Our weekly round-up of public service media related stories and headlines from around the world.
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Coronavirus: Resources & best practices
Essential resources for sourcing and reporting news about the coronavirus pandemic
What we're watching...
Media outlets’ battle for clarity amidst the chaos of US election | The Listening Post
Al Jazeera: With a victory for Biden imminent, media outlets that have thrived on the Trump show must look for a new business model.
What we're listening to...
With Trump’s Loss, Murdoch’s Fox News Faces Wrath And Tough Choices
NPR: There may be no media figure more important in preparing Republicans and President Trump himself for a post-Trump period than magnate Rupert Murdoch.
Global Headlines
Click on the tab menu below to reveal the latest regional stories.
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO: Two Congolese reporters arrested at presidential palace, held by intelligence agency
RSF: Like its local partner, Journalist in Danger (JED), Reporters Without Borders (RSF) condemns the return of predatory practices towards the media in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the alarming level of abuses against journalists, including yesterday’s arrests of a two-member TV crew in the presidential palace in Kinshasa.
EGYPT: Human rights organizations call on Egypt’s government to end internet censorship and website blocking (Statement)
IFEX: The undersigned organizations condemn the Egyptian authorities’ blocking of at least 600 websites since May 2017, and the use of vaguely worded laws to legalize the blocking in contradiction of international treaties.
GHANA: Media Owners Greatest Threat To Media Freedom In Ghana – GJA President
Modern Ghana: Mr Roland Affail Monney, President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has said the “greatest threat” to media freedom in Ghana are owners of media houses.
KENYA: How COVID-19 has worsened attacks against journalists in Kenya
The Conversation Africa: Almost a decade after the United Nations set aside November 2 as a day to reflect on ending impunity for crimes against journalists, crimes against media workers in Kenya are still widespread. The coverage of elections and corruption cases has typically prompted these attacks. But now the COVID-19 pandemic has exposed more of the state’s intolerance towards journalists in their line of duty.
NIGERIA: NIGERIA: Broadcasting Regulator – NBC – Is Being Sued!
Broadcast Media Africa: The regulator of the Nigerian broadcasting industry, the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) is being dragged to court by a group of legal activists and civil rights organisations over its action to sanction a group of broadcasters because of the way they covered the EndSARS activities.
SOUTH AFRICA: Plan to collect TV licence fees for smartphones and laptops in South Africa could face major problems
Business Tech: The SABC’s licensing proposal involving Netflix, MultiChoice and DStv has proved divisive among some South Africans – but could also run into legal hurdles, say experts.
SOUTH AFRICA: SABC considering different alternatives to minimise impact of planned retrenchments on employees
SABC News: The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) says it’s considering different alternatives to minimise the impact of its planned retrenchments on employees.
SOUTH AFRICA: SABC partners with Telkom, launches new streaming channel
SABC News: The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) in partnership with Telkom has launched a streaming channel called TelkomOne.
SOUTH SUDAN: Journalists harassed, detained, and sentenced to jail in South Sudan
CPJ: South Sudanese authorities should immediately release journalists Zechariah Makuach Maror and Jackson Ochaya and halt all acts of intimidation against the press, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.
TANZANIA: Tanzanian media unable to cover Covid-19 epidemic
RSF: Reporters Without Borders (RSF) condemns the lack of transparency about the public health situation in Tanzania since the start of the coronavirus epidemic and calls on the authorities to guarantee access to essential information. Press freedom, which has been drastically curtailed for years, must also be guaranteed.
TUNISIA: Tunisia: Freedom of expression at risk as prosecutions rise
Amnesty International: The Tunisian authorities must immediately stop exploiting largely outdated, overly broad and repressive laws to prosecute individuals for exercising their right to freedom of expression online, said Amnesty International in a detailed briefing and campaign launched today.
ZIMBABWE: Zimbabwe Police Again Arrest Journalist Critical of Government
VOA: Zimbabwean police on Tuesday arrested for the second time a journalist who has been critical of the government, his lawyer said, adding this time it was for contempt of court related to a post he made on Twitter.
