AFGHANISTAN: ‘I could not leave my colleagues behind’

IFJ: Hundreds of Afghan journalists fled the Taliban takeover last year, but many more chose to stay in spite of the regime’s hostility. Faced with the loss of press freedom advocates, Hujatullah Mujadidi, of IFJ affiliate the Afghan Independent Journalists Association (AIJA), opted to stay in Kabul, writes Masood Farivar for Voice of America.

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ARMENIA: Armenia’s Prosecutor General wants to monitor internet content 

Global Voices: Critics of the proposal say it will curb media freedom.

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CHINA: Five years after the death of press freedom defender Liu Xiaobo, RSF calls on democracies to step up pressure on the regime

RSF: On the fifth anniversary of the passing of Nobel Peace Prize laureate and press freedom defender Liu Xiaobo, who died of an untreated cancer while in detention, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) calls on the international community to finally step up pressure on the regime for it to put an end to its policy of censorship and media surveillance.

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HONG KONG: Hong Kong tells UN democracy took ‘quantum leap forward’ amid grilling over press freedom, disbanded NGOs

HKFP: Hong Kong has been grilled on press freedom, free expression, and the use of Covid rules to ban protests, whist officials dodged questions over whether hearing participants would face consequences.

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INDIA: CPJ calls on EU to hold India to account for media clampdown 

CPJ: The Committee to Protect Journalists on Wednesday called on the European External Action Service to hold Indian authorities accountable for widespread and severe press freedom violations when they meet for the annual India-EU Human Rights Dialogue on Friday, July 15. 

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INDIA: Freedom House Welcomes Twitter’s Legal Challenge to Indian Censorship

Freedom House: The outcome of Twitter’s lawsuit against the Indian government will have global repercussions.

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INDIA: ‘Permanent State of Emergency’: Press Bodies Condemn Curbs on Media

The Wire: The National Alliance of Journalists and the Delhi Union of Journalists took exception to a proposed Bill for the registration of digital news media and the arrests of Mohammed Zubair and Teesta Setalvad.

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INDONESIA: Internet Freedom in Indonesia is Teetering on a Razor’s Edge

The Diplomat: The looming implementation of online platform regulations will exacerbate existing free speech challenges and lead to more severe restrictions on internet freedom.

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INDONESIA: Journalists face harassment and intimidation while reporting

IFJ: Three journalists in Maluku and Jakarta were intimidated, harassed, and prevented from reporting in two separate incidents on July 9 and 14, amid a rising number of violations against media workers in Indonesia. 

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KASHMIR: Unabated attacks against journalists exacerbate media repression 

IPI: From arbitrary arrests and detentions to communications blackouts, journalists in Indian-administered Kashmir operate in one of the world’s most difficult and restrictive environments. 

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MALAYSIA: Malaysia’s Ismail is all talk on press freedom

Asia Times: Malaysian leader isn’t living up to his pledge to protect the press and uphold free expression.

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MYANMAR: The Myanmar Junta’s Wanton Violence Is Forcing Journalists to Flee

Nieman Reports: Exiled reporters are finding it difficult to reach sources back home, who are increasingly afraid to talk.

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PAKISTAN: Behind Pakistan’s civilian government, army tightens its grip on journalists

RSF: After registering nine cases of intimidation of Pakistani journalists by army-related agencies since Shehbaz Sharif took over as prime minister in late April, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) cautions the army high command against further harassment of the media, which would seriously undermine Pakistani democracy.

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PAKISTAN: Imran Khan’s statement on Pak media freedom flies in face of reality: Pak journalist union

ANI News: Imran Khan’s statement on Pak media freedom flies in face of reality: Pak journalist union.

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PAKISTAN: Imran’s tenure termed black era for freedom of press: Marriyum

Radio Pakistan: Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb has berated former Prime Minister Imran Khan for censoring media during his tenure. 

