1 March 2007
On Tuesday 6 March, 12.30-1.30pm, The International News Safety Institute (INSI) is presenting the dramatic results of the world’s most comprehensive inquiry into the deaths of journalists over the last decade in a report called Killing The Messenger: The Deadly Price of News.
The dramatic findings are accompanied by recommendations for radical action by the UN, individual Governments, international development institutions, the military, national security agencies and news organisations.
The presentation will include a Top 20 of the most dangerous countries for journalists and media staff to work. The findings will be presented by Rodney Pinder, Director of INSI and the Chair of the inquiry – BBC Director of Global News Richard Sambrook. The event will be chaired by Foreign Press Association President Annalisa Piras.
Venue:
Foreign Press Association
11 Carlton House Terrace
London
SW1Y 5AJ
27 February 2007
Despite continued difficulties with security and reconstruction, television is gaining ground in Afghanistan as the most important news and entertainment source in urban areas, particularly the capital, Kabul, according to recent surveys conducted by Washington, D.C.-based media and public opinion research organisation, InterMedia.
Television use and importance is rising most quickly in Kabul, where socioeconomic conditions are better than in the rest of the country, and among young people 15-24, says Jacob English, an InterMedia Project Manager for the Middle East and North Africa. From 2005 to 2006, television access in the city rose from 59 to 78 percent. Even urban residents who can’t afford to buy a television set have greater access to places where TV is available-others’ homes, cafes and work places. However, due to problems with infrastructure, mainly a lack of consistent electricity and little disposable income, television’s appeal is more socially desirable than affordable for many Afghans.
In a country where 84 percent of the population is rural, the urban-rural split is pronounced: nationwide only 37 percent of Afghans claim to watch TV weekly, compared to 89 percent in Kabul. The capital’s viewers can choose from six privately run channels. InterMedia found that Tolo TV, funded by an Australian based Afghan businessman, is most popular, with programmes including a nightly newscast, roundtable discussions, Islamic programming, and shows on cinema, cooking, music and sports. Afghan State TV is the second most important information source. The station’s principal focus is news, the tone of which is usually consistent with the government line. When it has strayed from this, officials, religious leaders and culturally conservative print outlets have accused the channel of sowing dissent and disrespecting Islam, which in turn has resulted in some self-censorship.
Other challenges remain before Afghans have true choice in terms of media platforms and diversity of views. More than 25 years of war has devastated the country’s infrastructure, leaving radio as the most reliable means of news and entertainment (Afghanistan remains a radio culture-92 percent of Afghans own a radio, 73 percent listen weekly). Further, the resurgent Taliban and the reactivation of the Department for Promoting Virtue and Punishing Vice frighten Afghans, worried about possible future dire consequences from watching television’s more risqué fare.
In 2006, English says, Afghans witnessed increased violence in their country, yet interest in news and overall media consumption declined. This is unusual because media use typically spikes during wars and other crises. But in Afghanistan, many are sceptical of domestic media, perceiving these outlets as biased due to their ties with political figures and factions-thus, the decreased interest in news, which may be due at least in part to dissatisfaction with available media outlets. Nonetheless, the need for news and information will not disappear.
In a country where 56 percent of the people are under 34, young Afghans embrace television and other new technologies more readily than older generations. TV access among those 15-24 has remained steady at more than 30 percent since 2004, but averages less than 15 percent for those over 45.
International and local media producers realize this and are creating programs to target young Afghans.
Young Afghans, English says, are becoming more curious about new technologies and are most likely to drive media consumption patterns in the long run. Western influences — close to 60 percent of youths 15-24 view the United States favourably — and the prestige associated with television ownership may also impact their media choices.
Once this new generation sees and hears the images and voices of television, their demand for this media will likely rise, he says. It’s unlikely they will return to the radio of their parents.
InterMedia is a leading international media research, public opinion, evaluation and consulting organisation creatively equipping clients to understand their audiences, gauge their effectiveness and target their communications in transitional and developing societies worldwide. Based in Washington, D.C., and active year-round in more than 60 countries, InterMedia helps clients understand complex issues in challenging research environments. The company’s strengths include its people — area experts skilled in scientifically-based research and focused on client solutions — its vast global network of local research partners and contacts and its rich data archive of close to 600 media and opinion surveys carried out over the past 15 years. Survey note: InterMedia commissioned the nationwide (31 of 34 provinces) survey of 3,110 respondents. Interviews were conducted in September 2006. Given a sample of this size, the range of error with a 95 percent confidence interval is +/-1.76 percent.
27 February 2007
C. Bradley Hunt, Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer of the Motion Picture Association of America, has joined the board of Teletrax, the global broadcast intelligence company.
