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!
Public media research
Our PSM Research and Resources page brings together all the latest academic studies looking into the world of public media.
What we're watching...
Can we grow the publics for climate change news?
Vattenfall: Over the past few years, traditional media has been hit hard. Overall trust and viewership for news is continuing its downward trend. Up to 40 percent of the audiences that have left tend to avoid news, because they find it too depressing. Who and where are the audiences for climate change news?
What we're listening to...
Turning point for Australia’s ABC
RNZ: A year ago, the last government torched its plan for a joined-up public broadcaster more like Australia’s one. But the ABC is a billion-dollar beast that’s also been a political football.
Subscribe toour newsletter
Keep updated with the latest public
media news from around the world
Global Headlines
Click on the tab menu below to reveal the latest regional stories.
GAMBIA: Gambia arrests journalist who said President Barrow planned to step down.
The Africa Report: Gambian police arrest a journalist who reported the president plans to quit, as Barrow tells UN conference Gambia is a bastion of press freedom.
GHANA: Journalist’s apology not enough to satisfy Ghanaian king
BBC: A row between a prominent journalist and a king has captivated many in Ghana. It began when Afia Pokua criticised the Ashanti king’s handling of tensions with other ethnic groups, the deference that politicians show him, and expressed her frustration about the apparent supremacy of the Asante community.
Abidjan: The Minister of Communication, government spokesperson, Amadou Coulibaly officially opened the Days of the Right of Access to Public Information Abidjan 2024 (JDAIP), this Thursday, September 26, 2024 at the auditorium of the Prime Minister’s Office in the commune of Plateau around the theme “Information, 1st of public services: What challenges and issues of the right of access to information and public documents for public bodies?”
NAMIBIA: NBC leadership engages regional staff (Press release)
NBC: The Director General of the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (nbc), Stanley Similo, has underscored the importance of strengthening synergies between the head office and regional offices to drive the corporation’s growth.
NAMIBIA: NBC supports national health and blood donation initiatives
NBC: The Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (nbc) has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting national health initiatives, with a focus on blood donation.
NIGERIA: FRCN boss seeks increased support for Maiduguri flood victims
Peoples Gazette: The Director-General of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, Dr Mohammed Bulama, has canvassed increased support for victims of Maiduguri flood disaster.
SOUTH AFRICA: Innovative funding empowers South Africa’s community radio
Red Tech: Africa’s Media Development and Diversity Agency, a statutory development agency that promotes and ensures media development and diversity in the country. It is a partnership between the South African government and major print and broadcasting companies to assist in developing community and small commercial media.
REGIONAL: Access to Information: FAJ urges African governments to reform their access to information laws
IFJ: In commemorating the International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI), observed globally on 28 September each year, the Federation of African Journalists (FAJ) emphasises the critical importance of this year’s theme: “Mainstreaming Access to Information and Participation in the Public Sector”.
REGIONAL: IDUAI 2024: Citizens still frustrated accessing information
MFWA: Information disclosure remains a huge challenge in public institutions across West Africa. In most instances, citizens have been at the mercy of governments, public institutions and agencies who provide or disclose information as a favour rather than a right.
REGIONAL: IFJ and FAJ welcome historic AU Peace and Security Council action to protect journalists
IFJ : In a historic meeting the 2 September chaired by Ambassador Churchill Ewumbue-Monono, Permanent Representative of Cameroon to the African Union (AU) and the current Chairperson of the AU Peace and Security Council (PSC), the Council addressed the pressing issues of journalist protection and access to information in conflict situations across Africa for the first time.
REGIONAL: Media watchdog calls for protecting community radio stations in Sahel
VOA: Paris-based press watchdog Reporters Without Borders has teamed up with more than 500 community radio stations across the Sahel in calling for the protection and support of local radio broadcasters, which in some places are under increasing attack.
Broadcast Media Africa: In an insightful interview with BMA, ahead of the Broadcast And Digital Media Convention Africa 2024, which will be held from October 8th to 10th at The Swakopmund Legacy Hotel in Namibia, Pikirayi Deketeke, CEO of Zimpapers, shed light on the current challenges African broadcasters face.
