Our weekly round-up of public service media related stories and headlines from around the world
Public media is in peril and facing many challenges. Social media platforms are presenting an existential crisis to public service media. Governments are trying to extend their control and influence on the editorial output of the broadcasters. Funding systems for many are up in the air. Journalists are facing threats, attacks and harassment, both online and in-person. But it’s also an exciting time for public service media – digital platforms provide new opportunities to reach audiences, technology means public broadcasters can be innovative in how they provide a public service.
Every week, PMA compiles all the latest news from the public media and media freedom industry. Have a story to feature? Get in touch!
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What we're watching...
AI-Driven Disinformation in Elections: Maria Ressa / Nobel Peace Prize Winner
NHK: 2024 is an unprecedented election year, with half of the world’s population heading to the polls. With so many elections at stake globally, there is growing fear over how AI-generated disinformation might affect voters. How can AI impact elections, and what can be done to combat it? Maria Ressa, 2021 Nobel Peace Prize winner and CEO of the digital news site Rappler, joins the discussion.
What we're listening to...
How Austria’s far right sows distrust in media
IPI: IPI kicks off the second season of our “Decoding Disinformation” podcast with a compelling conversation about the rise of extremism in Austria, where the right-wing Freedom Party (FPÖ) came out on top in the recent European Parliament elections.
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BURKINA FASO: TV5Monde becomes “media non grata” in Burkina Faso (French – Listen)
RFI: After RFI, France 24, Le Monde, LCI and Jeune Afrique, it is now TV5Monde’s turn to be suspended for a fairly long period – six months – in Burkina Faso. It has also been fined 50 million CFA francs (76,000 euros).
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO: War in the DRC: Community Radio Stations Taken Hostage, Journalists Threatened in North Kivu
RSF: In the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), which is in the throes of armed conflict, members of the national army have taken over the premises of two community radio stations and set up military positions there within a week.
ETHIOPIA: RSF relieved by the release of three Ethiopian journalists detained for several months
RSF: Three journalists detained for their coverage of the conflict in the Amhara region have just been released. They had spent between seven and ten months in detention under a state of emergency law.
GHANA: Prof. Amin Alhassan advocates for professionalism in Ghanaian Journalism
GBC: The Director General of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation, Professor Amin Alhassan has advocated for a high level of professionalism in the media practice in Ghana.
IVORY COAST: 52 journalists complete their “Bloomberg Media Initiative Africa” training (French)
Financial Afrik: Bloomberg Media Initiative Africa (BMIA), a program focused on training in financial journalism organized in Ivory Coast, ended on June 19, 2024 in Abidjan with the awarding of certificates to 52 participants, after 8 months of training.
IVORY COAST: Women in the media trained in the innovative approach of solutions journalism (French)
AIP: The course, which aimed to introduce the solution-based journalism approach to Ivorian newsrooms, was led by journalist and communications consultant Marthe Akissi.
The Conversation
LIBERIA: Boakai Treading Dangerous Ground with Media
Liberian Observer: What was intended to be a cordial tête-à-tête between Presidential Press Secretary Kula Fofana and media executives on Thursday, June 20, turned sour when several newspaper publishers stormed out of the meeting over policy pronouncements that potentially hinder the effective coverage of the Executive Mansion.
Front Page Africa: Liberia Telecommunications Authority Lists Liberia Broadcasting System among numerous stations that are not complying with government regulations, and risks being shut down.
LIBERIA: LTA Cracks Down on Non-compliant Radio Stations
LIberian Observer: Some of the most prominent FM radio stations in Montserrado County, according to the Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA), are in trouble with the broadcast regulatory authority due to non-compliance.
NIGER: Niger reinstates prison sentences for journalists for defamation, insult
CPJ: Nigerien authorities must decriminalize defamation and ensure that the country’s cybercrime law does not unduly restrict the work of the media, the Committee to Protect Journalists said on Thursday.
NIGERIA: Military, FRCN partner on non-kinetic approach to tackle insecurity
FRCN: The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, says the Armed Forces of Nigeria will collaborate with Radio Nigeria and other media platforms to use a non-kinetic approach to tackle the different dimensions of insecurity.
