ASIA

The first edition of the Global Media Peace Awards concluded with an online ceremony bringing together creators from across the globe on November 26.Organized by Executive Education HEC Montréal in partnership with the Pale Blue Dot Foundation, this initiative marked a significant step forward in using media as a vector for peace, resilience, and global understanding.This first edition aligns the school with an ambitious goal: mobilizing creative forces to address today’s challenges while integrating peace and tolerance at the heart of global discourse.It received 189 submissions across the Radio, Television, and Digital Media categories. The laureates were selected by a prestigious jury of internationally renowned experts.The radio jury was chaired by Dan Santa (Chairperson), Ph. D., director-International Relations, Radio Romania. Other members of the jury included Andrea Borgnino, Journalist, author, and radio host, Rai – Italy,  Irina Kornienko, Director of the Radio Culture Channel of the Ukrainian Public Broadcaster, Giedrius Masalskis, Head of Radio – The Lithuanian Public Broadcaster, Colleen Holder, Dir. Corp. Comms. & Productions, Parliament of Trinidad, and TobagoAde Irosadi, Head of LPP RRI- Indonesia and Flavia Voinea, Journalist, Manager of Bucharest FM Radio Romania Regional Network.The first prize in the radio category went to Azzura Meringolo Scarfoglio for “Help me! I am a little girl; they are shooting at me.” Hind’s last phone call from Gaza.Second prize went to Nguyen Vu Duy, Nguyen Thi Thu Hoa, Nguyen Pham Huan, Nguyen Quynh Hoa and Lai Thi Hoa for Coming Home.

Mohamad Chegeni won the third prize for Human Extinction. […]

The Afghanistan Journalists Center (AFJC) reports that Abdul Razzaq Seddiqi, the director of Radio Seday-e-Badghis (Voice of Badghis), has been released from Taliban custody after a month in detention.He was freed by order of the Second Zone Urban Court in the capital on Wednesday, December 4.Siddiqi was summoned to Kabul by the Taliban’s intelligence agency on October 31, where he was subsequently detained.The arrest followed accusations from the Taliban’s Directorate of Information and Culture in Badghis that he had reported on local issues, including the employment of women at a private company, which had been disseminated through international media channels. Local Taliban officials claimed that this reporting violated regulations set forth by the Taliban government.AFJC emphasized that Seddiqi’s arrest constituted a clear violation of Afghanistan’s media laws, and his freedom should never have been compromised.It pointed out that under Afghanistan’s mass media law, as enforced by the Taliban, journalists and media outlets are legally allowed to carry out their professional duties without interference. Article 4 of the law stipulates that “no individual or entity can prohibit, censor, or restrict the free operation of media or interfere with their publications.”Presently, at least six journalists remain imprisoned in the country, four of whom have been sentenced to two to five years in prison, according to AFJC.The United Nations, in a recent report on the state of media in Afghanistan, revealed that at least 334 journalists and media workers have been arrested by the Taliban over the past three years.

Photo: AFJC […]

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law overnight on December 3, accusing the opposition of paralysing the government with “anti-state activities“. A few hours later, following a resolution by the parliament to block it, he reversed the order and now faces an impeachment bid by the opposition.During the short-lived emergency, a six-point decree brought all media outlets under the authority of martial law. The commander of the martial law in South Korea, Army General Park An-su, announced the introduction of control over all media, following his declaration of the suspension of the work of the parliament and political parties in the country.The three major broadcasters—MBC, SBS, and KBS – officially halted their year-end award ceremonies, including the 2024 MBC Drama Awards, 2024 SBS Drama Awards, and 2024 KBS Drama Awards. KBS later decided to proceed with its scheduled year-end events following the lifting of martial law.As the country’s major networks continued to cover the latest developments, MBC News showed footage of a military officer covering their live camera while covering the declaration of martial law.According to the Korea Herald, in the tense first hours of martial law in South Korea, social media emerged as a lifeline for defiance, with politicians, journalists and ordinary citizens using it to document and disseminate real-time developments.The New York Times said that instead of silencing South Korea’s media, the martial law declaration empowered them. Journalists criticized the president’s attempt to place the press under military control, hardened by years of challenges to press freedoms by the country’s political leaders.A consortium of unions representing journalists and media industry workers condemned Mr. Yoon in a statement, calling his actions “anti-democratic,” “unconstitutional” and a denial of the “historical achievements of democracy and press freedom that the entire nation has fought for with blood over half a century.”In a LinkedIn post, Chun Young-sun, managing editor of Korea JoongAng Daily, the English-language edition of daily newspaper JoongAng Ilbo, said: “At no point did we consider stopping or limiting coverage. The idea that we would do anything but continue reporting never really crossed our minds.”

