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...
COLOMBIA: “Journalism needs to be free” (Watch – Spanish)
VOA: In a special production of the Voice of America, Colombian journalist Yolanda Bedoya tells about her years as a reporter, journalism from a few years ago and the challenges of press freedom in her country.
What we're listening to...
Why news seems to have lost its place on social networks (French)
RFI: Journalist Hubert Guillaud describes himself as an “internet retroengineer”. On his blog, he recently wrote about the “collapse of information” on social networks, which, among other things, is putting the media in a complicated situation.
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IPI: One year later, IPI renews calls for investigation into the murder of journalist Jean Jacques Ola Bebe
COTE D’IVOIRE: International Sports Press Association condemns journalists’ ‘deplorable’ behavior at Africa Cup
Africa News: The International Sports Press Association has condemned journalists’ “deplorable” behaviour at the Africa Cup of Nations after several incidents including fighting and celebrating in the stands.
DR CONGO: Free Prominent Journalist, Drop Charges
Africa.com: The Democratic Republic of Congo authorities should immediately and unconditionally release the prominent journalist Stanis Bujakera, and drop the charges against him, Human Rights Watch said today. Bujakera has been detained since September 8, 2023, in police custody and later at Kinshasa’s Makala central prison.
ETHIOPIA: New media law must be respected
Development Diaries: Ethiopia is now one of the worst places for a journalist to work, a worrisome trend the government needs to urgently address.
GHANA: Disinformation & Politics: The Dangers It Poses in Building the Ghana We Want
Modern Ghana: In this digital age, the spread of disinformation has become a pressing concern, especially when it intersects with politics. Ghana, like many other countries, is not immune to this threat.
GHANA: GBC inaugurates Political Broadcast, Monitoring and Complaints Committee for 2024 Elections
GBC: As part of measures to ensure that all political parties recognised by the Electoral Commission receive fair and equitable time allocation before, during and after election 2024, the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC), has inaugurated a Political Broadcast, Monitoring and Complaints Committee to oversee the coverage of the December General Election.
Modern Ghana: The voices of young people are essential to the transformation of communities; they are invaluable resources for promoting constructive change.
GUINEA: In Guinea, journalists censored, expelled, arrested
CPJ: Guinean authorities should immediately reverse the suspension of Dépêche Guinée and the privately owned news website’s publishing director, Abdoul Latif Diallo, ensure journalists are not expelled or arrested over critical coverage, and ensure unhindered access to social media platforms, news sites, and broadcasters.
KENYA: Kenya’s media giants are plotting for a fight with the government over ad spending
Semafor: Executives at two of Kenya’s largest media houses are considering legal challenges to what they believe is a politically-charged move to centralize government advertising.
KENYA: Ruto appoints veteran journalist Tom Mshindi KBC board chair
The Star: President William Ruto has appointed veteran Journalist Tom Mshindi to be the board chairperson of the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation.
MALAWI: IPI condemns threats against journalist Gregory Gondwe following corruption investigation (Statement)
IPI: The IPI global network condemns threats against Malawi investigative journalist Gregory Gondwe by the Malawi Defence Forces after he published an investigation exposing corruption in the supply of military equipment.
MALAWI: Malawi Journalist in Hiding After Exposing Government Corruption
VOA: Investigative journalist Gregory Gondwe, who exposed the Malawian government’s planned purchase of 32 armored vehicles from a company implicated in corruption, is in hiding, fearing arrest by the military.
NAMIBIA: Media union insist charges against New Era editor be dropped despite reinstatement
Windhoek Observer: Namibia Media Professionals’ Union (NAMPU) Acting Secretary General Jemima Beukes, says the union has welcomed the reinstatement of New Era Newspaper Managing Director Johnathan Beukes, following his suspension in September 2023, and returned to work yesterday.
NIGER: Another Niger Media Organization Suspended
Human Rights Watch: The interior minister of Niger’s decision this week to suspend the activities of Maison de la Presse (Press House), an independent media organization, is the latest in a series of government actions to crack down on the press and free expression in the West African country.
NIGERIA: How one Nigerian newspaper took on outrage fatigue
Columbia Journalism Review: In November 2009, Nigeria’s then president, Umaru Yar’adua, left home for medical treatment in Saudi Arabia. For weeks afterward, there was no news of his well-being, not even official communication on the diagnosis of his ailment. In a country where most media organizations are dependent on government patronage for sustenance, particularly in the form of advertisements, the press was largely silent.