NIGERIA: Nigerian authorities detain journalist Precious Eze Chukwunonso for 18 days
CPJ: Nigerian authorities should drop all criminal charges against Precious Eze Chukwunonso, publisher of the privately owned outlet News Platform, who was detained for nearly three weeks, following a complaint about his reporting, and allow journalists to work without fear of arrest, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Friday.
NIGERIA: NUJ tasks FG on journalists’ safety, cost of living, insecurity, others
Premium Times NG: The NUJ called on the federal government to address insurgency in the North-east, banditry in the North-west, rising militancy in the South-south, as well as kidnapping and ritual killings in the South-west.
TOGO: Togo lifts suspension on foreign journalist accreditations
VOA: Togo authorities said they will lift a suspension on accreditations for foreign journalists imposed in April after a highly contested constitutional reform.
UGANDA: Two journalists remanded over operating media house without licence
Nile Post: Two journalists, Alirabaki Sengooba and Dickson Mubiru, from Grapevine Publications and Ono Bwiino Newspaper, have been remanded to Luzira Prison on charges of publishing information without a valid broadcasting license.
SOUTH AFRICA: Only one South African broadcaster is making money
My Broadband: Only one of the three major TV broadcasters in South Africa turned a profit in their last financial year.
ZIMBABWE: ‘Zimpapers’ Digital-First Strategy to Drive Growth’
The Herald: Zimbabwe’s largest integrated media house, Zimbabwe Newspapers, says it has made significant progress in implementing its digital-first strategy and leveraging on its 360-degree media solution.
BMA: The 8th Broadcast and Digital Media Convention, convened by Broadcast Media Africa (BMA) and the Southern African Broadcasting Association (SABA), is a pivotal event in the media industry calendar.
AFGHANISTAN: Minister Announces Media Law Update Emphasizing Sharia and Privacy
Tolo News: The acting Minister of Information and Culture, in a meeting with journalists in Paktia, said that the previous public media law is in accordance with Sharia and the principles of the Islamic Emirate and, with minor differences, will soon be made available to the media.
BANGLADESH: Police Service Association’s reaction to graft reports threat to journalism: Noab, Editors Guild
The Business Standard: The Newspaper Owners Association of Bangladesh (Noab) and the Editors Guild, Bangladesh have said the Bangladesh Police Service Association’s (BPSA) reaction to recent media reports on alleged corruption involving former and current police officials is unacceptable and constitutes a threat to independent journalism.
CAMBODIA: Charting Cambodia’s Declining Press Freedom
IFJ
CHINA: Top Propaganda Official Faces Investigation
China Media Project: The sudden announcement Friday of a corruption probe against Zhang Jianchun marks just the second case in the Xi Jinping era of a senior propaganda official falling from grace.
CHINA & PHILIPPINES: Chinese Media Response to Philippines Crisis Blends a Mix of Righteousness, Bravado, and Conspiracy
China Global South Project: Last week’s violent confrontation between Chinese and Filipino maritime authorities in the South China Sea triggered a furious response in Chinese domestic media, both from official outlets and from legions of angry netizens on social media platforms.
CHINA & TAIWAN: China’s crackdown on ‘wealth-flaunting’ social media puts pressure on influencers − both on the mainland and in Taiwan − to echo the party line
The Conversation: Chinese regulators are in the process of wrapping up a two-month “spring clean” of the country’s social media.
HONG KONG: RSF appalled by the prolonged detention of Apple Daily staff three years after media shutdown
RSF: Since the forced closure of Hong Kong’s largest Chinese-language independent newspaper Apple Daily three years ago, seven of its staff members, including the founder Jimmy Lai, are still detained and awaiting verdicts on spurious national security charges.
INDIA: India Denies Permit to French Reporter in Blow to Press Freedom
Bloomberg: India has allegedly refused to renew a French correspondent’s permit, making him the third journalist to leave India this year, in what’s seen as another blow to press freedom in the country under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government.
INDIA: Indian media at crossroads after election missteps (Opinion)
Gulf News: Independent journalists gain trust as traditional media falters during poll coverage.
KAZAKHSTAN: IPI dismayed by adoption of new media law
IPI: Legislation could be particularly harmful for online media and foreign correspondents.
MALAYSIA: Seeking more teeth, Malaysia set to license social media, messaging apps
The Straits Times: Malaysia’s move towards a licensing regime for social media and messaging platforms has stirred concerns of overreach among stakeholders who were privy to proposed plans in recent weeks.
