Washington, United States | AFP | Journalists faced growing dangers of being targeted for killing for their work in 2018 even as the risks from war and conflict declined, a media watchdog said Wednesday. The Committee to Protect Journalists said 34 of the 53 journalists killed on duty this year …
Read More »Candidates’ private TV stations battle it out in Madagascar vote
Antananarivo, Madagascar | AFP | For months, they have bombarded voters with campaign slogans and speeches by “their” candidate, but on Tuesday, two fiercely-partisan media groups in Madagascar fell silent a day before the presidential run-off election. The “ceasefire” — in line with electoral law — is in stark contrast …
Read More »Khashoggi, other targeted journalists named Time ‘Person of the Year’
New York, United States | AFP | Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, who was murdered in October at his country’s Istanbul consulate, was named Time magazine’s “Person of the Year” Tuesday, an honor he shared with other targeted journalists recognized as “guardians” of the truth. Among those named with Khashoggi were …
Read More »Social media tops print as news source for Americans: study
Washington, United States | AFP | Social media has overtaken print newspapers as a news source for Americans, researchers said Monday, highlighting the growing importance of services such as Facebook and Twitter as well as the troubled state of legacy news organizations. The Pew Research Center report found 20 percent …
Read More »Netflix will debut first African original in 2019
Johannesburg, South Africa | AFP | Streaming giant Netflix announced on Monday that it will launch the platform’s first original series made in Africa in 2019, adding that it planned further investment in productions on the continent. “#QueenSono — Africa’s first Netflix original! A thrilling story about a kickass female …
Read More »EU steps up fake news fight before elections
Brussels, Belgium | AFP | The European Union launched Wednesday a system for member countries to alert each other to online disinformation spread by opponents such as Russia to undermine next year’s key elections. The bloc also urged Facebook and other social media platforms to follow through on pledges to …
Read More »EU steps up fake news fight before elections
Brussels, Belgium | AFP | The European Union launched Wednesday a system for member countries to alert each other to online disinformation spread by opponents such as Russia to undermine next year’s key elections. The bloc also urged Facebook and other social media platforms to follow through on pledges to …
Read More »Canada top court rules against journalist protecting source
Ottawa, Canada | AFP | Canada’s top court on Friday effectively ruled against journalists protecting their sources, in a case in which police sought a Vice reporter’s communications with an alleged jihadist for use in his prosecution. In a unanimous decision, the Supreme Court said society’s interest in investigating and …
Read More »Nigeria media unites against ‘fake news’ and ‘a million Trumps’
Lagos, Nigeria | AFP | At least 15 Nigerian news organisations joined forces Wednesday to fight misinformation ahead of February’s elections in a collaborative first as the country’s main political parties trade accusations of fabrication and exaggeration. The CrossCheck Nigeria project aims to get normally competing newsrooms to work together …
Read More »Gabon bans opposition party from state media for three months
Libreville, Gabon | AFP | Gabon authorities said Saturday they have banned an opposition party from state media for three months over statements about the health of President Omar Bongo, who has been in a Saudi hospital for a month. Bongo, 59, was rushed to hospital …
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