NIGERIA: ‘Why we organised tobacco, data journalism training for media’
The Guardian: “The Tobacco and Data Journalism Training is premised on the need for more robust and educative reports on tobacco control in the media,” the Executive Director of Renevlyn Development Initiative (RDI), Philip Jakpor, stated in his address to welcome newsmen to a virtual Tobacco and Data Journalism Training.
RWANDA: Rwandan journalist Dieudonné Niyonsenga says he was beaten, detained in ‘hole’
CPJ: The Committee to Protect Journalists on Wednesday expressed alarm at reports that Dieudonné Niyonsenga had been tortured in a Rwandan prison and called on authorities to unconditionally release the journalist, who is serving a seven-year sentence.
CPJ: Senegalese authorities must restore mobile internet access in the country and the broadcasting license of Walf TV, investigate and hold accountable those responsible for briefly detaining or harassing at least four journalists, and allow the press to report freely, the Committee to Protect Journalists said on Monday.
SOUTH AFRICA: Battle brewing over new laws for the SABC
Business Tech: Media watchdogs are raising concerns about the future of South Africa’s public broadcaster, warning that the SABC Bill is being expedited through parliament without giving due attention to the funding issues that have been plaguing the broadcaster, possibly jeopardising its independence in the process.
TOGO: Investigation reveals two journalists were targeted by Pegasus spyware
International Press Institute: The IPI global network is alarmed to learn that the mobile phones of two Togolese journalists, Loïc Lawson, and Anani Sossou, were targeted in 2021 by digital surveillance and spying software Pegasus.
REGIONAL: Central Africa Communication Ministers Discuss Ways to Stop Hate Speech
Voice of America: Communication ministers from the Economic Community of Central African States, ECCAS, are meeting in Bangui, Central African Republic, this week to map out ways to stop the spread of hate speech.
REGIONAL: For Journalists in Africa, War and Social Media Posts Can Bring Legal Threats
VOA: Among the many challenges for journalists covering conflict in Ethiopia is an increased risk of arrest, data by a media watchdog shows.
AZERBAIJAN: Azerbaijan accused of crackdown on journalists in run-up to election
The Guardian: In late November last year, the investigative journalist Sevinc Vaqifgizi was arrested upon arrival at Heydar Aliyev international airport in Azerbaijan and accused of smuggling foreign currency.
AZERBAIJAN: CPJ joins call for Azerbaijan to maintain unfettered internet access during upcoming elections
CPJ: The Committee to Protect Journalists on Monday joined #KeepItOn Coalition partners in calling on Azerbaijan authorities and the country’s telecommunications companies and internet service providers to maintain free, open, and secure internet access and avoid shutdowns throughout presidential elections scheduled for February 7, 2024.
CAMBODIA: Aren’t Cambodia’s Journalists Tired Of Being Spoken Down To?
The Diplomat: The country’s government views the press as an adjunct of power.
RSF: The suspended death sentence handed down to Australian political commentator Yang Hengjun, author of several articles critical of the Chinese regime in the magazine The Diplomat, is appalling. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) calls for the overturning of this inhumane sentence, based on trumped-up charges of “espionage”.
CHINA: Misinformation spreads in China on ‘civil war’ in Texas
BBC News: Amid the escalating border standoff between Texas and the White House over illegal immigration, misinformation has spread in China that the Lone Star state has officially declared war to secede from the US.
HONG KONG: Hong Kong court finds 2 journalists guilty of unlawfully entering legislature during 2019 protests
CPJ: The two were charged with rioting and unlawfully entering the legislative council along with 11 other co-defendants. Both Wong and Ma pleaded not guilty to the charges, according to Passion Times and a copy of the verdict reviewed by CPJ.
HONG KONG: Our then reporter Ma Qicong was acquitted of riot charges and sentenced to illegally staying in the conference hall (Chinese)
Passion Times: In the case of attacking the Legislative Council on July 1, 2019, a total of 13 people, including our then reporter Ma Qicong, artist Wang Zongyao, and former Hong Kong University Student Union President Sun Xiaolan, were charged with participating in riots and other crimes.
HONG KONG: Under China scrutiny Hong Kong media slips into self-censorship
Nikkei: References to “Hong Kong people” and other phrases indicating an identity distinct from that of mainland China are disappearing from the city’s media, according to an analysis by Nikkei of language used in tens of thousands of editorial pieces published by major Hong Kong Chinese-language newspapers since 2014.
INDIA: Don’t include streaming platforms in Broadcasting Bill: TV industry to MIB
Hindustan Times: The Indian Broadcasting and Digital Foundation criticises the contentious Broadcasting Services (Regulation) Bill, 2023
INDIA: Lights! Camera! Modi! It’s a One-Man Show on Indian Television.