AFGHANISTAN: Assassination of Former Afghan TV Presenter Draws Outrage
VOA: Leaders in Afghanistan and the United States have strongly condemned Saturday’s bomb explosion in the capital, Kabul, that killed two senior central bank staffers, one of them a renowned former television presenter.
AZERBAIJAN & ARMENIA: Nagorno-Karabakh conflict: increasingly dangerous and complex coverage for journalists
RSF: As conditions continue to worsen for journalists covering the fighting between Azerbaijani and Armenian forces in the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) calls on both parties to guarantee the safety of media personnel and to not target them.
BANGLADESH: Bangladesh: Four journalists charged under draconian Digital Security Act
IFJ: Four journalists, including an editor and publisher, from Lakshmipur district in South Eastern Bangladesh are the latest media workers to be pursued under Bangladesh’s notorious Digital Security Act (DSA).
CAMBODIA: Cambodia Must End Legal Attacks on Media, Rights Groups Say
VOA: The Cambodian government has come under criticism by rights groups over what they describe as a “relentless attack” on press freedom including arrests, repressive laws and the revoking of media licenses.
CHINA & US: Chinese Journalists Sought Freedom in the U.S. Now They’re in Limbo (Paywall)
The New York Times: Caught in a tit-for-tat battle over the media between the two countries, the worried reporters say they help bring a nuanced view of American life back home.
SCMP: Hong Kong’s three major radio stations will start broadcasting the Chinese national anthem every morning by mid-November at the earliest to fulfil a requirement under a new law enacted to criminalise disrespect of the song.
HKFP: Local journalism groups have slammed Hong Kong chief executive for “breaching” her election promise to safeguard press freedom following the arrest of an RTHK producer. They also urged the government to include “news-related purposes” as an option for reporters conducting public record searches.
INDIA: A makeover for the public broadcaster is urgent, necessary and possible (Opinion)
The Indian Express: With the pandemic still raging, a sleek, virtual conference is a good way to welcome the world to India, in preparation for 2022 — and the future.
INDIA: Prasar Bharati Signs Deal To Launch 51 DTH Channels For Education
NDTV: These educational channels seek to provide quality educational programmes, including to those in rural and remote areas. The Prasar Bharati and MEITY’s services will be available free of cost for all the viewers.
INDIA: TV Journalist Is Arrested as Assaults on Press Freedom Rise in India
The New York Times: The conservative anchor Arnab Goswami was detained on charges of abetting a suicide in Mumbai, where an opposition party is in power.
JAPAN: Government to abandon collecting NHK fees from all households
The Japan Times: The communications ministry will abandon plans to have NHK collect viewing fees from all households and offices regardless of whether or not they have a TV, informed sources said Saturday.
MYANMAR: Press freedom missing from Myanmar’s parliamentary elections
RSF: Reporters Without Borders (RSF) condemns the many press freedom violations that have marked the campaign for Myanmar’s parliamentary elections on 8 November and have already discredited the results.
PAKISTAN: Geo News reporter Ali Imran Syed abducted for 22 hours in Pakistan
CPJ: On the evening of October 23, 2020, in Karachi, Pakistan, Geo News reporter Ali Imran Syed disappeared while he walking from his home to a nearby bakery, and was not seen until he reappeared physically unharmed at his mother’s home 22 hours later, according to news reports.
PAKISTAN: Supreme Court grants bail to Jang Group chief in NAB reference
Pakistan Press Foundation: The Supreme Court on Monday granted bail to Editor-in-Chief of Jang Group of Newspapers Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman, who has been in captivity for around eight months…
PAKISTAN: Supreme Court grants bail to Jang/Geo Editor-in-Chief Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman
Geo: The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Monday granted bail to Jang/Geo Editor-in-Chief Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman, bringing to an end his more than 200-day detention by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in a case related to the purchase of a property more than 30 years ago.
PHILIPPINES: Super Typhoon Rolly bares ‘information gap’ left by ABS-CBN shutdown
Inquirer: As Super Typhoon Rolly, reported as the strongest storm in the world so far this year, ravaged several provinces in the Philippines on Sunday, it became evident how important information dissemination is — whether it be on the strength or track of the storm or on its impact on the areas it hit as shown on photos or videos.
