Does Egypt want a free press like ours?

Posted by Cleland Thom on 26 January 2012 at 09:34
Tags: International, Journalism, Newspapers, People, Photography, press freedom

I was chatting to an Egyptian journalist, George al Masry, recently. He works for Al gomhuria, the state-owned Egyptian daily newspaper and has been active in the Tahrir Square revolution.

He is now helping to establish a free press in a country where the media has been heavily controlled.

He had just read one of my law updates, where I mentioned that a new European Union directive on data retention enabled 795 public bodies to request journalists’ phone records going back a year.

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French journalist killed in Syria

Posted by Jennifer Norton on 12 January 2012 at 11:50
Tags: Broadcast, International, Television

A French journalist was killed in Syria yesterday while covering pro-government demonstrations in the city of Homs.

Gilles Jacquier, a 43 year-old cameraman for France 2, was among a group of 15 foreign journalists on a trip authorised by President Assad when he was reportedly killed by a rocket grenade attack.

He is the first Western reporter to die in Syria since the uprising began in March last year.

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Murdoch set to duck phone-hack questions at News Corp results call

Posted by Michelle Alexander on 10 August 2011 at 10:21
Tags: Agencies, International, Journalism, Media Business, National Newspapers

Rupert Murdoch will answer questions from analysts and journalists today during a New York conference call as News Corp releases its fourth quarter results.

The Telegraph reports that analysts are likely to probe News Corp on its succession plans, corporate governance and its handling of the hacking scandal.

It reports that analysts will also push for information on the scandal rather than the company’s financial performance. (more…)

Video: AOL launches daily personalised iPad magazine

Posted by Michelle Alexander on 4 August 2011 at 10:34
Tags: Consumer Magazines, International, Journalism, Journalism Technology, Magazines, Media Business, New Media, Online, People

AOL launched its daily Editions magazine Ipad app in the US yesterday and revealed that it has plans to launch a UK version at some point in the last quarter of this year.

Described as “the magazine that reads you”, it claims to learn readers’ interests by selecting articles based on keywords they select as they read.

Content is taken from AOL-run websites including Huffington Post, Moviefone, Patch, Engadget and Stylelist. AOL also syndicates content to Editions from sources such as the New York Times, Wall Street Journal and Tree Hugger. (more…)

Killing of BBC journalist investigated by Nato

Posted by Michelle Alexander on 2 August 2011 at 09:17
Tags: BBC, Broadcast, International, Journalism, People, Television

Nato-led forces in Afghanistan are investigating the death of a BBC journalist after fears that he may have been killed by international forces.

According to the BBC, Ahmed Omed Khpulwak, 25, was one of 19 people, including 12 children, killed in attacks on a TV and radio station in Tarin Kot, in the southern province of Uruzgan last week.

The BBC reports that it has asked for an inquiry due to conflicting reports which came to light as to who had fired the fatal shots. (more…)

NYT: Phone-hacking scandal defence letter was ‘re-written’

Posted by Michelle Alexander on 1 August 2011 at 10:21
Tags: International, Journalism, Law, Media Business, National Newspapers, Newspapers

A letter written in defence against allegations of phone-hacking at the News of the World was re-written to satisfy News International, it has been claimed.

The New York Times, reports that the law firm Harbottle & Lewis produced the letter in 2007 after the firm was hired to review the emails of the tabloid’s former editor Andy Coulson and Clive Goodman, the former royal reporter jailed for phone hacking in 2007. (more…)

AP veteran appointed Thomson Foundation chief executive

Posted by Andrew Pugh on 26 July 2011 at 12:38
Tags: Broadcast, International, Journalism, Journalism education, Television, press freedom

The Thomson Media Foundation has appointed Associated Press veteran Nigel Baker as its new chief executive.

Thomson said that Baker, AP’s vice-president of business operations for EMEA and Asia, will bring a “mix of world-class commercial and journalism skills in the news business” to the Cardiff-based charity, which provides training and development advice to media companies in the developing world. (more…)

French journalists released by Taliban

Posted by Myriam Dijck on 30 June 2011 at 13:59
Tags: Broadcast, International, Journalism

Two French television journalists have returned home after being kidnapped by the Taliban and held hostage for 547 days.