The New York Times: The grand opening of a temple in Ayodhya was both a religious ritual and a made-for-TV spectacle for a broadcast media co-opted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
INDIA: The more united you are the better the journalism: Florian Nehm at DNPA Conclave and Awards
Storyboard 18: The DNPA Conclave and Awards 2024 has kicked off in Delhi, with a focus on the future of digital media in a time of AI-led transformation and the relationship between news publishers and Big Tech platforms.
INDONESIA: TikTok election? Indonesia’s presidential hopefuls battle it out on social media
CNBC: Indonesia’s presidential hopefuls are pulling out all stops to win over voters on social media ahead of the Feb. 14 election. In the country of 274 million, millennials and Gen Z voters make up 56.5% of the electorate — and campaigning on social media is heating up.
JAPAN: Japan’s passport denial for ex-captive journalist ruled illegal
Japan Times: The Tokyo District Court has ruled it illegal that the government refused to reissue a passport for journalist Jumpei Yasuda, who had been taken captive after entering Syria.
KAZAKHSTAN: CPJ urges Kazakh authorities to investigate cyberattacks on media
CPJ: Cyberattacks by unidentified perpetrators have targeted at least nine independent media outlets and multiple journalists in Kazakhstan since November 2023
KAZAKHSTAN: IPI urges withdrawal of sudden changes in proposed media law
IPI: Bill would seriously restrict work of foreign correspondents and online media
MYANMAR: How ‘Myanmar Witness’ documented a deadly air strike denied by state-owned media
France 24: A number of photos and videos that circulated on social media and were picked up by pro-democracy media outlets show the aftermath of an air strike on the village of Ka Nan, in the west of Myanmar on January 7, 2024. While the state television outlet claimed that reports of the air strike were “fake news”, a visual investigation published by “Myanmar Witness” documented the attack and proved the Myanmar Air Force’s involvement. Seventeen civilians are believed to have been killed.
MYANMAR: Since 2021 Coup, Myanmar Media Resist Repression
VOA: Thursday marks three years since Myanmar’s military seized power in a coup, propelling the country into a period of conflict and restrictions on free expression.
PAKISTAN: Media crew injured after clash between Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf workers, police in Karak
The Print: Amid ongoing preparations for the February 8 general election, clashes erupted between Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) workers and police during an election rally in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Karak district on February 4, as reported by The News International.
First Post: Khan’s PTI party has suffered back-to-back setbacks ahead of the February 8 general elections. Earlier in the day, an accountability court sentenced the PTI founder and his wife, Bushra Bibi, to 14 years of rigorous imprisonment in a corruption case.
PHILIPPINES: UN urges Philippines to curb killings of journalists
DW: The UN’s rapporteur for freedom of expression has also described the so-called “red-tagging” of government critics and called for the abolition of an anti-communism task force.
SOUTH KOREA: Make-your-own fake news sites spark concern in South Korea
The Straits Times: Websites allowing a user to easily make and distribute fake news are sparking controversy in South Korea, just as the government plans countermeasures against the spread of false information using modern technology.
SOUTH KOREA: The Korea Herald, iStaging team up for VR technology in new media
Korea Herald: The Korea Herald and iStaging inked a memorandum of understanding to foster a cooperative relationship in the realm of new media, particularly leveraging virtual reality technology.
SOUTH KOREA: YouTube’s fake news problem is getting out of hand in S. Korea
Chosun Daily: YouTube goes unregulated in South Korea – and politicians are only fanning the flame
AUSTRALIA: Australian journalists abandon X in wake of Elon Musk’s Twitter takeover, survey shows
The Guardian: Australian journalists are abandoning Twitter, now called X, with professional usage of the social media site now overshadowed by Instagram and LinkedIn.
AUSTRALIA: Big events drive huge numbers to ABC listen over summer (Press release)
ABC: Key events have driven record numbers to the ABC’s audio on demand platform ABC listen app in the first month of the year.
AUSTRALIA: News outlet blames photoshop for making Australian lawmaker’s photo more revealing
The New York TImes: 9News apologized for the edited photo of the member of a state Parliament, Georgie Purcell, which it said was a result of “automation by Photoshop.”
AUSTRALIA: Six screen creatives selected for the 2024 SBS Emerging Writers’ Incubator Initiative (Press release)
SBS: SBS has today announced the six screenwriters selected for the third year of the SBS Emerging Writers’ Incubator.
The Guardian: Manufacturers of new smart TVs will have to prominently display Australian TV channels to ensure local networks are not crowded out by streamers, under draft legislation released by the Labor government.