SOUTH KOREA: <TV Critic Audience Desk> Move broadcast time to important time zone and strengthen accountability of production staff (Press release – Korean)
KBS: KBS Ombudsman Program Declaration of viewer sovereignty, Moving broadcast time to important time zone and strengthening accountability of production team
THAILAND: Thai PBS as objective voice and learning platform
Thai PBS: The Thai Public Broadcasting Service (Thai PBS) has pledged to be a voice of objectivity and reason to contribute to helping the country weather through the current crisis, being aggravated by the coronavirus pandemic and political conflicts.
AUSTRALIA: Always was, always will be: NAIDOC Week on the ABC (Press release)
ABC Australia: The ABC will celebrate the continuous culture and achievements of the world’s oldest living storytellers across NAIDOC Week, from 8-15 November, with new documentaries, podcasts and live performances by Indigenous artists such as Thelma Plum, Emma Donovan and Kutcha Edwards.
AUSTRALIA: Kevin Rudd petition seeking royal commission into Murdoch media nears 500,000 signatures
The Guardian: Petition surpasses Australia’s previous biggest e-petition to parliament – a 2019 demand for a climate emergency to be declared.
AUSTRALIA: SBS appoints new Director of Audio and Language Content (Press release)
SBS: SBS today announced the appointment of David Hua as Director of Audio and Language Content (ALC).
AUSTRALIA: Warren Mundine was not recommended for the SBS board, but the Coalition chose him anyway
The Guardian: The former Liberal candidate was handpicked by the government and had not been put forward by the independent nominations panel.
AUSTRALIA: Why the ABC is too important to lose (Opinion)
Independent Australia: The Government keeps cutting funding to the ABC, but recent events such as the bushfire disaster have shown why our national broadcaster is so vital, writes Kelly Bartholomeusz.
NEW ZEALAND: More diversity representation needed in NZ media, Pio tells Herald staff
Asia Pacific Report: Auckland University of Technology director of diversity Professor Edwina Pio has made a presentation on diversity and the media to New Zealand Herald staff at their NZME headquarters in Auckland.
PAPUA NEW GUINEA: New transmitter in Papua New Guinea to improve radio service in highlands
Asia Radio Today: The National Broadcasting Corporation of Papua New Guinea has launched a million kina transmitter project to improve the National Radio Service in the entire Highlands and parts of the Momase region.
AUSTRIA: Journalists complain of a “massive increase” in workload (German)
Der Standard: Journalistic work has recently become much more difficult. In many editorial offices, working conditions have been tightening massively for months.
BELGIUM: Educational voice test launched (Dutch)
VRT NWS: The Flemish Parliament, the University of Antwerp, Tree company and VRT NWS are joining forces to transform the Flemish voting test of 2019 into a new Educational Voice Test.
BELGIUM: How does the VRT bring live subtitles to your screen? (Dutch)
VRT NWS: The VRT is there for everyone in Flanders. Every Fleming must be able to enjoy the VRT offer, regardless of origin, age or disability. Subtitles are therefore being developed specifically for hearing impaired or deaf people.
CROATIA: New wave of SLAPPs hits Croatian media and journalists
EFJ: The Croatian journalists’ trade union and professional associations ( TUCJ and CJA) announced last week that a new wave of vexatious lawsuits (SLAPP) is hitting Croatian media and journalists.
DENMARK: DR is ready with ‘In the Service of Truth’ in a new way this year (Press release – Danish)
DR: Instead of holding physical news shows, DR News has developed a new, virtual version of ‘In the Service of Truth’. DR’s districts also work differently with the project on source criticism, ethics and news dissemination.
DENMARK: Mention: DR fulfilled the public service contract last year (Press release – Danish)
DR: The Radio and Television Board has issued its opinion on DR’s public service report for 2019 – and it has been approved.
ESTONIA: EKRE MP tables bill to amend ERR law, citing balance issues
ERR News: A Conservative People’s Party of Estonia (EKRE) MP has submitted a bill aimed at amending the law governing public broadcaster Eesti Rahvusringhääling (ERR), which he says should better guarantee balance.