NEPAL: Nepal’s interface with information
Nepali Times: A new survey of media trends in Nepal conducted nationwide earlier this year shows that the use of social media networks has left radio, tv and the print press trailing further behind. But even though they interact with and share social media content, most citizens have little trust in it.
PAKISTAN: Journalists’ killings mount amid declining freedoms in Pakistan
VOA: This was at least the sixth killing of a journalist in Pakistan this year. Four media members were killed just in May.
PHILIPPINES: Watchdogs appeal to Philippine court to drop case against Maria Ressa
VOA: Media watchdogs are appealing to the Supreme Court of the Philippines to drop a long-standing cyber libel case against Nobel Peace laureate and journalist Maria Ressa.
TAIWAN: How Taiwan’s media is resisting Chinese threats
DW: The self-governed island not only faces the challenge of defending itself against China’s increasing military threat but also from the propaganda war unleashed by Beijing to advance its interests in the region.
THAILAND: Orientation for the Thai PBS Audience and Listeners Council, Class 7, to develop Thai public media. (Press release)
Thai PBS: On June 19, 2024, the Public Broadcasting Service of Thailand (TPA) or Thai PBS organized an orientation activity for members of the Viewers and Listeners Council, 7th generation, and annual meeting.
The Conversation: New ABC chair Kim Williams has said the public broadcaster should become a reimagined “National Campfire”, fostering a stronger sense of community togetherness and conversation in a world increasingly fragmented by social media.
AUSTRALIA: Facebook’s potential news ban already affecting smaller Australian media outlets, inquiry told
The Guardian: Independent media alliance says news ban would be ‘terrible for not only the industry but also for Australian democracy’
AUSTRALIA: “Greater Investment” needed for national broadcaster, says new ABC Chair Kim Williams
TV Blackbox: During his first major speech since taking on the role of Chair at the ABC, Kim Williams has called for a greater investment for Australia’s national broadcaster.
AUSTRALIA: Media agencies weigh in: Australia’s privacy laws vs GDPR
AdNews: The proposed privacy regulations in Australia are set to be on par with the stringent GDPR laws enacted in the European Union. Just as agencies faced significant hurdles in complying with GDPR when it was first introduced, Australian businesses can anticipate similar challenges, media agencies told AdNews.
The Guardian: Restricting children from social media could risk limiting their access to critical social support and could result in them accessing social media in secret, Australia’s online safety regulator has warned.
NEW ZEALAND: Big tech companies were open to online safety regulation – why did NZ’s government scrap the idea?
The Conversation: The coalition government has scrapped efforts to modernise New Zealand’s out-of-date online safety rules, despite qualified support for change from social media and tech giants.
NEW ZEALAND: Prime Minister Christopher Luxon defends decision to let Chinese Premier Li Qiang avoid media questions
Stuff: Prime Minister Christopher Luxon stands by his government’s decision to stop local reporters from asking Chinese Premier Li Qiang questions last week, because he says he follows the protocols of other countries when he is overseas.
PAPUA NEW GUINEA: Calls for greater social media regulation in PNG
ABC: Researchers in Papua New Guinea say the sharing of violent and gruesome images on social media is accelerating conflict and inciting violence.
SAMOA: PM concerned over vulgar social media
Samoa Observer: Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afa has voiced apprehension regarding the prevalence of crude language on social media platforms to express opinions and discuss issues.
TUVALU & AUSTRALIA: ABC signs MOU and launches ABC Radio Australia in Tuvalu (Press release)
ABC: The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) has launched ABC Radio Australia on FM in Tuvalu for the first time, marking another milestone in the network’s expansion in the Pacific. Tuvalu audiences can now enjoy ABC Radio Australia’s full suite of Pacific-focused news, music, sport and cultural programming on 102FM.
ALBANIA: Roundtable on Media Freedom and Safety of Journalists in Albania (Event – Italian)
OBCT: In efforts to step up multi-stakeholder discussions and actions for advancing media freedom and journalists’ safety in Albania, SCiDEV, in collaboration with BIRN Albania , Qendra Faktoje , and the Italian think tank OBC Transeuropa are organizing a joint roundtable on “Media Freedom in Albania and Safety of Journalists in Albania: Perceptions, Progress, and Collaborative Discussion”
BELGIUM: Ketnet and VRT Innovation build unique interactive fiction game (Press release – Dutch)
VRT: ‘Kraak de kluis’ (Crack the code) is the name of a brand new interactive fiction game by Ketnet, VRT’s children and youth channel, and the innovation department of VRT.
