Our weekly round-up of public service media related stories and headlines from around the world

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What we're watching...


Journalists speak of the devastating impact of SLAPPs

Article 19: In a new series of interviews, ARTICLE 19 Europe speaks with journalists from Croatia, Poland, Serbia, Spain, and the United Kingdom, who open up about their plight against repeated legal threats aimed at shutting down investigations into abuses of power. 

What we're listening to...


SBS Audio and Language Content Director David Hua

Listen at JNI, Judith Neilson Institute: SBS started as a radio service in 1975 broadcasting in a handful of languages. Today it broadcasts in more than 60 languages and has recently launched a new 24-hour multilingual news channel and a service to help migrants learn English. Listen at JNI spoke with SBS’ Director of Audio and Language Content, David Hua, to find out more about the new projects and how the public broadcaster’s role has changed over the decades.

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BOTSWANA: Botswana Media Practitioner Act is a threat to freedom of the media

Daily Maverick: Botswana has quietly passed into law the creation of a statutory Media Board which will regulate journalists’ conduct and introduce a register of journalists and media enterprises — a controversial move which will have implications for media independence and freedom in that country.


BURKINA FASO: MFWA urges leaders to uphold freedom of expression, human rights in wake of second coup

MFWA: The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) is concerned about the political turmoil in Burkina Faso following a second coup d’état in the country in eight months and calls on the new leaders to uphold press freedom, freedom of expression and human rights generally.


GHANA: GBC recognised as trailblazer in development through content

GBC: The Ghana Broadcasting Corporation, GBC, has been recognised for its role in championing development through its content in meeting the socio-cultural aspirations of societies.


GUINEA: Guinea regulator orders 1-month suspensions for 3 journalists and ‘Africa 2015’ radio program

CPJ: Guinean authorities should lift the suspension of Nostalgie Guinée’s “Africa 2015” radio program and three of its journalists, and ensure the press can report freely on subjects of public interest without sanction, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Friday.


LIBERIA: The Dark Side of Press Freedom under President George Weah

Front Page Africa: In an environment where criticism of the government and government officials is a normal part of public discourse, this government has found ways to outrightly silence or significantly suppress the impact of some of the most compelling voices in the media landscape.


MOZAMBIQUE: “Broadcasters Must Adapt To Tech Evolution In The African Context To Remain Sustainable” – Jose da Fonseca Bolacha, Director of Studios, Mozambique Broadcasting Corporation

Broadcast Media Africa: In preparation for the forthcoming Broadcast And Digital Media Convention – Africa, scheduled to hold on the 25th – 27th of October 2022 at the Serena Hotel in Kigali, Rwanda, Broadcast Media Africa (BMA) spoke to Jose da Fonseca Bolacha, Director of Studios at Mozambique Broadcasting Corporation.


NIGERIA: Ahead of Nigeria’s elections, a rise in attacks on journalists

IJNet: As press freedom declines in Nigeria, journalists are increasingly under attack. In the lead up to the 2023 general elections, journalists covering political affairs face threats from authorities and arbitrary detentions, among other disturbing trends. 


NIGERIA: Nigerian pay-TV operators reject Senate’s pay-per-view subscription idea (Paywall)

Telecompaper: MultiChoice Nigeria and major stakeholders in the pay-television broadcasting industry have rejected a pay-per-view (PPV) model advocated by the Senate, reports CommunicationsWeek. 


RWANDA: Rwanda genocide ‘financier’ Felicien Kabuga trial to open in The Hague

The East African: Alleged Rwandan genocide financier Felicien Kabuga will go on trial in The Hague on Thursday, one of the last key suspects in the 1994 ethnic slaughter that devastated the small central African nation.


SOUTH AFRICA: ASO To Be Tied To Broad Public Consultation And Registration For Free Stbs (Press release)

Media Monitoring Africa: Today is the last day to register for the government-subsidized set top box to enable those with analogue television sets to access digital terrestrial television. 


SOUTH AFRICA: BBC Studios channel first for South Africa

Broadband TV News: BBC Studios has partnered with the free-to-view satellite television provider Openview in South Africa to launch the multi-genre channel, BBC UKTV.


SOUTH AFRICA: The SABC is honoured at the UN’s Most Influential People of African Descent (MIPAD) Awards Ceremony in New York (Press release) 

SABC: The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) has been recognized for excellence in telling the African story at the annual Most Influential People of African Decent (MIPAD) Global Recognition awards in New York.


