PSM Weekly | 23 – 29 September 2020
Our weekly round-up of public service media related stories and headlines from around the world.
Shutdowns, layoffs and court cases: The clampdown on independent media in the Philippines continues
The ongoing repression of independent media in the Philippines is proving disastrous at a time when trusted and timely news is needed more than ever.
Call Out: COVID-19 compounds risks to public media and their critical role in democracy
Independent public media and public interest journalism underpin informed democracy. Yet many outlets are facing greater threats than ever before.
Attacks on Public Media are an Attack on Democracy
In early June, Facebook announced that it had begun labelling content originating from state-controlled media organisations. This is the most recent manifestation of an ongoing discussion about the distinction between state and public media organisations that is vitally important for citizens of democracies worldwide.
COVID-19: Amplifying the threats to public media
From political interference to funding cuts, many independent public media organisations are facing both new and ongoing threats. Here we reflect on some of these challenges, many of which have been amplified by the COVID-19 crisis.
Conviction of Maria Ressa is a further attack on press freedom in the Philippines
The Public Media Alliance condemns the guilty verdict against Rappler founder and editor-in-chief, Maria Ressa, and journalist, Reynaldo Santos Jr, under the Cybercrime Prevention Act as a further attack on press freedom in the Philippines.
PMA calls for the immediate release of Pakistan editor and media owner
The PMA have issued a letter to Pakistan's Prime Minister calling for the immediate release of Geo TV CEO and Editor-in-Chief, Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman.
Public contest is the only democratic solution to RTVE’s paralysis
More than 170 communication and education professionals, civil society organisations, federations and unions have signed a declaration calling on the Spanish government to restart proposals to democratise RTVE.
World Radio Day: Radio and Diversity
To celebrate UNESCO's 9th World Radio Day, we explore some of the key public media initiatives to promote diversity and inclusion.
Local Democracy Reporting service takes off
New Zealand media organisations are invited to apply to receive content from a $1m pilot scheme aimed at boosting the reporting of local democracy issues across the country.