30 November 2012
Al Jazeera, Russia Today the Telegraph Media Group and VICE are amongst the leading global media companies to have recently launched dedicated channels on Dailymotion, the world’s second largest video portal.
Al Jazeera’s English and Arabic live news channels have now launched on Dailymotion. Under the deal, Dailymotion will live stream the two news channels. Al Jazeera will also upload highlighted video news clips daily from both channels that will be available on demand to Dailymotion users.
The partnership with Al Jazeera adds to the stable of world-leading news content available on Dailymotion including CNN International, Bloomberg and France24.
“Foreign Correspondents: How They See Us,” is the first project of several Dailymotion plans to co-produce with youth media company VICE (www.vice.com). Over five episodes, “Foreign Correspondents” follows international journalists from Hong Kong, France, the Middle East, Australia and Italy as they grapple with the turbulent, boisterous hustle of the recent US Presidential Election campaign.
Thousands of videos and news bulletins from Russia Today, the first Russian 24/7 English-language news channel that brings the Russian view on global news, and the Telegraph Media Group, home of the Daily and Sunday Telegraph, will also be uploaded to Dailymotion over the coming months.
Harriet Fuest, UK Content Manager at Dailymotion, said: “Dailymotion is really proud to be a distribution platform for some of the world’s leading media. The demand for live news coverage and news videos on demand has grown dramatically over the last 24 months as people have sought independent and up-to-the-minute news on era-defining global events such as the Arab Spring, the election in the US and the growth of China. Dailymotion users can now access an even wider range of news highlights on demand that is complemented by a live stream, ensuring that they can get all their breaking global news on just one site.”
Russia Today on Dailymotion: http://www.dailymotion.com/RTnews VICE on Dailymotion: http://www.dailymotion.com/vice Al Jazeera on Dailymotion: http://www.dailymotion.com/aljazeeraenglish
The Telegraph Group on Dailymotion: http://www.dailymotion.com/telegraphvideo
28 November 2012
Channel NewsAsia announces its collaboration with leading technological and electronics companies, Lenovo and TP Vision, to equip its studios with top of the range products. Under this partnership, the laptops and LED television sets would be refreshed with the latest models that would give the studios a more dynamic look and feel, and enhance the teams’ production of the news programmes.
Mr Yong Chung Jin, Assistant Vice President, Marketing, Channel NewsAsia says, “Technological advances the world over are reshaping lifestyles and the way news and information is consumed. This tie-up couldn’t have come at a more strategic time as the channel prepares to expand its programming to 24 hours. We are raising the stakes to increase not just the volume, but also the quality of content for all areas – general, business and sports news, features and documentaries.”
“As Channel NewsAsia expands its programming, Lenovo is proud to be a part of this growth. The partnership will allow us to better showcase our latest range of innovative products and bring news to a wider audience in the region. It will further strengthen our brand as a leader in the PC+ Era, and we look forward to a successful partnership,” adds Mr Koh Kong Meng, General Manager and Executive Director of Lenovo ASEAN.
Mr Maarten de Vries, Chief Executive Officer of TP Vision says: “Innovating to make television viewing an increasingly enjoyable experience is a continuing goal for us, and good content is an important part of this. Philips TVs are known for their outspoken product design and excellent picture quality. We are thrilled to be in partnership with Channel NewsAsia that is also constantly pushing the boundaries for news and programmes that its viewers wait to watch.”
The partnership deal starts in November 2012.
Channel NewsAsia had earlier announced aggressive plans to extend its “live” programming to 24 hours, starting January 2013, with a slate of changes including increased coverage and programmes, quality productions, and beefed up reporting facilities. The channel intends to maintain its lead in content out of South East Asia, adding new bureaus in Indochina and India.
Its business programmes are increased to highlight the best of Asia, and issues affecting Asian companies, and opening a new studio at the heart of Singapore’s business district at the Marina Bay Financial Centre, reflects this role seriously.
Channel NewsAsia is also looking beyond television and deliver programmes across all platforms interactively to audiences everywhere.
22 November 2012
INSI, the International News Safety Institute, has issued advice for journalists travelling to Goma. It says EXTREME CAUTION SHOULD BE EXERCISED IF TRAVELLING TO GOMA.
The recent takeover in Goma by March 23 (M23) is the fourth time the country has fallen to rebel hands since its independence from Belgium 52 years ago. On Tuesday 20 November the FARDC (the Congo National Army) was pushed out of Goma and MONUSCO, the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the DRC, was unable to stop it. MONUSCO was authorised to use force to protect civilians and support Congolese army operations against rebel groups and militias competing for control of mineral wealth. The UN backed the army with attack helicopters but the soldiers disappeared when M23 approached the city.
The situation is much calmer today (Wednesday 21 November) and M23 are trying to bring a sense of security to the town. Some 2,000 army troops and 700 police turned in their weapons at a large M23 rally at the stadium in Goma this morning.
There are still some UN peacekeepers in Goma but they have no power to do anything.
M23 said today that they would continue their march through the DRC.
GOMA AIRPORT
It is unclear who is in control of the international airport, a strategic location as it is a vital lifeline for business and aid flights.
It has been reported that the M23 controls the civilian areas around the international airport, but that the airport itself is still under UN control. The airport is divided into the military side and the civilian side.
However there is also a view that the airport was seized by M23 yesterday morning, along with the rest of Goma.