FIJI: The women breaking down barriers and pioneering sports commentary in Fiji
ABC: A significant shift is occurring in Fiji as more women are making remarkable strides in the traditionally male-dominated field of sports commentary.
NEW ZEALAND: Media tumult: Traditional TV broadcasting faces uncertain future – briefing document
NZ Herald: The uncertain future of traditional television broadcasting has been raised in a briefing document to new Media and Communciations minister Melissa Lee.
NEW ZEALAND: Programme and schedule update for RNZ National (Press release)
RNZ: RNZ National listeners can expect to hear some changes on the station next month with the introduction of a refreshed afternoons and evening schedule from 26 February. The most significant change is Checkpoint moving to a two-hour programme from 4pm, followed by The Panel at 6pm.
AUSTRIA: FPÖ used debate about ORF and ORF contribution in the National Council for election campaign (German)
Der Standard: Herbert Kickl was accused of propaganda by the political competition with FPÖ TV
AUSTRIA: ORF contribution brings “new inequality” for streamers, ORF refers to the law (German)
Der Standard: Users criticize that those who only stream cannot access essential parts of the ORF offering. The ORF promises improvement
AUSTRIA: ORF-GD-Weißmann: Successful start of “ORF for everyone” (Press release – German)
ORF: ORF 1 achieved its best January rating since 2015; Top values for the ORF group, record usage and great satisfaction with ORF video streams
BELGIUM: Meet the media makers of tomorrow: this was VRT Squad Bootcamp (Press release – Dutch)
VRT: In its role as a public broadcaster, VRT wants to make maximum efforts to engage young talent and allow them to develop in an experience-oriented manner within a professional media context.
BELGIUM: RTBF.be becomes RTBF Actus (Press release – French)
RTBF Pro: From mid-February, the rtbf.be website and app will be upgraded to offer an improved user experience.
BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA: It must not become the only European country without a public service media
IFJ: Bosnia and Herzegovina Radio and Television (BHRT) is facing catastrophic financial difficulties and risks being shut down, leaving 800 employees with no job, if a funding agreement is not reached.
CROATIA: Journalists in Croatia fight against government’s attempts to stifle press freedom
People Dispatch: Media workers staged protests in Zagreb and Split as government looks to criminalize unauthorized leaking of information from criminal proceedings
CZECH REPUBLIC: Czech media landscape shifts as Babiš’s sells media house
Euractiv: One of the largest publishing houses in the Czech Republic – Mafra – will no longer be owned by the Agrofert holding, whose beneficial owner is former prime minister Andrej Babiš, a positive step for Czech media, David Klimeš, director of the Czech Foundation for Independent Journalism, told Euractiv Czechia.
CZECH REPUBLIC: The World Championships in biathlon begins in Nové Město in Moravia. For CT, this is one of the largest and most complex events in the history of television production (Press release – Czech)
Czech TV: iCzech Television will offer all twelve WC races live on ČT Sport from the studio in the Vysočina Arena.
GERMANY: After allegations: SZ deputy editor-in-chief leaves day-to-day business on hold (German)
Deutschlandfunk: The deputy editor-in-chief of the Süddeutsche Zeitung, Alexandra Föderl-Schmid, is temporarily withdrawing from day-to-day business.
GERMANY: Media policy and filmmakers at ZDF reception on the topic of AI (Press release – German)
ZDF: Saxon Prime Minister Kretschmer: “Public broadcasting is an important platform for serious reporting on the relevant issues of our time and our society”
GREECE: The EFJ calls on the EU to take attacks on rule of law in Greece seriously
EFJ: On Tuesday 6 February, 17 organisations, including the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ), who actively monitor and defend press freedom, the rule of law and human rights in Europe sent a joint letter to Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission. In the letter, they express their deep concern about the ongoing deterioration of fundamental rights in Greece.
IRELAND: RTÉ Publishes Report Examining Voluntary Exit Programmes operated in 2017 and 2021
RTÉ: RTÉ is today publishing the independent report by McCann FitzGerald LLP, which reviews RTÉ’s voluntary exit programmes in 2017 and 2021.
IRELAND: RTÉ Publishes Results of Public and Staff Consultations on New Direction Document (Press release)
RTÉ: RTÉ recently published a ten-point plan setting a new direction for the radical transformation of the organisation, outlining a vision for a new RTÉ in the form of commitments and actions.
KOSOVO: Kosovo Urged to Drop Legal Push to ‘Control Online Media’
Balkan Insight: A draft law requiring online media that produce videos to apply for licensing has drawn criticism from local and international media organisations, which accuse the government of attempting to put them under state control.