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PHILIPPINES: UN expert slams court decision upholding criminal conviction of Maria Ressa and shutdown of media outlets

OHCHR: The UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of opinion and expression Irene Khan today condemned the Philippines Court of Appeal decision to uphold the 2020 ‘cyber libel’ conviction of Nobel Peace Prize winning journalist Maria Ressa.

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PHILIPPINES: Will the Marcos Government Uphold Media Freedom?

The Diplomat: Judging from the recent election campaign and the new president’s first two weeks in office, the signs are not good.

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SOUTH KOREA: KBS to Provide Staff Mental Health Service (Press release – 11 July)

KBS: KBS launched a new Counseling and Psychological Service for its employees. Commenced from 1 July, 2022, the staff counseling program aims to; identify and manage a range of work-related psychological issues, provide stepped-up mental health care with specialist occupational support, and ultimately boost mental health, wellbeing for those working for KBS.

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SRI LANKA: Protesters enter Rupavahini, ITN and SLBC studios

Daily News: Protesters had entered the Rupavahini national television premises and transmission was suspended for about an hour after several protesters appeared on a live broadcast yesterday morning.

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SRI LANKA: Successful resolution of Sri Lankan crisis requires unrestricted coverage of protests 

RSF: After the unacceptable deliberate police violence against eight News First TV channel employees during last weekend’s extraordinary protests in the capital, Colombo, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) calls on the Sri Lankan authorities to allow journalists to work with complete independence because their reporting is needed to ensure that the island’s democracy functions properly at this sensitive time.

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TAJIKISTAN: Tajikistan authorities arrest 2 journalists who criticized other journalists’ detentions

CPJ: Tajik authorities should immediately provide information on the whereabouts of journalist Zavqibek Saidamini and blogger Abdusattor Pirmuhammadzoda and ensure they are released from custody at once, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Thursday.

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THAILAND: Thai PBS accepts the challenge of the Bangkok governor. Go ahead! Plant trees, increase green space and reduce carbon (Press release – Thai)

Thai PBS: Today (12 July 65) Thai PBS accepts the challenge of Mr. Chatchat Sittiphan, Governor of Bangkok. Join the activity “Kick off, the governor challenges the media to plant a million trees” led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Wilasinee Pipitkul, Director of the Public Broadcasting Organization of Thailand.

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VIETNAM: Imprisoned Vietnamese Journalist Garlanded by Press Freedom Group

The Diplomat: Pham Doan Trang is currently serving a nine-year prison sentence for conducting “propaganda against the State.”

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REGIONAL: ‘I Crossed Some Red Lines’: What It’s Like To Work As A Journalist In Central Asia (Listen)

RFE/RL: For decades, Central Asian governments have kept a tight grip over information. State media dominate and serve as government mouthpieces rather than the public. 

AUSTRALIA: A rogue chicken helped force one of the biggest technological changes in the history of the ABC

ABC Backstory: One of the ABC’s darkest days kicked off a digital revolution within the national broadcaster that is almost complete.

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AUSTRALIA: ABC RN announces Australia’s best and brightest young minds (Press release)

ABC: The ABC has once again selected the pick of Australia’s sparkling early-career research talent for its TOP 5 Science and TOP 5 Humanities media residencies. 

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AUSTRALIA: Critics say it’s Australia’s most extraordinary media ban. So, is the blacklisted NT Independent legitimate? 

ABC News: For more than two years, the Northern Territory government has blacklisted an online news site, banning it from press conferences and government communications.

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AUSTRALIA: Radio as a news source continues to decline: Reuters Institute 

RadioInfo Australia: Radio, as a source of news for Australia, continues to decline according to the Reuters Institute 2022 Digital News Report, and it is a trend that is happening worldwide.

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AUSTRALIA: SBS VICELAND and NITV present Curious Australia – seven new unique documentaries from across Australia (Press release)

SBS: Airing every Thursday evening, Curious Australia supports screen practitioners from under-represented backgrounds in the sector to amplify their authentic, enlightening and powerful stories on Australian screens.

