AFGHANISTAN: Taliban suspends 14 media outlets

IFJ: As the third anniversary of the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan approaches on August 15, the country’s media continues to face severe challenges with the Afghan Telecom Regulatory Authority (ATRA) suspending the licenses of at least 14 media outlets in the Nangarhar province allegedly due to non-payment of license fees.

BANGLADESH: Bangladeshi journalists hopeful of press freedom as Hasina era ends

The Guardian: Bangladeshi journalists are hoping the resignation of the prime minister Sheikh Hasina will bring an era of censorship and fear to an end, as they prepare to hold a new interim government to account.

BANGLADESH & INDIA: Indian TV news blame US, China, Pakistan for Bangladesh, call it ‘Islamist takeover’

The Print: What is India’s position on Bangladesh, especially after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned and sought refuge in India, following weeks of violent protests?

HONG KONG: Hong Kong press union chief vows to strive for journalists’ rights after WSJ dismissal

HKFP: “If the union chair does not defend her rights as an employee, how can she help members?” Selina Cheng wrote, after her dismissal from the Wall Street Journal.

INDIA: Amid Criticism, Centre To Prepare Fresh Draft Of Broadcasting Bill

NDTV: The government today said it will hold further consultations and publish a fresh draft of the Broadcasting Services Regulation Bill after certain provisions of the previous draft raised concerns among online content creators as it sought to club them with OTT or digital news broadcasters, bringing them under the ambit of the ministry’s Content and Advertisement Code.

INDIA: ‘Take Immediate Steps to Save Journalism’: Press Bodies Write to MPs, Issue 13-Point Charter

The Wire: The open letter, containing a 13-point charter, outlines several critical issues concerning press freedom and the working conditions of journalists in India.

INDIA: What prompted Centre to reconsider draft of Broadcasting Services Regulation Bill? EXPLAINED 

India TV News: The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) has announced to bring a fresh draft of the Broadcasting Services (Regulation) Bill. The bill, which was brought into the public domain in November last year, has already been revised by the government once.

JAPAN: UN SDG Media Compact Campaign “1.5ÿ Promise – Let’s act now to stop the temperature rise” NHK to produce special environmental program in collaboration with six commercial broadcasters Joining the UN’s SNS movement (Press release – Japanese) 

NHK: The climate crisis is becoming more serious as the earth boils over. As the heatwaves continue this year, NHK and the major commercial broadcasting stations (Nippon Television, TV Asahi, TBS Television, TV Tokyo, and Fuji Television) are working together to launch a joint campaign to stop the climate crisis. 

MALAYSIA: Three Malaysiakini journalists summoned by police

IFJ: Three Malaysiakini journalists were summoned by police after publishing an article covering claims of a significant leadership reshuffle within the Royal Malaysia Police. 

PHILIPPINES: Philippines court voids order to shut down independent news site Rappler

The Guardian: A court in the Philippines has voided a shutdown order that was issued against Rappler, an independent news outlet known for its scrutiny of the former president Rodrigo Duterte.

SOUTH KOREA: Yoon rejects set of broadcasting bills in 19th veto of term 

Hani: The presidential office said that Yoon had no choice but to veto the bills “railroaded” through by the opposition

SRI LANKA & JAPAN: Japan to assist in Sri Lanka’s TV broadcasting system

Sunday Observer: The project to digitise Sri Lanka’s television broadcasting system, which started in 2019, was halted due to the suspension of foreign loans due to the economic crisis faced by the country.

THAILAND: Thai PBS – Partners organize activities for World Indigenous Peoples Day, open Policy Forum space to follow the path of hope towards having the first “ethnic law” in Thailand (Press release – Thai)

Thai PBS: The Active Thai PBS joins hands with network partners to celebrate World Indigenous Peoples Day, inviting people to taste food, shop for good products sent directly from the community, and open a space to exchange views through the Policy Forum “Path, Hope, Thailand’s First Ethnic Law”

AUSTRALIA: ABC and AIDC announce the recipient of the 2024 Indigenous Documentary Placement (Press release)

ABC: Award-winning cinematographer Anna-Marie Harding has been named the 2024 recipient of the Indigenous Documentary Placement. The initiative is co-presented by the ABC and the Australian International Documentary Conference (AIDC) to fast-track the careers of Indigenous creatives in the screen industry.

AUSTRALIA: Foxtel on the block as News Corp confronts reality

AFR: Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp has put Australian media company Foxtel up for sale as the global publishing and broadcast giant confronts the reality that streaming is rapidly bringing the era of pay TV dominance to an end.

