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.
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What is...
Our weekly explainers for key public media terms, phrases and values.
Week 26: What does ACCURACY look like?
Accuracy – a key PSM value – goes beyond ensuring that the details within all content and programming are correct: it also focuses on the importance of information that is in context and correctly represents broader meanings. In a democracy, information that is accurate on both fronts ensures citizens are not misled and have access to information that would allow them to make well-informed decisions and form fact-based opinions. This value can be seen in NPR’s extensive guidelines on accuracy and SABC’s heightened focus on accuracy during elections when “[its] commitment to objectivity, accuracy, fairness, impartiality and balance is scrutinised closely and evaluated assiduously.” Accuracy can also look like Channel 4’s FactCheck and DR’s Detektor, two long-standing factchecking initiatives that aim to provide audiences with fact-based and contextual information on public interest issues. For public broadcasters, accuracy is essential in maintaining credibility, impartiality, reliability, and ultimately public trust. However, this PSM value is under threat, with challenges ranging from growing dis- and misinformation and infringements on editorial independence.
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As the coronavirus pandemic worsens, public media are rapidly adapting to best cover the crisis on a local level while also providing for educational needs and vulnerable groups as isolation policies are introduced.
We want to hear from our members about what you are doing to best cover the crisis on a local level. Email us using the link below.
Coronavirus: Resources & best practices
Essential resources for sourcing and reporting news about the coronavirus pandemic
What we're watching...
BBC Persian
Doughty Street Chambers: BBC Persian journalists and staff are not the only ones facing threats, harassment and intimidation – their families have also been caught in the crosshairs. In this Doughty Street Chambers’ video, journalists detail the impact of their journalism on the lives of their loved ones.
What we're listening to...
Today In Short #1: Slovenia
IPI: This new series of IPI Podcasts presented by IPI’s [Javier Luque] aims at explaining in 5 mins the main takeaways from complex issues impacting #PressFreedom worldwide. Today, [with Jamie Wiseman] on #Slovenia.
Getting closer – the media are looking for contact with the public (German)
Saarländischer Rundfunk: Thomas Bimesdörfer and Michael Meyer talk to the topic administrator Moschgang Ebrahimi (SR) and the media journalist Steffen Grimberg about the ARD future initiative and ask why media producers are increasingly seeking contact with the target group.
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Global Headlines
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BURUNDI: Burundi’s Lifting of Media Ban Met With Cautious Optimism
VOA: The BBC is one step closer to resuming broadcasts in Burundi in a move being met with cautious optimism by media analysts.
ESWATINI: Joint Petition on the need to ensure internet availability at all times in Eswatini (Call-out)
MISA: The African Freedom of Expression Exchange (AFEX), Collaboration on International ICT Policy for East and Southern Africa (CIPESA), IFEX, Panos Institute Southern Africa, and, the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) have petitioned the Prime Minister, to ensure that the internet, social media platforms, and all other communication channels are open, secure, and accessible regardless of the protests that are currently taking place in Eswatini.
ETHIOPIA: Ethiopian authorities arrest at least 15 employees of 2 independent media outlets
CPJ: Ethiopian authorities should immediately release all recently arrested journalists and media workers, and ensure that authorities cease harassing members of the press, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.
GHANA: Director-General of GBC lauds RTI law as giant step to Ghana’s fledgling democracy
GBC: Director-General of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation, GBC Professor Amin Alhassan has lauded the Right to Information Law, RTI describing it as a giant step towards the consolidation of Ghana’s fledgling democracy.
LIBYA: Libya: Decision to dissolve the Libyan Media Foundation is a step backwards to reform public media
ARTICLE 19: ARTICLE 19 and a coalition of digital rights defenders sent the following open letter to the President of the Government of National Unity, Mr. Abdel Hamid Dbeibah.
MADAGASCAR: Madagascar state media mounts smear campaign against French journalist
Via IFEX: Gaëlle Borgia’s report on Madagascar’s acute famine stirs authorities into driving a smear campaign against the award winning journalist.
MOROCCO: Journalist’s Monthslong Hunger Strike Points to Perils of Reporting in Morocco
New York Times: Soulaimane Raissouni, who has been held without trial for over a year, is more than 80 days into a hunger strike.