THE NETHERLANDS: Broadcasters recognize conclusions of cross-border behavior: ‘This should never be allowed again’ (Dutch)
NOS: Nothing seen, nothing heard, nothing done, is the title of the research report into the work culture within public broadcasting. The title and conclusions of the Investigation Committee for Conduct and Culture of Broadcasters (OGCO) do not lie.
THE NETHERLANDS: Transgressive behavior is a widespread issue at NPO: ‘Shocked by misconduct’ (Dutch)
NOS: Transgressive behavior is a widespread issue within the national public broadcaster.
POLAND: In front of the TV at 7:30 p.m. with PiS voters: “They are crazy with this settlement! You can’t watch this” (Paywall – Polish)
Wyborcza.pl: In a village near Biała Podlaska, I ask die-hard pro-PiS “Wiadomości” viewers how they like “19.30”, the new program of the TV channel One.
POLAND: Vot Tak portal recognized in Russia as a “foreign agent” (Press release – Polish)
TVP: Vot Tak is a Russian-language editorial office operating as part of the Belsat TV channel owned by Telewizja Polska. The portal has been placed on the list of “foreign agents” by the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation.
RUSSIA: ‘Stand Up And Keep Going’: Russian Journalists Abroad Keep Independent Media Alive
RFE/RL: When veteran journalist Viktor Muchnik, the editor in chief of one of Russia’s few independent news outlets, TV2, left Russia in March 2022 after regulators blocked TV2’s website, he thought it was “game over” for his career in journalism.
SERBIA: Bloody Footprints: How Sarajevo Journalists Reported a Hometown (Story)
Balkan Insight: When a Bosnian Serb artillery attack hit Sarajevo’s Markale market 30 years ago, killing 68 people, two women journalists were among the first on the scene. The carnage they witnessed has marked their lives ever since.
SERBIA: Hundreds protest acquittals in journalist’s murder
EFJ: Hundreds protested in Belgrade today over a court ruling that acquitted four former intelligence officers jailed for the 1999 murder of journalist Slavko Ćuruvija.
SERBIA: Serbia Clears State Security Officers of Journalist Slavko Curuvija’s Murder
Balkan Insight: The Court of Appeals in Belgrade overturned the verdict convicting four Serbian state security officers of involvement in the assassination of opposition journalist and editor Slavko Curuvija in 1999.
SLOVENIA: RTV Slovenia ceases to operate multiplex C as of February 1, 2024 (Press release – Slovenian)
RTVSLO: RTV Slovenia ceases to operate multiplex C as of February 1, 2024, making multiplex A the only terrestrial digital broadcasting network with coverage throughout Slovenia.
SPAIN: International Distribution of RTVE Content (Press release – Spanish)
RTVE: RTVE celebrates the third day on international content distribution
SWEDEN: Cuts on SR – the climate cone is scrapped (Swedish)
Aftonbladet: Around 180 positions will disappear in Sveriges Radio’s savings package, according to information to Aftonbladet. Among other things, every P4 channel is forced to remove at least one service, Ekot reports.
SWEDEN: Something rotten is happening with public service (Editorial – Swedish)
Aftonbladet: Why are SR and SVT now broken? The tracks lead to Jimmie Åkesson
SWEDEN: This is how Sveriges Radio will lower its costs (press release – Swedish)
SR: Today, Sveriges Radio has placed a notice on 100 positions. Several programs will also disappear from the offer in the coming months. Sveriges Radio’s CEO Cilla Benkö writes about the changes that are taking place and which priorities have been made during the work to reduce costs.
SWEDEN: “We have to save, but also future-proof” (Press release – Swedish)
SR: Yesterday, the overall parts of Sveriges Radio’s savings program were announced. The changes that are implemented naturally raise questions, which is why program director Sofia Wadensjö Karén writes today about the reasoning behind the changes.
UK: A bastion of liberal Britain is in trouble. But Labour has a chance to revive Channel 4’s radical spirit (Opinion)
The Guardian: A different way of funding the broadcaster would give it more security – and help it make bolder programmes, too
UK: I’ve fought for years to report what really goes on in family courts. At last, journalists can (Opinion)
The Guardian: Allowing journalists to report on hearings is welcome. Now editors need to give them the resources to be able to tell these complex stories properly
UK: This UK outlet is creating new pathways for journalists with disabilities
IJNet: The journalism industry is notoriously hard to break into. For journalists with disabilities, even more barriers exist.
UK: Why we’re supporting Safer Internet Day 2024 (Press release)
Ofcom: Ofcom has been a long-term supporter of Safer Internet Day, a global initiative that looks at how we can achieve a safer and better internet for all, and especially for children and young people.