SUDAN: Sudanese Authorities Launch Cases Against Newspaper, Bar Association

VOA News: Sudan’s public prosecution has launched legal proceedings against a prominent newspaper and the bar association, triggering complaints that authorities are trying to restrict basic freedoms nearly a year after a coup.


UGANDA: Proposed Ugandan legislation seeks to criminalize ‘misuse of social media’

CPJ: The Committee to Protect Journalists on Wednesday called on Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni not to sign into law a bill that would undermine press freedom by criminalizing speech sent via computer on a broadly defined and vaguely worded range of grounds.


REGIONAL: How EAC can improve press freedom

Monitor: In the second part of a two-part series on media freedoms in the region, we look at how the East African Community is rated and what can be done to make things better.

AFGHANISTAN: Former TOLOnews Journalist ‘Every Day We Faced a New Law’

VOA News: It’s a photo that caught the world’s attention: A news anchor at one of Afghanistan’s most prominent news outlets, pictured with her head in her hands after the Taliban ordered women to cover up.


ARMENIA: Armenia’s Media Sector Needs Assessment Report presented at public Event in Yerevan

Council of Europe: Armenia’s Media Sector Needs Assessment Report has been presented at the Event in Yerevan on 27 September with participation of Armenian authorities, members of Parliament as well as representatives of media and civil society.


CAMBODIA: Cambodia’s Press Freedom ‘Under Attack,’ Report Finds

VOA News: Independent media in Cambodia continue to come under attack, with journalists harassed and retaliated against, a new report found. 


HONG KONG: Faith in Hong Kong Press Freedom Sinks to Record Low

VOA News: Hong Kong journalists’ faith in the city being a free press hub has sunk to a record low, with 97% saying the reporting environment has become much worse, according to an annual survey.


HONG KONG: Reporters Without Borders trains Hong Kong citizen journalists to continue press freedom mission under national security law (Simplified Chinese)

VOA News: After the chairman of the Hong Kong Journalists Association, Mr. Chan Long-sing, who was released on bail after being charged with obstructing the police, successfully arrived in the UK for a further study trip, the international community’s attention to the rapid decline of press freedom in Hong Kong has not abated.


INDIA: Hate speech by media: Will regulation really work?

NewsLaundry: It’s not a new phenomenon. Perhaps consumers of media need to speak up.


INDIA: Hostile NDTV Bid Shows Gautam Adani, Mukesh Ambani Formidable When Aligned

Bloomberg: Broadcaster NDTV is battling a hostile takeover by Adani Group. Tycoons’ co-existence in range of sectors hurts smaller firms.


INDONESIA: Activists deplore latest cyberattack as ‘assault on press freedom’

Asia News Network: Advocates have deplored a series of wide-ranging and coordinated cyberattacks against journalists and employees of the media company Narasi and have urged the police to act immediately. The attacks happened over the weekend against Narasi, which has reinforced its criticism of the government recently.


JAPAN: College students experience work at NHK! ! (Japanese)

NHK: What kind of jobs are there at NHK? Announcer, reporter, director… umm, what else? This time, we had four students from the Hokkaido University of Education Hakodate Camp experience various jobs at NHK for two days!  


NEPAL: Impunity update: Life imprisonment for murderer of media entrepreneur in Nepal

Freedom Forum: A suspended lawmaker and former Minister of State was sentenced to life imprisonment for the 2010 murder of Arun Singhaniya, who was then the chairman of Janakpur Today Media Group. Freedom Forum said the verdict is a boost for the campaign against impunity in Nepal.


SOUTH KOREA: President Yoon’s Office and Party Threaten South Korean Broadcaster

The Diplomat: Days after using “freedom” 21 times in his debut at the U.N. General Assembly, Yoon is now harming the freedom of press in his country. 


TAIWAN: Taiwan launches first English TV channel

Radio Taiwan International News: Taiwan launched a new 24-hour, English-language television channel on Monday.


TAJIKSTAN: Prosecutor Seeks Eight Years In Prison For Tajik Journalist On Charges He Rejects

RFE/RL: Prosecutors at the trial of noted Tajik journalist Abdullo Ghurbati have asked a court in Dushanbe to convict and sentence the defendant to the maximum allowed eight years in prison on charges he and his supporters say are unfounded.