AFGHANISTAN: Taliban impose new restrictions on media
DW: Journalists in Afghanistan say there is little left of press freedom in their country after the Islamist hardline Taliban banned live broadcasts of political shows and criticism of their policies.
BANGLADESH: Bangladesh Betar considers reviving its Urdu service
RadioInfo: Officials from Bangladesh’s national broadcaster – Bangladesh Betar, held a meeting last week to discuss the possibility of resuming its Urdu service.
HONG KONG: Diaspora media looks to fill the void amid Hong Kong press crackdown (Watch)
VOA: The closure of media outlets and jailing of journalists has become a reality in Hong Kong as the government there cracks down on the press in the name of national security. Some Hong Kong journalists exiled to other countries are trying to push back against the threats to press freedom from overseas.
HONG KONG: Stand News editor sentenced to 21 months in jail
DW: The landmark sedition case is seen as a barometer for press freedom in Hong Kong. Stand News was one of the last media outlets in the former British colony that dared to criticize authorities amid a crackdown by Beijing.
INDIA & PAKISTAN: Beyond borders: What my interactions with Indian journalists taught me about Pak-India relations
Dawn: “You’ll see, these Indians will form their own groups and won’t mingle with us with an open heart,” a Pakistani colleague remarked on our first day of the Chevening South Asia Journalism Program (SAJP) at the University of Westminster in London.
JAPAN: A new radio news program has been launched, using simple words and easy-to-understand expressions (Press release – PDF – Japanese)
NHK
JAPAN: NHK furthers global reach with Tiny Desk Concerts Japan
The Japan Times: Musician Koshi Inaba finds himself in completely new terrain on a Wednesday afternoon in early September…
KAZAKHSTAN: Kazakh journalists worry as new media rules come into force
VOA: Media watchdogs and journalists in Kazakhstan have raised fears that new regulations governing reporters, adopted outside a new media law, leave room for authorities to obstruct access to information and limit journalists’ ability to work.
MALAYSIA: Malaysia conducts its first 5G live broadcast by RTM in collaboration with DNB and Ericsson
The Star: Malaysia has successfully conducted its first 5G-powered live broadcast during National Day, collaborating with Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM), Digital Nasional Bhd (DNB), and technology partner Ericsson.
SINGAPORE & UK: BBC Studios inks its largest children’s content deal in Singapore with Mediacorp for over 150 hours of premium content (Press release)
Mediacorp: In what marks its largest children’s content deal in Singapore to date, BBC Studios today jointly announced with Mediacorp, the country’s national media network, an agreement to deliver over 150 hours of premium kids’ content.
SRI LANKA: New heads appointed to SLBC, SLRC and ITN
Daily News: New Media heads have been appointed to the State-owned Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation (SLRC), Independent Television Network (ITN) and the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC).
THAILAND: Thai PBS organizes a seminar on AI technology and ethical responsibility in media work, pointing out that AI use in mass media has both positive and negative aspects. (Press release – Thai)
Thai PBS: It is accepted faster and helps increase work efficiency, but it still lacks accuracy. There is concern that using AI without human control will lead to errors or unexpected results.
THAILAND: Would restoring trust in journalism increase viability?
Thai PBS: Is the news media community getting exhausted by feeding social media platforms with ‘viral’ content to earn ‘views’ to attract advertising?
The Guardian: Review led by Indigenous lawyer Dr Terri Janke spoke to 120 current and former staff, with all but one saying they had personally experienced racism at the national broadcaster.
AUSTRALIA: Independent Review into ABC Systems and Processes in Support of Staff who Experience Racism (Press release)
ABC: The ABC has released the Independent Review into ABC Systems and Processes in Support of Staff who Experience Racism and announced the next steps to improve those processes.
AUSTRALIA: Walkley-award winning journalist to investigate potential issues in ABC’s Line of Fire reports
The Guardian: The ABC has appointed veteran journalist and media executive Alan Sunderland to undertake an independent review of the broadcaster’s Line of Fire reports about an Australian military operation in Afghanistan.
AUSTRALIA, COOK ISLANDS & NIUE: Cook Islands and Niue audiences to enjoy Australian content as Indo-Pacific Broadcasting Strategy continues to roll out.