ESTONIA: Estonian VOD service sees “rocket launch”
Broadband TV News: The VOD platform Jupiter operated by the Estonian public broadcaster ERR enjoyed a successful start in the middle of the Covid-19 crisis.
FINLAND: Yle sets up a youth newsroom (Press release – Finnish)
Yle: Yle’s news and current affairs editorial staff will set up its own editorial service to serve audiences under the age of 30. Youth delivery will begin in early 2021.
FRANCE: Concern over French bill that cracks down on photos identifying police
The Guardian: A proposed bill in France that would make it illegal to disseminate photographs or videos identifying police and gendarmes “with intent to harm” is a danger to press freedom, critics have warned.
GEORGIA: Georgian First Channel statement regarding threats against journalists (Press release)
Georgian Public Broadcaster: The Georgian Public Broadcaster urges the international organizations in Georgia, foreign diplomats and the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) to focus on the instances of the journalists’ obvious harassment, intimidation and interference with their activities during the current developments in Georgia.
GERMANY: More than 15,000 students at the ARD Youth Media Day 2020 (Press release – German)
ARD: This year, ARD comes directly into the classroom – as a web conference for schoolchildren from all over Germany.
GERMANY: Police and protesters target journalists and media workers in Leipzig protest
Media Freedom Rapid Response: At least, 43 journalists were prevented from carrying out their work by protesters and police officers at the “Querdenken” demonstration in the eastern German city of Leipzig on Saturday, 7 November.
GERMANY: Record participation in the vote on the topic of the Deutschlandradio think tank (Press release – German)
Deutschlandradio: The listeners of Deutschlandfunk, Deutschlandfunk Kultur and Deutschlandfunk Nova have decided: In the coming year, the national radio will deal with the main topic “In search of ‘we’” as part of the “think tank”.
IRELAND: Media commission chairman pledges full consultation with industry
The Irish Times: The chairman of the Future of Media Commission, Brian MacCraith, has promised to hold “extensive engagement with stakeholder groups” before making its recommendations next summer on the funding of Irish media.
IRELAND: RTE faces revenue shortfall as viewers switch off on renewing TV licences
The Times: A sharp drop in the purchase of TV licences is expected in 2020, with a year-on-year decrease of 50,000 registered to the end of September. The number of licences bought in 2019 was already down more than 13,000 on the previous year.
ITALY: Reporters attacked while covering protests against Covid-19 measures in Italy
RSF: After nine journalists were harassed and attacked while covering protests against Covid-19 lockdown measures in Italy in the past two weeks, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) urges the country’s politicians to firmly condemn such violence and calls on the authorities to provide the media with effective protection in the field.
LATVIA: All change for Latvian public service media
Broadband TV News: Latvia’s National Electronic Media Council (NEPLP) has approved procurement guidelines and tasks for public service media in the country in 2021.
AJK: The President of the Board of Association of Journalists of Kosovo, Gentiana Begolli Pustina, had a meeting with UNHCR Chief of Mission in Kosovo, Erol Arduç. During the meeting, new cooperation modalities were discussed, especially about continuous professionalism of the journalists who report on issues related to asylum seekers in Kosovo.
NETHERLANDS: Agreement on new broadcasting collective labor agreement (Press release – Dutch)
NPO: Employers of the national and regional public broadcasters, together with the trade unions NVJ and CNV, have reached an agreement for a new collective labor agreement for broadcasters.
NETHERLANDS: NPO: Action plan for support of the culture sector (Press release – Dutch)
NPO: The Dutch Public Broadcaster takes action for the cultural sector and wants to offer artists an alternative stage. NPO wants to open channels and platforms for extra cultural offerings and performances from the world of professional dance, theater and music that could not continue or were limited due to the corona crisis.
NETHERLANDS: Press conferences in eight languages and a collection of highly regarded programs on NPO Start (Press release – Dutch)
NPO: From now on, the public broadcaster will make the corona press conferences accessible to non-native speakers via NPO Start. In this way, the public broadcaster ensures that a large proportion of Dutch speaking foreigners are even better informed about the applicable measures.
POLAND: Polish government wants to curb role of foreign media
Deutsche Welle: Warsaw has long talked of curbing what it sees as the overmighty role of foreign media. But as PiS’s polls fall, the coalition it leads fragments. With its best friend in Washington departing, it may have to think again.