NAMIBIA: Namibia: Trade Union Pressuring Public Broadcaster To Take Action On Employment Issues
Broadcast Media Africa: The Namibian Public Workers’ Union (NAPWU) has requested an exact date from the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) to implement the agreement between the two parties to hire all contract employees into permanent positions.
NIGERIA: Nigeria: Profile Of Balarabe S. Ilelah – Director-General, National Broadcasting Commission (NBC)
Broadcast Media Africa: Mallam Balarabe Shehu Ilelah was appointed Director-General of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), On June 11, 2021, bringing a lot of experience to meet the difficulties of the digital broadcast era. Mallam Balarabe Shehu Ilelah is a veteran broadcaster with national and international exposure and records. With over thirty years of experience working in various capacities in the industry, he has extensive knowledge of national and international broadcasting laws.
MFWA: The last six years have been extremely repressive for the media in Nigeria as impunity reached a new high under President Muhammadu Buhari. About 300 press freedom violations including the unresolved killings of seven journalists were recorded over the period, according to a report launched in Abuja on June 30, 2021.
SOUTH AFRICA: Cabinet approves bill to ‘strengthen’ SABC’s finances, management
News24: Cabinet said on Thursday it had approved a draft South African Broadcasting Corporation Bill during its Wednesday meeting, hoping this draft legislation would strengthen the financial, operational and governance position of the embattled public service broadcaster.
SOUTH AFRICA: ‘Supporter of Zuma slapped, strangled me’ – SABC journalist as Nkandla crowd targets media
News24: Journalists stationed outside former president Jacob Zuma’s home in Nkandla, KwaZulu-Natal, have allegedly been targeted by his followers.
TANZANIA: President Samia commits to supporting media in Tanzania
The East African: Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan Monday said her administration is committed to strengthening freedom of speech and supporting media development in the country.
REGIONAL: Eastern Africa: Journalists unite to demand action on media freedom and rights at work
IFJ: Journalists’ union leaders from across Eastern Africa have vowed to step up the fight for fair pay, better working conditions and media freedoms at a summit held in Kenya.
REGIONAL: What press freedoms for North Africa?
Le Monde diplomatique: In North Africa, investigative journalism, and even news coverage, is in short supply, endangered by states’ use of coercion, arbitrary prosecution and defamation. But some journalists refuse to be silenced.
CHINA & HONG KONG: Nordic papers say Beijing stifling Hong Kong media
RTHK: The four largest Nordic newspapers marked the centenary of the Chinese Communist Party’s founding on Thursday with a joint front-page editorial denouncing the regime’s attacks on Hong Kong’s independent media.
HONG KONG: Hong Kong Journalists Expect More Media Arrests, Say Freedom ‘in Free Fall’
Radio Free Asia: The recent closure of the Apple Daily newspaper accelerates a citywide crackdown on dissenting voices in the public sphere.
HONG KONG: One year on, Hong Kong security law takes aim at journalism
IPI: Clampdown under Beijing-driven measure has come fast, leaving future uncertain.
HONG KONG: The Pulse with Steve Vines is latest news show to be axed by public broadcaster RTHK
HKFP: Vines told HKFP that management cut his sign-off message where he bid farewell to viewers.
INDIA: Indian journalists top ’10 Most Urgent’ list of press freedom cases
Boston Globe: The One Free Press Coalition, a united group of pre-eminent editors and publishers using their global reach and social platforms to spotlight journalists under attack worldwide, today issued its 29th monthly “10 Most Urgent” list with a spotlight on journalists who face press freedom restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
JAPAN: NHK releases Paralympic Games broadcast schedule (Press release)
Paralympic.org: Japan’s national public broadcaster NHK has announced [the] daily broadcast schedule for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. Along with the build-up shows, there will be daily programme reviews of competition results, live interviews with medal winners, behind-the-scenes stories of the competition.
MALAYSIA: Malaysia: Critics are suppressed while police brutality goes unaddressed
ARTICLE 19: Retaliatory investigations of human rights defenders and journalists raising concerns about police brutality highlight the need to protect freedom of expression and ensure accountability for police misconduct in Malaysia, said ARTICLE 19.
MALAYSIA: Malaysian news site ordered to pay $130,000 in defamation case
France 24: A leading Malaysian news site was ordered on Friday to pay over $130,000 after losing a defamation case against a mining company, adding to concerns about worsening freedom of expression.