The National Tribune: Australia has continued to boost its presence in the Pacific with the Australian Government today announcing the expansion of the PacificAus TV initiative to two new nations.
AUSTRALIA & RUSSIA: ABC rejects Russian claim two journalists involved in ‘illegal’ border crossing
The Guardian: The ABC has rejected Russian claims two of its journalists acted illegally after they entered the Ukraine-occupied Kursk region.
NEW ZEALAND: Is New Zealand ready for AI-generated television advertisements?
RNZ: New Zealand’s first AI-generated television advertisement has aired, but is the country ready to handle the legal implications of artificial intelligence in advertising?
NEW ZEALAND: Job cuts confirmed at Whakaata Māori
RNZ: Government ministers have confirmed job cuts at television station Whakaata Māori.
REGIONAL: New survey reveals current threats for Pacific journalists
RNZ: Financial and political pressure, bribes and self-censorship are among the greatest threats to press freedom in the Pacific according to a new survey.
REGIONAL: Pacific journalists tackle integrity to boost media freedom & corruption reporting
Talanoa ‘O Tonga: Members of the Pacific Anti-Corruption Journalists Network (PACJN) have renewed their call for greater Right to Information in the region to strengthen anti-corruption reporting.
ARMENIA: Waning trust and rising polarization: Armenia’s bumpy road to free press
IPI: Since the Velvet Revolution, press freedom has improved significantly, but the media environment has become increasingly polarized, mirroring the political and social polarization.
AUSTRIA: “Flood disaster – AUSTRIA HELPS AUSTRIA” – More than 18 million euros donated by people in Austria (Press release – German)
ORF: During the severe storms in mid-September, which led to a devastating flood disaster in many parts of Austria, but especially in the east of the country, the ORF, together with the Austrian aid organizations (Austrian Red Cross, Caritas, Diakonie, Hilfswerk and Volkshilfe), launched the relief campaign “Flood disaster – AUSTRIA HELPS AUSTRIA”.
AUSTRIA: ORF expands fact-checking & verification department (Press release – German)
ORF: Distinguishing fake news from real information is one of the biggest challenges for news editors, not least because of the possibilities offered by artificial intelligence.
AUSTRIA, GERMANY & SWITZERLAND: ARD, ORF and SRF intensify cooperation: Co-productions worth 150 million euros agreed (Press release – German)
ORF: The public broadcasters ARD, ORF and SRF have further expanded their successful cooperation and launched a series of new projects at the recent co-production meeting in Zurich.
BELGIUM: Controversy after the broadcast on RTBF of a parody of a song deemed transphobic (French)
Ouest France: A sketch from the show “Le Grand cactus” is accused of being transphobic by the Belgian LGBT+ community. The CSA is notified, the RTBF defends freedom of expression.
CROATIA: Major challenges ahead to improve media freedom
IPI: The international media freedom mission to Croatia has highlighted several significant concerns regarding media law reform, transparency of state advertising, and the safety of journalists including SLAPPs.
CZECH REPUBLIC: The memorandum for a sustainable audiovisual industry was signed by the key players of the Czech audiovisual industry: APA, ARAS, ČT, FAMU, FTV Prima and TV Nova (Press release – Czech)
Czech TV: Six key players of the domestic audiovisual industry signed the Memorandum on the establishment of the Czech Platform for Sustainable Audiovisual.
DENMARK: ‘In the service of the truth’ visited Tønder: ‘We take the young people seriously’ (Press release – Danish)
DR: Since 2015, more than 170,000 schoolchildren across the country have participated in DR’s ‘In the Service of Truth’, which contributes to sharpening young people’s critical sense and distinguishing true from fake news when they use social media.
DENMARK & FINLAND: With help from Denmark’s Zetland, Finland will get a member-supported news outlet in 2025
Nieman Lab: The public has spoken: Finland will get a new news outlet next year.
FINLAND: Yle starts change negotiations (Finnish)
Yle: The change negotiations aimed at centralizing digital service development are not related to the decision of the parliament’s parliamentary working group.