AUSTRALIA: Free-to-air TV in ‘diabolical trouble’ and needs gambling ads to stay afloat, Bill Shorten says

The Guardian: Free-to-air TV broadcasters are in “diabolical trouble” and many need gambling ad revenue to stay afloat, Bill Shorten has said while arguing against a total prohibition of gambling advertising on television.

AUSTRALIA: Funds for Palestinian groups in Australia affected by Gaza war given to media outlets instead

The Guardian: Palestinian advocates say it is “incredibly frustrating” to find out that an Australian government department suggested diverting some promised funding for communities affected by the Israel-Gaza war to media organisations for factchecking.

AUSTRALIA: New chair Kim Williams says ABC should be ‘last broadcaster standing’ and News Corp’s criticism is ‘unbalanced’

The Guardian: Kim Williams, the current chair of the ABC, wants the organisation to be “the last broadcaster standing” and one of his first acts has been to reverse the board’s decision to start reducing the corporation’s radio networks.

NEW ZEALAND: Waatea News cuts ties with NZ Herald after Hobson’s Pledge ad

RNZ: Waatea News, the national Māori news service provider has announced it will cut ties with the New Zealand Herald following its front page publication of a Hobson’s Pledge advertisement opposing iwi applications for customary marine titles.

SAMOA: Savai’i’s first community radio station launched

Samoa Observer: Over the weekend, the constituency of Gagaemauga No.1 in Savai’i achieved a historic milestone by launching its own radio station, marking the first time an electoral constituency in Samoa has undertaken such an initiative. 

VANUATU: Daily Post journalists boost global reporting skills with AAP training

Asia Pacific Report: The Australian Associated Press (AAP) news agency has provided a vital training opportunity for journalists at the Vanuatu Daily Post.

REGIONAL: Islands Business: ‘Big picture’ style journalism is the future for media

Asia Pacific Report: In the expansive landscape of Pacific journalism, one magazine stands for unwavering command and unfiltered truth. Islands Business, with its roots deep beneath Fijian soil, is unafraid to be a voice for the Pacific in delivering forward-thinking analysis of current issues.

REGIONAL: Pacific Freedom Forum launches inaugural survey of media freedoms in the Pacific

IFEX: The experiences and challenges facing Pacific journalists attempting to uphold freedom of expression and information across the region, will be captured for the first time in an inaugural survey of Pacific media freedoms, For us By us. About us.

AUSTRIA: Stolen registration data: ORF takes action against Supreme Court (German) 

Der Standard: ORF “cannot understand” the Federal Administrative Court’s finding that the communication at the time had not been sufficiently appreciated

BELARUS: IFJ and EFJ demand the release of jailed journalists on the 4th anniversary of the fraudulent elections

EFJ: Today, 9 August 2024, marks four years since the fraudulent presidential election took place in Belarus, which intensified the crackdown on journalists, independent media and trade unions to crush free speech and political opposition by Aleksandr Lukashenko’s regime.

CZECH REPUBLIC: CZECH RADIO SUSPENDS TIES AS SLOVAK MEDIA AND CULTURAL SECTORS DESCEND INTO CHAOS

Balkan Insight: The Slovak nationalist-populist government’s continuing takeover of the arts, culture and public media is having regional consequences as well as causing protests at home.

FINLAND: Justice Minister Meri denies that she changed the officials’ proposal for the support of the Public Word Council (Finnish) 

YLE: The Public Word Council is a body founded by media publishers and editors, whose mission is to defend freedom of speech and publication and to interpret good journalistic practice.

FINLAND: Ranne: Amendments to the Yle Act will begin in the fall, with the aim of increasing transparency (Finnish) 

YLE: According to Minister of Transport and Communications Lulu Rantee (ps.), background preparations have already been made for the change in the law.

FRANCE: Arcom leaders targeted by death threats (French) 

Libération: According to RMC, the heads of the audiovisual media regulator and their families were the target of insults and threats in an anonymous letter received at the end of July. An investigation has been opened.

FRANCE: France Médias Monde rewards innovation in the media (Opportunity – French) 

La lettre.pro: This call is aimed at all media initiatives (radio, television, written press and new media) from the 88 member states and governments of La Francophonie that have developed innovative offerings that take into account new ways of consuming information and deal with issues and concerns that are dear to the hearts of French-speaking populations.

GEORGIA: MFRR partners demand release of Azerbaijani journalist, urge Georgian authorities not to extradite him to Azerbaijan 

IPI: IPI joins the partner organizations of the MFRR in calling on the authorities in Georgia not to extradite journalist Afgan Sadygov to Azerbaijan and to release him from extradition detention. Additionally, authorities should allow Sadygov to freely leave Georgia for a third country.