Cameraman Stephane Taponier and reporter Herve Ghesquiere of state channel France 3 were welcomed by their family and colleagues when they arrived at a military airport near Paris.

Both men were said to be in good health.

At a press conference at the airport, Taponier said the insurgents had treated them humanely but that living conditions in the Afghan mountains were “very, very difficult”.

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Guardian journalists ‘cash in’ on WikiLeaks film project

Posted by Myriam Dijck on 27 June 2011 at 09:23
Tags: International, Journalism

Several Guardian journalists involved in the WikiLeaks project have sold their “life rights” to a Hollywood film studio, according to the Financial Times (link behind paywall).

According to the newspaper at least five different versions of the WikiLeaks story are being made by companies including DreamWorks, HBO, BBC and Universal Pictures, as Hollywood film studios “scramble to buy the ‘life rights’” of the key players involved.

DreamWorks is reported to have approached the Guardian and struck deals with journalists including David Leigh and Luke Harding, authors of the book WikiLeaks: Inside Julian Assange’s War on Secrecy.

The FT also claimed Guardian editor Alan Rusbridger and deputy editor Ian Katz had agreed deals with DreamWorks - and quoted a source who claimed the deals represented a “nice chunk” of money.

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Mexican journalist, his wife and photographer son shot dead

Posted by Myriam Dijck on 21 June 2011 at 14:11
Tags: International, Journalism

In Mexico a prominent journalist was shot dead together with his wife and son, the Committee to Protect Journalists reported yesterday.

Politics and crime columnist for the daily newspaper Notiver, Miguel Ángel López Velasco, 55, and the two members of his family were shot by unidentified assailants who broke into their home in Veracruz early in the morning.

Governor of Veracruz, Javier Duarte, said in a statement given to Notiver: “Today in a cowardly act, an act that harms all society - because it is not an attack against a medium of communication, it is not even an attack against a professional group, it is an attack against society as a whole, against Veracruz society - they killed our friend Miguel Ángel López Velasco.” (more…)

Guardian man beaten: ‘Journalists can’t be silent forever in Pakistan’

Posted by Dominic Ponsford on 20 June 2011 at 09:12
Tags: International, Journalism

A Pakistan journalist who writes for The Guardian has been beaten by uniformed men apparently in retaliation for revealing that he was abducted and tortured by suspected Government agents three years ago.

Waqar Kiana, 32, told The Guardian: “I don’t feel I did anything wrong. Journalists can’t be silent forever in Pakistan. If we don’t bring up the facts, then it’s no longer journalism – we become spokesmen of the government.” (more…)

CPJ investigation reveals extent of sexual assaults on journalists

Posted by Sam Brodbeck on 8 June 2011 at 11:06
Tags: International, Journalism, People

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In the wake of the assault on CBS’s Lara Logan while reporting Egyptian protests, the Committee to Protect Journalists has published a report that reveals the extent of sexual violence on journalists.

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BBC newsreader quits ‘after claims he helped foment revolution in Kyrgyzstan’

Posted by Press Gazette on 8 April 2011 at 10:01
Tags: BBC, Broadcast, International, People, Radio

BBC newsreader Arslan Koichiev has resigned after claims emerged that he’d help foment a revolution in Kyrgyzstan, according to a report. (more…)

Channel 4 and BBC lead One World Media Awards shortlist

Posted by Press Gazette on 7 April 2011 at 11:23
Tags: BBC, Broadcast, International, Journalism education, People, Radio, Television, awards

The BBC and Channel 4 lead the shortlist for the One World Media Awards with each picking up nine nominations.

The nominations come across 13 award categories with Lindsey Hilsum, international editor of Channel 4 News, and Jill McGivering, South Asia editor for the BBC World Service, both nominated for the journalist of the year prize.
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Two journalists freed in Syria and Libya

Posted by Elsa Buchanan on 4 April 2011 at 10:16
Tags: Broadcast, International, Television

Reuters has confirmed that one of its photographers, Khaled al-Hariri, a Syrian national, was freed by the Syrian authorities yesterday after being detained for six days.

