Our weekly round-up of public service media news stories from around the world
6 June – 12 June
Africa
From My Broadband: Group claininmg to be part of hacktivist network claim responsibility for cyber attacks against South Africa’s PSB in light of alleged censorship.
Tough times for media as High Court upholds punitive fines
From the Standard Digital: Controversial information laws that place limitations on journalists and media houses enshrined as constitutional by Kenyan court.
Namibia: Media Mourns Rights’ Campaigner
From The Namibian (via All Africa): Renowned media freedom advocator and former representative of the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung has died at the age of 71.
Tanzania: TCRA Mulls Pay TV ‘Free-to-Air Channels’ Suspension
From Tanzania Daily News (via All Africa): The Tanzania Communication Regulatory Authority (TCRA) is considering whether to suspend free-to-air channels on pay TV services later this month to cut operational costs.
Asia
From India Today: A reflection on the history of prominent Indian radio station.
BBC reporter to appeal Myanmar jail sentence
From CNN: BBC journalist jailed for three months for allegedly assaulting police officer, to appeal sentence.
‘India’s media sector likely to exceed $40,000m by 2020’
From The Times of India: Increase in demographics and literacy rates is pushing India’s entertainment and media sector to grow steadily over the next four years and exceed $40,000 million, according to report
Indonesia reporter in hiding after harassment campaign
From the International Press Institute: IPI urges authorities to guarantee journalists’ safety amid tensions over 1965 massacre
Zee News goes free to air from 8 June
From IndianTelevision.com: Paid-for Indian channel known for “factual, credible and relevant content” goes free-to-air.
Australia, New Zealand & the Pacific
Media deals to boost China’s voice
From Radio New Zealand: Why have supplements endorsed by the Chinese government been appearing in New Zealand and Australian newspapers? And is there cause for concern?
PNG media council condemns police assault on journalist during protest
From Asia Pacific Report: The Media Council of Papua New Guinea has condemned a police assault on a woman journalist during confrontation between University of Papua New Guinea students and the police force in which eight people were wounded in gunfire.
Report outlines lack of diversity in the Australian media and entertainment industries
From ABC PM: Text from debate aired on ABC’s PM radio show regarding a report claiming there to be a lack of diversity in Australian media industries.
Europe
The 12th annual AIBs, celebrating the world’s best factual content, are open for entry
From the Association of International Broadcasting: The Association for International Broadcasting has announced that submissions for its 12th annual international awards for factual content are now open.
Analysis: Broadcasting charge finally shelved after five years
From The Irish Times: After five years, two governments and three ministers for communications, the public service broadcasting charge has finally been laid to rest.
Riot police block journalists from reporting on refugee camp in Idomeni
From Mapping Media Freedom: Greek police ban access for all journalists bar those reporting for public broadcaster ERT and Athens News Agency.
Italian Senate considers bill to increase prison time for defamation
From the International Press Institute: IPI slams measure veering further from international standards on free expression
Poland postpones overhaul of public media
From the EU Observer: Poland’s deputy minister of culture Krzysztof Czabanski has postponed a so called “large media law” to control public broadcasters that was to enter into force on 1 July.
President signed Law unblocking Public broadcasting reform in Ukraine
From President of Ukraine (Official website): Does this lay the foundations for an independent public service broadcaster in Ukraine?
Latin America & the Caribbean
Fired CEO returns to his role at Brazilian broadcasting company
From PMA: Public service broadcasting in Brazil regains its autonomy as the CEO of the communications company EBC can now return to his position after being fired by interim president
Media Workers March for Better Working Conditions
From The Argentina Independent: Media workers marched from the Obelisco to the Labour Ministry yesterday in protest of working conditions, insufficient wages, and job insecurity in the sector.
Mexico allows broadcasts in indigenous languages following reform of the Telecommunications law
From Journalism in the Americas/Knight Center University of Texas: Starting June 2, broadcasters in Mexico may legally transmit information in any of the native languages of the country that are recognized as national languages, including indigenous languages.
Peru’s election: Media, money and manipulation
From Al Jazeera: Listening Post report exploring how Peru’s media cover elections
Middle East
Middle East Eye wins major media award for best freelancer
From Middle East Eye: Middle East Eye’s Peter Oborne won an award for his reporting on the siege of Damascus
Yavuz Baydar: “Judicial coup” sends clear warning to Turkey’s remaining independent journalists
From Index on Censorship: In what was described as a “judicial coup” in critical media, Aydin was one of 3,746 judges and prosecutors, who were reassigned in recent days, an unprecedented move that has shaken the basis of the justice system.
North America
As collaborations expand, newsroom leadership jobs prove difficult to fill
From Current: Public media organizations are struggling to recruit news directors and editors to help manage the growing number of collaborations among stations and networks.
Battered Canadian media calls for help
From The Guardian Charlottetown: Calls for public funding to help “battered” media industry in Canada.
If you have any suggestions for our weekly round-ups, email PMA at editor@publicmediaalliance.org.
These stories are provided for interest and relevance to public service media issues, they do not necessarily reflect the views of the Public Media Alliance.
All headlines are sourced from their original story.
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