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NEW ZEALAND: Please stop interviewing Voices for Freedom leaders (Opinion)

The Spinoff: A group of supposed concerned nurses has received a lot of media coverage lately. But it’s just Voices for Freedom with a hat on, argues Mad Chapman.

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NEW ZEALAND: The RNZ-TVNZ merger could spell bad news for Pasifika-run public broadcasting (Opinion)

The Spinoff: Will two media organisations dedicated to promoting Pacific languages be one too many?

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PAPUA NEW GUINEA: PNG GOVERNMENT COMMITS TO REFORMS AT UN REVIEW BUT PRESS FREEDOM CONCERNS REMAIN

CIVICUS Monitor: Papua New Guinea’s civic space remains as ‘obstructed’ by the CIVICUS Monitor. Among concerns documented in the country are the harassment and threats against human rights defenders, particularly those working on land and environmental rights, as well as intimidation and threats against journalists. 

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REGIONAL: How China’s creeping influence undermines Pacific media freedom (Analysis)

Asia Pacific Report: The restrictions on Pacific news media during Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s recent Pacific trip are only the most recent example of a media sector under siege, writes Shailendra Singh.

AUSTRIA: Streaming without GIS unconstitutional: VfGH repeals parts of the ORF law (German)

Der Standard: The Constitutional Court has given until the end of 2023 for a new regulation. The ORF sees the decision of the supreme judge as a “financing guarantee”. 

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BELARUS: Journalist Katsiaryna Andreeva sentenced to 8 years for alleged treason

EFJ: Belarusian journalist Katsiaryna Andreeva, a correspondent with the Poland-based independent broadcaster Belsat TV, has been sentenced on July 13 to eight years in prison for alleged treason charges.

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BELGIUM: Safety of journalists in Belgium a ‘source of concern’ for European Commission

The Brussels Times: The safety of journalists is increasingly an issue in Belgium, according to a new rule of law report from the European Commission.

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CZECH REPUBLIC: The Czech Exception: A Public Broadcaster Dodges the Illiberal Bullet 

Balkan Insight: An election result saved the ‘Czech BBC’ from the fate of its compromised counterparts in Poland, Hungary and Slovakia. Will it survive another election?

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FINLAND: On Yle’s regional radio stations, more than half of the music is domestic (Press release – Finnish)

Yle: Yle plays the most domestic music among the Finnish radio channels. Domestic music plays especially on Yle’s regional radio stations. This is evident from Teosto’s 2021 statistics.

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FRANCE: State funding must protect French public broadcast media from political pressure, RSF says

RSF: Concerned by the French government’s plan to abolish a household tax that funds France’s public broadcast media, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) calls on parliament to establish multiyear funding for the public broadcast media from the state budget to protect them from political pressure, and to create an independent authority to oversee their funding.

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GEORGIA: Public Defender Concerned Over Possible Media Surveillance

Civil.ge: The Public Defender’s Office of Georgia announced on July 15 that it “considers reports of possible unauthorized monitoring and recording of representatives of critical media outlets to be deeply concerning.”

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GERMANY: KiKA again the most-watched children’s channel (Press release – German)

ZDF: ZDF director: “Children’s channel fulfills an important role in society”.

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GERMANY: Sustainability needs the complete “supply chain” (Press release – German)

ZDF: TV councilor Olaf Tschimpke finds it important “that ZDF has set out to sign the declaration of compliance with the German Sustainability Code and thus define specific sustainability measures for the broadcaster.” 

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GERMANY: ZDFmediathek continues on the road to success (Press release – German)

ZDF: The ZDFmediathek continues to increase its usage figures. In 2021, the offer recorded an average of 5.90 million visits per day – an increase of 28 percent compared to the previous year.

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GREECE: Real Group media offices targeted in arson attack

IPI: Latest attack underscores worrying climate for safety of journalists in Greece.

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HUNGARY: Commission takes Hungary to court over LGBTQ+ rights, media freedom

Politico: The European Commission has taken Hungary to the EU’s top court for allegedly violating laws on media freedom and LGBTQ+ rights.