THAILAND: Dealing with the storm “Noru” Thai PBS reports live every movement (Thai – Press release)

Thai PBS: Thai PBS organizes an additional army of special programs “Catching up with Storm Noru” to prepare for an urgent response with a big storm in every period of Thai PBS news.


THAILAND & VIETNAM: BBC accused of endangering World Service Vietnamese staff

The Guardian: Cost-cutting plan to move staff from London to Bangkok will put them at risk of abduction, reporters say. 


VIETNAM: Vietnam to restrict which social media accounts can post news

TechCrunch: With the rising tide of fake news on social media platforms, the debate over how much control a government should have on online information is a perennial one. In Vietnam, the government is intensifying its control over the internet regime. The country is formulating new rules to control which types of social media accounts are allowed to disseminate news in the country, Reuters reported, citing sources.

AUSTRALIA: ABC News Breakfast’s Michael Rowland and Lisa Millar on covering the Queen’s death and the years of behind-the-scenes planning (Feature)

ABC: This was a story Lisa Millar had been preparing to cover for seven years.


AUSTRALIA: ABC Trailblazers program will showcase young regional leaders

RadioInfo: Applications are now open for the ABC’s 2023 Trailblazers program, which showcases the stories of regional Australia’s brightest new leaders.


AUSTRALIA: SBS’s The Cultural Atlas expands to include religion (Press release)

SBS: The Cultural Atlas has announced it has expanded its online directory offering to include detailed profiles of eight of Australia’s most observed religions.


NEW ZEALAND: Broadcasting minister clears up comments on no trust in NZ television and radio

RNZ News: Broadcasting Minister Willie Jackson has clarified comments he made about the media, saying he did not mean to imply the public did not trust RNZ and TVNZ.


NEW ZEALAND: More rancour on the road to a new public media entity (Listen)

RNZ: This week a Parliamentary committee heard concerns from other media companies about the new public media entity, as opposition attacks on the cost of it intensified.  Meanwhile a significant funding shift for local content came to light, revealing further tensions and uncertainties.


NEW ZEALAND: NZ On Air funds digital-first content for tamariki across the motu (27 September)

NZ On Air: NZ On Air has invested in the production of 16 dynamic local series and games – available to tamariki across a wide range of digital and traditional platforms.


NEW ZEALAND: Private sector media bodies sink teeth into TVNZ/RNZ merger

Stuff: The Radio Broadcasters Association and News’ Publishers Association warned a select committee on Thursday that the planned merger of TVNZ and RNZ could reduce the choice of media that people currently enjoy.


PAPUA NEW GUINEA: Papua New Guinea’s new media rules could undermine the work of journalists

Global Voices: The office of the prime minister of Papua New Guinea (PNG) has enforced new media rules which could hinder journalists’ work and undermine press freedom.


SOLOMON ISLANDS: The future of public broadcasting is in danger in Solomon Islands

The Strategist: The Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation is again under threat. This time it’s not from gunmen during civil unrest but from a prime minister who appears to want to turn it into a government mouthpiece.

ALBANIA: Albanian publication bans – prosecutors must take account of right to information

RSF: Albanian prosecutors have banned the media from covering issues of public interest, including threats to state institutions and an organised crime case.


AZERBAIJAN: Azerbaijan President Signs Off on Media Registry Rules

VOA News: Azerbaijan’s president this week approved the rules that will govern a media registry that the country’s journalists warn could further stifle press freedom. 


BELGIUM: VRT teaches young people about healthcare in the world with brand new EDUbox (Dutch) 

VRT: If you go to the doctor in our country with a cough, the healthcare system kicks in. But what lies behind that complex machine? And what does it look like in other countries? You will discover this in the new EDUbox Health, completely tailored to young people. 


CZECH REPUBLIC: Czech TV widens HbbTV platform reach

Broadband TV News: Czech TV’s online video platform iVysilani can now be received on TVs with the Samsung Tizen operating system.


CZECH REPUBLIC: IPI backs call for sustainable funding for public broadcasters

IPI: The International Press Institute (IPI) today joins its Czech National Committee and other journalist groups in the country in calling on MPs to urgently consider amendments which would provide sustainable financing for Czech Television and Czech Radio.


ESTONIA: ETV and ETV2 celebrate music month with big concerts and shows (Estonian)

ERR: This Wednesday is the start of ETV and ETV2’s rich program of music programs and concerts, which will last throughout October. On Wednesdays and Saturdays, you can enjoy meetings with top Estonian musicians from Järvi to young performers and listen to concerts through the TV screen.


