14 May 2012
The Roosevelt Foundation, a private establishment dedicated to the ideals and achievements of Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt, has presented Al Jazeera Media Network with its 2012 Freedom of Speech and Expression Award.
The Foundation recognised Al Jazeera Media Network for “its longstanding efforts to provide independent, impartial news for an international audience and to offer a voice to a diversity of perspectives from under-reported regions”.
Ahmed bin Jassim Al-Thani, Director General of Al Jazeera Media Network, accepted the award at a ceremony on May 12, 2012 in Nieuwe Kerk in Middelburg, Netherlands in the presence of Queen Beatrix. He said:
“It is with immense pride and sincere humility that I accept the Freedom of Speech and Expression Award on behalf of Al Jazeera Media Network.
“Al Jazeera launched in 1996 as the first independent Arabic news channel in the world, with a vision to provide unbiased news coverage in a region where independent and balanced reporting did not exist.
“From the beginning, Al Jazeera led the way in putting the human being at the heart of its news agenda – with the opinion and the other opinion as the foundation of our journalistic values.
“Now, with the largest news network of bureaux across the globe, we stand tall as an international media network – with journalists, channels, and initiatives that transcend boundaries and challenge conventional wisdom.
“At the heart of Al Jazeera’s strength is our employees. They are our biggest asset. The courage of our people who risk their lives on a daily basis serves as an example of true heroism and courage.
Previous winners of Freedoms Medals have included Nelson Mandela, Kofi Annan, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, J. William Fulbright, Arthur Miller, The Most Rev’d Desmond Tutu, Terry Waite, Vaclav Havel, Mary Robinson.
Since 1982, the centenary of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s birth, the Roosevelt Institute and the Roosevelt Stichting have awarded Four Freedoms medals each year to individuals who exemplify the vision of the Four Freedoms that President Roosevelt outlined in his famous January 6, 1941 speech. The laureates are chosen, based on their lifetime commitment to these ideals, which President Roosevelt, described as essential conditions of human liberty.
A full text of Al Jazeera Media Network’s acceptance speech can be viewed below or here: http://www.aljazeera.com/pressoffice/2012/05/20125121725384344.html
11 May 2012
KBS N, a cable channel operated by KBS, launched a children’s channel on 5 May (Korea’s children’s day).
KBS Kids is targeting a young audience aged from two to twelve, and is aiming to provide content that is educational as well as entertaining. The channel’s line-up includes KBS produced programmes such as ‘Flying Tent’, ‘Playground ZZAM’ and ‘Hutos’ in addition to internationally successful ‘Large Family’ from the BBC and ‘Early Bloomers’ from BabyFrist TV, a US Children’s channel.
Another programming feature of the new channel is the kindergarten zone, a set of programmes broadcast at regular intervals, in which parents and children share the viewing experience.
KBS Kids said that it would be a channel that parents want to recommend for children to watch. KBS Kids will add more variety to KBS N, which already runs four sub channels – KBS Drama, KBS Sports, KBS Prime and KBS Joy.
9 May 2012
The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Dunja Mijatovic, welcomed today a new defamation bill announced by the Queen in the UK Parliament, saying it would augment media freedom in the UK and in other OSCE participating States.
“It is important that the bill aims to address ‘libel tourism’,” said Mijatovic. “This will put an end to ‘jurisdiction shopping’, whereby powerful and wealthy individuals from other countries attempt to stifle criticism at home using plaintiff-friendly British courts.”
The bill to be considered by parliament would also defend media in cases of “responsible publication on matters of public interest” and provide greater protection to websites hosting user-generated content.
The Representative has consistently supported the reform of defamation legislation in the United Kingdom, including the decriminalization of defamation in 2009, and advocated for civil libel reform. The Representative wrote to the Minister of State for Justice in May 2011 supporting this draft legislation.
“I expect the bill to be tabled soon and hope that it will be further improved to address the remaining concerns expressed by civil society organizations, such as the need for a strong test of harm and for restricting the ability of corporations to use libel laws to limit criticism,” said Mijatovic.
www.osce.org
8 May 2012
Starting on 8 May, euronews is broadcasting a series of six profiles of European inventors whose discoveries have revolutionized the world. This special weekly series is produced by euronews in partnership with the European Patent Office
Most of us usually know little or nothing about the products and technologies that improve our daily lives. While some may be mundane and, others can have a big impact, radically changing fundamental things like how we communicate and travel, or enhancing the environment we live in. Behind these innovations are pioneers working on exciting, imaginative new ideas.
In hi-tech, reporter Claudio Rocco focuses on six exceptional inventors, finding out what inspired them and discovering the secrets of their creations, as well as how they have revolutionised our lives.
Find out in hi-tech how…
- Bluetooth was invented by a team of scientists from theNetherlands.
- A Dutchman devised a solution for a better waste water treatment.
- A Frenchman developed a breakthrough treatment for Hepatitis B.
- A Danish researcher totally transformed internal hearing aid models.
- A German inventor created an artificial tropical climate with air cushions.
- And why you’ll no longer need electricity to recharge your batteries, thanks to a German engineer.
On the air starting 8 May 2012 and on catch-up TV on euronews.com: this new programme is produced in the 11 languages of the channel,* on www.euronews.com/programs/hi-tech/, and on iPhone, iPad and Android via the application euronews LIVE.
* Arabic, English, French, German, Italian, Persian, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Turkish and Ukrainian.
Series produced by Claudio Rocco, euronews’ hi-tech journalist
Seven episodes of 4 minutes (six profiles and a report on the European Inventor Awards)
1st episode Tuesday 8th May at 20h50 CET. Schedule of upcoming episodes to be confirmed.
www.euronews.net
8 May 2012
OASYS, the pioneering developer of Automated Playout solutions, has appointed John Biedenharn to the role of Sales Director -Americas as the company continues to build its global operations.
After an early career in aviation animation and computer graphics sales, Biedenharn spent five years with Matrox International, developing worldwide relations with early Broadcast Automation OEM customers. Branching out on his own, he launched and introduced Automation Technology to the North American market through his manufacturers’ representation firm, HD-Ware.
John Biedenharn commented, “I am very excited to join this highly respected company and team. I have known the people at OASYS for some time and have a great deal of appreciation for the products and the company’s thorough understanding of its customers’ requirements.”
The appointment of Biedenharn, who will be based in the greater Los Angeles area, follows on the heels of a very positive NAB for OASYS.
Mark Errington, CEO, OASYS, said, “We had many interesting conversations with US broadcasters at NAB 2012, confirming that OASYS Automated Playout solutions are an ideal fit for the market requirements, providing the features that are needed but not available in other solutions. John’s appointment allows us to assist those looking to move from alternative workflow solutions – both traditional and IT based – and to enable them to take advantage of the benefit of 20 years of development in automated playout, so they can be confident that the features they use are configured for and fit their individual requirements.”
www.oasys.com