MYANMAR: ‘I’m a Fugitive Forever’ Journalist Tells VOA After Fleeing Myanmar
VOA News: Nearly five months since Myanmar’s military took control of the country, the “Spring Revolution” has sparked nationwide demonstrations and a crackdown that’s cost hundreds of lives. But the armed forces haven’t limited themselves to smashing protesters. They’ve gone after journalists reporting on them, too.
ANI: Pakistan journalists’ union announces countrywide protest against law curbing press freedom in Punjab.
PHILIPPINES: Rappler’s Maria Ressa, Rambo Talabong arraigned for libel in thesis story
Rappler: The journalists do not enter a plea, so the judge enters a not guilty plea on their behalf.
SOUTH KOREA: KBS Chief Pledges Commitment to Undertake Reforms (Press release)
KBS World: The head of the Korean Broadcasting System (KBS) has pledged to follow through major pledges in the public broadcaster’s latest reform plan, including balanced news coverage and a thorough reporting on national disasters to protect the lives and safety of the public.
SRI LANKA: Sri Lanka: Government cancels probe into sexual harassment in the media industry
IFJ: Sri Lanka’s media minister Keheliya Rambukwella informed reporters his ministry would not launch an investigation into allegations of sexual harassment in media institutions despite a significant number of women journalists sharing their experiences on Twitter.
TAIWAN: How Jimmy Lai’s Apple Daily reshaped Taiwan’s media landscape
Nikkei Asia: Once all conquering empire loses out to politics and financial woes.
TAIWAN: Taiwan’s unity cracks under Chinese disinformation onslaught (Paywall)
The Financial Times: Beijing takes advantage of country’s first coronavirus outbreak to sow divisions.
THAILAND: Can Thailand’s vibrant media be self-regulated? (Opinion)
The Bangkok Post:
REGIONAL: The demise of press freedom in Hong Kong, Pakistan journalists attacked, and a case against Twitter
IFEX: The closure of a pro-democracy newspaper after it was raided by the police signals the demise of press freedom in Hong Kong. Pakistani media are alarmed over attacks targeting journalists. Several investigative journalists and Twitter were charged by Indian authorities over a viral video.
AUSTRALIA: ABC Classic and ABC Jazz commission 15 new works to support diverse Australian artists
ABC Australia: ABC Classic and ABC Jazz have announced the recipients of the inaugural $90,000 Composer Commissioning Fund to support new Australian music from emerging and diverse voices.
AUSTRALIA: ABC responds to concerns about iView log in
ABC Friends: ABC Friends welcomes the response from the ABC regarding concerns from viewers about mandatory log in accounts for its online streaming service iView.
AUSTRALIA: Concerns for local content in regional TV shake-up for Victorian, Queensland viewers
ABC Australia: Regional TV news viewers in Victoria and Queensland will tonight notice a major shake-up in programming, sparked by the WIN Network and Channel Nine signing an affiliation deal earlier this year.
AUSTRALIA: Amazon Music Australia adds Podcasts: missing ABC, BBC, NPR, TWIT etc
Ausdroid: Amazon has announced that playback of podcasts is now integrated into Amazon Music in Australia but a quick look at the directory shows that many popular podcasts from big players like BBC, NPR and TWIT network are missing.
AUSTRALIA: Australian regulator may authorise media group talks with Google, Facebook
Reuters: Australia’s competition watchdog said on Thursday it issued draft proposals to authorise regional newspaper industry group, Country Press Australia, to negotiate with Google and Facebook for payments for news content on their platforms.
AUSTRALIA: ABC complaints system under fire again following Q&A episode
The Sydney Morning Herald: The Australia Israel and Jewish Affairs Council (AIJAC) is pushing for reform of the ABC’s complaints policy after an internal division dismissed claims of bias and lack of impartiality on an episode of Q&A in May.
AUSTRALIA: ‘Parramatta is not western Sydney’: ABC in talks to move staff to Liverpool
The Sydney Morning Herald: Up to 75 ABC staff could move to south-west Sydney under a proposal to provide office space to the national broadcaster ahead of its relocation of 300 employees to Parramatta by 2024.
FIJI: FBC celebrates 67th birthday
FBC: The Fijian Broadcasting Corporation celebrates its 67th birthday today… Chief Executive Riyaz Sayed-Khaiyum says FBC has had some amazing achievements over the years which was possible through the camaraderie and team work of staff.