CZECH REPUBLIC: The CEO of Czech Television presented his Ethics Panel. All nominees were approved by the CT Council (Press release – Czech)
Czech TV: The five-member advisory body will include journalist Alžběta Bajgartová, vice-dean of the UPOL Faculty of Law Maxim Tomoszek, spokesperson for the Czech Medical Chamber Michal Sojka, emeritus director of the Charter 77 Foundation Božena Jirků and documentary filmmaker Jan Hanák. All nominated councilors approved.
CZECH REPUBLIC: The credibility of Czech Television is increasing. Public media are the most reliable source of information in the Czech Republic (Press release – Czech)
Czech TV: In the latest Public Service Perception survey, viewers rate Czech Television as trustworthy, objective and balanced. In addition, there was an increase in ratings in all monitored points.
CZECH REPUBLIC: The directors of ČT and CRo discussed the media amendment and the legislative process marginally with Pavle (Czech)
ČT24: According to Souček, the actors agree that concession fees are the optimal tool to ensure the independence of public media.
FINLAND: A decision to be passed by the Public Speech Council (Finnish)
YLE: Subject: highly negative publicity, verification of information, criticism of sources, truthful reporting. The person accused of making the threat got very negative publicity in the Yle story, but his point of view was not heard.
FRANCE: Blast journalist detained for 32 hours for refusing to disclose confidential sources
EFJ: On 18 June 2024, a journalist working for the French independent news portal Blast was arbitrarily arrested by the police and detained for refusing to hand over her sources.
FRANCE & ITALY: Rai Doc and France Télévision, double project (Press release – Italian)
Rai: The two projects represent the outcome of the first collaboration between Rai Documentari and France Télévision in identifying projects that can tell the story of the great figures of European culture, international society and geopolitics, and the great figures and stories of sport.
FRANCE: The threat of privatisation looms over public broadcasting in France (Listen – French)
RFI: The dissolution put an end to the public media merger project defended by the Attal government, but the anticipated legislative elections could precipitate the coming to power of the National Rally which plans their privatization.
GERMANY: ARD reform plan: cooperation and division of tasks further expanded (Press release – German)
ARD: More cooperative radio offerings and bundling of AI expertise
GERMANY: Deutsche Welle’s Johanna Rüdiger on how newsrooms can make the most of social media (Interview)
The Fix: Can social media help boost our relationship with audiences or do they put us at the mercy of tech giants? And what do audiences expect from news organisations on social media?
GREECE: Who ordered Greek journalist’s murder?
IPI: The undersigned members of the Media freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) welcome the start of the trial, on 26 June, of two suspects accused of the 2021 killing of Greek investigative journalist, Giorgos Karaivaz.
KOSOVO: Media freedom groups express concern over attempt to remove Head of RTK (Letter)
IPI: The organizations urge the board of Kosovo’s Public Broadcaster (RTK) to ensure that the public broadcaster continues to serve the public and not political interests
IPI: Joint letter urges authorities to engage in open consultation with LRT to ensure that any changes to the funding model maintains guarantees that LRT fulfils its public service remit.
LITHUANIA: LRT presents a report to the public: 2023 is a year of patience and growth (Press release – Lithuanian)
LRT: In 2023, LRT consistently continued the work with which the public associates the most important Lithuanian media group – every day it ensured that accurate information and deep analysis reached all of us.
POLAND: Telewizja Polska is again under attack by hackers (Press release – Polish)
TVP: Polish Television has again become the target of an advanced cyber attack.
PORTUGAL: “Community media is especially needed in these times of great polarisation”
EFJ: Mensagem de Lisboa is a community-focused media outlet based in the Chiado district in Lisbon, Portugal. Their mission is to disclose the small and human-interest stories in a big metropolis like Lisbon, an objective in line with the opportunity offered by the Local Media for Democracy (LM4D) funding scheme.
PORTUGAL: RTP information voted most reliable in Portugal for the sixth consecutive year (Press release – Portuguese)
RTP: RTP Information continues to be recognized by the most prestigious institutions.