FINLAND: YleX is domestic music media of the year, Yle Areena consumer service of the year (Press release – Finnish)

Yle: Yle received three music industry Industry Awards at the Music x Media event in Tampere on September 30, 2022.


FRANCE: Investigative media outlets under attack in five gagging lawsuits

IPI: Intimidating and silencing legal proceedings against independent media must be dropped.


FRANCE: Laurent Guimier, director of information at France Télévisions, leaves his post (French)

Le Monde: The 51-year-old journalist had been weakened by a motion of no confidence in June, voted by nearly 80% of journalists.


GEORGIA: Georgian public broadcaster facility sold in $27 mln auction

Agenda: Facilities of the Georgian public broadcaster channel in Tbilisi have been sold at an auction for ₾77 million (about $27.21mln), clearing the way for its media operations to move to a new location designated for the broadcaster five years ago, local media outlet bm.ge has reported.


GERMANY: German media authorities publish privileged channels list for smart TVs

Broadband TV News: The German media authorities have published the list of TV and radio channels that will receive prioritised placement on smart TVs and user interfaces for easy discovery.


GERMANY: Whistleblower protection still insufficient (Press release – German)

ZDF: The Federal Government’s current draft law on the protection of whistleblowers still falls short of the possibilities of the EU Whistleblower Directive and does not meet the needs of those in need of protection and those working in the media.


LATVIA: Latvia amends comms law

Broadband TV News: Significant amendments to the Law on Electronic Media have come into effect in Latvia.


MALTA: Media reform: minister claims wide public consultation that never happened

The Shift News: Presenting the government’s long-awaited media reform emerging from the public inquiry into the assassination of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, Justice Minister Jonathan Attard on Wednesday claimed there had been wide public consultation before its drafting, but the facts speak otherwise.


NORWAY: NRK on the top list of most popular workplaces for young people (Press release – Norwegian – 23 September)

NRK: NRK is in fourth place in the selection of the most attractive workplace for young people at the start of their career, according to this year’s survey by the staffing and recruitment agency Academic Work.


POLAND: New channel for Poland’s TVP

Broadband TV News: The Polish public broadcaster TVP will launch its latest thematic channel on Monday, October 3.


RUSSIA: Over two dozen journalists detained while reporting on anti-mobilization protests

IPI: The International Press Institute (IPI) today condemns the arrest of over two dozen journalists and media workers across Russia in recent days as they were carrying out their professional duties and reporting from protests against the Kremlin’s partial military mobilization.


RUSSIA & UKRAINE: IPI documents 700 media freedom attacks amidst Russia-Ukraine war

IPI: The International Press Institute (IPI) has now documented more than 700 attacks on journalists, acts of censorship and serious violations of media freedom since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022.


SERBIA: Serbia’s Slammed Over Media Pluralism Following Pink TV Incident

Exit News: After Serbia’s Electronic Media Regulatory Agency (REM) allocated four national TV frequencies to pro-government channels, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) slammed them for non-compliance with the law and asked they respect the right to pluralistic news  when allocating a new, fifth frequency.


SLOVENIA: Government faces hurdles in effort to ‘depoliticise’ public broadcaster

IPI: Since coming to power in April 2022, Slovenia’s new centre-left government led by Prime Minister Robert Golob has pressed ahead with a campaign pledge to reform the country’s outdated media law and strengthen the independence of Radio-Television Slovenia (RTV).


SPAIN: Elena Sánchez Caballero, new interim president of the Board of Directors of RTVE (Press release – Spanish)

RTVE: The Board of Directors of RTVE has elected this Tuesday the counselor Elena Sánchez Caballero as the new interim president of the governing body of RTVE. The election has gone ahead with the votes in favor of five directors. 


SWITZERLAND: CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF RADIO (French)

RTS: Activities from 1 to 100 years old on October 1 and 2 at the RTS Lausanne. 


UK: BBC World Service outlines move to digital-first service (Press release)

BBC: The BBC World Service has outlined plans to accelerate its digital offering and increase impact with audiences around the globe.


UK: C4 CEO: ‘Government policy may change’

Advanced Television: Alex Mahon, CEO at UK public service broadcaster Channel 4, has acknowledged that the change in leadership of the governing Conservative Party and arrival of a new Secretary of State with responsibility for the broadcast sector, may impact on the previously announced intention to privatise the service.