FRANCE: Visibility of audiovisual services of general interest in connected environments: a landmark decision (Press release – French)
France Télévisions: The France Télévisions, TF1, M6 and RMC BFM groups welcome the final adoption by Arcom of two major resolutions on the visibility of general interest audiovisual services on connected screens, in application of the European Audiovisual Media Services Directive (AVMS).
GEORGIA: Family Values Bill imposes censorship on media
IPI: This legislation imposes censorship on media by banning broadcasters from freely reporting on LGBT+ issues. The Georgian government must stop its legal attacks on press freedom and freedom of expression.
GEORGIA: The Bulgarian News Agency and the Public Broadcaster signed an agreement that provides for the exchange of news between Bulgaria and Georgia. (Press release – Georgian)
TV1: The Bulgarian News Agency (BTA) and the Public Broadcaster of Georgia have signed a cooperation agreement, which provides for the exchange of news between Bulgaria and Georgia.
GERMANY: Changed portfolio shows measurable success: funk is as young and successful as never before (Press release – German)
ZDF: This strategy is paying off: more and more teenagers and young adults in the commissioned age range of 14 to 29 years know and use the content network’s offerings.
GERMANY: Director Dr. Norbert Himmler: “Climate-friendly for more togetherness” (Press release – German)
ZDF: “We want to promote social cohesion and assume responsibility in the digital world. And we want to do this in the most environmentally friendly and resource-saving way possible,” said ZDF Director General Dr. Norbert Himmler on Friday before the Television Council in Mainz.
GERMANY: More ARD recommendations for news, documentaries and series on Google (Press release – German)
ARD: From now on, content from the ARD Mediathek can be searched and displayed more easily using Google Search.
GERMANY: Proportion of women in ZDF workforce continues to rise (Press release – German)
ZDF: Norbert Himmler: The goal is parity in leadership positions.
GERMANY: ZDF television council on state plans: Reforms must not lead to a loss of quality in the program (Press release – German)
ZDF: The ZDF Television Council met in Mainz today to discuss the current media policy debate on the mandate and financing of public broadcasting.
ICELAND: Media and education – Radio conference on the educational and educational role of the media (Press release – Icelandic)
RÚV: The National Broadcasting Corporation holds an annual radio conference on Thursday, October 3 between 9.00 – 12.00. The title is Media and education and the issues will be discussed from various perspectives and the term education will be defined in a broad way.
ITALY: Salvini’s video reignites debate over RAI independence
IPI: Deputy PM’s monologue sparks row as Italy prepares to appoint new public broadcaster leadership
MOLDOVA: Moldova accuses Russia of trying to rig its EU referendum
Politico: The Kremlin is deploying disinformation and cash as Moldova heads to the polls, Chișinău’s national security chief tells POLITICO.
THE NETHERLANDS: Public broadcaster extends successful School TV project Film in the classroom (Press release – Dutch)
NPO: The successful project Film in de klas, a collaboration between Schooltv, Netwerk Filmeducatie, the Dutch Film Festival and the public broadcaster, has been extended by three years. This special collaboration, which aims to make film education accessible for both primary and secondary education, started five years ago.
POLAND: TVP Info from today in a new version: “We focus on fast and reliable information”. Premiere of the spot “TVP Info – turn on again” (Press release – Polish)
TVP: The aim of the changes is to strengthen the news character of TVP Info and break with the image of a propaganda station. Telewizja Polska is launching a large image campaign and presents the spot “TVP Info – turn on again” .
RUSSIA: Russian journalism archive aims to protect independent voices from media suppression
VOA: To preserve over two decades of independent Russian journalism, exiled journalists and activists teamed up with PEN’s Freedom to Write Center to create the Russian Independent Media Archive, or RIMA.
SLOVENIA: The Council of RTV Slovenia confirmed Nevenka Črnko as a member of the Management Board (Press release – Slovenian)
RTV SLO: The new member of the Management Board of RTV Slovenia is Nevenka Črnko, who was nominated for the position by the President of the Management Board Natalija Gorščak.
SPAIN: Barrage of online intimidation against journalists threatens safety
IPI: The undersigned organizations are deeply concerned by the threats and intimidation targeting the investigative journalism team of Equipo de Investigación, a program on Spanish private TV channel La Sexta, by Daniel Esteve, CEO and owner of the eviction company Desokupa.