GERMANY: Deutsche Welle to use EBU PEACH recommendations in digital products (Press release) 

EBU: German broadcaster Deutsche Welle (DW) has chosen EBU PEACH as a recommendation engine for its digital products. Deutsche Welle will leverage PEACH’s community-driven approach and cost-effective technology to help manage the delivery of high-quality news content in 32 languages and across a range of digital channels. 

POLAND: Polish journalist facing espionage charges for allegedly helping Russian spy involved in prisoner swap

Notes from Poland: A Polish journalist is facing charges of being an accessory to the espionage undertaken by a Russian-Spanish spy in Poland who was recently part of the mass prisoner exchange between Moscow and the West.

SWITZERLAND: French investigative journalist silenced by justice

EFJ: On 31 July 2024, French journalist Thomas Dietrich was ordered by the Swiss justice to withdraw his publications exposing alleged corruption in Guinea and was banned from speaking on the subject.

UK: BBC Board statement on Huw Edwards (Press release) 

BBC

UK: Boris the media tycoon? Former PM tapped up for top UK newspaper job

Politico: Boris Johnson has got plenty of time on his hands since being forced from Downing Street. Why not edit a newspaper?

UK: Violence against journalists reporting riots must not be tolerated

IFJ: Violence against reporters and press photographers covering protests taking place in towns across the UK is worsening, warned the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) in the UK and Ireland. 

REGIONAL: TV and streaming audiences set new Olympic records 

TVB Europe: Figures released by both Warner Brothers Discovery (WBD) and the BBC show record audiences for Paris 2024.

GAZA: ‘Israel should allow the media to enter Gaza’, the appeal of the Fnsi and the Italian newspapers was sent to Ambassador Alon Bar (Italian) 

FNSI: In the letter, delivered on Friday 9 August 2024, Secretary General Alessandra Costante recalls, among other things, that the same request had already been addressed to Prime Minister Netanyahu by over 70 media outlets and international organizations.

IRAN: IFJ backs Association of Iranian Journalists’ calls for its office in Tehran to reopen

IFJ: The Association of Iranian Journalists (AoIJ) has called upon the recently elected president, and newly formed government, to reopen its office in the capital Tehran, 15 years after it was closed on the orders of Tehran’s prosecutor. 

ISRAEL: Jerusalem calling: The birth of Mandate-era broadcasting in British Palestine (History) 

Jerusalem Post: ‘This is Jerusalem calling!” With these words, the Palestinian Broadcasting Service (PBS) began its journey on March 30, 1936, from Ramallah. 

ISRAEL: Unevidenced allegations that journalists are terrorists threaten their lives

IFJ: Israel’s strategy of delegitimising the work of critical media and suggesting that Gaza’s journalists might be accomplices of terrorism is extremely damaging and puts their lives at risk. 

ISRAEL & GAZA: CPJ concerned about safety of Al Jazeera Gaza reporter Anas Al Sharif after IDF comments

CPJ: The Committee to Protect Journalists is deeply concerned about the safety of Al Jazeera Arabic northern Gaza correspondent Anas Al Sharif after an Israel Defense Forces’ spokesperson accused him of “presenting a lie” in his coverage of Israel’s August 10 airstrike that killed dozens of Gazans in a school building housing Palestinians displaced by the war. 

TURKEY: Turkish court arrests woman for ‘insulting President’ in street interview 

Duvar: A Turkish court has arrested a woman in the western İzmir province over her comments during a street interview criticizing the government’s Instagram ban. The move followed the media watchdog RTÜK president’s disapproval of the format for “spreading disinformation.”

TURKEY: Turkish Courts’ Online Censorship Amounts to Govt Cover-Up: Monitors

Balkan Insight: The use of court orders to block online content in Turkey skyrocketed last year, according to a newly-published report accusing authorities under President Erdogan of trying to cover up their wrongdoing.

CANADA: 7 in 10 Canadians tune in for Paris 2024 (Press release) 

CBC/Radio-Canada: Record-breaking digital audiences consumed a total of 24.3 million video hours of Paris 2024 content on CBC/Radio-Canada digital and streaming platforms, up 170 percent over Tokyo 2020 and 121 percent over Beijing 2022

CANADA: CBC paid out $18.4 million in bonuses in 2024 after it eliminated hundreds of jobs 

CBC: The Canadian Broadcasting Corp. paid out $18.4 million in bonuses this year after hundreds of jobs at the public broadcaster were eliminated.

CANADA: CBC research finds that kids like all kinds of captions

Kidscreen: According to a new study from the pubcaster and CanChild, young viewers prefer karaoke-style captions, but traditional ones are just as effective at building comprehension.