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KOSOVO: Kosovo MP’s Call for Media Controls Condemned by Unions

Balkan Insight: Ruling party MP’s call for tighter government regulation of media, especially online portals, draws criticism from press unions as threat to media freedom.

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MALTA: Judge finds PN’s rights breached by the national broadcaster

Malta Today: A judge has slammed the “winner takes all” election mentality displayed by both political parties as he ruled that Malta’s public broadcaster PBS had breached the Constitution by failing to impartially report on a matter of political controversy.

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MALTA: Media experts committee mum on reforms while government sits on recommendations

The Shift News: The press experts committee appointed by the prime minister to implement reforms based on the conclusions of the public inquiry has confirmed that the process of reviewing the legal aspects of the government’s proposed press freedom laws was finished in April, meaning that the report has been gathering dust for the last three months.

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MONTENEGRO: EU officials encourage Montenegro to press on with reform 

ABC News (US): Montenegro must implement judicial and rule of law reform, improve media freedom and boost the fight against crime and corruption, officials said. 

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ROMANIA: SLAPPs in Romania: The rise of lawsuits used to threaten the media and free speech (Libertatea) 

IPI: Libertatea journalists detail how legal cases are increasingly being used to harass and intimidate investigative media in Romania.

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RUSSIA: Russian journalists’ union could be disbanded for “discrediting armed forces”

RSF: Reporters Without Borders (RSF) calls on the Russian prosecutor’s office to withdraw the 350-page complaint it has brought against the Journalists’ and Media Workers’ Union (JMWU), which could result in this independent union being disbanded. The union learned about the complaint on 13 July.

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RUSSIA: Russian Lawmakers OK Bill On ‘False News’ About Military Operations, In Further Curb On Media 

RFE/RL: Russian lawmakers have approved a draft law criminalising the distribution of “false news” about military operations amid a crackdown on independent media outlets covering Moscow’s ongoing unprovoked invasion of Ukraine.

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RUSSIA & LATVIA: Blocked In Russia, Independent Online TV Station Dozhd Starts Broadcasting From Latvia

RFE/RL: The independent Russian television station Dozhd, which was forced to suspend operations in March amid pressure linked to its coverage of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, says it will start broadcasting some of its programs from Latvia.

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SLOVENIA: Slovenia to depoliticise public broadcaster

Broadband TV News: Slovenia’s National Assembly has approved proposed amendments to the law on the public broadcaster RTV Slovenia.  

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SLOVENIA: Uros Urbanija to head TV Slovenija

Broadband TV News: Uros Urbanija has been appointed the director of TV Slovenija, effective July 18. Preliminary consent to his appointment for a four-year term was given by 17 program councilors at an extraordinary meeting on July 7.

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SPAIN: RTVE, UER and Voxovation explore ways of collaborating to bring the Eurovision brand to Latin America (Press release – Spanish)

RTVE: Representatives from RTVE, the UER and Voxovation  met this Thursday at the Corporation’s headquarters in Madrid. A productive meeting to explore ways of collaboration for the expansion of the  Eurovision Song Contest brand and take it to Latin America.

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SWEDEN: How coffee breaks with users brought reality checks and culture change to Sweden’s public broadcaster 

Journalism.co.uk: Reporters were initially sceptical about getting coffee with their communities, but the audience engagement project was the foundation for SVT’s digital transformation.

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SWEDEN: VMA is based on manual handling (Blog – Swedish)

Sveriges Radio: In an article in Dagens Nyheter today, Sveriges Radio’s security work is questioned. Despite the fact that the newspaper has received detailed answers to the questions asked, there are crucial errors in the publication, in addition, essential information is missing. 

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UK: BBC commercial arm reports record profit as broadcaster faces funding squeeze (Paywall)

Financial Times: The BBC’s main commercial arm has reported a record profit amid hefty spending cuts across the UK public service broadcaster, which is marking its centenary with a significance squeeze to its largest funding source.