SPAIN: RTVE launches ‘RNE for all’, the world’s first radio experience for deaf people (Press release – Spanish)
RTVE: Concepción Cascajosa highlights the importance of “an essential public service such as radio being able to finally reach deaf people”
SWEDEN: That is why SVT is launching Verifieringshjälpen (Press release – Swedish)
SVT: At a time when facts and truth are faltering concepts – when influence campaigns, disinformation and AI-manipulated images nestle into everyone’s information feeds – newsrooms around the world are faced with entirely new challenges.
UK: BBC Indie Development Fund and Audio Lab open for applications (Press release – Opportunity)
BBC: Successful applicants of both schemes will receive funding to develop creative ideas and benefit from mentoring opportunities from the BBC
UK: Many British Jews see BBC as hostile to Israel, community leaders say
The Guardian: Jewish organisations back report that finds corporation has failed to cover Middle East conflict impartially
REGIONAL: Mass spoofing of European media outlets highlights risks of pro-Russian disinformation
IPI: Investigation uncovers numerous fake websites imitating legitimate European outlets
REGIONAL: We need to change the way journalism is funded in Europe (Newsletter)
Media Finance Monitor: As the financial foundations of the news industry are crumbling under the weight of market disruption, many publishers struggle to maintain their independence.
REGIONAL: ZDF Director General: “ARTE promotes mutual understanding in Europe” (Press release – German)
ZDF: “The German-French broadcaster promotes mutual understanding between people in Europe. ARTE is a multilateral cultural media marketplace like no other.”
ARGENTINA: Media Day 2024: the Argentine Chamber of Media Agencies organizes the event that brings together the local advertising ecosystem (Event – Spanish)
Infobae: According to the organizers, this year’s event will reflect the “Re-evolution of media.” “Making contact with audiences is constantly developing and there are no longer definitions that can pigeonhole media as we knew it.
BRAZIL: MPRJ denounces state deputy for death of journalist in Maricá (Portuguese)
G1: According to Gaeco, Renato Machado (PT) was the mastermind behind the crime against journalist Robson Giorno, executed by hooded men in 2019. The politician denies it.
COLOMBIA: Hollman Morris’ megaphone: RTVC manager accused of using Colombia’s public media for political propaganda (Spanish)
El País: The directors of the two state television channels resigned in the last month, criticizing the management and the poor working environment imposed by their former boss. Communicators inside and outside the entity point out that there is editorial control that tends to favor the president.
COLOMBIA: In Colombia, Indigenous journalists are breaking barriers to claim their place in radio, TV and film
LatAm Journalism Review: When Eduvilia Uriana told her family she wanted to pursue journalism, it was not well received.
COLOMBIA: Torture against Claudia Julieta Duque: former DAS director Enrique Ariza sentenced (Spanish)
El Espectador: Enrique Alberto Ariza, who had already been convicted for wiretapping by the DAS, will now face a sentence of 12 years in prison.
CUBA: Regime sentences independent journalist Yeris Curbelo to two years in prison (Spanish)
ADN Cuba: On September 24, independent journalist Yeris Curbelo Aguilera was sentenced to two years in prison by a court in Guantanamo for the alleged crime of minor injuries.
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: Colonel snatches journalist’s cell phone while covering incidents in Santiago Rodríguez (Spanish)
Diario Libre: Recent attacks against journalists in Santiago and Santiago Rodríguez raise alarms about press freedom and respect for the right to inform in the country.
EL SALVADOR: Salvadoran press association demands accountability for government plan to spy on journalists (Statement)
LatAm Journalism Review: “The Salvadoran Association of Journalists, or APES for its initials in Spanish, expresses its concern and demands that the government be held accountable for the revelations made in a news investigation, which finds that high-ranking state officials had agreed to establish a center to spy on journalists.”
GUATEMALA: The appeal hearing of journalist Jose Ruben Zamora is postponed until September 2025 (Spanish)
Prensa Libre: Jose Rubén Zamora has been in prison since 2022 after the Public Prosecutor’s Office accused him of money laundering.