NEW ZEALAND: ‘A real slog’: How one New Zealand media company is trying to make trust pay
The Guardian: Over the past year, one of New Zealand’s news giants ditched Facebook, pivoted to ‘trust’ and gave shares to employees. Can it survive?
NEW ZEALAND: Media turn up heat on hate speech
RNZ: A discussion document on proposed hate speech laws generated plenty of discussion in the media – and spurious claims that merely insulting people could be criminalised. Some senior journalists seized on ministers muddying the waters – but did they give the public a clear picture of what’s actually at stake?
NEW ZEALAND: Misinformation concern on the rise, says report
RNZ: Most New Zealanders have been exposed to misinformation and are increasingly concerned about it, according to a survey by the Classification Office. The internet and social media are identified as key sources – while experts and government are trusted more than news media. The Chief Censor says it shows the need for urgent action but that call could also prompt pushback.
NEW ZEALAND: Merger could help RNZ and TVNZ grow beyond broadcasting, says Kris Faafoi
Stuff: Broadcasting Minister Kris Faafoi has hinted at an expanded role for state-owned media beyond broadcasting, if Cabinet agrees to merge RNZ and TVNZ into a new media entity.
VANUATU: VBTC WINS FIVE MEDIA EXCELLENCE AWARDS (PDF)
VBTC: The Vanuatu Broadcasting & Television Corporation scooped five of the seven media excellence awards at the inaugural Vanuatu National Media Awards organised by the country’s media association.
REGIONAL: Facebook campaigns against misinformation in the Pacific
RNZ: Facebook says it has launched a public education campaign to combat health-related misinformation in the Pacific Islands region.
ALBANIA: Balkan Journalists Call on Diplomats in Albania to Defend Media Freedom and Independence
Exit: The Safe Journalists Network has called on diplomatic organizations in Albania to pay attention to the “anti-defamation package” and its impact on media freedom.
BELARUS: European Broadcasting Union officially suspends state-run Belarus TV and Radio Company’s membership
Belsat: On June 30, the Executive Board of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) officially suspended the membership of pro-Lukashenka Belarusian TV and Radio Company (BTRC) in the union, EBU’s press service told TUT.BY.
BELARUS: Top Belarusian media website removes social media posts to protect employees
Global Voices: Tut.by, a popular independent news website in Belarus, has reportedly removed all of its social media posts for the past 18 months to protect its staff and readers from the ongoing state crackdown on independent media.
BELGIUM: VRT launches ‘Your VRT’ (Dutch – Press release)
VRT: Public broadcaster will be touring Flanders throughout the summer and will enter into a dialogue with viewers, listeners, surfers and swipers.
BELGIUM: VRT presents Annual Report 2020 (Dutch)
VRT: A strong guide to a disruptive year. The public broadcaster is preparing for a digital growth leap.
BULGARIA: Interview with Andon Baltakov, Director General of Bulgarian National Radio (BNR) (Interview)
EBU: Andon Baltakov, Director General of Bulgarian National Radio (BNR), talks to Radka Betcheva, EBU Head of Member Relations for Central & Eastern Europe.
CROATIA: Croatian anti-corruption police arrest state TV head-media
Reuters: Croatia’s anti-corruption police USKOK arrested on Wednesday several people including the director of the state television company HRT, local media including HRT reported.
FINLAND: Janna Inkinen and Minna Pöntys: Yle is accessible to the visually and hearing impaired (Finnish)
Yle: Above plays an important role in the media use of the visually and hearing impaired. They also find Yle relevant to themselves.
FRANCE: La Récré à Sons, Radio France’s voice application for children (Press release – French)
Radio France: The best podcasts for children can be found whenever you want on your voice assistants: launch Récré à Sons and discover stories to listen to but also information for children to have fun, learn and dream.
GEORGIA: Far-Right Groups Massively Attack Journalists
Civil: At least twenty journalists have been attacked by hate groups gathered in a counter-rally against today’s Tbilisi Pride March, according to the latest media reports.
GERMANY: First Jewish late-night talk show on German TV
Deutsche Welle: In the show, Jews talk about their identity and life in Germany. Current debates are also discussed.
GERMANY: Statements about journalists: Outrage over Maassen allegations (German)
ZDF: Journalists with links to the left-wing extremist scene? The CDU politician Hans-Georg Maaßen levels serious allegations against the public media – and receives opposition.