UKRAINE: Ukraine’s press freedom endangered (Newsletter)
The European Correspondent: A recent surge in attacks and smear campaigns against notable Ukrainian journalists has raised concerns about the state of press freedom in Ukraine.
REGIONAL: IJ4EU fund opens new calls for watchdog reporters in Europe (Grant)
IPI: IPI’s flagship support programme for cross-border investigative journalism offers grants of up to €50,000
REGIONAL: Two Years Into EU Ban, Russia’s RT And Sputnik Are Still Accessible Across The EU
RFE/RL: The websites were accessible in a handful of languages despite the European Council’s “urgent suspension” in the early weeks of Russia’s ongoing full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
ARGENTINA: At least 27 press workers were injured while covering the mobilizations (Spanish)
IFJ: According to data from the Buenos Aires Press Union (SiPreBA) and the Argentine Federation of Press Workers (FATPREN), at least 25 journalists and media workers were injured by security forces in the midst of the repression of the mobilizations.
ARGENTINA: Pagni: “We are facing a reorganization of politics, we do not know where it is going” (Spanish)
Télam: The journalist assured in an interview with Télam that “we also do not know very well how this government and this political project of Javier Milei are going to be stabilized.” One of the most prominent companies of the newspaper La Nación, presented its book “El Nudo” in Mar del Plata.
ARGENTINA: The Government intervened for a year in the public media and the Educ.Ar portal (Spanish)
Télam: The national Government made official this Monday the intervention of the State companies Educ.Ar, Télam, Radio and Television Argentina (RTA) and Public Contents for a period of one year, a period that may be extended only once by decision of the Head of Cabinet.
ARGENTINA: UxP senators against the intervention of public media: “It is a clear step towards authoritarianism” (Spanish)
Télam: “This decision expresses an attack on the powers of Congress, and aims to silence dissident voices of democracy by the business media caste,” said a statement from opposition senators against the measure that affects the news agency for a year. Télam, to Radio and Television Argentina (RTA) and to the Educ.Ar portal.
BRAZIL: EBC professionals and vehicles are among the most awarded in the country (Press release – Portuguese)
EBC: The journalists and vehicles of Empresa Brasil de Comunicação (EBC) are listed in the Ranking of the +Premiados da Imprensa Brasileira 2023, released this week by Jornalistas Editora, which brings together the weekly newsletter Jornalistas&Cia and the Portal dos Jornalistas.
LatAm Journalism Review: A year later, civil society organizations that are part of the entity welcome the government’s “good will”, but consider that a lack of personnel and insufficient prioritization of the issue are obstacles to the Observatory being effective.
CHILE: University of Chile held a Language and Inclusive Communication Workshop for journalists (Press release – Spanish)
Universidad de Chile: As part of its commitment to inclusion, the People Management and Development Department of the Casa de Bello developed the Inclusive Language and Communication Workshop aimed at institutional communicators and journalists.
COLOMBIA: “Journalism needs to be free” (Watch – Spanish)
VOA: In a special production of the Voice of America, Colombian journalist Yolanda Bedoya tells about her years as a reporter, journalism from a few years ago and the challenges of press freedom in her country.
HONDURAS: FAPE joins the FIP in its rejection of the murder of journalist Luis Alonso Teruel in Honduras (Spanish)
APM: The Federation of Associations of Journalists of Spain (FAPE) joins the International Federation of Journalists (FIP) , to which it belongs, and repudiates the murder of Luis Alonso Teruel in Honduras. Both federations consider it essential that an urgent investigation be carried out to clarify the circumstances of this crime to guarantee justice and avoid impunity.
MEXICO: Government of Mexico filed a complaint with the FGR for leaking data from “la mañanera” journalists (Spanish)
Infobae: Segob had announced that at least 23 journalists planned to sue criminally after the illicit theft of personal data from the Presidency Accreditation System.
MEXICO: Mexican Leak of Journalists’ Personal Information Highlights Safety Concerns
VOA: The personal data of hundreds of journalists in Mexico was stolen and released in late January, Mexican officials announced this week, in a massive leak that underscores security concerns in a country considered among the most dangerous in the world for reporters.
LatAm Journalism Review: One year ago, journalist Miguel Mendoza was banished from Nicaragua without the opportunity to say goodbye. On Feb. 9, 2023, Daniel Ortega’s regime freed 222 political prisoners, sent them on a plane to the United States and stripped them of their nationality.
PERU: National Association of Journalists points out that the regional governor of Tumbes incited citizens to violate the press at an event (Spanish)
Infobae: Segismundo Cruces Ordinola assured that journalists are dedicated to “criticizing him every day,” so he asked people to ignore them.
