Mediastudiesblog

 An opinion piece from Ebrahim Fakir (from the Electoral Commission of South Africa)  on media freedom and how the media should respond to threats to its independence. 

<snip>

Upon reflection, it is clear that both the ANC Youth League and the journalists appear to muddle the distinction between public and private actions, and institutions. The Youth League's behavior remains politically and ethically indefensible to be sure, but there are important lessons from this saga about how the media ought to be responding to these kinds of threats.

(Thanks Celia!)

(From UN Pulse)

The International Programme for the Development of Communication (IPDC) monitored by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has issued a new report: The Safety of Journalists and the Danger of Impunity. Submitted as a follow-up to the Decision on the Safety of Journalists adopted at the 26th session of the Intergovernmental Council of the IPDC in March 2008, it provides an overview and background information on the killings of journalists. It also gives information on the status of the judicial inquiries conducted on each of the killings condemned, and on the actions taken to prevent the impunity of the perpetrators.

From the Pew Internet Project and the Project for Excellence in Journalism comes the "State of the News Media 2010"  [in USA]  

From the Introduction: 

Inside news companies, the most immediate concern is how much revenue lost in recession the industry will regain as the economy improves.

Whatever the answers, the future of news ultimately rests on more long-term concerns: What are the prospects for alternative journalism organizations that are forming around the country? Will traditional media adapt and innovate amid continuing pressures to thin their ranks?

And with growing evidence that conventional advertising online will never sustain the industry, what progress is being made to find new revenue for financing the gathering and reporting of news?

A study in Australia found that more than half of stories in mainstream newspapers were fed to them by PR entities. 

Spinning the Media, in conjunction with the University of Technology Sydney, investigated the role PR plays in making the media and found that nearly 55% of stories analysed were PR-driven.

Students had to analyse a five-day working week in the media across 10 newspapers. 

 Spotted on boingboing.net

Reporters Without Borders celebrates World Day Against Cyber Censorship on 12 March. This event is intended to rally everyone in support of a single Internet that is unrestricted and accessible to all. It is also meant to draw attention to the fact that, by creating new spaces for exchanging ideas and information, the Internet is a force for freedom. However, more and more governments have realised this and are reacting by trying to control the Internet.

Reporters Without Borders will mark the occasion by issuing its latest list of “Enemies of the Internet.” This list points the finger at countries such as Iran, China, Saudi Arabia, Vietnam and Tunisia that restrict online access and harass their netizens. A list of countries that have been placed “under surveillance” for displaying a disturbing attitude towards the Internet will also be released.