SLOVENIA: Photojournalist attacked and beaten unconscious during the riots (Slovenian)
RTV Slovenija: During the violent protests in Ljubljana, photojournalist Borut Živulović was attacked while performing his work, who was insidiously attacked and beaten by the perpetrators even when he was already unconscious. Due to a severe head injury, he was taken to the University Medical Center Ljubljana.
SLOVENIA: Slovenian Interior Minister blames media for violent protests
EFJ: Several journalists were targeted by protestors during a violent protest organised on 5 November by the cyber activist group Anonymous Slovenia, in Ljubljana.
SPAIN: Appearance of Rosa María Mateo in the Budget Committee (Press release – Spanish)
RTVE: RTVE’s budget for 2021 amounts to 1,127 million euros, 12.7% more than in 2018. The priority objective of this budget is to strengthen public broadcasting “after having suffered severe cuts”. “It is of vital importance to solve the shortcomings of the current financing model”. The administrator has underlined the need to review the contributions of the new operators.
SPAIN: RTVE to receive €472m public aid
Advanced Television: Spain’s public broadcaster, RTVE, will receive a state subsidy of €472 million in 2021, up €100 million from this year with the TV group losing €51 million in 2020.
SWEDEN: SVT strengthens in Blekinge – new editorial office in Karlshamn (Press release – Swedish)
SVT: SVT Nyheter Blekinge opens a new editorial office in Karlshamn and thus gets two editorial offices. The main editorial office is in Karlskrona. The reinforcement in Blekinge is part of SVT’s investment in more local journalism and more newsrooms across the country.
SWITZERLAND: Play Suisse is online (Press release – German)
SRF: Play Suisse, SRG’s new streaming platform, will be launched on Saturday, November 7th, 2020. Films, series and documentaries from all over Switzerland. Everything in the original language and subtitled. And you can seamlessly switch from one device to another while watching. From smartphone to computer to television.
SWITZERLAND: Swiss public broadcaster examines cases of sexual harassment
Swissinfo: The Swiss Broadcasting Corporation (SBC) has launched an independent investigation into sexual harassment at Swiss public radio and television, RTS, following cases reported in the media. Two accused executives have been suspended.
SWITZERLAND: Switzerland getting ready to turn off FM radio
Radio Today: Switzerland has confirmed its plans to switch off analogue radio services starting in 18 months from now. Public broadcaster SRG SSR will go first in summer 2022, followed by private stations by January 2023.
UK: Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden questions future of public service broadcasting
BBC News: Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden says there is genuine debate over whether “we need” public service broadcasters such as the BBC and Channel 4.
UK: Negotiations on the future cost of the TV licence kick off (Press release)
UK Government: The Government has today formally started the process to agree the level of the television licence fee from 2022.
UKRAINE: The impact of the COVID-19 epidemic on journalism and local media in Ukraine (Ukrainian)
NSJU: Why the government should support local media, which are suffering from the economic crisis caused by the pandemic.
REGIONAL: Demonstrating the contribution public service media makes to society amid uncertainty (Blog)
EBU: As the world fights the COVID-19 pandemic, the contribution that public service media (PSM) make to people’s lives has never been more obvious. We have all witnessed how citizens turned to PSM TV channels, radio stations and online content to obtain trustworthy information, to be entertained and to feel connected with each other.
REGIONAL: Investigative Journalists Facing ‘Vexatious’ Lawsuits Aimed at Silencing Them
VOA: Investigative journalists in Europe and elsewhere probing financial crimes are increasingly facing vexing lawsuits, many filed in British courts, aimed at intimidating them into silence, according to a global survey published this week.
ARGENTINA: For a public media system with a gender perspective (Spanish)
Pagina 12: The Minister of Gender Elizabeth Gómez Alcorta signed an agreement with the Secretary of Media and Public Communication, Francisco Meritello , to create the Commission on Gender and Public Media.