PORTUGAL: RTP signs contract with EDP Comercial for installation of a Photovoltaic Plant (Presse release – Portuguese)
RTP: RTP and EDP Comercial sign a contract for the execution of a Photovoltaic Plant at the Northern Production Center (CPN/RTP), in Vila Nova de Gaia. A project that is part of the Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR) 2022-2025 and aims to promote energy efficiency in Central Public Administration buildings.
RUSSIA: Journalist Artem Kriger jailed on charges of extremism
EFJ: Russian journalist Artem Kriger, who works for independent media SOTAvision, was arrested on 18 June and placed in pre-trial detention, on charges of allegedly helping late opposition leader Alexei Navalny’s Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBK), labelled as “extremist”.
SERBIA: KRIK journalists facing SLAPPs after publishing the profile of Judge Dušanka Đorđević in database (Letter)
IPI: The undersigned journalists and media freedom organizations condemn the legal actions filed by Judge Dušanka Đorđević and her husband against Crime and Corruption Reporting Network (KRIK), its editor-in-chief Stevan Dojčinović, and journalist Bojana Pavlović.
SERBIA: Serbia refuses to explain arbitrary ban on Russian “foreign agent” journalist
RSF: Reporters Without Borders (RSF) is dismayed by the clear signs that Serbia’s decision to deny entry to an Israeli-based Russian journalist – who was briefly arrested last year while filming outside the Russian embassy in Belgrade – was influenced by Russia, where he has been labelled a “foreign agent” since 2021.
SERBIA: Solidarity with the Slavko Ćuruvija Foundation in their quest for justice
EFJ: The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) joins the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) coalition partners in standing in solidarity with the Slavko Ćuruvija Foundation, which has unwaveringly campaigned against the continued impunity for the 1999 murder of Serbian journalist Slavko Ćuruvija.
SLOVAKIA: EU examines Slovakia’s RTVS reform amid concerns over media freedom
Euractiv: The European Commission has announced that it is looking into the recent legislative changes affecting Slovak public broadcaster RTVS, passed by parliament on Thursday and awaiting the president’s approval, raising concerns about the law’s impact on media freedom.
SLOVAKIA: Slovakia’s Parliament shuts down public television. In its place, a new pro-government broadcaster
EUnews: Green light to public service reform proposed by Robert Fico’s populist government. Oppositions rises up, Progressive Slovakia will challenge the law before the Constitutional Court.
SPAIN: New appeal launched in Madrid for the release of journalist Pablo González
EFJ: This Wednesday, the EFJ joins the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), their affiliates in Spain (FAPE, FeSP, FSC-CCOO, ELA, UGT) and other organizations defending journalists, in demonstrating outside the Polish consulate in Madrid, to once again call on the Polish authorities to put an end to the journalist’s interminable pre-trial detention.
SWEDEN: Russia blocks Sweden’s Radio – Cilla Benkö: “Not surprised” (Listen – Swedish)
Swedish Radio: The Russian Foreign Ministry announced today that it is blocking 81 European media sites, including Sweden’s Radio and SVT.
SWEDEN: Sweden’s pay-per-content solution for media’s subscription problem
The Fix: Stockholm-based Sesamy enables publishers to sell single media items to interested consumers. Could this approach be a solution to the consumers’ subscription-fatigue?
SWITZERLAND: SRG welcomes the rejection of the halving initiative by the Federal Council (Press release – German)
SRG SSR: Acceptance of the halving initiative would roughly halve the SRG’s financial resources.
UK: British Broadcasting Chiefs Deliver Impassioned Speeches About Power Of Free TV At Freely Launch
Deadline: BBC DG Tim Davie has said quality TV should “not be about the person who can pay the biggest check” as British broadcasting chiefs gathered for the launch of free streaming service Freely.
UK: Channel 4 outpacing the market as record streaming audiences drive overall viewing growth in 2024 (Press release)
Channel4: New data shows Channel 4 is the only major UK broadcaster* to grow overall viewing across streaming and linear in 2024. In addition, across 2024 Channel 4’s streaming audience has grown faster than any of the major streaming-only platforms**, with a 32% year on year rise in viewer minutes.
UK: Helping to dismiss disinformation around the General Election (Press release)
Ofcom: Ahead of the forthcoming General Election, we’re working with social enterprise Shout Out UK and the Electoral Commission to help first-time and younger voters identify and address political misinformation and disinformation.