MEXICO: How press freedom in Mexico eroded during López Obrador’s presidency
LatAm Journalism Review: “We have not had the killing of journalists beyond what circumstances have caused.” This is what Mexico’s President, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, said less than a month before leaving office in a speech celebrating his achievements.
MEXICO: Journalist from the Código Rojo Quintana Roo portal shot at home; he reported threats hours before (Spanish)
Animal Politico: The home of Silvia Peraza Azueta, administrator of the Código Rojo Quintana Roo website, was attacked with gunfire after she reported threats for a news article.
VENEZUELA: Journalists flee Venezuela as Maduro threatens media freedom
VOA: Several journalists have been detained, while others face travel bans. Reporters covering politics are looking for innovative ways to stay under the radar and keep covering the news.
REGIONAL: The challenges of journalism in exile in Cuba, Nicaragua and Venezuela
WAN-IFRA: Forced into exile, veteran journalist and Golden Pen of Freedom alum Carlos Chamorro drives home the critical need to promote and support journalists in exile – who continue to deliver quality reporting and investigations, under deadly conditions.
ISRAEL & GAZA: Broadcasting Vengeance (Opinion)
CJR: For the past year, human rights groups have kept their eyes on a right-wing Israeli news channel. They claim its rhetoric called for genocide.
KURDISTAN & TURKEY: Kurdish media most affected by internet bans in Turkey
ANF: Bans on the Kurdish and socialist press form the basis of internet censorship. According to the censorship report, ANF ranks first among the Kurdish press websites that have been subjected to the most censorship until 2023.
LEBANON: Israeli airstrike kills two journalists in the south of the country
IFJ: At least two journalists have been killed by Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon since 23 September, which has become the deadliest day for civilians in the country since 2006.
RSF: To pay homage to these fallen reporters and demand the protection of Palestinian journalists, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) is holding flash protests in ten different countries.
PALESTINE: By storming our Al Jazeera offices in Ramallah, Israel has stepped up its assault on press freedom (Opinion)
The Guardian: The images of Israeli troops shutting down our bureau are a warning to journalists everywhere – but we will not be silenced
IFJ: The University of Saba Region in Marib Governorate and the University of Al Mahrah in Al Mahrah Governorate have become the first public universities in Yemen to adopt the Media Safety Curriculum developed by the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and UNESCO.
CANADA: Indigenous Screen Office, APTN, and CBC Announce Selected Projects for 2024-2025 Early Stage Scripted Development Program for Indigenous Creators (Press release)
CBC: This program is designed to give emerging creators with projects still in the pre-development stage, access to CBC and APTN executives and to provide tailored support to help move their projects into the next stage of development, and ultimately into production.
CANADA: What’s real? How CBC News verifies video and images (Editor’s blog)
CBC: Authenticating legitimacy of photos and images we didn’t take ourselves is both challenging and crucial
US: A Plan to Fund High School Newspapers Seeks to Revive Student Journalism
The New York Times: Seeking to address the problem, local news outlets and universities in states like California, Illinois and Texas have teamed up to prepare teachers to lead electives and workshops for aspiring young journalists.
US: As Mainstream Media Faces Unprecedented Challenges, Can It Save Itself?
The New York Times: A panel at the Athens Democracy Forum explores how and whether traditional news organizations can regain the influence and trust that once defined them.
US: New Leaders Elected to Serve on PBS Board (Press release)
PBS: Today, PBS President and CEO Paula Kerger announced the results of the recent PBS Board election, in which five individuals were elected to serve three-year terms as Professional Directors on the Board.
US: NPR updates newsmag strategy to address audience declines
Current: The changes include shorter segments, a broader range of topics and more “joy.”
US: Politico’s wonky Pro service to roll out new AI tool
Semafor: Politico is launching a strategic partnership with a Y Combinator-backed artificial intelligence startup to develop a bespoke AI tool that will quickly summarize its journalism.
US: Thinking the unthinkable about the First Amendment
CJR: The First Amendment’s press clause has long played second fiddle to the speech clause. With the professional press in steep economic decline, it may be time to consider freedom of speech and freedom of the press separately, in order to shore up journalism’s distinctive, and imperiled, role in a healthy democracy.