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UK: BBC News and BBC World News presenters among 70 staff facing sack

The Guardian: BBC News and BBC World News are to merge to create a single 24-hour TV channel, the corporation said.

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UK:  BBC shares thousands of hours of archive content with audiences, charting the rich social history of the UK (Press release)

BBC: This is the largest release of digital archive content in BBC history, categorised by the nations and regions of the UK and containing many emotional and powerful stories, many of which have not been viewed since their original broadcast.

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UK: Channel 4 chief: Tories tried to alter annual report to fit privatisation policy

The Guardian: The government tried to intervene to alter the wording of Channel 4’s annual report to fit its privatisation plans, according to the broadcaster’s chief executive.

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UK: Welsh Affairs Committee set up Wales public broadcasting inquiry at Westminster

The National: The committee of MPs is launching an investigation into a wide range of issues including current funding models for public service broadcasting in Wales, how the privatisation of Channel 4 will affect the broadcasting sector in Wales, and whether a move away from free-to-air sports broadcasting would ensure more investment in Welsh grassroots sports.

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REGIONAL: Commission deep-dives over media freedom in annual rule of law report

Euractiv: Eight EU countries have been urged to take measures to protect media freedom and pluralism as part of the 2022 Rule of Law report, published on Wednesday (13 July) by the European Commission. 

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REGIONAL: Rule of Law Report 2022: Commission issues specific recommendations to Member States (Press release)

European Commission: The Commission has today published the third annual Rule of Law Report. The report comes in the context of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which further showcased the importance of upholding democratic values, human rights and the rule of law.

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REGIONAL: Russia’s Information War Expands Through Eastern Europe 

VOA News: As bullets and bombs fall in Ukraine, Russia is waging an expanding information war throughout Eastern Europe, researchers and officials say, using fake accounts and propaganda to spread fears about refugees and rising fuel prices while calling the West an untrustworthy ally.

ARGENTINA: Demand for public communication policies (Spanish)

Página 12: Through a document issued after its national plenary session, the alliance made up of a diversity of social actors reiterated its demand for the democratisation of communication and requested the full validity of the Audiovisual Communication Services Law by repealing Macri’s decrees that substantially reduced its scope.

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ARGENTINA: Suspended the production of a Public TV series based on the book by Gabriela Cerruti (Spanish)

Clarín: The authorities allege economic problems. But 15 opposition deputies demanded its cancellation for the use of public media for government propaganda.

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BRAZIL: Brazil’s Globo launches first sustainability report & strategy for future

TBI Vision: Brazilian giant Globo has launched its first sustainability report and outlined a six-pronged strategy to guide its future operations.

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CHILE: Dino Pancani, coordinator of the table “More amplitude, more voices, more democracy”: “In Chile there are no conditions to exercise the right to communication” (Interview – Spanish) 

Doble Espacio: More than a year ago, when the primaries between Daniel Jadue and Gabriel Boric were approaching, there was an issue that took over the public debate: the way in which the state regulates the mass media. 

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CHILE: Government signs agreement to strengthen the right to information and freedom of the press (Spanish)

Ovejero Noticias: Solid democracies are the reflection of a country that guarantees the right to information, freedom of expression and of the press”.

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COLOMBIA: As long as I am manager of RTVC, 340 new positions will not be created: Álvaro García (Spanish) 

W Radio: Álvaro García, the outgoing manager of RTVC, referred in Sigue La W about the information of an organisational redesign before the end of this government, a situation that he denied.

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COLOMBIA: Who will be in charge of RTVC in the government of Gustavo Petro? (Spanish)

Diario Criterio: In his government plan, the elected president promised to reform RTVC, promote a public radio law and strengthen the network of public channels and regional media. Who will be the person in charge of carrying out this task?

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CUBA: Professionals Prepare Law to Regulate Media (Spanish)

Chicago Tribune: Professionals and directors of the Cuban press reported on Tuesday that they will present a Social Communication Law to regulate the activity and that, among its novelties, it would allow them to have publicity.

