Bratislava, Slovakia | AFP | A global media watchdog on Friday warned EU leaders against undermining the security of journalists in the wake of the murder of a Slovak investigative reporter gunned down in his home. Jan Kuciak, who had been probing alleged high-level political corruption in Slovakia linked to …
Read More »Thousands attend protest vigils for slain Slovak journalist
Bratislava, Slovakia | AFP | Thousands flocked to candlelit anti-corruption protests and memorials held across Slovakia on Friday for murdered journalist Jan Kuciak, killed as he was about to publish an explosive report on alleged high-level political corruption linked to the Italian mafia. Organisers estimated that around 25,000 people gathered …
Read More »COMMENT: Free speech in the filter age
Firms cannot be allowed to profit from damaging content, while avoiding responsibility for its consequences COMMENT | ALEXANDRA BORCHARDT | Germany’s Network Enforcement Act – according to which social-media platforms like Facebook and YouTube could be fined €50 million ($63 million) for every “obviously illegal” post within 24 hours of receiving …
Read More »Facebook launches effort to help boost newspaper subscriptions
Washington, United States | AFP | Facebook on Tuesday announced a $3 million pilot project aimed at helping US newspapers boost paid digital subscriptions. The move was the latest by the huge social network to respond to concerns that it and other online platforms have hurt news organizations by dominating …
Read More »BBC launches Igbo, Yoruba language services in Nigeria
Lagos, Nigeria | AFP | The BBC this week launches its new Igbo and Yoruba services in Nigeria, as part of an expansion in local languages aimed at more in-depth reporting of countries around the world. The digital-only services go live online and on social media on Monday, joining a …
Read More »Two Kenyan TV stations shuttered by govt resume broadcasts
Nairobi, Kenya | AFP | Two television channels that Kenya’s government shuttered over coverage of a mock inauguration by President Uhuru Kenyatta’s rival resumed broadcasts on Monday. NTV and KTN News were ordered off the air for seeking to provide live coverage of Raila Odinga as he swore himself in …
Read More »Neymar effect helps French league agree ‘major’ African tv deal
Paris, France | AFP | The French league (LFP) has reached a “major agreement” with two networks to broadcast Ligue 1 games in Sub-Saharan Africa, it announced Monday, a clear sign of the impact made by the arrival of Neymar. The deal means French-language network Canal+ and Kwese, in English and …
Read More »THIS WEEK: Red Pepper back
THIS WEEK: Red Pepper back Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | After a two month shutdown, Red Pepper, a tabloid newspaper, is back on the stands in Kampala and across the country. Its first edition on Jan 29 after the shutdown read ‘Our Story’ and was bent on explaining its side …
Read More »UN, US slam Kenya after TV stations shuttered
Nairobi, Kenya | AFP | The UN on Friday followed the United States in criticising the Kenyan government after it took three major TV channels off the air despite a court order to end the suspensions. “We call on the government to respect and implement the judicial decision,” said Rupert …
Read More »Kenya’s High Court suspends media shutdown
Nairobi, Kenya | AFP | Kenya’s High Court ordered authorities to allow three major broadcasters to temporarily resume service Thursday, after they were switched off for covering the opposition leader’s mock inauguration, prompting outrage over press freedom violations. Judge Chacha Mwita ordered the two-week reprieve in order to hear a …
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