UK: Lord Grade: Ofcom’s job is not to regulate culture wars

BBC: The new chairman of Ofcom, Lord Michael Grade, has said the broadcasting watchdog “does not, and should not” regulate so-called culture wars.


REGIONAL: Journalists not sufficiently trained in health and safety issues

EFJ: A report published by the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) about the safety of journalists across Europe reveals a serious lack of training and awareness, as journalists face increasing threats and intimidation in the course of their work. 


REGIONAL: Journalists’ unions get EU green light to negotiate collective agreements for freelancers

EFJ: The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) today joined the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) in welcoming the newly adopted EU Guidelines on collective agreements by solo self-employed people.


REGIONAL: Links between media freedom and democracy, safety of journalists, and encryption focus of OSCE Media Freedom Representative participation at Warsaw Conference

OSCE: The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Teresa Ribeiro, concluded today her participation in the Warsaw Human Dimension Conference, where she and her Office engaged in various discussions with OSCE participating States, civil society organizations, OSCE Institutions, representatives of inter-governmental organizations, and other stakeholders on a range of media freedom issues and challenges.

ARGENTINA: Officials from Argentina and China launched joint audiovisual production and cultural week (Spanish)

Ámbito: Argentina and the People’s Republic of China launched a joint audiovisual production to “deepen knowledge between the two peoples” and also kicked off the cultural week within the framework of a high-level exchange forum between the two countries, which took place this morning with a mixed modality that included the participation of Foreign Minister Santiago Cafiero and Chinese and Argentine public media authorities.


ARGENTINA: The astronomical cost of Public TV (Spanish)

La Nacion: Extremely expensive and totally uncritical about the acts of the government, the official channel eludes the opposition and gives ample space to condemned members of the ruling party. 


BRAZIL: A Bolsonaro reelection poses biggest threat to Brazilian press freedom, says RSF

RSF: Attacks on the media have been one of the hallmarks of Jair Bolsonaro’s first term as Brazil’s president. Supported by an increasingly virulent base and backed by disinformation campaigns, he has undermined press freedom and the right to information. 


BRAZIL: Bolsonaro gets irritated by questions from foreign journalists (Portuguese)

Ultimo Segundo: After voting in Vila Militar, West Zone of Rio, shortly after 8:50 am this Sunday (2/10), the candidate for reelection to the presidency of the Republic, Jair Bolsonaro (PL), got angry with an Argentine press team, from the C5N channel.


BRAZIL: Brazil election: Social media content crafted for disruption (Watch)

Al Jazeera: In Brazil’s upcoming election, President Jair Bolsonaro is not going down without a fight. He has raised the prospect of electoral fraud, used old tricks from his media playbook to spread disinformation, and while the public is more attuned to these dangers now than it was in 2018, there is still a lot at stake.


BRAZIL: Secom paid BRL 3.2 million to broadcast coup speeches and Bolsonaro’s lies on TV Brasil (Portuguese)

Aos Fatos: A survey by Aos Fatos reveals that Secom paid BRL 3.2 million to the EBC, between January and May of this year, to broadcast events in which Bolsonaro disseminated at least 287 false and misleading allegations. 


CHILE: Pablo Iglesias calls in Chile to democratize media power (Spanish) 

Cronica Digital: Former Spanish Vice President Pablo Iglesias advocated in Chile for democratising media power, after recalling that in many countries the press is today at the service of the interests of millionaires.


COLOMBIA: The IACHR will study the murder of Colombian journalist and humorist Jaime Garzón (Spanish)

Qué Pasa: The murder of Colombian journalist and humorist Jaime Garzón, perpetrated on August 13, 1999, will reach the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), which will study the violation of fundamental rights to life, personal integrity and freedom of thought and expression that implied his murder.


COLOMBIA: Who will be the new manager of RTVC? Petro shuffles several names (Spanish)

El Colombiano: The decision would be announced next week by the National Government.


ECUADOR: University of Ecuador promotes actions for the mental health of journalists

Swiss Info: The Private Technical University of Loja (UTPL) promotes actions in favor of the mental health of journalists in Latin America, through online conferences (webinars) and the creation of an online course and free access.


HONDURAS: 16 departments scene of violent actions against journalists (Spanish) 

Proceso Digital: The National Commissioner for Human Rights (Conadeh), recorded in 16 departments between 2001 and September 2022, the violent death of 94 people linked to the media, of which 90% of the cases continue in impunity.


