even if EU member states lead the world in press freedom, the EU itself is becoming more and more divided, the new annual report on media freedom by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) said on Tuesday (20 April).
GENERAL: Webinar takeaways: How to build independent media to counter political interference?
EFJ: On 19 and 20 April, the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) hosted two webinars on how to build independent media to counter political interference as part of a project funded by the Open Society Foundations.
BRAZIL: Sinjorpa repudiates attacks on journalists by Bolsonaro supporters (Portuguese)
FENAJ: The Union of Journalists in the State of Pará (Sinjor-PA) and the Press Freedom Commission of the Brazilian Bar Association (OAB-PA) publicly repudiate the widespread assaults, threats and hostilities against journalists by militants and supporters of the president Jair Bolsonaro, last Friday (23), in Belém.
BRAZIL: STF asks explanation to Bolsonaro in action on “attacks” to the media (Portuguese)
Pleno.News: Minister Rosa Weber, of the Federal Supreme Court ( STF ), gave President Jair Bolsonaro, the Federal Senate and the Chamber of Deputies ten days to provide information in a lawsuit filed by the Brazilian Press Association (ABI).
CUBA: Raids, Fines, Detention Aim to Block Cuba’s Underground Press
VOA News: Cuba, one of the world’s most censored countries, where the government keeps a tight grip on the internet, and independent news media are considered illegal.
ECUADOR: Former media workers seized ask President Lenín Moreno to authorize the payment of their settlements and contributions (Spanish)
El Universo: The seized ex-media workers asked President Lenín Moreno to sign an executive decree authorizing the payment of settlements and pending contributions to the IESS and Biess as recommended by a report from the State Attorney General’s Office.
EL SALVADOR: Our firm support for the digital newspaper El Faro in the face of fiscal accusations against it (Press release – Spanish)
APES: The Human Rights Institute of the UCA (IDHUCA), the International Federation of Journalists (FIP), the Association of Journalists of El Salvador (APES), and the Assembly for Cooperation for Peace (ACPP), associated organizations for the freedom of The press, and the Forum of International Solidarity Cooperation Organizations (FOCIS), express our support for the digital newspaper El Faro in the face of the indication of fiscal harassment to which it has been subjected since July 2020.
EL SALVADOR: They denounce a serious setback in press freedom in El Salvador (Spanish)
Swiss Info: Press freedom in El Salvador has suffered a serious setback in the last two years of the Nayib Bukele government, a “deterioration” accompanied by a “pattern of threats and harassment” of critical media several journalists said Tuesday at the Mid-Year Meeting of the Inter-American Press Association (IAPA).
JAMAICA: Jamaica almost flawless in press freedom despite slipping one place in 2021 Index
Jamaica Observer: Jamaica has been described as “almost flawless” in the 2021 World Press Freedom Index compiled by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) which was just released.
MEXICO: Public broadcasting seeks to digitally literate audiences (Spanish)
La Jornada: A multiplatform magazine program focused on combating false news and misinformation, which simultaneously contributes to the digital literacy of audiences, is the purpose of Infodemia, which premiered Canal Catorce.
MEXICO: RED México seeks public media to continue broadcasting classes (Spanish)
UDG TV: The Network of Educational and Cultural Radio Broadcasters and Televisors of Mexico works with deputies and senators in an initiative so that the country’s public media have sufficient infrastructure to continue with the transmission of school classes.
TRINIDAD & TOBAGO: Media as vaccine bobolee (Editorial)
Trinidad Express
REGIONAL: The IAPA opens its biannual meeting in an adverse context for the press (Spanish)
Swiss Info: The Inter-American Press Association (IAPA) opened its biannual meeting on Tuesday with speeches that highlighted the “adverse context” surrounding the press on the continent one year after the start of the pandemic, in regarding freedom of the press and sustainability of the media.
IRAN: Iran: Increasing pressure on journalists reporting on corruption
IFJ: On Sunday April 26 2021, Amir Abbas Dehbashi-Nejad was released from the Bushehr prison in Iran. The judicial order for Dehbashi-Nejad’s release was issued after the Governor-general office of Bushehr province dropped its charges against him.
ISRAEL & PALESTINE: Report: Israel detains 26 Palestinian journalists for reporting news on social media
MEMO: As many as 26 Palestinian journalists are currently detained by Israel for publishing news on social media.
TURKEY: Turkish court orders Erdogan to stop denying journalists credentials
DW: One of Turkey’s highest courts has ruled the president cannot refuse to issue press accreditation for arbitrary reasons. A government spokesman reacted with defiance, calling journalists propaganda-spewing terrorists.
Arab News: Gulf News is the UAE’s main English language daily, its decision is a first for an Emirati newspaper.
REGIONAL: How Arab Spring Changed Culture of Journalist Safety
VOA News: From the brutal killings of U.S. freelancers James Foley and Steven Sotloff in Syria in 2014 to the deaths in Libya 10 years ago this week of photojournalists Tim Hetherington and Chris Hondros, the Arab Spring has had a devasting toll on the media community.
REGIONAL: Middle East and North Africa remains worst region for press freedom: Report
Middle East Eye: Authoritarian countries in the region are using Covid-19 pandemic to increase control over media.
CANADA: A first Indigenous dramatic fiction on Radio-Canada (French)
Radio-Canada: Starting in the spring of 2022, Radio-Canada will present Pour toi Flora, a six-part series written and directed by Mohawk filmmaker and screenwriter Sonia Bonspille Boileau, which will focus on the history of residential schools.