GERMANY: ZDF television council elects Dr. Norbert Himmler as artistic director (Press release – German)
ZDF: Today in Mainz, the ZDF television council appointed ZDF program director Dr. Norbert Himmler elected as future director of the station. Of the 60 television council members present, 57 voted for Himmler.
HUNGARY: No thanks: Some Europe newspapers refuse political ads from Hungary’s Orban
Reuters: Several leading European newspapers have refused to run a paid advertisement signed by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, saying they do not want to give space to a politician they accuse of subverting human rights and press freedom.
HUNGARY: RSF lists Viktor Orban as ‘enemy of press freedom’
Deutsche Welle: The Hungarian prime minister is the first European leader on Reporters Without Borders’ regular list. He is joined by 36 other heads of government, including two female Asian leaders.
ICELAND: Iceland fishing company goes ‘guerilla’ on journalists who uncovered alleged corruption
CPJ: When in March of this year a neighbour alerted Helgi Seljan, an investigative reporter for Iceland’s public broadcaster Ríkisútvarpið (RÚV), that she had seen someone lurking around his house, he was alarmed, he told CPJ in a video interview.
IRELAND: Politics Survey highlights strong demand for online news in Irish
Irish Times: New research conducted among Irish speakers has concluded there is strong evidence of a significant dearth of online news and current affairs in the language.
ITALY: Italy: Access to Information Law should not be used to override journalistic source protection
IPI: Public broadcaster RAI ordered by court to release journalistic documents.
NETHERLANDS: Broadcaster apologizes for Nazi subtitle reference during Euro’s Germany anthem
NL Times: Dutch broadcaster NPO apologized for incorrectly subtitling the first verse of the German national anthem, and thereby referring to Nazi Germany, before the European Championship match between England and Germany.
POLAND: Polish independent media fears latest government squeeze (Paywall)
Financial Times: Potential loss of TVN24 licence widely seen as escalation of state pressure on free press.
RUSSIA: Russia: authorities target investigative journalists with raids amid increasing pressure on media
EFJ: Tuesday morning, Russian authorities raided the apartments of several investigative journalists and their family members in Moscow. Amid a growing pressure exerted by Russian authorities on independent news media and journalists in recent months, the European Federation of Journalists together with the Journalists’ and Media Workers’ Union (JMWU) in Russia strongly condemn the raid and the unlawful actions of Russian authorities.
SERBIA: ‘The most dangerous situation’: Serbian journalists accused of links to organized crime
CPJ: In March, when a reporter at Serbian investigative news site KRIK asked President Aleksandar Vučić at a press conference about the government’s alleged links to organized crime, governing party politicians and pro-government media outlets turned the claim back on KRIK.
SLOVENIA: European Media Freedom Group Expresses Concerns at Situation in Slovenia
Total Slovenia News: The Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR), a coalition of press freedom organisations and journalism groups, stressed on Monday that media freedom was at risk in Slovenia.
SLOVENIA: EU leaders urged to address media freedom in Slovenia as country takes on EU Presidency (Letter)
IPI: MFRR report examines ongoing media freedom challenges in Slovenia.
SLOVENIA: Slovenia’s EU presidency gets off to rocky start (Paywall)
Financial Times
SPAIN: Spain to oblige streamers to help finance public broadcaster
Digital TV Europe: The Spanish government is to oblige streaming platforms such as Netflix to help finance public broadcaster RTVE through a contribution of 1.5% of their revenues from next year.
SPAIN: The Constitutional Court annuls the appointment of Rosa María Mateo as head of RTVE four months after her dismissal (Spanish)
El País: The Constitutional Court has partially annulled the decree law that allowed the appointment of Rosa María Mateo as president of RTVE, a position in which she remained from July 2018 until last March .
SWEDEN: New system increases the impact of unique Swedish Radio journalism (Swedish – Blog)
Sveriges Radio: In early June, Swedish Radio won the European Innovation Award EBU Technology & Innovation Award for News Values, an editorial system for evaluating digital news. Per Hylén and Olle Zachrison explain how the system both promotes particularly strong Swedish Radio journalism and streamlines the work of the newsrooms.
SWEDEN: Political crisis, then Swedish Radio shifts up (Swedish)
Sveriges Radio: Sweden is in the middle of an ongoing government crisis, a crisis that we do not yet know where it will lead. New government formation or by-elections? Now we at Sveriges Radio are strengthening our political coverage, both in our FM channels and digitally with more programs and podcasts about politics, write Cajsa Lindberg and Olov Carlsson.