VENEZUELA: The Venezuelan Association of Journalists questioned the arrest warrant of Chavismo against the Infobae reporter (Spanish)
Infobae: Sebastiana Barráez was accused of being involved in an alleged conspiracy to assassinate the dictator Nicolás Maduro.
IRAN: Iran Continues Crackdown On Media Outlets, Journalists
Iran International: Over 20 journalists and media outlets and managers in Iran underwent judicial scrutiny in January 2024, a group monitoring freedom of speech and media in Iran reported.
IRAN: Iranian journalist starts serving 6-month sentence; others face raids, legal threats
CPJ: Iranian authorities must immediately release Iranian Kurdish journalist Arsalan Rasouli Amarlooi and end its campaign of harassment and legal threats against journalists
IRAN: US, UK Sanction Iran Over Plot to Kill Iran International Journalists (29 January)
Iran International: The US and UK have announced a sanctions package against a network involved in assassination plots targeting dissidents and including Iran International journalists.
ISRAEL & GAZA: Reaching hostages and prisoners, through Israeli and Palestinian radio
GPB: Thousands of Israeli and Palestinian families know nothing about the fate of their relatives — Israelis held captive in Gaza and Palestinians jailed in Israel — during the Israel-Hamas war.
JORDAN: At least 30 phones of journalists, activists hacked in Jordan with Israeli tech
The Times of Israel: Israeli-made Pegasus spyware was used in Jordan to hack the cellphones of at least 30 people, including journalists, lawyers, human rights and political activists, the digital rights group Access Now said Thursday.
JORDAN: CPJ calls for an investigation into the targeting of journalists with Pegasus spyware in Jordan
CPJ: Between 2020 and 2023, at least 16 journalists and media workers in Jordan were targeted by Pegasus spyware, along with 19 other individuals, including activists, lawyers, and civil society members
PALESTINE: journalists crave routine, home and family
IFJ: As the death toll among Gaza’s journalists climbs, media workers from the enclave have spoken about their dreams of a return to life without bullets, bombs, and brutality.
Emirates24/7: The Dubai Press Club (DPC) today hosted a unique training session, conducted in cooperation with the Google News Initiative focused on equipping journalists and media professionals in the region with the knowledge and skills needed to take advantage of advanced digital tools.
TURKEY: Families demand answers for disappeared journalists in Turkey’s Kurdish regions
Medya News: Families demanded justice for disappeared journalists Kemal Mübariz and Cüneyt Aydınlar in Turkey’s Kurdish regions, while the 984th Galatasaray vigil in Istanbul sought answers for Maksut Tepeli, missing for 40 years.
CANADA: CBC CEO grilled by MPs over management ‘bonuses’ with layoffs looming
CBC: Liberal MP says Canadians find the bonuses ‘hard to stomach’ in a time of layoffs
CANADA: CBC/Radio-Canada launches first-ever National Indigenous Strategy and establishes new Indigenous Office (Press release)
CBC/Radio-Canada: CBC/Radio-Canada today unveiled its first-ever National Indigenous Strategy, Strengthening Relations, Walking Together, and announced the creation of a new Indigenous Office at the public broadcaster.
CANADA: Strengthening Relations, Walking Together with First Nations, Inuit and Métis (Speech)
CBC/Radio-Canada: On February 5, 2024, Catherine Tait, President and CEO, spoke on the occasion of the launch of the public broadcaster’s National Indigenous Strategy at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights
The Hub: Former Minister of Canadian Heritage James Moore discusses his experience as the minister responsible for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and his perspective about the future of the public broadcaster.
US: 3 in 4 U.S. adults can discern real political news headlines from fake ones (Research)
Nieman Lab: New research suggests people in the U.S. are, overall, good at identifying true political news headlines from fake ones — but there are some stark socioeconomic differences.
US: CNN staff say network’s pro-Israel slant amounts to ‘journalistic malpractice’
The Guardian: CNN is facing a backlash from its own staff over editorial policies they say have led to a regurgitation of Israeli propaganda and the censoring of Palestinian perspectives in the network’s coverage of the war in Gaza.
US: Here is the impact of newsroom union strikes on publisher traffic and published articles (Paywall)
Digiday: The media industry has been hit with a devastating wave of layoffs in the past month, from the Los Angeles Times to Condé Nast. Newsroom unions have organized work stoppages and walkouts in an effort to show company managers how valuable their labor is, but what’s the impact of their actions?
US: Here’s how public radio is pushing back against financial headwinds
The Berkshire Eagle: Public radio is not spared from the financial headwinds buffeting broadcast, print and online media.