BRAZIL: Brazilian journalists threatened, assaulted while covering pandemic lockdown
CPJ: Brazilian authorities must promptly investigate the harassment of journalist Bárbara Barbosa and camera operator Renato Soder and ensure the press can work safely, the Committee to Protect Journalists said…
COLOMBIA: Of journalists and crystal politicians (Spanish)
Las 2 Orillas: According to the FLIP (Foundation for Press Freedom), in Colombia there have been 579 journalists who have been victims of attacks, ranging from judicial harassment to murder, in 2020 alone. In addition, years ago, we have had irreparable losses such as Guillermo Cano, Jaime Garzón, Flor Alba Núñez, among many more.
HAITI: Security: Project for a reporting circuit for journalists in danger or murdered (French)
ICI Haiti: Rockefeller Vincent the Minister of Justice and Public Security informed that his Ministry is working on a project to create a circuit for reporting cases of journalists in danger or murdered, in order to guarantee freedom of the press and freedom of expression in the country. This project will be undertaken in partnership with the Ministry of Communication.
HONDURAS: C-Libre journalists illegally detained and tortured by the National Police (Spanish)
C-Libre: Two journalists and human rights defenders who are part of the team of the Committee for Free Expression (C-Libre), were arbitrarily detained and tortured by members of the National Police on November 2 in the capital city Tegucigalpa of Honduras.
MEXICO: Mexican journalist Jesús Alfonso Piñuelas shot and killed in Sonora
CPJ: The Committee to Protect Journalists called on Mexican authorities today to undertake a swift and credible investigation into the killing of journalist Jesús Alfonso Piñuelas, founder of Zarathustra Press and El Shock de la Noticia, who was shot dead November 2 in Cajeme, in the northern Mexican state of Sonora.
NICARAGUA: Nicaragua’s proposed ‘cyber security’ laws threaten press freedom
IPI: Measures partly a response to critical COVID-19 reporting, journalists say.
PERU: Police Raid TV and Radio Outlets in Ica
Havana Times: On October 27, police officers in the southern Peruvian city of Ica raided the Cadena Sur TV station as well as Radio Sistema and Radio La Mega, all three of which are privately owned, following a complaint by Mónica Guillén, the wife of Ica state governor Javier Gallegos, according to a statement by the Lima-based Institute for Press and Society (IPYS).
URUGUAY: Public radio stations dismiss 49 workers (Spanish)
El Observador: Last Wednesday, 49 employees of public radio stations (Radio Uruguay, Babel, Radio Clásica and Emisora del Sur), whose contracts expire on December 31, received news from Public Media authorities that their contracts will not be renewed.
ISRAEL & PALESTINE: Statement: 26 Palestinian journalists in Israel jails
MEMO: The Journalist Support Committee (JSC) yesterday warned of the increasing Israeli violations against Palestinian journalists, noting that there are currently 26 Palestinian journalists inside Israeli jails.
TURKEY: RSF Turkey representative and two co-defendants face up to 14 years in jail after acquittal quashed
IFEX: Reporters Without Borders (RSF) is appalled by an Istanbul appeal court’s decision to overturn RSF Turkey representative Erol Önderoğlu’s acquittal last year on a “terrorist propaganda” charge and to order a retrial. This case must be dropped, RSF said.
TURKEY: Turkey releases journalist on trial for revealing state secrets
MEMO: A Turkish court released a prominent opposition journalist from detention on Monday as her trial continues on accusations that she revealed state secrets in two articles about Ankara’s military involvement in Libya.
YEMEN: 30 lawyers, rights activists form coalition to defend journalists in Yemen
MEMO: More than 30 Yemeni lawyers and human rights activists have formed a new coalition aimed at defending journalists persecuted for carrying out their work across Yemen.
CANADA: New broadcast law to deal with Netflix, Spotify, other streaming services
RCI: The broadcast media in Canada have long complained that online multi-national streaming services have been unfairly operating in Canada and harming them. Domestic media says they have to comply with regulations and costs that are not applied to the streaming services available in Canada.
CANADA: Radio-Canada Ohdio Highlights Its First Birthday With A Lot Of News (French – Press Release)
Radio-Canada: Since its launch last year, Radio-Canada OHdio has become THE French-speaking listening destination in Canada. With its generous offer of relevant and entertaining audio content, the application has been able to meet the expectations and new habits of listeners who have quickly and greatly adopted it.