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ECUADOR: Tame, Public Media and other companies go into final liquidation (Spanish)

El Comercio: The President of the Republic, Guillermo Lasso signed two decrees focused on resolving the situation of public companies in liquidation. This was reported by the Ministry of Communication this Wednesday, July 13, 2022.

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JAMAICA: Broadcasting Commission: Digital TV switchover must happen by 2023 

Jamaica Gleaner: BROADCASTING COMMISSION Executive Director Cordel Green is resolute that with Jamaica’s switchover to ATSC 3.0 television transmission earlier this year, analogue must completely give way to digital by 2023.

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JAMAICA: Morgan: Media must evolve or lose employees 

Jamaica Gleaner: ROBERT MORGAN, minister without portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for information, has declared that the modern media must be willing to evolve its practices to match technology’s evolution or lose a significant chunk of its workforce.

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JAMAICA: Think tank unhappy with media reporting on gender violence

Jamaica Observer: THE think tank Caribbean Policy Research Institute (CAPRI) has called out sections of the local media for going dangerously close to ‘normalising’ violence against women and girls in the way these reports are handled.

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MEXICO: The Social Security Plan for independent journalists would continue in 2023 (Spanish)

IFJ: The project created by the administration of President Andrés Manuel López Obrador would continue next year with funds allocated from the national budget.

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MEXICO & US: US Lawmakers Call for Support, Protection for Mexico’s Media

VOA News: U.S. lawmakers this week introduced a resolution to condemn the violence directed at journalists in Mexico.

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NICARAGUA: Government Dismantles Civil Society

HRW: Nicaraguan authorities have closed hundreds of nongovernmental organisations, applying highly restrictive legislation that undermines freedom of association and freedom of expression, Human Rights Watch said today. 

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URUGUAY: Gerardo Sotelo defended the transfer of public radio stations to containers on the roof of Canal 5 (Spanish)

M24 Radio: The director of the National Audiovisual Communication Service (Secan) defended the transfer of the public radio offices.

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REGIONAL: #CBUAGA53 Fun Day – Join Us on August 15th (Event)

CBU: Participants who will be joining us in Tobago at the 53rd Annual General Assembly, can expect a day of fun and adventure on August 15th, thanks to our partner the Tobago House of Assembly and Tobago Tourism Agency.

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REGIONAL: More journalists murdered in Latin America in last six months than in all of 2021: PEC 

LatAm Journalism Review: Twenty-two journalists were murdered in Latin American countries between January and June 2022. The number is higher than the total number of killings of journalists in the region last year: 17. 

IRAQ & TURKEY: Dutch Journalist Says She Was Deported From Iraqi Kurdistan

VOA News: A Dutch journalist said she was deported from Iraq’s autonomous region of Kurdistan on Wednesday, blaming her expulsion on Turkey’s reaction to her coverage of an outlawed Kurdish party.

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LEBANON: Harassment of Lebanese journalists can kill, says RSF for Lokman Slim’s birthday

RSF: The Lebanese political commentator Lokman Slim would have been 60 on 17 July. No one has been arrested for his February 2021 murder and around 20 other Lebanese journalists are still being threatened in connection with their work. 

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TURKEY: The government is seeking its future in silencing the media 

Bianet: According to bianet’s Media Monitoring Report April-May-June, 17 journalists were detained and one was released in the three-month period. While 19 journalists were attacked, five women journalists were subjected to online attacks and threats. 12 journalists appeared before a judge for “insulting the president.”

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REGIONAL: CPJ says Biden’s failure to address press freedom issues on Mideast tour leaves journalists more vulnerable

CPJ: The Committee to Protect Journalists expressed dismay Monday that President Joe Biden failed to meaningfully address press freedom and journalists’ rights during his Middle East tour last week. 

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REGIONAL: Hacking the press: The surveillance threat to MENA’s journalists

The New Arab: States of Journalism: The use of spyware by regimes across the Middle East has created a dangerous and hostile environment for journalists. But despite the rise in digital authoritarianism, surveillance fell off the radar during Biden’s visit.