The 50-year old, who has worked for Reuters for 20 years, had been snatched on his way to work in Damascus on Monday 28 March. (more…)

IFJ: Violence from Yemeni authorities led to freelance’s death

Posted by Press Gazette on 24 March 2011 at 10:25
Tags: Broadcast, International, Newspapers, People, Television, press freedom

The International Federation of Journalists has said heavy-handed tactics used by the authorities in Yemen led to the death of freelance journalist Jamal Shar’abi on Friday.

Shar’abi was killed in Taghier Square, Sana’a, when gunmen fired on protesters in the capital.

“This killing is the inevitable and tragic end to a terrible seven days for media in Yemen,” said Aidan White, IFJ General Secretary.

“The Government bears a heavy responsibility because of its heavy-handed tactics in dealing with protesters that has increased the risks for journalists.” (more…)

New York Times four are released by Libyan authorities

Posted by Dominic Ponsford on 21 March 2011 at 15:31
Tags: Agencies, International, Journalism, National Newspapers, Newspapers

Four New York Times journalists have been released six days after they were taken into custody by the Libyan authorities.

The NYT reports that the four, including Briton Stephen Farrell, were today handed over to Turkish diplomats. They were taken as they reported on the battle for Ajdabiya.

Meanwhile  other journalists are missing or in custody in Libya including British reporter for AFP Dave Clark who has been missing for several days.

Guardian editor Alan Rusbridger today told Press Gazette about the intense behind the scenes lobbying which helped secure the release last week from Libya of Guardian reporter Ghaith Abdul-Ahad.

Sky News exclusive from inside Zawiyah contradicts Gaddafi victory ‘fantasy’

Posted by Dominic Ponsford on 8 March 2011 at 18:07
Tags: Broadcast, International, Journalism, People, Television

Sky News special correspondent Alex Crawford has provided ample evidence tonight of why she has won an unprecedented three Royal Television Society Journalist of the Year prizes.

Sky News cameraman Martin Smith, deputy foreign editor Tim Miller and Crawford are the only western journalists present in Zawiyah to see the town come under attack from pro-Gaddafi forces in Libya. A special report is going out on Sky News at 9pm tonight.

Over three days she has chronicled the battle for the town and reported this evening that “Gaddafi’s military victory here is a fantasy”. (more…)

Rory Peck Trust appoints Michael Jermey as new chairman

Posted by Press Gazette on 11 February 2011 at 13:46
Tags: Broadcast, International, Television

Michael Jermey, director of news, current affairs and sport at ITV, has been appointed chairman of The Rory Peck Trust. (more…)

MoS Sunday Tribune look-alike stunt ‘a bid to protect jobs’

Posted by Press Gazette on 7 February 2011 at 10:49
Tags: International, Journalism, National Newspapers, Newspapers

The Irish Mail on Sunday editor has defended his decision to publish a spoof wrap-around edition of his title as a look-alike to the Sunday Tribune.

It was evidently a bid by the Irish MoS (circulation 112,000) to scoop up some Sunday Tribune readers (circulation 54,400) while the Tribune is out of print.

According to the Irish Times, there were 25,000 copies of the look alike-edition  which carried the heading: “This paper is a special edition designed for readers of the Sunday Tribune”.

The Tribune is currently out of print after going into receivership, but a buyer is being sought.

Irish MoS editor Sebastian  Hamilton is quoted in the Irish Times today saying that his title employs 161 staff in Ireland, which he said was four times as many as the Sunday Tribune.

“We want to protect those 161 Irish jobs by persuading as many Tribune readers as possible to keep buying newspapers. If today’s marketing exercise encourages more people to buy a paper today, surely that is something we should encourage.

“The Tribune was shut down by its owners, who also own the Sunday Independent. We want to offer Tribune readers a genuine alternative.”