US: To fact-check or not: the big question ahead of another debate (Opinion)
Poynter: Unlike the most recent presidential debate, CBS News says it will be up to the vice presidential candidates to fact-check one another
US: U.S. silence over Al Jazeera speaks volumes about policies on TikTok, RT
Freedom of the Press Foundation: We’ve said before that Israel’s assaults on Al Jazeera provide a real-time illustration of the dangers of the U.S.’s TikTok ban legislation and the power it gifts the government to muzzle its critics by invoking vague security threats.
US: Want to Check That Fact? For V.P. Debate Viewers, Just Scan the Code.
The New York Times: CBS is experimenting with a novel way to offer real-time fact-checking of the vice-presidential debate on Tuesday. Just don’t expect the moderators to frequently jump in.
US: What would Project 2025 do for (or to) journalism?
Nieman Lab: From defunding NPR and PBS to kicking reporters out of the White House, it’s an array of conservative priorities and Trumpian retreads.
Access to Information: “No to secrets,” urge journalists around the world
IFJ: Universal access to information is vital if we are to enjoy freedom of expression. It enables journalists to inform and gives citizens the ability to properly understand what is done on their behalf .
Creating a public counterpoint for AI
Mozilla: Mozilla is releasing a vision for Public AI, a robust ecosystem of initiatives that promote public goods, public orientation and public use throughout every step of AI development and deployment.
Eleven things our members got from the Oxford Climate Journalism Network (Opportunity)
Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism: Applications for our programme are now open. We asked our members which were the most important takeaways for them. Here are some of their answers
How Google Defended Itself in the Ad Tech Antitrust Trial (Paywall)
The New York Times: The tech giant, which wrapped up its arguments in the federal monopoly trial, simply says it has the best product.
“I pleaded guilty to journalism,” Julian Assange tells Council of Europe (French)
Le Monde: The WikiLeaks founder was speaking publicly for the first time since his release following a plea deal in June.
In global game of influence, China turns to a cheap and effective tool: fake news
Associated Press: When veteran U.S. diplomat Kurt Campbell traveled to the Solomon Islands to counter Beijing’s influence in the South Pacific country, he quickly saw just how far China would go to spread its message.
Journalism is society’s safety net
WAN-IFRA: ‘Journalists are a bridge as we build the future, supported by the capstone of our audience who are as loyal and determined as the reporter and the editor,’ writes David Walmsley, Editor in Chief of The Globe and Mail in Canada, and Creator of World News Day.
Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism: “It’s often said that journalists should not become the news, but this ideal is under a lot of stress now,” says Francis Cody, whose research focuses on India
Social media companies feel the heat—and back away
CJR
Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism: “If journalists want to revive independent journalism, they cannot rely on people in power. They have to rely on the public,” writes Rasmus Nielsen
Top listening trends for International Podcast Day
Ofcom: Today is International Podcast Day, a celebration of podcasts and the technology that powers them.
Turing and Pulitzer prizewinners to join leaders from the BBC, NPR and the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) on the Public Broadcasters International stage in Ottawa (Press release – Event)
CBC/Radio-Canada: CBC/Radio-Canada today announced the speakers and panellists for the 2024 Public Broadcasters International conference (PBI Ottawa 2024).
#JournalismMatters: Journalism is society’s safety net
Journalism.co.uk: The creator of World News Day, an initiative to recognise journalists’ role in upholding democracy, encourages threatened journalists to keep fighting for the truth and facts
PSM Weekly is available via email. You can subscribe by signing up to our mailing list at the bottom of the page or email editor@publicmediaalliance.org.
All PSM Weekly stories are provided for interest and their 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.
If you have any suggestions for our weekly round-ups, please email PMA at editor@publicmediaalliance.org.
Header image: An outdoor press conference with multiple cameras and journalists. Credit: Michael Fousert / Unsplash.com
Related Posts
PSM Weekly | 18 – 24 September 2024
Our weekly round-up of public service…
PSM Weekly | 11-17 September
Our weekly round-up of public service…
PSM Weekly | 4 – 10 September
Our weekly round-up of public service…
PSM Weekly | 21-27 August
Our weekly round-up of public service…