ObsMedia News Update, August 2005
AMARC ObsMedia News Update for August 2005
August 2, 2005
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Welcome to ObsMedia's monthly electronic update.
The AMARC international media observatory, ObsMedia, monitors community media development worldwide and reports on the progress of governments in opening up their airwaves to community media and civil society access to broadcasting.
Community media recognition is an important factor in the development of a truly inclusive Information Society. AMARC advocates for the recognition of community media as a new tiers of communication. As well, the organization calls for the recognition of communication rights and the right to communicate, as well as access to radio spectrum worldwide.
We encourage you to contribute to the development of ObsMedia by submitting information related to community media in your area. To do so, please write to obsmedia@amarc.org. ObsMedia is currently available in English ( obsmedia@amarc.org ) and Spanish (http://alc.amarc.org/legislaciones.) But contributions in French are encouraged.
The World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters (AMARC) is an international non-governmental organization serving the community radio movement. AMARC represents the interests of more than 3,000 community radio stations in over 110 countries. For more information, please visit the AMARC's Web site at http://www.amarc.org
NEWS
Sandwiched between a hostile regime and armed Maoist rebels, journalists in Nepal are facing harassment and torture.
July 31, 2005. Deepak Adhikari returned to his small newspaper office from a story assignment one day in February to find his three journalistic staff had been hauled off by the military. He phoned the barracks and was told to come down and get them, but when he arrived he was himself blindfolded and taken to a small, blood-spattered bunker where he was held and tortured for the next eight days.
First independent Palestinian news agency receives license
Palestine, 28 July 2005. The Palestine News Network, as the first operational independent Palestinian news agency, received the first official license in the West Bank from the PA Ministry of Information this week.
AMARC Calls for Solidarity with Community and Independent Radios in Nepal
Nepal, July 17, 2005. The World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters (AMARC), called today for a global solidarity campaign in favor of freedom of expression and communication rights of the Community and independent Radio Stations of Nepal.
Gender and ICT Issues at Women's World Congress
Korea, July 18, 2005. Gender and ICT advocates from all world regions joined some 2,000 other women activists at the Women's Worlds Congress 2005 - the 9TH International Interdisciplinary Congress on Women - held at Ewha University in Seoul, Korea, June 19-24.
Mission statement: International Press Freedom and Freedom of Expression Mission to Nepal
Nepal, July 18, 2005. From 10 to 16 July 2005, twelve international organisations, including UN agencies, global media associations, freedom of expression advocates and media development organisations, undertook a mission to Nepal concerning freedom of expression and press freedom.
Cameroon: Government lifts two-year ban on private radio station
(CPJ/IFEX) USA, July 14, 2005 - Government officials unsealed the studios of Freedom FM on Tuesday, more than two years after the Communications Ministry shuttered the private radio station just as it was about to broadcast for the first time. Based in the southwestern port city of Douala, the station was founded by Pius Njawé, a veteran independent journalist and 1991 recipient of CPJ's International Press Freedom Award.
Andebu asks government not to legalize "pirate" radios
Uruguay, July 1, 2005. The secretary general of the National Association of Broadcasters of Uruguay (Andebu) is urging the government not to authorize the operation of community radios. According to the association, the market is saturated with media outlets and there is no need to encourage pluralism because the official left already has enough airtime to disseminate its message.
Jordan to host AMARC 9
Canada, July 6, 2005. AMARC, the World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters, is pleased to announce that Jordan will be the host country for the Ninth World Assembly of Community Radio Broadcasters. AMARC 9 will be a week long event in the second half of 2006. It is expected to bring together 300-400 community broadcasters from over 100 countries and all regions of the world.
Jordan:AmmanNet begins Experimental Transmission in Amman
Jordan, July 1, 2005. AmmanNet, the Arab world's first Internet radio, begun experimental terrestrial transmission of its FM frequency in the greater Amman municipal boundaries on June 29th.
The threat to community radios in Brazil comes from the legislation
Brazil, July 1, 2005. With the emergence of radio stations belonging to the Movement Eclesial de Base (MEB), in the 80s, thousands of community radios were born in Brazil. They were operated by groups representing various sectors (unions, students, artists, neighbors) and who have very little or no knowledge of the medium.