UKRAINE: Shrinking press freedom in Ukraine: urgent need to implement a roadmap for the right to information
RSF: Surveillance, threats to be enlisted in the army, increased control by the authorities… Political pressure and obstacles are mounting on the Ukrainian media.
UKRAINE & RUSSIA: Two Russian journalists killed within three days in occupied Donetsk region
EFJ: Two Russian journalists have been killed in separate incidents in Russia’s occupied Donetsk region in eastern Ukraine.
REGIONAL: How audience research is rebooting independent media in Central Europe
The Fix: Representative national polling into media consumption preferences in Central Europe is empowering independent media outlets in the region to take a fresh look at strategic decision-making.
REGIONAL: How the Catholic press is reinventing itself in a secular Europe (French)
Reuters institute for the Study of Journalism: ‘La Croix’ in France and ‘Avvenire’ in Italy attract new audiences by tackling climate issues and power in the Church
REGIONAL: Journalists facing online threats: a growing risk to democracy
Euractiv: Ensuring journalists a safe space to conduct their activities is essential to ensure democracy’s health.
REGIONAL: Local journalism needs more support than ever to defend democracy
EFJ: Opening the Festival, EFJ President Maja Sever stressed that “the beginning and end of good journalism that serves the public interest is strong and independent local journalism, and that connection with citizens and the community is the essence of our work.”
ARGENTINA: The privatizations of Airlines, Post Office and public media were close to falling (Spanish)
El Litoral: We Make Federal Coalition, the bloc led by Miguel Pichetto in Deputies, stated that it will not accompany the reduced privatization package that the Senate endorsed. The decision leaves Unión por la Patria in a dilemma.
BRAZIL: Journalists under threat in Amazon rainforest (Report)
VOA: The murder of British reporter Dom Phillips in the Amazon rainforest two years ago was not an isolated crime in a region where violence against journalists has soared in recent years, a report published on Wednesday said.
BRAZIL: Judicial harassment of journalists grows and reaches new levels after 2020 (Paywall – Portuguese)
Folha de Sao Paolo: Members of the Justice system are those who obtain favorable decisions in cases involving exorbitant compensation, according to a survey.
CHILE: Survey: Journalists criticize the lack of information pluralism and the state of freedom of expression in Chile (Spanish)
Página 12: This was one of the conclusions contained in the study carried out by the College of Journalists of Chile and academics from the Faculty of Communication of the University of Los Andes on the perception of journalists regarding freedom of expression and the press in our country.
COLOMBIA: RTVC News now on WhatsApp! Join our new channel here (Press release – Spanish)
RTVC: Now you can stay up to date with the most important events in Colombia and the world in our new WhatsApp channel.
COLOMBIA: The generalization of threats to journalists requires measures from the highest authorities (Spanish)
IFJ: Threats to press workers are reported throughout Colombia, with a marked tendency to be carried out by criminal groups, according to local organizations.
CUBA: A change is urgently needed in the professional practices and moral environment of the press media (Spanish)
Escambray: With a minute of applause in memory of the prominent journalist and writer Pedro de la Hoz, who recently died, the Second Plenary Session of the National Committee of the UPEC began in Havana, dedicated to discussing the progress of the experiment to change the models of press management, monitoring results and projections of the organization’s XI Congress and vocational training work to increase enrollment in the Journalism degree.
ECUADOR: Traumatized by studio raid, Ecuadorian journalist seeks asylum (Watch)
VOA: After being held at gunpoint live on air as violence swept Ecuador, journalist Jose Luis Calderon needed to trauma support and safety. Now the journalist is seeking asylum in Miami
GUATEMALA: OHCHR recognizes the efforts of the Government of Guatemala to protect activists and journalists (Spanish)
AGN: The High Commissioner for Human Rights mentioned the efforts of the Government of Guatemala to protect activists, journalists and justice officials.
HONDURAS: Journalists and social communicators from Honduras denounce erosion of press freedom and attacks on defender Dina Meza (Spanish)
Pasos de animal grande: The Platform of Networks of Journalists and Social Communicators of Honduras, speaks out against the constant attacks and smear campaigns against the journalist and human rights defender, Dina Meza,
NICARAGUA: Nicaragua, the country of silence (Spanish)
DW: Daniel Ortega’s government has closed 3,500 NGOs and all independent media outlets. How do you live in a country without reading a printed newspaper or being able to think differently?