US: ‘NPR is cool!’ How Tiny Desk Concerts became a pop culture phenomenon
Associated Press: As DJ Mannie Fresh’s trademark “ladies and gentlemen” catchphrase ricocheted throughout the office, a giddy Juvenile, draped in white with his signature bandana, playfully swayed back and forth to the beat of his musicians…
US: Shortage of engineers poses technical challenge for pubmedia stations (Paywall)
Current: The challenges facing the future of broadcast engineering are multifaceted and require a comprehensive strategy to ensure the industry’s sustainability.
US: Spate of job cuts continues unabated at Big Tech, media firms
Reuters: Big Tech and media companies in the United States continue to announce fresh job cuts, a sign that the spate of layoffs seen in 2023 could persist as firms grapple with economic uncertainty.
US: US to Impose Visa Limits on Spyware Abusers Targeting Journalists, Activists
VOA: The Biden administration announced Monday it is rolling out a new policy that will allow it to impose visa restrictions on foreign individuals involved in the misuse of commercial spyware.
US: VOA Headquarters Honored as Historic Site in Journalism
VOA: A plaque honoring Voice of America’s headquarters in Washington as a historic site in journalism was unveiled Thursday, with current and former newsroom leaders present to affirm the importance of the outlet’s editorial independence.
US & RUSSIA: RFE/RL Condemns Extension of American Journalist’s Detention in Russia (Press release)
RFE/RL: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) is outraged by today’s decision in Kazan, Russia to extend the detention of imprisoned American journalist Alsu Kurmasheva until April 5.
Advice for incorporating vulnerable voices in news coverage
IJNet: The most pressing issues of the upcoming year — immigration, economic opportunity, racial disparities, abortion, public education, gun violence, the United States’ role in foreign wars — will be in the spotlight more than ever during the election cycle.
Get tips on using generative AI to streamline workflows and boost creativity
Current: Presented by Public Media Innovators, a NETA Peer Learning Community, the Jan. 18 webinar “Innovate With Current: A Live Users’ Guide to Generative AI Tools” dove into the heart of how people in public media are integrating generative AI tools into their workflows.
How IPI’s Local News Accelerator helped three media take the next step (Case study)
IPI: IPI launched the Local News Accelerator to equip 12 local and niche media from across the globe with the skills to apply innovation and product development techniques to empower their teams and respond to the specific challenges in their context.
How journalists can implement personal experiences in their reporting
IJNet: Journalists’ lived experiences can feel discouraged in traditional news reporting. However, our personal perspectives can be valuable when transparently articulated.
How to meet readers where they are (when where they are is offline)
Nieman Lab: “Traffic to news sites through social media has dropped in recent years, and over half of adults over 65 don’t use social media at all. We wanted to build a way to get The City’s service journalism to New Yorkers who wouldn’t otherwise see it.”
Independent online media for the general public are struggling to develop (Analysis – Paywall – French)
Mind Media: 15 years after the first news websites not backed by major groups appeared on the digital scene, Mediapart is an exception in an under-funded sector where many small, fragile structures exist side by side.
Media Briefing: How publishers are trying to get people to log in to their sites (Paywall)
Digiday
Microsoft in deal with Semafor to create news stories with aid of AI chatbot
The Financial Times: Microsoft is working with media start-up Semafor to use its artificial intelligence chatbot to help develop news stories — part of a journalistic outreach that comes as the tech giant faces a multibillion-dollar lawsuit from the New York Times.
Public Funding of Journalism Is the Only Way (Opinion)
How Things Work
The new ‘power skill’: A guide to becoming AI literate
Digiday: When it comes to workforce AI readiness, the spectrum is broad. For all the employers that have pledged millions of dollars toward training their employees on — or at least encouraging them to experiment with — generative AI tools, a far larger number are still floundering with how to tackle this fast-moving tech.
The New York Times rolls out new byline pages
Nieman Lab: With both mistrust in media and AI-generated news on the rise, The New York Times has rolled out new byline pages that emphasize the ethical guidelines and real-life humans behind its reporting.
Want to create a newsletter? Check out these 4 tips for launching your initiative
LatAm Journalism Review: With relevant and innovative content, newsletters can be important products to overcome the dependence on social networks in the distribution of journalistic materials and expand relationships with the public.
Young newsroom managers are often unprepared for leadership. Here’s how that can change (Opinion)
Poynter: ‘Let’s build proper support systems and processes to deal with high levels of stress and unrealistic expectations.’
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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.
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Header image: An outdoor press conference with multiple cameras and journalists. Credit: Michael Fousert / Unsplash.com
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