SWEDEN: Thanks to everyone who had coffee with SVT! (Swedish – Blog)
SVT: When Corona has prevented us from meeting physically, SVT has instead hosted digital coffee meetings where viewers across the country have shared their needs and wishes, both during the pandemic and now that society can hopefully open more again.
SWITZERLAND: Covid boosts TV consumption among Swiss
SWI swissinfo.ch: Statistics show television viewing increased slightly in Switzerland during the Covid-19 pandemic last year – the first time in more than a decade.
SWITZERLAND: In partnership with Europe’s public service media, SWI swissinfo.ch offers “A European Perspective”
SWI swissinfo.ch: SWI swissinfo.ch, the international service of the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation, has become part of a much larger European newsroom. From July 1, we’ve begun providing readers with a curated selection of stories from our European public service media partners.
UK: Content breaks records in year of reform and change
BBC Media Centre: The BBC is the most used media brand in the UK. We were used by 90 percent of adults on average per week, with the public choosing our programmes and services around 250 million times a day.
UK: Newswrap: the fight for Channel 4’s future (Listen)
Broadcast: Analyst Claire Enders and indie bosses Mel Leach & Alan Clements explore the prospect of the PSB heading to the private sector
UK: Policy, Production and Public Service in the UK – Taking Children Seriously
The Children’s Media Foundation
UK: Third man charged after BBC reporter Nicholas Watt chased
BBC News: A third man has been charged after a BBC journalist was chased and shouted at by protesters near Downing Street.
REGIONAL: Nordic co-operation for audio is taking shape (Swedish)
Nordvision: Over the past year, Nordvision has stepped in to start the process of strengthening sound collaboration – not least by sharing knowledge and supporting deeper research. It takes time to get to know each other’s offerings and strategies, but the podcast managers are looking forward to continuing to develop their collaboration.
EBU: Ten public service broadcasters are set to change the way in which Europeans consume news by using services underpinned by the EBU’s PEACH and EuroVOX tools to overcome language barriers and share diverse content from across the continent.
ARGENTINA: Radio Nacional turns 84 and celebrates it with a Federal Interview with Lalo Mir (Spanish)
La Nacion: On Tuesday, July 6, the Argentine public radio station will carry out a special broadcast to celebrate its trajectory.
BRAZIL: Brazil: Landmark ruling for photojournalist is victory for press freedom
ARTICLE 19: Brazil’s Federal Supreme Court has handed down a landmark decision for press freedom, ruling that the state must be held responsible when journalists are injured by security forces while covering demonstrations.
BRAZIL: Children’s programming takes TV Brasil to third place in audience (Portuguese – 21 June 2021)
Agência Brasil: Broadcaster is one of the few that exhibits extensive programming for children.
BRAZIL: Federal Government to launch another TV channel (Portuguese)
Splash UOL: The federal government will launch another TV channel in the coming weeks.
CHILE: Andrade advocates for more public media, instead of Jadue’s “wrong” Media Law (Spanish – Listen)
Cooperativa: In El Primer Café, former Labor Minister Osvaldo Andrade valued that the communist candidate, Daniel Jadue, seeks to promote plurality of media by modifying the law that governs them, but considered that his solution “is wrong.” For the lawyer, the bottom line must be “the expansion of the media in such a way as to guarantee plurality, and I would even dare to say: Why not a public media or public media that also guarantee that in the general media? “.
COLOMBIA: Colombia: violence against protesters and journalists continues (Spanish)
IFJ:
ECUADOR: Ecuadorian journalists were assaulted and attacked during a live broadcast (Spanish)
Infobae: Ecuadorian journalists were assaulted and attacked during a live broadcastThe criminals entered the set where the broadcast was taking place. Everything was recorded on video.
ECUADOR: Seized media are now under scrutiny (Spanish)
El Comercio: The debate on the role of public and seized media returned to the fore, with repercussions on two fronts.
HAITI: Haitian journalist, activist killed in Port-au-Prince shootings
Al Jazeera: Killings come amid a surge in gang violence in the Haitian capital that has displaced thousands in recent weeks.
