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
UK based talkSPORT, the world’s biggest sport radio station, has announced plans for its expansion into Asia at Radio Asia 2012 in Jakarta. talkSPORT director of strategy Jimmy Buckland said that the station team is aiming to work collaboratively with Asia’s leading radio broadcasters to deliver the brand to sports fanatics across the continent.
The announcement follows talkSPORT’s recent agreement to become the official Global Audio Partner of the Barclays Premier League for the next four football seasons (2012/13 – 2015/16). The deal grants talkSPORT an exclusive package of audio rights outside Europe for the next four seasons, with internet users across Asia gaining access to an innovative new service from August 2012, offering commentary on all 380 Barclays Premier League games in English, Spanish and Mandarin.
talkSPORT said it wants to work with local partners to launch its new 24 hour sports FM radio services in key markets which include Jakarta, Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand initially, followed by India and the Philippines, with further services becoming available in markets in China and India.
According to research, 56 per cent of the population of Indonesia express an interest in the Barclays Premier League, with 70 per cent expressing an interest in badminton, yet the country currently lacks a dedicated sports station. A similar picture emerges elsewhere in Asia.
Launched in 2000, talkSPORT is the world’s largest dedicated sports radio station with an audience of more than 3.2 million adults in the UK and was named UK Radio Station of the Year at the 2011 Sony Radio Academy Awards. talkSPORT is part of UTV Media plc, which is one of the UK and Ireland’s leading media groups which also publishes Sport, the most widely read! print and digital sports publication in the UK.
Jimmy Buckland, director of strategy, talkSPORT said: “Asia’s passion for sport and dynamic radio industry makes it the perfect market to replicate talkSPORT’s success in the UK. We are excited about the opportunity to work with partners in Indonesia and across Asia to realize this ambition and look forward to announcing our first new FM radio service showcasing the best of local and international sport.”
Scott Taunton, chief executive, talkSPORT said: “Our expansion into Asia builds on the significant progress the station has made in the UK in establishing itself as the world’s largest sports radio station. Our recent agreement with the Barclays Premier League to become its global audio partner provides the perfect platform for this next stage in our development as we seek to forge a range of exciting partnerships with some of Asia’s leading radio broadcasters.”
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
7 May 2012
On Sunday at 8pm(UAE time)Sky News Arabia, the multi-platform 24-hour Arabic rolling news channel, broadcast for the first time to over 50 million homes across the Middle East and North Africa.
A joint venture between Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation (ADMIC) and BSkyB, the UK’s leading pay television provider, Sky News Arabia will offer a new and fresh approach to news across the Arab world.
A channel committed to providing independent news, whatever the story, Sky News Arabia will offer its audience must-view content from breaking stories to sport, from business to entertainment. The channel is supported by an Editorial Advisory Committee – a first for the region – to ensure Sky News Arabia delivers balanced, accurate and consistent news. Broadcasting from its state of the art head-quarters in Abu Dhabi, the channel promises a ‘new horizon’ in the way it delivers news across multiple platforms.
Servicing the tech-savvy generation, Sky News Arabia also launched its mobile apps – available on iPad, iPhone, Blackberry, and Android devices. Key features include live streaming, news photo galleries, interactive maps as well as the ability to share stories via social media.
The website, www.skynewsarabia .com, which launched in BETA form in February, is now fully completed with features including blogs from presenters and correspondents, live twitter feeds and the ability for users to interact and comment on the topics of the day.
At a launch ceremony hosted by the Chairman of ADMIC and Sky News Arabia, Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, over 400 guests were witness to a live countdown of the launch from the Jumeriah Etihad Towers in Abu Dhabi.
Promising objective and impartial news delivery Dr Al Jaber said in his launch speech: “The region demanded an Arab news product which incorporates both the technological developments and the fast changing media consumption habits that are transforming how news is gathered and disseminated.
“Our market research uncovered a strong appetite from Arab audiences for a high calibre, independent news channel which delivers news in real time and across multiple media platforms, be they high definition television sets, the internet, smart phones or tablets.
“This, coupled with the pace of change and development of the global media landscape, reaffirms the need for Sky News Arabia – a channel launched from the heart of the Arab world for the Arab world. I am confident Sky News Arabia will become an icon for objective news reporting,” Al Jaber explained.
He added: “With the vibrant cultural movement in the UAE, Abu Dhabi is attractive for an organization like Sky news Arabia to objectively disseminate news in the Arab World.”
Dignitaries at the launch event were treated to a behind the scenes look at the making of a news channel from the 18-month journey to set up one of the Middle East’s most advanced broadcast centres, to a live studio feed capturing the Sky News Arabia team’s last minute preparations in the countdown to launch.
Commenting on the channel’s launch, Nart Bouran, Head of Sky News Arabia, said: “This is a momentous occasion for Sky News Arabia and, I believe, a leap forward for the news industry in the Arab world. Our 400 strong editorial team will aim to set new standards for regional news through a high quality, engaging news product which informs viewers of events as and when they happen. “
Andrew Griffith, Chief Financial Officer, BSkyB and Sky News Arabia Board Director, explained: “BSkyB is one of the UK’s most innovative and successful companies and Sky News has always been a pioneering part of our business. Our partnership with ADMIC to create a truly independent news offering for the Middle East and North Africa is a project we are fully committed to. It is an investment that both parties are proud to have made and we aim to set a new standard for news delivery in the region.”
The channel will broadcast on Transponder 15 on Arabsat Badr 4, Transponder 14 on Nilesat 201, on du IPTV and e-Life platforms plus in high definition on the OSN pay-TV platform as well as the Abu Dhabi TV Network.
Launch advertisers include Dolphin Energy, Etihad Airways, First Gulf Bank, Nova Chemicals, and Sebsa.
4 May 2012
Channel NewsAsia is now available to even more consumers of premier programmes with today’s launch of its universal iPad and iPhone application (app).
Building on the popularity of its current iPhone app, the new application features a real time news ticker, full screen photo galleries, location-based weather forecasts, polls, multiple personalisation options and social media integration. Users can also interact with the newsroom directly by sharing user-generated content from within the app.
Articles can be downloaded for offline reading and users can build a favourites list, saving articles for up to three days. Scrolling through the TV programme listings and setting reminders for favourite shows allows users to keep in touch with what’s happening on Channel NewsAsia.
Catherine Dickie, Assistant Vice President, Digital Product Development and Marketing, says “This iPad/iPhone app gives consumers a choice to effectively take Channel NewsAsia with you wherever you go.”
Users can download the app at www.channelnewsasia.com/newsapp or www.itunes.com