PARAGUAY: They analyze a project to protect journalists and human rights defenders (Spanish)
Senado: The Human Rights Commission, chaired by Senator Mario Varela, held a technical panel with representatives of different institutions and civil society, on the Law “On the protection of journalists and human rights defenders.” The meeting was held in person and virtually, in the Acosta Ñu room of the Senate
PERU: IRTP guarantees the dissemination of quality content through its network of radio and television stations nationwide (Press release – Spanish)
Gob.pe: The IRTP has nearly 400 radio and television retransmission stations, strategically distributed in the 24 departments of the country.
URUGUAY: Sotelo: media law additive is “grossly violative” of freedom of expression (Spanish)
Montevideo Portal: The former director of Public Media attacked the article proposed by Cabildo Abierto: “It constitutes an implicit threat.”
VENEZUELA: They request the arrest of Venezuelan journalist “Charito” Rojas for accusations of fraud (Spanish)
CNN: The Attorney General’s Office of Venezuela asked a court to issue an arrest warrant for journalist María del Rosario “Charito” Rojas, a source with knowledge of the case informed CNN.
IRAN: IPI condemns arrest of journalist Hassan Shanbehzadeh
IPI: Arrest signals media crackdown ahead of June elections
ISRAEL: Channel 12 planning to sue journalist who refers to network as ‘Al Jazeera 12’
The Times of Israel: Channel 12 news announced on Sunday that it sent a letter to an Israeli journalist warning that it will be suing him for libel, after he referred to the channel as “Al Jazeera 12” in multiple social media posts.
ISRAEL: ‘The grey zone’: how IDF views some journalists in Gaza as legitimate targets
The Guardian: As Israel’s offensive in Gaza has become the deadliest conflict for journalists in recent history, its military has repeatedly said it is not deliberately targeting the media.
JORDAN: Palestinian-Jordanian journalist Hiba Abu Taha sentenced to one year in prison
CPJ: Jordanian authorities must immediately and unconditionally drop all charges against Palestinian-Jordanian journalist Hiba Abu Taha, release her, and allow all journalists to cover issues related to the Israel-Gaza war without fear of reprisal, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Friday.
PALESTINE: ‘An incredible loss for Palestine’: Israeli offensive takes deadly toll on journalists
The Guardian: The flak jackets handed to Palestinian media workers by the non-profit Press House quickly became a symbol of the dangers they face
TURKEY: Pro-gov’t media outlets least trusted in Turkey, according to global report
Turkish Minute: A report by Oxford University’s Reuters Institute has revealed that pro-government media outlets in Turkey, which are frequently criticized for acting as the propaganda machine of the Turkish government, suffer from low trust among Turks.
CANADA: CBC doc producer accused of bias transitioned into new role, says REMC
Broadcast Dialogue: The Racial Equity Media Collective (REMC) says it’s been told a CBC employee has been moved to a non-editorial role outside the documentary team after the group lodged a formal complaint.
CANADA: More Canadians are paying for news this year, but it’s still too early to celebrate
The Conversation: Increasing numbers of media businesses are turning to readers to fund the news. The hope is that reader revenue will make up for the loss of classified and display advertising to digital behemoths such as Google and Facebook.
CANADA: New Data from MTM – Check it Out! (Press release)
CBC/Radio-Canada: The MTM 18+ releases its Spring 2024 Sneak Peek report which sheds light on the evolving trends of Canadian media consumption, providing insights for both industry stakeholders and consumers.
US: As philanthropy spends big to fight news deserts, 3 frontline news outlets share what they need
Poynter: These organizations are revolutionizing journalism at every level: how they are funded, how they write their stories and even how they find them.
US: CPB backs new journalism desk for Alaska’s stations (Paywall)
Current: The two-year grant funds four new reporter positions and three shared editors.
US: Editor Tapped to Lead Washington Post Won’t Take the Job
The New York Times: Robert Winnett will stay at The Daily Telegraph, after reports raised questions about his ties to unethical news gathering practices.
US: Freelancers sue over new rules on independent contractors
NiemanLab: A new rule issued by the Department of Labor earlier this year is making some freelancers nervous, so much so that a few are challenging it with lawsuits.
US: In US, fake news websites now outnumber real local media sites
VOA: Fake websites masquerading as news now outnumber legitimate local news websites, with Russia playing a leading role in their proliferation, say media analysts.