A subsidiary of Medialink Worldwide Incorporated, Teletrax offers the first and only digital video watermarking and content tracking service that provides vital television intelligence on a global scale to video providers such as entertainment studios, news organisations, sports leagues, TV syndicators, and the advertising industry. Teletrax is a joint venture between Royal Philips Electronics of the Netherlands and Medialink.
We are thrilled that Brad will be joining us at such an important stage in the development of Teletrax, and at a time when the management and protection of video content is so high on the agenda of content creators and owners, said Laurence Moskowitz, chairman of Teletrax and chief executive officer of its parent, Medialink. Brads vast experience, intimate knowledge of the motion picture industry and technological vision will help us ensure we meet the ever-evolving critical needs of our clients.
Hunt began his career with Eastman Kodak Company in 1976, where he was steadily promoted over his 20 year career holding positions in research and development, marketing, international sales, and strategic planning in the motion picture and digital film businesses. In 1999, he joined the Motion Picture Association of America as CTO and was named executive vice president in 2005. Hunt is a fellow of the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers, a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, and a participant in more than a dozen motion picture, television, and video technology standards committees.
I am very excited to be able to participate at a high level in defining the strategic direction and future growth of Teletrax, a leader in broadcast monitoring services not only in the United States, but worldwide, said Hunt. My involvement in digital television standards, content watermarking, and new online media distribution will allow me to bring useful insight and be a strong contributor to the board of Teletrax.
27 February 2007
EuroNews has launched on two ADSL services in Africa: Senegal’s Sonatel network and Maroc Télécom’s network in Morocco.
Following similar moves onto broadband-delivered TV services in Europe, Asia and North America, EuroNews has concluded two agreements in partnership with Multi TV Afrique, asubsidiary of MEDIA OVERSEAS CANAL+ Group.
Sonatel is offering EuroNews to its subscribers in three languages (English, French and Portuguese) while Maroc Télécom is distributing EuroNews in its basic offer in French.
Through MEDIA OVERSEAS and its subsidiary company Multi TV Afrique, EuroNews is now available on ADSL in two countries of sub-Saharan Africa and Maghreb; it is already distributed by satellite in 20 African countries through CANALSAT HORIZONS. EuroNews is also broadcast in the Caribbean (CanalSat Caraïbes), in the Indian Ocean region (CanalSat Réunion) and in the Southern Pacific (CanalSat Calédonie).
Philippe Cayla, CEO and Chairman of EuroNews said: “Thanks to these distribution agreements with Multi TV Africa, EuroNews enters the ADSL market in Africa. After the success in Europe and the further development and expansion in Asia and North America, we are confident that EuroNews will be successful in Africa. I am also delighted because of our partnership with MEDIA OVERSEAS and particularly for Africa which has been important for EuroNews in terms of our distribution. Today EuroNews is distributed by 27 ADSL networks in 19 countries.”
Dominique Faggot, CEO and Chairman of MEDIA OVERSEAS – subsidiary company of CANAL+ FRANCE added: I am pleased to extend our relationship with EuroNews by distributing the channel via ADSL as well as satellite. EuroNews is an important channel for our customers as its multilingual format means that it will benefit our subscribers across the globe.
27 February 2007
Montengro’s broadcasting regulator, the Broadcasting Agency, has announced calls for tenders for new broadcasting services in the country.
Full details are available in the tender document – click on the link below to access this.
27 February 2007
EuroNews is now available on 3G mobile phones in Poland with Orange offering the channel in English to its 3G customers live, 24 hours a day. Orange is a subsidiary of France Telecom group and one of the leading mobile phone operators in Poland.
Polish 3G mobile subscribers on the Orange network can now watch world news from a European perspective with live breaking news as it happens and benefiting from updated EuroNews bulletins on the hour and half hourly, containing in-depth coverage of the day’s top news, sport, business and European affairs, together with a comprehensive weather forecast. EuroNews also brings a wide range of Current Affairs and Lifestyle features including space, science, sustainable development, web-news, arts and entertainment.
This new agreement means that Poland becomes the 18th country and Orange Poland the 30th mobile operator to broadcast EuroNews in Europe.
Philippe Cayla, Chairman and CEO of EuroNews said: “With Poland, EuroNews is now available in eighteen countries across Europe through thirty mobile networks. EuroNews Live TV service on mobile phone is a real success in Europe because the channel is perfectly adapted for mobile television thanks to its all-image format with no on screen presenters.”
Iwona Kossmann, Chief Commercial Officer, Orange added: “Since the commercial launch of 3G in Orange Poland we have been developing our multimedia services creating the most exciting mobile TV platform in Poland. EuroNews is a great addition to our already extensive list of live TV channels. The market has a big potential – with our newly introduced tariffs for multimedia services Orange has experienced a steady growth of customers who turn to watching TV on our network.