Union Cabinet goes for 330 new FM frequencies, retains 20 per cent foreign investment cap
India, July 1, 2005. In India, the second phase of FM broadcasting in the private sector will start soon as the Union Cabinet approving on 30 June, 2005, a revenue sharing model, in which the emphasis is more on the growth of services than on generating revenue for the government. The Indian airwaves are set to witness action with the government opening up 330 new FM frequencies to the private sector.
REGIONAL RADIO BROADCASTING ASSESSMENTS
*Africa
Broadcasting sector in Burundi
Broadcasting sector in Guinea
Broadcasting sector in Malawi
Broadcasting sector in Mozambique
Broadcasting sector in Namibia
Broadcasting Sector in Niger(FR)
Broadcasting Sector in Tchad
Broadcasting Sector in Uganda
Broadcasting Sector in Zimbabwe
*Latin America and the Caribbean (Drafts)
Informe sobre situación en Chile
Informe sobre situación en Colombia
Informe sobre situación en Ecuador
Informe sobre situación en México
Informe sobre situación en Venezuela
NOUVELLES
OLPA indigné par le mauvais traitement infligé à un journaliste à Kisangani
RDC, le 19 juillet 2005. L'Observatoire de la Liberté de la Presse en Afrique (OLPA), réseau africain d’experts juristes et journalistes volontaires pour la défense et la promotion de la liberté de la presse en Afrique, est profondément indigné par le mauvais traitement infligé par les éléments de la 9ème région militaire des Forces armées de la République Démocratique du Congo (RARDC) a bienvenu Makpanga Basibazu, correspondant à l'Agence Congolaise de Presse (ACP) et animateur d'émissions a la Radio-Télé Interconfessionelle Viens et Vois (RTIV), émettant à Kisangani, chef-lieu de la province Orientale, au Nord-Est de la République Démocratique du Congo. www.societecivile.cd/membre/OLPA
OLPA inquiet après la convocation d’un journaliste à Kinshasa
RDC, le 27 juillet 2005. L'Observatoire de la Liberté de la Presse en Afrique (OLPA), réseau africain d’experts juristes et journalistes volontaires pour la défense et la promotion de la liberté de la presse en Afrique, exprime sa vive inquiétude après la convocation par la police judiciaire des parquets de José Nawej Karl, directeur de publication du quotidien Forum des As, paraissant à Kinshasa, capitale de la République Démocratique du Congo (RDC), mercredi 27 juillet 2005. www.societecivile.cd/membre/OLPA
NOTICIAS
Cabildos indígenas cuestionan cierre de radio del pueblo Nasa
ALERTA - Colombia - 29 de julio de 2005. Cabildos indígenas cuestionan cierre de radio del pueblo Nasa. En ejercicio de sus potestades como autoridades tradicionales del pueblo Nasa en el norte del Cauca, dirigentes de los cabildos indígenas han rechazado las acciones y respuestas del Ministerio de Comunicaciones de Colombia frente al cierre de Radio Nasa. Acusan a las autoridades de "negar el derecho a la comunicación", "romper la armonía de la comunidad" y ponerla en "alto riesgo". Texto completo en http://legislaciones.amarc.org/
AMARC saluda creación de mesa de Diálogo en Guatemala
Guatemala - 27 de julio de 2005. La Asociación Mundial de Radios Comunitarias (AMARC-ALC) hizo conocer su satisfacción al Estado de Guatemala por la creación de una Mesa de Diálogo que el gobierno ha instalado desde el 8 de julio para dar cumplimiento a las recomendaciones y compromisos internacionales en materia de radiodifusión y los derechos de los ciudadanos de ese país para que puedan ejercer efectivamente la libertad de expresión e información. Texto completo en http://legislaciones.amarc.org/
Piden al Ministerio Público detener allanamientos contra radios
Cerigua- Guatemala - 9 de julio de 2005. Un pedido al Ministerio Público para que detenga los allanamientos contra las radios que funcionan sin autorización en el país, durante el proceso de discusión, fue uno de los resultados de la primera reunión sostenida entre el Estado y representantes de las emisoras comunitarias. http://legislaciones.amarc.org/
Delegación Internacional de AMARC en Guatemala
Cerigua - Guatemala - 6 de julio de 2005. Revisar la legislación nacional sobre libertad de expresión y radiodifusión y hacer recomendaciones para eliminar las barreras a las libertades de información y expresión, es la misión de una comitiva de la Asociación Mundial de Radios Comunitarias para América Latina y el Caribe (AMARC-ALC) que se encuentra en el país. http://legislaciones.amarc.org/