JAMAICA: Allen calls for incentives, delay of full digital switchover

Jamaica Gleaner: RJRGLEANER Communications Group CEO Gary Allen is calling for a review of the January 2023 deadline for full digital switchover (DSO), noting that all players in the local broadcasting landscape and members of the public will not be ready in time.


JAMAICA: RJRGLEANER Communications Group announces management changes

Jamaica Gleaner: The RJRGLEANER Communications Group has made changes to its senior management.


MEXICO: Federal Public Media in the 2023 Budget (Opinion – 23 September – Spanish)

El Economista: It is almost definitive: the federal public media have not been relevant or important for the government of the Fourth Transformation.


MEXICO: Report: Mexico continued to use spyware against activists

ABC News: The Mexican government or army has alledgedly continued to use spyware designed to hack into the cellphones of activists, despite a pledge by President Andrés Manuel López Obrador to end such practices.


MEXICO & US: The Record-High Murders of Journalists in Mexico Makes Me Fear for the Free Press in the U.S.

TIME: Mexico has hit a record for most journalists killed in a year—at least 13 in 2022—and we’re only in October. If you ask why, most people say “the narcos.” If you ask Mexican President Andrés Manual López Obrador, he says there is no persecution of journalists by officials and no impunity, and anyone who says otherwise only wants to smear his administration. Neither is entirely correct.


NICARAGUA: Censoring CNN: “Latest Attack on Press Freedom in Nicaragua”

Havana Times: Carmen Aristegui, the director of “Aristegui Noticias”, says the measure seeks to “silence, censor and diminish Nicaraguans’ possibilities of accessing information.”


NICARAGUA: Nicaragua must restore full enjoyment of civil and political rights, particularly freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association, media and civic assembly: UN and IACHR experts

Relief Web: The Nicaraguan State has a duty to comply with its international obligations to respect and guarantee fundamental freedoms, UN and Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) experts urged in a joint declaration.


PERU: Jacqueline Fowks on the Day of the Journalist: “in Peru it is generalized that all the media are sold” (Spanish)

Radio Pachamama: The vigilant role of journalism remains active in most of the country’s media because in the 2021 General Elections there was misinformation about this process in Lima, said the journalist and professor, Jacqueline Fowks de la Flor, on the occasion of having remembered this October 1 the Day of the Journalist.


PERU: Journalist’s Day: balance of the situation of press freedom in Peru (Spanish)

Gestión: In Peru, journalists suffer severe reprisals and persecution of all kinds when they report cases of corruption or drug trafficking, or if they undertake investigations into social and environmental conflicts. 


VENEZUELA: How does instrumentalization of fear foster censorship and affect access to public information in Venezuela? (Spanish)

VOA News: Fear of reprisals has increased censorship and self-censorship in Venezuela, where the right to access public information has been violated and opacity has become a custom, fundamental rights activists warn.


VENEZUELA: Public Space: Cases of violation of freedom of expression rise to 28% (Spanish)

El Carabobeño: The organization indicated that September “closed as the month that has registered the most cases of violations of freedom of expression” so far in 2022, which were, for the most part, censorship, administrative restriction and intimidation.

IRAN: Names of journalists arrested in Iran’s anti-state protests

CPJ: CPJ has documented the names of journalists arrested in Iran amid protests over the death in morality-police custody of a 22-year-old woman, Mahsa Amini, arrested for allegedly violating the country’s conservative dress law.


IRAN: BBC condemned the harassment of Farsi journalists (Persian)

BBC News Persian: Last week, Iran’s Ministry of Information accused BBC Farsi of producing what it called “false news” and “encouraging rebellion.”


IRAQ: Training Program for Iraqi Business Journalists opens September 29 (Opportunity)

DW: Business Journalists 4Change, a program to help Iraqi mid-career business journalists report on economic reform initiatives in their country, will kick off its six-month courses on September 29.


SAUDI ARABIA: 4 years after Khashoggi’s murder, assaults on press freedom are getting worse (Opinion)

The Washington Post: On the fourth anniversary of Jamal Khashoggi’s murder, we should demand accountability from Saudi Arabia, louder than ever. But we should also denounce, as Khashoggi would have, the assaults against press freedom in so many other countries that continue unabated — and often go unremarked.