CANADA: CBC launches Black on the Prairies, exploring the history and present lives of Black people on the prairies (Press release)
CBC/Radio-Canada: Black on the Prairies is a new multiplatform project led by CBC Saskatoon journalist Omayra Issa, and CBC radio host Ify Chiwetelu. Through radio, television, and online formats, Black on the Prairies explores the history and present lives of Black people on the Prairies through their triumphs, challenges, and places their contributions at the very center of the Prairie narrative as part of the Canadian story.
CANADA: CBC reviewing security at all stations in Canada following ‘Fake News’ vandalism in Kamloops
Kamloops This Week: The president and CEO of CBC/Radio-Canada said the corporation is reviewing security for its employees in the wake of an act of vandalism on a CBC Kamloops vehicle, on which paint was splashed and “Fake News” was spray-painted in its door as it was parked downtown on April 4.
CANADA: Online hate targeting women journalists hurts us all (Opinion – Paywall)
The Hill Times: The federal government has promised legislation to combat online hate speech in the coming weeks. We would like to see that legislation recognize the particular threats facing women journalists.
CANADA: Stopping misinformation means fixing the relationship between journalism and PR
The Conversation: The shifting balance between journalism and PR is fueling a lack of trust in the news. That’s bad for everyone.
CANADA: Tristan McIntosh: Committed to a greener broadcaster (Blog)
CBC/Radio-Canada: This Earth Day, which is recognized each year on April 22, we’re turning the spotlight on Tristan McIntosh, Senior Environmental Advisor at CBC/Radio-Canada. Since January 2019, he’s been making it his mission to improve the public broadcaster’s environmental footprint.
US: Apple, Spotify and the New Battle Over Who Wins Podcasting
Wall Street Journal: Podcasts exploded in popularity during the lockdown and are on track to bring in more than $1 billion in U.S. ad revenue this year.
US: Filmmakers who challenged PBS on diversity continue push for transparency (Paywall)
Current: Filmmakers who questioned PBS’ commitment to diversifying its nonfiction programming say they will continue to press the network for more transparency about its funding and program selection.
US: How journalists in Minnesota covered a story that shook the world
Poynter
US: How to Sell the Coronavirus Vaccines to a Divided, Uneasy America
The Washington Post: Inside one of the biggest, most difficult public service campaigns in U.S. history — and the decisions that led to a surprising strategy.
US: NPR will roll out paid subscriptions to its podcasts (Paywall)
Current: NPR will launch a program that will allow podcast listeners to bypass sponsorship messages in exchange for subscription fees.
US: PBS and The WNET Group Launch (Press release)
PBS: Today, PBS and The WNET Group announced #PBSForTheArts, a multiplatform campaign that celebrates the resiliency of the arts in America during the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown and reopening.
US: PBS KIDS Announces Request for Proposals for New Multiplatform Literacy Series (Opportunity)
PBS: PBS KIDS has announced today a request for proposals (RFP) for an original, book- or game-based multiplatform property for preschoolers, with a curriculum focus on functional literacy. With this RFP, PBS KIDS is interested in working with creative teams who can bring unique voices, cultural experiences, and backgrounds to the series, including show creators from communities that have historically been underrepresented in children’s media.
US: Report for America fights crisis in local news, expands into 200-plus newsrooms with 300 journalists
Report for America: Report for America today announced the placements of some 300 journalists for its 2021 reporting corps. The cohort, which includes a number of corps members returning for a second or third year, will join the staffs of more than 200 local news organizations across 49 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and Guam.
US: The other George Floyd story: How media freedom led to conviction in his killer’s trial
The Conversation
US: Why were Minnesota police photographing journalists?
RCFP: The incident was one of a slew of press rights violations reported during recent protests in Minnesota.
Building trust in media: Users don’t see it the same way as journalists, new studies show
Poynter: While journalists like to focus on transparency and engagement, audiences seem to care more about brand heritage, presentation style and language.
DRM Consortium Sees “Excellent Progress”
Radio World: Group held its general assembly online this month.
Journalists’ mental health during the pandemic: We need to talk
IFJ: Stress, anxiety, depression, sleep and eating disorders or burnout are just some of the mental health problems that many journalists covering the Covid-19 pandemic suffer everyday. The coronavirus pandemic has put media workers under unprecedented strain, testing their psychosocial conditions and the abilities of editors and unions to identify and support those workers with mental health conditions.
Misinformation, disinformation and hoaxes: What’s the difference?
The Conversation: Sorting through the vast amount of information created and shared online is challenging, even for the experts.
New free online course for women journalists and allies: Learn how to plan for reporting safely (Opportunity)
Knight Centre: Being a woman journalist doesn’t mean just reporting the story. It now often involves planning for and confronting physical and online violence and harassment. Having a plan isn’t just necessary, but makes us feel more in control. The new free online course, “How to report safely: Strategies for women journalists and their allies,” will teach students how to create a safety plan and manage and mitigate risks encountered while reporting. The course runs from May 3 to May 30, 2021, so register today!
The Conversation
Reviving local news, globally: The 10 big takeaways
IPI: Local news media – the most disrupted, the most important and the most innovative.
RSF finds only 7% of countries offer a good environment for journalism
Via IFEX: Of 180 countries evaluated by the 2021 World Press Freedom Index, 73 totally block or seriously impede journalism; in 59 others journalism is “constrained”. The Index also shows a dramatic deterioration in people’s access to information and an increase in obstacles to news coverage.
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