IFJ calls for immediate release of imprisoned editor

Posted by Ruth Morgan on 9 May 2008 at 14:20
Tags: Journalism, Law

The International Federation of Journalists is calling for the release of an editor imprisoned in Zimbabwe. (more…)

Cuban blogger denied visa to collect journalism award

Posted by Ruth Morgan on 8 May 2008 at 13:51
Tags: Journalism, Online

A Cuban blogger due to collect a prestigious journalism prize in Spain yesterday was refused a visa to travel.

Yoani Sanchez, 32, was awarded the Ortega y Gasset prize, the Spanish equivalent of the Pulitzer, in digital journalism for her Generation Y blog criticising the Havana government.

In order to post the blog, Sanchez posed as a German tourist to access hotel internet connections intended for foreigners. The $6 per hour cost of being online was equivalent to two weeks wages for the average Cuban.

Sanchez told AFP that her request for a visa was the prefect test of President Raul Castro’s promise to open up the country.

Spanish daily El Pais told the Independent today that it hadn’t expected Sanchez would be allowed to attend the awards ceremony.

Berkshire Regionals acquisition escapes Competition Commission scrutiny

Posted by Ruth Morgan on 8 May 2008 at 12:54
Tags: Law, Media Business, Regional Newspapers

Dunfermline Press Limited has completed the aquisition of Berkshire Regional Newspapers from Trinity Mirror.

The deal had been on the table since the beginning of the year, but was delayed by the Office of Fair Trading over fears the takeoever would reduce competition in the area.

The deal was able to go ahead once the OFT was satisfied that competition had been restored in the area.

The takeoever includes papers in Slough, Windsor, Reading, Wokingham, Maidenhead, Bracknell and Ascott.

The Scotsman on tour: newspaper to host debates across Scotland

Posted by Ruth Morgan on 8 May 2008 at 11:28
Tags: National Newspapers

The Scotsman will launch a series of debates later this month, giving experts and the public an opportunity to discuss major local issues.

The debates will move to a series of different locations around Scotland over the next five months, and tackle a range of issues including Scotland’s independence, the environemnt and economy, wind power in the Scottish borders and the future of Scotland’s media.

The series will launch in the paper this Saturday, 10 May, in a 12-page supplement which will also look at the history of The Scotsman and what it stands for.

Mike Gilson, editor of the paper, said: “Last year’s debate on the nation across the regions was such a major success that we wanted to give people another chance to discuss the issues which affect them the most.”

Spectator Business monthly launched

Posted by Ruth Morgan on 8 May 2008 at 11:22
Tags: Magazines

Political magazine The Spectator launched a monthly magazine aimed at business leaders this week.

The Spectator Business will be sent out free of charge to 42,000 selected individuals working in investment banking, private equity and the hedge-fund area. Copies will also be available in selected London hotels and on the Eurostar.

Plans for the magazine were announced in February after the Spectator’s weekly stablemate The Business closed in February after 12 years.

James Whale sacked for urging listeners to back Boris

Posted by Ruth Morgan on 6 May 2008 at 17:05
Tags: Broadcast, Radio

TalkSport presenter James Whale has been sacked for urging listeners to vote for Boris Johnson in the London mayoral elections.

The veteran host, who has been presenting the show since it began in 1995, was found to be in breach of Ofcom regulations after a number of complaints were received during his show on 20 March.

TalkSport owner UTV conducted an internal investigation and sacked Whale before Ofcom had finished its own investigation.

UTV described the incident as “very unfortunate”.

The station said in a statement: “We have investigated the matter and after serious consideration, the station reached the decision that there was a clear breach of the rules and that we had no choice but to terminate his contract. James Whale is guilty of a gross error of judgment which we found to be totally unacceptable.”

In a statement on his website, Whale described the recent events as “somewhat unplanned, to say the least”.

Max Rushden has temporarily replaced Whale while the station looks for a permanent replacement. The Ofcom investigation is still open.