US: JOURNALISM CROSSROADS (Testimonies)
NYU: Media professionals talk about their careers and navigating what comes next in journalism
US: Michael Abramowitz Takes the Helm as New Voice of America Director (Press release)
VOA: Michael Abramowitz, a prominent journalist and former president of Freedom House, was sworn in on June 24 as the 31st Director of the Voice of America.
US: MLK50’s Wendi C. Thomas on ‘dismantling the status quo’ (Q&A)
CJR: In 2017, Wendi C. Thomas—a longtime reporter in Memphis—launched MLK50: Justice Through Journalism, a nonprofit news outlet, to investigate issues of economic inequality that she saw being overlooked in the city.
CJR: Paul Farhi on the media’s struggles with relevance
US: Oregon’s KLCC invests in newsgathering with proceeds from $3M campaign (Paywall)
Current: The Eugene radio station will add two reporters and build its digital news coverage.
US: Staying scrupulously neutral
CJR: Steve Herman on covering the White House in the age of Trump
US: Trump Media Stock Down 46% Since Former President’s Conviction (Paywall)
The New York Times: The parent of Truth Social has come under pressure this month, most recently after early investors were given approval to sell a fresh chunk of shares.
US: WBEZ and Chicago Sun-Times unions vote no confidence in Chicago Public Media CEO Matt Moog
NewsGuild: The Sun-Times Guild and the SAG-AFTRA units at WBEZ and Vocalo have held votes of no confidence in Matt Moog as Chicago Public Media CEO, Chicago Sun-Times president and a Chicago Sun-Times Media board member.
Five audience growth and revenue strategies from outside the UK
Journalism.co.uk: How do you move print readers to digital? Are there other ways to hold on to subscribers besides a last-ditch deal? These questions and more answered
How The Bristol Cable raised membership revenue by 25 per cent in a year
Journalism.co.uk: The local media cooperative is on course for hitting its £60k campaign target, attracting big-spending patrons and asking
Is the news industry ready for another pivot to video?
NiemanLab: Aggregate data from 47 countries shows all the growth in platform news use coming from video or video-led networks.
Many people don’t pay full price for their news subscription. Most don’t want to pay anything at all
NiemanLab: Ad revenue has been siphoned away by Big Tech and money from print advertising has been in continual decline. A solution to this problem is simple on the face of it, but not so in practice: get people to subscribe.
CJR: Paul Farhi was a media reporter for the Washington Post until the end of last year. But instead of retiring, he’s been busier than ever, chronicling the seemingly endless stream of bad news stories about the media business, for outlets like The Atlantic and here at CJR.
“Public service media, a thorn in the side of populists”. (Paywall – French)
Médiapart: For Christina Holtz-Bacha, professor emeritus of communication sciences, the attacks by Europe’s extreme right against public broadcasting services demonstrate their desire to evade democratic control.
The Future of Streaming (According to the Moguls Figuring It Out)
The New York Times: Who will survive? Die? Thrive? And how? We talked to nearly a dozen top media executives and asked them to predict what lies ahead.
The Hosts of Journalism’s Favorite Podcast Say Goodbye
The New York Times: After 12 years, Aaron Lammer, Max Linsky and Evan Ratliff will soon release the final episode of “Longform,” a podcast that unwittingly captured the shifts in the journalism and publishing industries.
To reinvent journalism, start by updating its mission
IJNet: Trust in journalism is at an all-time low, engagement is declining, and the business outlook for the industry is uncertain at best. These are facts. The question is whether you think this situation is inevitable or if you believe things could be better. I’m in the latter camp.
RSF: As negotiations on the revised draft of the Global Digital Agenda are currently taking place, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) calls on governments not to miss an opportunity to recognise everyone’s right to access free, independent, pluralistic and trustworthy information.
Wikileaks founder freed after five years in prison
BBC: After a years-long legal saga, Wikileaks says that founder Julian Assange has left the UK after reaching a deal with US authorities that will see him plead guilty to criminal charges and go free.
The Verge: For a crucial decade in print media’s transition to the internet, HBO’s fantasy series Game of Thrones was a boon in traffic… for everyone. But what happened when every publication started chasing the same thing?
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Header image: Babel’ by Cildo Meireles – tower of radios Credits: Andrea de Santis, Unsplash.com
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