CANADA: Conservative MP removes ‘incorrect’ video after saying case could be made to keep CBC radio

The National Post: A Conservative MP has deleted a video where she said a case could be made to keep not only Radio-Canada but radio programming at the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.

CANADA: Facebook remains important source for weather updates in disasters despite news ban

National Observer: Residents of small communities across Canada are finding creative ways of getting around Facebook’s news blackout to share updates about dangerous weather events, but they say it’s still tough to get information to people quickly on the platform.

US: 35 Rising Stars making their mark in public media

Current: Rising Stars, Current’s initiative recognizing public media’s up-and-coming talents, grew this year. We received 171 nominations of early- to mid-career professionals. With the help of a panel of judges, we selected 35 for the spotlight.

US: Atop ABC, a Personal Connection to Kamala Harris 

The New York Times: The candidate is a longtime friend of Dana Walden, a senior Disney executive whose portfolio includes ABC News, the host of the next debate. ABC says she does not weigh in on editorial decisions.

US: How DEI councils can help public media manage change and retain staff (Paywall( 

Current: Effective DEI councils can help organizations reduce turnover and achieve other key performance indicators.

US: Journalists should be mindful of evangelical Latinos’ impact on this year’s election

Poynter: Analysts cite a variety of reasons why some Latino voters are switching to support a Republican candidate for president

US: Newsrooms are losing veterans. They need them now more than ever.

CJR

US: Public Media Leader GBH and PBS LearningMedia Launch New Civics Collection (Press release) 

CPB: Free educational resources designed to encourage civic understanding among students. 

US: Repetition makes climate misinformation feel more true — even for those who back climate science

NiemanLab: Climate misinformation may be more effective than we’d like to think because of a phenomenon called the illusory truth effect. In short, we are more likely to believe a lie if we encounter it repeatedly. 

US: The nonprofits and PACs that spent $14 million on the Metric Media network in 2021–22

CJR: A new Tow Center analysis of campaign finance records and nonprofit filings reveals that four political action committees and four nonprofit organizations paid a network of partisan pay-for-play news sites controlled by Metric Media over $14 million in 2021–2022.

US: Turnaround Time 

CJR: Mark Thompson, CNN’s chief executive, is tasked with transforming a struggling network. All he asks is patience.

US & CANADA: Meta’s news ban in Canada has led to a media disaster. What does that mean for US efforts to wrangle big tech platforms? 

GZero Media: It’s been a year since Meta yanked Canadian news from its platforms – Facebook, Instagram, and Threads – in response to a government bill that would see tech giants pay news outlets for linking to their online content.

Are We Living in the Age of Info-Determinism?

The New Yorker: Increasingly, our networks seem to be steering our history in ways we don’t like and can’t control.

Experts’ words: How to get cultural journalism out of the crisis? (French) 

IJNet: It is a reality that the digital transformation of media companies has shaken up the order of things, to the point of eliminating the arts and culture section in some media. 

Instagram Views for Major Accounts Drop With Meta Shunning Politics

Bloomberg: A new study found that several prominent, progressive Instagram accounts saw their reach decline by 65% on average in the months following Meta Platforms Inc.’s move to subdue political content on the app.

LinkedIn newsletters: are they what they are cracked up to be?

journalism.co.uk: News publishers, writers and tech companies are tapping into the platform’s large, professional user base but get frustrated by the lack of features and analytics. We asked LinkedIn what they are going to do about it

Publishers Are Redoubling Their Presence on Reddit As the Platform Rises in Search Visibility

AdWeek: Several publishers notched a record number of Reddit referrals in July.

​​Remote reporting is standard practice in breaking news. It shouldn’t be. 

CJR: the practice raises an obvious question: Can a news story reported from hundreds, and sometimes thousands, of miles away be complete and fully accurate? 

The Google antitrust decision could dramatically change the internet. Or not.

CJR:  Depending on what remedies the court imposes, Google could be forced to alter its business model or even break itself apart. The landscape of the internet, in other words, could change dramatically. 

“You can’t look at GenAI too fearfully. You have to find as many opportunities as you can.” (Interview – Press release) 

EBU: We talk to Manuela Kasper-Claridge, Editor-in-Chief, Deutsche Welle, in our series of interviews with leading industry experts who have contributed to the EBU News Report – Trusted Journalism in the Age of Generative AI 

Young children and technology: what does “good” look like for young children’s digital lives?

LSE: Aided by easy-to-use touchscreen technology, children are engaging with digital media from a very young age. A new book, co-authored by Sonia Livingstone, explores the opportunities and the risks of young children’s digital media use.