SAUDI ARABIA: Four years after orchestrating the killing of Jamal Khashoggi, the Crown Prince’s predator-in-chief Saud al-Qahtani remains protected and free

RSF: Four years after the brutal assassination of Saudi columnist Jamal Khashoggi, none of the 26 men implicated in his murder have faced any real punishment. The man accused of leading them, Saud al-Qahtani, never even stood trial. 


TURKEY: Turkish journalist body demands withdrawal of new bill tightening control on internet media

DuvaR: The Journalists’ Union of Turkey (TGS) has sent petitions to all political parties in the parliament, demanding that the government withdraw its bill seeking up to three years in jail for those spreading so-called “disinformation” on the internet.


REGIONAL: Qatar joins Arab council to mull ‘unified media plan’ on Palestine reporting amid ongoing censorship

Doha News: Qatar joined Arab nations in discussing a unified media plan on Monday to improve reporting on developments in Jerusalem amid ongoing Israeli attacks against Palestinians.


REGIONAL: Turkey must give me the evidence it has about the murder of my husband, Jamal Khashoggi (Opinion)

The Guardian: It is four years since his killing, but my fight for justice continues. I need details about the plot and the technology that was exploited.

CANADA: Between Us: September, a month for reconnecting (Blog)

CBC/Radio-Canada: This fall, we’re doubling down on our unique strength: our public service mandate. We strive to live this mandate in all that we do, as shown in our rich, diverse programming that reflects you across all our platforms; in our coverage of exceptional events, such as the death of Queen Elizabeth; and in our special programming, such as for the second National Day of Truth and Reconciliation on September 30.


CANADA: From CBC Kids News and MAJ to Rad and Street Cents, find out how CBC/Radio-Canada informs and engages with young audiences (Press release)

CBC/Radio-Canada: CBC/Radio-Canada’s Annual Public Meeting was held virtually yesterday. Canadians learned more about how the public broadcaster is delivering on its strategic priority to engage with young audiences across the country.


CANADA: The tentative agreement approved by 88% of STTRC employee members (French – Press release)

Radio-Canada: Following the vote that took place today, the employee members of the STTRC (Syndicat des Travailleurs de Radio-Canada) voted in favor of the agreement in principle reached recently between the management and union. 


US: AWARN, Local Partners Convene Regional Roundtables To Reboot Broadcaster-Public Safety Partnership

TV News Check: With its local partners, the AWARN Alliance is convening a series of roundtable discussions between local TV stations and local emergency managers — the people who issue emergency alerts. The goal is to lay the groundwork for the voluntary use of NextGen TV Advanced Emergency Information (AEI) and “reboot” the historic partnership between broadcasting and public safety.


US: Disinformation targeting U.S. Latino communities is widespread. Here’s why.

IJNet: Hispanic and Latino communities in the U.S. — which make up almost one fifth of the country’s population — have been 1.5 times as likely to contract COVID-19 compared to white, non-Hispanic people, twice as likely to be hospitalized and 1.8 times as likely to die from the virus. 


US: Fight Over Dead Reporter’s Sources Stalls Before Vegas Judge

VOA News: A fight to block government access to a slain investigative journalist’s sources and unpublished work stalled Wednesday, when a Las Vegas judge said she didn’t have jurisdiction to consider the question.


US: New report finds lack of Latino representation in U.S. media is bad for business

Boise State Public Radio: About 30% of the New York City Police Department are U.S. Latinos, but “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” on NBC has only one Latino co-lead.


US: Oregon journalist arrested while reporting on homeless sweep sues Medford and its police department

Oregon Live: A journalist with Oregon Public Broadcasting has filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against the city of Medford, Medford police and Jackson County, alleging her Sept. 22, 2020, arrest in a city park prevented her from doing her job to cover a police sweep of a homeless camp.


US: Public Broadcasters Losing Viewers Due to Cable Headend Consolidation

TV Tech: Public broadcasters are urging the FCC to consider its unique position in the U.S. broadcasting environment when it comes to using DMA data to determine “must carry” status, warning the commission that the consolidation of cable headends is threatening public broadcasters’ obligations to serve the viewing public. 


US: Public Media Builds Community Connections with ‘Making Black America’

CPB: “Making Black America: Through the Grapevine,” the new PBS docuseries by Henry Louis Gates Jr., chronicles how Black people, excluded from white America, built their own social networks and organizations to create a world that highlighted their ability to collectively prosper and define Blackness in ways that transformed America itself.


