21 February 2014
London, 21 February 2014
The Association for International Broadcasting has today expressed its concern about the welfare of Azerbaijani journalist Khadija Ismayilova.
Ms Ismayilova (pictured left) is an investigative journalist who contributes to the award-winning Radio Azadliq, the Azerbaijani-language service of AIB Member RFE/RL. This week she has been summoned to the Prosecutor General’s office in Baku accused of spying for the United States against Azerbaijan. Ms Ismayilova and RFE/RL – an international broadcaster based in Prague – vociferously deny the charges which they say are completely without foundation.
“Azerbaijan has consistently created obstacles for journalists reporting from and within the country,” commented AIB chief executive, Simon Spanswick. “AIB and its Members are concerned that Khadija Ismayilova is the subject of new charges that are without foundation. We call on the Azerbaijani authorities to drop the charges and allow Ms Ismayilova and all other journalists in the country to carry on their work free from intimidation and threats to their lives and those of their families.”
Ms Ismayilova has been subjected to a series of attacks over recent years as she has undertaken comprehensive journalistic investigations into the Azerbaijani government. In 2012, her apartment was bugged and illegally-obtained intimate footage of her and her boyfriend released on the Internet. Despite these intimidations, Ms Ismayilova has continued her work to expose corruption in the country.
“As a participating State of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe, Azerbaijan has committed to respect freedom of the media,” notes Spanswick. “It is important that Azerbaijan upholds this commitment and offers protection to journalists working in the country.
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Download the press release: AIB_Azerbaijan_journalists_210214.
19 February 2014
Just days ahead of the Mobile World Congress, Euronews confirms its leading position on the international news market as a pioneer, adapting its content to new trends in news consumption: Euronews is the first news source to be launched worldwide that supports Sony SmartWatch2.
Michael Peters, CEO of Euronews said:
“Innovation is at the heart of the strategy of Euronews, as a global media group offering the right content, to the right place, at the right time, I’m convinced this is the “smart” way to expand both our reach and our awareness worldwide in such a competitive market. Wearable devices perfectly answer one of our essential needs: to facilitate access to information for everyone in the world. Any connected screen is an opportunity to reach our audience. At Euronews, we all are proud to support such a powerful brand as Sony which has recognized both the editorial and product design qualities of Euronews’ offer.”
“Once again, Euronews reinforces its leadership as a pioneer and expert in adapting content to new habits of news consumption, on any connected screens.” added Peters.
Euronews on Sony Smartwatch 2
Made for Android, the Sony SmartWatch 2 is the world’s first watch that is compatible with all Android mobile phones and interacts with them over Bluetooth.
Euronews connects its free Euronews Express application to the device. Every user can now receive Breaking News Alerts sent by the journalists of the international newsroom of Europe’s leading news channel. This Alert service is available in English or French for the moment.
Euronews will bring further improvements to the app. Alerts will be available in all 13 language services* and users will be able to fully customize their Alert experience.
* Arabic, English, French, German, Greek, Hungarian, Italian, Persian, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Turkish and Ukrainian
(Source: Press Release)
12 December 2013
Vizrt Ltd. today announced a deal worth USD 1.4 million for the implementation of broadcast graphics (BG) and media asset management (MAM) products with Thai Rath in Thailand. The deal is a continuation of a project by Thai Rath for a new TV channel.
The deal includes an enterprise MAM version of Viz One, Vizrt’s complete end-to-end solution for the creation, management and delivery of media assets. Vizrt will also deliver several Viz Engines, Vizrt’s real-time compositor, as well as Viz Virtual Studio for the broadcaster to expand its virtual set capabilities.
The Vizrt Social TV solution was purchased to give journalists a tool for moderating and distributing social media content for on-air use. Viz World is adding editorial capabilities that will allow the journalists in the newsroom to create local street maps for Thailand, as well as animated maps for the rest of the world.
Thai Rath is preparing to launch a TV channel in 2014 with a comprehensive Vizrt solution, designed for easy multiplatform distribution of content.
Martin Burkhalter, CEO of Vizrt, stated “Vizrt continues to be a strong partner for Thai Rath in Thailand. This new deal testifies to their trust in both Vizrt product lines: BG and MAM. It also gives testimony to the trust of Thai Rath in Vizrt’s Thailand-based sales and support team, to deliver the solutions to help them become a successful broadcaster.”
Thai Rath, is a Thai-language daily newspaper published in Bangkok and distributed throughout Thailand, with a distribution of more than 1 million copies per day. Founded in 1962, Thai Rath is the oldest and best selling newspaper in Thailand.
14 August 2013
As the violence in Egypt reaches new levels, a veteran cameraman for the UK’s Sky News has been shot and killed. 61-year old Mick Deane had worked for Sky for 15 years. He was married with two children.
Head of Sky News John Ryley described Mick as the very best of cameramen, a brilliant journalist and an inspiring mentor to many at Sky.
“Mick Deane was a really lovely, lovely guy,” he said. “He was great fun to work with, he was an astonishingly good cameraman who took some brilliant pictures. But he also had a first class editorial brain. He had brilliant ideas. He was also good fun after the job was done. He was laid back, and I’m really going to miss him, like lots of people here.”
Related links INSI – International News Safety Institute
14 August 2013
AIB is advertising a short term contract position for a researcher to work on its global media database.
Full information, including how to apply, is available in the job specification that can be downloaded here.
11 July 2013
AIB has published its regular industry briefing, covering programming, people, distribution and business.
With stories about sports rights, executive changes at Gazprom-owned Russian TV and news safety, the AIB’s briefings provide a useful overview of the media industry around the world.
See the briefing here.