GOMA TOWN
The situation was volatile yesterday (Tuesday 20 November) as gun battles in the streets raged on between FARDC and M23.
The situation was much calmer today, as the army had left. There have been unconfirmed reports that the army has fled either to Sake, in the east of North Kivu, or to the south, but there is no concrete evidence of this (n.b.. Reuters reported today that Sake has been taken by the rebels).
Although there is still some UN presence in Goma, they remain “impotent”.
The FARDC declared today that they have withdrawn to regroup and reinforce, however there is skepticism as to whether this will happen. Security forces are poorly paid by the Congolese government and at an M23 rally at the stadium in Goma today (n.b. The impression was that they “surrendered’) the security forces were seen approaching the rebels and asking for a higher pay.
JOURNALISTS
Journalists are advised to stay on the main roads and to avoid going into smaller residential areas. Smaller residential areas are like warrens, and difficult to get out of once you’re in.
Over the past six weeks it has become increasingly difficult to travel at night because motorcycle taxis no longer operate at night, and travelling alone is too dangerous. Some journalists choose not to travel at night for security reasons. INSI cannot recommend that journalists travel at night in this area nor take local motorbike taxis.
Reporting can be difficult because of poor telephone lines and no internet.
The general consensus is that western journalists are able to operate freely.
However the situation is difficult for local journalists who are rejecting the rebellion. The state owned radio in Goma has been taken off air and many government media workers are fleeing the area. Some are agreeing to work with M23. Some local journalists are not being harassed by M23 at all.
WORKING OUTSIDE GOMA
This morning the FARDC were deployed to some parts of Goma and there were some reports of sporadic gunfire. The fighting did not last long. Later, M23 seized Sake. They said today that they plan to capture Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu province. At the time of writing, the rebels were reportedly heading to Minova, to the south of Sake.
It is believed that M23 may move to Minova, then Bukavu, then has aspirations to take the whole country. It is thought there will be little resistance because of low morale (poor pay, etc.) in the Congolese army. The other option, that M23 retreats, seems less and less likely.
Extreme caution should be exercised if choosing to work outside Goma.
WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD?
A meeting is to be held Thursday 22 November at 0700 GMT between M23 and the newly recruited / surrendered security forces to discuss their role. The rebels were initially greeted by the civilian population as they entered Goma yesterday, but there are pockets of anger directed towards the UN, who failed to protect it. This anger was directed towards westerners in general as often the civilian community fails to distinguish between the UN, western media and other NGOs.
It is difficult to gauge the mood of the civilian population and difficult to determine whether the rebels are feared or not. there was a risk of looting, although Col Seraphin Mirindi, of M23, gave these new security forces the order not to loot today.
M23 has been handing out mobile numbers on bits of paper to the civilians, to alert them of any incidents – “an informal 999”. There have been reports of small arms going around, and there was sporadic gunfire yesterday evening and last night but it was short-lived.
Contact INSI if you require an equipment list or further information for working in hostile environments – Hannah Storm, Director hannah.storm@newssafety.org
Note – INSI has collated this information from journalists on the ground. It has checked its authenticity as much as it can, however can not take any responsibility for ensuing problems as a result of this information.
22 November 2012
The Association for International Broadcasting has today announced that it has appointed Amitabh Srivastava as its regional head in South Asia. This appointment is the first of a series of expansions of AIB’s work in a number of regions of the world.
As regional head, Srivastava (pictured right) will oversee the growth of AIB’s membership in India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Pakistan, countries where there is significant expansion in the number of TV channels and radio stations. Significantly, a growing number of these broadcasters are developing international services.
Srivastava will also be able to assist AIB’s existing members who are seeking to develop their businesses in the South Asia region, drawing on his experience in working for a range of major international brands. He has also developed partnerships between media owners and mobile operators in South Asia.
“I am delighted to welcome Amitabh to AIB,” said Simon Spanswick, AIB chief executive. “He has worked in the media sector in India representing major brands for a number of years and has achieved remarkable successes. Now we look forward to Amitabh leading AIB’s growth in one of the world’s most dynamic and fastest-growing media markets.”
Commenting on his appointment, Amitabh Srivastava said “It is great to be joining the world’s leading industry association and supporting major international TV and radio broadcasters as well as service providers. I am looking forward to developing AIB’s membership base in South Asia and to involving more broadcasters from this region in global conversations.”
Amitabh Srivastava joins AIB from Radio Netherlands Worldwide where he was country manager. While at RNW, he developed the first partnership between All India Radio and an international broadcaster, and achieved significant rebroadcasting and content syndication deals with commercial FM stations and new media platforms in the region. Before RNW, Srivastava worked with Walt Disney, BBC, MTV and a range of other international media houses developing their operations in India andSouth Asia.
19 November 2012
The Arab Satellite Communications Organization – Arabsat – holds its 5th forum for Telecommunications services providers in Dubai, United Arab Emirates on 21st , 22nd , November 2012, in the presence of a group of telecommunications companies and Arabsat customers. The Arabsat delegation in this forum is headed by Eng / Mueid bin Gharam Allah Al-Zahrani, Executive Vice President for Technical Affairs.
Eng. Khalid bin Ahmed Balkhyour, President & CEO of Arabsat, stated that during the Forum a number of technical worksheets related to Arabsat customers will be discussed and presented in order to improve customer services. There will also be presentations provided by major private companies working in the field of Telecommunications, and the forum will discuss the last updates in the field of satellite telecommunications services through Arabsat future satellites.