CANADA: Why Canada’s media industry is in more danger than you think — and what we can do to save it (Opinion)
Orangeville: At least 250 Canadian newspapers have shut down since 2013, turning swathes of Canada into “news deserts,” where there are few or no journalists covering those communities at all.
CANADA & BOTSWANA: Global Conference for Media Freedom 2020 (November 16) (Event – Watch)
IPI: Canada and Botswana will co-host the second Global Conference for Media Freedom on November 16, 2020.
US: A Confrontation in Public Media (Analysis)
CJR: IN 2017, as #MeToo swept across the journalism industry, leaders in public media–including those at WNYC (where I work), WBUR, Minnesota Public Radio, and NPR headquarters—were exposed. Recently, however, yet more accusations—this time mostly grounded in racism and discrimination—have surfaced across public radio.
US: Bad polls, fake news, and that damned needle: Here’s how the media covered a twisty Election Night
Nieman Lab: “Polling seems to be irrevocably broken, or at least our understanding of how seriously to take it is.”
US: How documentaries can help communities navigate difficult conversations (Paywall)
Current: A new study from the Center for Media & Social Impact finds that by hosting screenings of documentary films, public TV stations can guide participants to “breakthrough moments.”
US: Los Angeles police arrest, charge 2 reporters documenting social justice protest
CPJ: The Los Angeles Police Department should drop all charges against reporters Vishal Singh and Sean Beckner-Carmitchel, and refrain from arresting members of the press, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.
US: Michigan stations prepare launch of statewide learning channel (Paywall)
Current: The state government has invested $3.5 million in a digital multicast and streaming service that provides K–12 instruction.
US: Public Media Features Indigenous Storytelling Traditions During Native American Heritage Month
CPB: Native American stories and folk tales are getting a multimedia update for a new generation through “The Storyteller,” a 10-part radio and digital series from the CPB-supported Koahnic Broadcast Corp and Rising Indigenous Voices Radio (The RIVR), its youth-focused streaming service.
US: The election is over. How did the media do?
Poynter: As Election Day turned into Election Week and closed the curtains on Trump’s anti-media presidency, the media shined.
US: The media never fully learned how to cover Trump. But they still might have saved democracy (Comment – Paywall)
The Washington Post: As the cowbells clanged, car horns blasted and anti-Trumpers partied Saturday on my New York City street corner not long after TV networks called the presidential race for Joe Biden, I did what comes most naturally.
US: US: RSF calls on President-elect Biden to take an immediate stand for press freedom
RSF: With Joseph Biden now projected to win the US presidential race, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) calls on the President-elect to act immediately to begin to reverse the extensive damage done to the US’ press freedom record during Donald Trump’s presidency.
US: With many children still learning from home, kid-focused news products aim to fill some gaps
Nieman Lab: Parents “are very much looking for sources that are reliable and sources that will answer questions in the same way that they would answer them.”
Attacks against female journalists around world surge
The Independent: ‘We have a great concern for the safety of women journalists; not only for their well-being but also for their freedom of expression,’ say campaigners
Connecting With Younger Audiences: What We’ve Learnt Through The Pandemic (Blog)
EBU: Connecting with younger audiences has been a perennial problem for public service media. The new generation has grown up in the digital era and some have never even consumed linear TV. Television’s weekly reach for young people is 20% lower than that of the general population in Europe and has declined by more than 11% in the last 5 years.
How consumption habits are disrupting traditional broadcast models
TVB Europe: Olivier Bovis, head of sales for Media Solutions, Sony PSE, explores the rise of SVoD, the challenges of evolving broadcast schedules, digital business models and a great deal more.
Registrations open for virtual Coronavirus Radio Ideas Awards Show
Asia Radio Today: Radiodays Europe and Benztown are inviting registrations for The Coronavirus Radio Ideas Awards Show, which will be held virtually on Thursday, November 12, at 9 am EST/3 pm CET.
Reinventing local journalism for communities (Watch)
IPI: From news deserts in the US to corruption in South Africa and under-represented communities in India, these newsrooms and initiatives are breaking barriers to reach local audiences.
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