JAMAICA: Celebrating resilience in pandemic times
The Gleaner: The RJRGLEANER Honour Awards has, for more than 40 years, acknowledged and recognised the outstanding achievements of individuals and organisations that have contributed to the improvement of the lives of Jamaicans in exemplary ways… The 41st year of this hallmark event is one for the books, as this is the first year that the organisers will have had to host this event against the backdrop of a pandemic.
MEXICO: Deputies endorse the Law of the Public Broadcasting System for CDMX (Spanish)
La Prensa: The idea is to facilitate accessibility mechanisms, the promotion of culture, freedom of expression, the dissemination of objective, plural and timely information.
MEXICO: Mexico: Journalists join civil society groups to denounce stigmatization by the Mexican state
ARTICLE 19: Today, under the 180th Period of Sessions of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), journalist groups, Mexican civil society organizations, and international organizations denounced the constant stigmatizing narrative used by the federal government and certain state and municipal governments against those who exercise their right to defend human rights and to freedom of expression.
MEXICO: The decline of the press (Spanish – Opinion)
El Universal
REGIONAL: In five Latin American countries, COVID-19 responses restrict press freedom, CPJ, TrustLaw find (Feature)
CPJ: In Bolivia, Brazil, El Salvador, and Peru, emergency measures in response to COVID-19 restricted the media’s capacity to report freely and the public’s ability to access information, including critical information about public health interventions and the pandemic itself, a report by the Committee to Protect Journalists and Thomson Reuters Foundation’s TrustLaw program found.
IRAN: How To Reenter Society: Journalist Imprisoned In Iran Shares Advice (22 June 2021)
NPR: NPR’s Steve Inskeep talks to Washington Post columnist Jason Rezaian, who spent 544 days imprisoned in isolation in Iran, about emerging from post-pandemic isolation.
IRAN: Iran’s New President and a Duplicitous Claim About Press Freedom
Polygraph:
PALESTINE: At least 35 journalists attacked while covering West Bank protests
RSF: Reporters Without Borders (RSF) condemns targeted violence by Palestinian security forces against many journalists covering the past week of protests against the murder of a well-known critic of Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. The authorities must not tolerate any violation of the freedom to inform, RSF said.
PALESTINE: Palestine: New call for UN to speak out on Israeli targeting of journalists (Watch)
IFJ: Israel’s systematic targeting of journalists working in Palestine and its failure to properly investigate killings of media workers violates the rights to life and freedom of expression and may amount to war crimes, the International Federation of Journalists told the 47th session of the UN’s Human Rights Council in Geneva.
PALESTINE: Palestinian media rally for protection after assaults by police
Al Jazeera: Human rights groups in the occupied West Bank city of Ramallah announce the formation of a legal team to follow up on the attacks on journalists.
SAUDI ARABIA: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman added to press ‘predators’ list
Middle East Eye: Reporters Without Borders (RSF) released an updated list of the world’s ‘press freedom predators’, which includes Mohammed bin Salman and Bashar al-Assad.
TURKEY: Erdoğan once again on RSF’s list of ‘Press Freedom Predators’
Bianet: The Reporters Without Borders has once again ranked President and ruling AKP Chair Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on its list of “Press Freedom Predators”, defining “critical journalists” as his “favorite targets”.
TURKEY: Turkey: Journalists lives put at risk by drama series
IFJ: The unauthorised use of IFJ International Press Cards (IPC) by undercover military agents posing as journalists in a Turkish drama series has been condemned as potentially putting media workers’ lives in danger.
CANADA: New to CBC Gem in July 2021 (Press release)
CBC: CBC Gem is Canada’s streaming service, offering more than 6500 hours of live and on-demand Canadian programming and a curated selection of acclaimed, best-in-class content from around the world, including more than 800 documentaries, 400 hours of ad-free content for kids and tweens, and a collection of over 150 Canadian feature films.
CANADA: Senate rises for summer with conversion therapy ban, broadcasting reforms left in limbo
CBC News: Tories say conversion therapy bill ‘overly broad and ambiguous,’ broadcasting reforms a threat to free speech.
CANADA: WHERE WE STAND – JUNE 2021 UPDATE: DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION INITIATIVES (Update)
CBC/Radio-Canada: One year later, what have we achieved?
CANADA: Windsor law prof, politics podcaster want more clarity on Bill C-10 — including CRTC’s role
CBC News: Amendment to Broadcasting Act to regulate web giants fails to pass in Senate.