CANADA: More Canadians regularly watch streaming video than linear TV (Paywall)

Media in Canada: Vividata’s latest also finds that the average time spent streaming now tops 10 hours a week.

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CANADA: Pathways: A new approach to developing diverse emerging journalists (Blog – Watch)

CBC/Radio-Canada: The Pathways initiative was launched in December 2021 in Winnipeg as a developmental program for diverse emerging journalists who don’t necessarily have formal journalism backgrounds or experience in a Canadian newsroom. 

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CANADA: Statement by CBC/Radio-Canada regarding the CRTC’s decision of June 29 

CBC/Radio-Canada: The N-word is a racial slur and it is hurtful, in English and in French. On the rare occasion where it is used by a media organization, it needs to be put in context in an effort to minimize the hurt it may cause. 

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CANADA & RUSSIA: Russian propaganda is making inroads with right-wing Canadians

The Conversation: On July 8, Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly announced new sanctions against Russia as a counter to the Kremlin’s disinformation activities aimed at Canada.

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US: House Appropriations Committee Advances Public Media Funding

Protect my Public Media: Recently, the House Appropriations Committee advanced legislation proposing increased public media funding, thanks to the collective outreach of our grassroots network.

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US: ‘PBS NewsHour’ staffers announce intent to form union (Paywall)

Current: Content staffers at NewsHour Productions, a nonprofit subsidiary of WETA in Washington, D.C., that produces PBS NewsHour, PBS NewsHour Weekend and Washington Week, announced plans Tuesday to form a union.

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US: Pennsylvania’s public TV stations go another year without state funding (Paywall)

Current: Pennsylvania’s public television stations will not receive state funding for the second year in a row.

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US: The Biden administration’s weasel words on press freedom (Opinion)

CJR

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US: Colorado Public Radio podcast explores Latino heritage by celebrating stories of everyday life (Paywall)

Current: A Colorado Public Radio audience development initiative aimed at Latino listeners has spawned a new podcast exploring cultural identity and heritage through stories about everyday life. 

35 media podcasts that should be on every journalist’s radar

Journalism.co.uk: Whether you want to stay on top of the latest media world updates or get tips to improve your day-to-day work, we have your podcast fix right here.

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Can reader call-outs close the gap between newsrooms and audiences?

Journalism.co.uk: Journalists are trying to regain lost trust. We saw much of this in the Digital News Report 2022 by the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism.

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Democracy dies behind a paywall (Opinion)

Poynter: Paywalls bolster news organizations’ bottom lines, but leave Americans in the dark. As a public service, let everyone read election stories for free.

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Digital Tool Helps Shield Journalists From Online Violence

VOA News: With rates of online violence on the rise, a media foundation has developed a free tool to help shield journalists from harassment.

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Google feels the antitrust heat over its online ad business

CJR: ON JULY 8, the Wall Street Journal reported that Google, the search-engine subsidiary of Alphabet, had offered concessions to the US government in an attempt to stave off a potential antitrust lawsuit targeting its advertising business. 

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How a pioneering Italian podcaster is leading innovation in a print-focused media industry

Reuters Institute: The news industry in Italy is changing very slowly. As outlined in Italy’s page in the Digital News Report 2022, news kiosks selling newspapers and magazines, which traditionally have been the way most people have accessed news, are closing down in large numbers. 

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Making Big Tech Pay for the News They Use (Study)

CIMA: As policymakers around the world consider how to rebalance the relationship between Big Tech and the news industry, it is imperative that they take a global view and consider the implications for independent news outlets in developing and low-income countries.

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Very Online: Five journalists on covering the internet in search of meaning, not viral trends

CJR: “Ours is a period of increasing noise,” Jason Parham wrote earlier this year, for Wired. “Everything is bleeding into everything around it. All trends, large and small, now suggest a new cultural mood—but only until the next Vaseline-smeared obsession comes along.