US: Resolution Commemorates the Essential Service of Public Radio Music Stations

NPR: This week, U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-DE) and Roy Blunt (R-MO) introduced S. Res. 813, a resolution honoring the unique role of public radio music stations to the public media system. This bipartisan resolution marks October 26, 2022, as Public Radio Music Day and expresses appreciation for local public radio music stations and their service to listeners and musicians across all 50 states and U.S. territories. 


US: The Debate Over Public Media Funding Continues

Protect my Public Media: The debate over public media funding continues. Ahead of September 30, the end of the current fiscal year, Congress passed a stopgap measure that funds government programs, including support for public media, through December 16. The President is expected to sign the legislation into law.


US: ‘We’re live, we’re local’: Kansas Public Radio marks 70 years on the air (Opinion)

Kansas Reflector: When I roll out of bed in the morning, one of my first moves is to tune in to public radio — Kansas Public Radio, to be specific. I like to be informed about what’s going on in the world and hear from familiar voices as I make the coffee and start the day.


US, INDONESIA & VIETNAM: U.S. Department of State Launches Partnership with Google in Indonesia and Vietnam, Pilots Media Literacy and Google Startup Academy Programs at American Spaces (Press release)

US Department of State: The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) and Google announced today a new partnership to support education, training, and upskilling in Southeast Asia, with pilot projects in Indonesia and Vietnam getting underway in the coming days. 

Abortion language guide: how to use your voice for choice and end abortion stigma (Guide)

MSI Choices: Whether you’re a journalist, a content creator, or a pro-choice advocate looking to spread awareness, this guide is designed to help you talk about abortion and help end abortion stigma.


David Taylor, editor of Tortoise, on slowing down during breaking news

Journalism.co.uk: Less is sometimes more. This slow news startup turned to a six-piece podcast series, three live events and its standard newsletter when Britain faced a historic news event. 


Five ways media and journalists can support climate action while tackling misinformation

UN News: Climate journalism fulfills a unique role in covering one of the most pressing issues of our time.


How to protect digital information working on the frontlines. Recommendations from the Council of Europe experts

Council of Europe: The purpose of the webinar is to increase the level of knowledge of journalists about the security of communications in the front-line zone and in the occupied territories, as well as about the preparation of devices for travelling to dangerous territories.


Independent and Telegraph websites cut number of ads in reader data rethink

Press Gazette: Digital chiefs at the Independent and Telegraph have been cutting the number of ads on web pages as the impending demise of third-party cookies forces publishers to rethink their approach to reader data and online advertising, Press Gazette’s Future of Media Technology conference was told.


Links between media freedom and democracy, safety of journalists, and encryption focus of OSCE Media Freedom Representative participation at Warsaw Conference

OSCE: The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Teresa Ribeiro, concluded today her participation in the Warsaw Human Dimension Conference, where she and her Office engaged in various discussions with OSCE participating States, civil society organizations, OSCE Institutions, representatives of inter-governmental organizations, and other stakeholders on a range of media freedom issues and challenges.


One year on, Pandora Papers continues to be anti-corruption ‘tour de force’

ICIJ: From pivotal legislative pushes in the U.S. and elsewhere, to ongoing probes into deposed leaders and tax dodgers, the impact of the largest ever offshore investigation is still being felt around the world.


Science Misinformation: Journalism in the Age of Truth Decay (Opportunity)

Pulitzer Center: The Pulitzer Center is seeking applications for in-depth and investigative stories related to science misinformation, science denial, and the spread of pseudoscience. We’re also interested in journalistic approaches to identifying and addressing the scourge of scientific misinformation and disinformation.


Simple Tips for Verifying if a Tweet Screenshot Is Real or Fake

GIJN: Sharing screenshots of tweets is a common way of sharing information on Twitter. But unlike a quote tweet, in which the actual tweet posted by an account is accessible, screenshots rely on audiences trusting that the post seen in the screenshot is real.


State Media in 2022: From Worse to Worse

Media and Journalism Research Center: More than 84% of the world’s state media are government-controlled, according to a new report from the Media and Journalism Research Center issued today.


Survivor’s guilt is real. Here are some strategies for combatting it.

Poynter: The International Association of Fire Chiefs says after a catastrophe like Hurricane Ian, first responders commonly suffer from “survivor’s guilt,” which is an overwhelming feeling that they could have and should have done more to help people. 


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Header image: A row of journalists writing in their notepads.Credit: The Climate Reality Project / Unsplash.com

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