US: Capitol riot investigation: FBI arrests people suspected of attacking journalists Jan. 6
Washington Post: Nearly six months after the U.S. Capitol riot, the Justice Department has begun arresting a new category of alleged criminals — those who attacked reporters or damaged their equipment as journalists documented the violence perpetrated by supporters of President Donald Trump.
US: CPJ calls on US to publish list of all websites recently seized in sanctions crackdown
CPJ: The United States Justice Department should clarify its rationale for seizing dozens of media websites last week, and should publish a list of all websites targeted for allegedly violating sanctions, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.
US: Deezer Goes Global With NPR Shows And Podcasts (Press release)
NPR: NPR’s most popular podcasts will be available to Deezer users worldwide.
The Wrap: National Public Radio came under fire for including a disclaimer before its annual July 4 reading of the Declaration of Independence by noting the historical document contains “flaws and deeply ingrained hypocrisies.”
US: How the Hindsight Project built new relationships between Southern stations and BIPOC filmmakers (Paywall)
Current: Six short films that premiered at the AFI Docs Film Festival last week are the culmination of a new initiative to connect Black, Indigenous and people of color filmmakers living in the American South and U.S. Territories with public media stations.
US: “I’m always skeptical”: Sixty news consumers discuss their mistrust in the news
CJR: Imagine dozens of Americans of different political and socioeconomic backgrounds in a room, looking for common ground. A safe place to start would be distrust in the news media.
US: PBS and PBS KIDS Receive 16 Daytime Emmy® Nominations (Press release)
PBS: On June 28, 2021, the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) announced the nominees for the 48th Annual Daytime Emmy® Awards, Children’s & Animation and Lifestyle Categories.
US: Trends and Facts on Public Broadcasting | State of the News Media (Research)
Pew Research Center
REGIONAL: Climate coverage feels the heat, again
CJR
Event: The increasing Legal Risks Faced By Journalists (Event)
ECPMF: Explore the main legal risks that journalists should be aware of while reporting on the ground.
Facebook’s failure to pay attention to non-English languages is allowing hate speech to flourish
The Conversation: We found LGBTIQ+ groups are exposed to an unacceptable level of discrimination and intimidation, including death threats, targeting of Muslims and threats of stoning or beheading.
IPI, IMS launch nomination call for 2021 press freedom awards (Opportunity)
IPI: Send in your nominations for the Press Freedom Hero and Free Media Pioneer awards by July 21!
‘Leading with Empathy’ when Writing about Displaced People
GIJN: We are living in a century of displacement, says Jessica Goudeau, award-winning author of “After the Last Border: Two Families and the Story of Refuge in America.” And because we are, journalists need to learn to tell the stories of displaced people by reconsidering some entrenched journalistic convention and leading with empathy.
Five news outfits win prizes for COVID-19 reporting for kids
News Decoder: News organizations in Denmark, Germany, Indonesia, Singapore and the United States have won top global reporting prizes for their innovative coverage of COVID-19 aimed at children.
Press freedom: a foundation of modern democracy (Watch)
SWI swissinfo.ch: For years, prominent Russian journalist Dmitry Skorobutov covered domestic and international affairs for the major TV channel “Russia 1”. Today, he is a political exile in Switzerland. We speak with him for the SWI swissinfo.ch “Voices of Freedom” series.
RSF’s 2021 “Press freedom predators” gallery – old tyrants, two women and a European
RSF: Reporters Without Borders (RSF) is publishing a gallery of grim portraits, those of 37 heads of state or government who crack down massively on press freedom. Some of these “predators of press freedom” have been operating for more than two decades while others have just joined the blacklist, which for the first time includes two women and a European predator.
The New York Times is using Instagram slides and Twitter cards to make stories more digestible
Nieman Lab: Slides and cards are a good way to highlight the strongest part of a story, whether it’s a visual component or a tidbit that competitors don’t have.
UN: States must embrace free expression to tackle disinformation (Statement)
ARTICLE 19: ARTICLE 19 made this statement on behalf of 11 NGOs during the interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of freedom of opinion and expression the 47th Session of the Human Rights Council.
UN: States must stop Internet shutdowns during protests (Statement)
ARTICLE 19: ARTICLE 19, Access Now and the Association for Progressive Communication (APC) made this statement during the interactive dialogue with the UN Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association the 47th Session of the Human Rights Council.
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