The Committee to Protect Journalists told CNN’s @Liam_A_Reilly that “it would have been disastrous for press freedom if martial law had come into effect.” However South Korean journalists and citizens “demonstrated in remarkable fashion how to hold the line against the erosion of democracy. This can be a critical lesson for many societies that are seeing backsliding in democracy and press freedom, including in the West.” […]

Indian network BIG FM is the Official Radio Partner for the 2024-25 Hockey India League (HIL). The partnership aims to expand the reach of hockey and ensure its presence across India, making the sport more accessible to fans nationwide.HIL kicks off on December 28, 2024, featuring a lineup of eight men’s teams and four women’s teams competing in Rourkela and Ranchi. This season also marks the debut of the Women’s Hockey India League.Sunil Kumaran, COO, BIG FM shared: “Hockey holds a special place in the hearts of millions, and this collaboration reflects our commitment to spreading awareness about the sport’s legacy and significance. Together, we aim to shine a spotlight on hockey’s incredible journey and inspire a deeper appreciation for the sport across the country.”Dr. Dilip Tirkey, Chairperson of the Hockey India League (HIL) Governing Committee, said: “Radio has a unique ability to connect with people in the remotest corners of the country, making it the perfect medium to promote hockey. With BIG FM’s engaging content and nationwide reach, we aim to make hockey a household conversation.” […]

The WorldDAB Spectrum and Network Implementation Committee will be presenting a webinar along with experts from the sector on December 10, exploring road tunnel coverage with DAB+.It will cover:
Advantages and trade-offs of different technologies to bring the broadcast signal into the tunnel for continuous reception
Functionalities and capabilities of an emergency break-in system and its deployment
How legal and financial aspects are dealt with in different countries, and the responsibilities of system operation.
The webinar is aimed at broadcasters, network operators, regulators, policymakers and professional equipment manufacturers and is free to attend.It will be moderated by Hanns Wolter Technical Director, DAB Italia and Chair, WorldDAB Spectrum and Network Implementation Committee, Italy.Speakers include Lars-Peder Lundgren, CEO, Paneda, Sweden, Roberto Moro, Strategic Broadcast Services Manager, Business Technology  and Projects, SRG SSR, Switzerland and Georg Plattner, Director, RAS Rundfunkanstalt Südtirol, Italy.Register here. […]

– Selling Radio Direct with Pat Bryson.December 2024. It’s nearly 2025 and I can’t believe I’m writing this column. Or more exactly, I can’t believe I’ve been requested to write this column. The subject was requested by a sales manager I know who for reasons that will become obvious, must remain nameless. Ditto the exact location but suffice it to say this occurred outside the USA. That having been said, this same situation could occur anywhere.Scenario: an eager young female salesperson is calling on a male client. She is invited to dinner by the client. At that dinner, she is propositioned. I’ve been asked to give advice on how to handle this situation.Here in the USA, the “Me Too” movement brought this problem to light a few years ago. It gave women the courage to say not just “No” but “Hell No”. Once the light was shined on the perpetrators, it became less common.Unfortunately in some cultures (sometimes even still in the USA) the female is considered as “inviting advances” or “causing” the situation. The suggestions given below will help avoid that issue. I must also say that in all my years in sales, I never experienced this problem. But I do know people who have, and not all of them were female.I am surprised that women the world over haven’t revolted more about this situation than they have. I have worked in some cultures where women are holding important positions in our industry but still face cultural mores that place them in a subordinate position to men. In those cultures, this problem would be ignored because officially it doesn’t exist. The culture of this sales manager is one such place.So, what advice do I have for ladies today?1.      Approach all clients in a business-like manner. This does not mean that you can’t be friendly. It means that you send no signals other than “I’m here to meet your business needs and ONLY your business needs.”

2.     Dress in a business-like manner. Women especially have more trouble finding business clothes that are stylish but not necessarily fashion forward. Much of today’s fashion is not suited for business. We need to look like we are serious businesspeople. A credible image is an important first step.3.     If a client suggests dinner, propose lunch instead. You pay for it. If you must go to dinner, you pick up the check. You pick the place and make it somewhere you are well known. If the waiter appears to know you, the client will be less likely to behave out of line. Arrange to have someone with you. Take a production person, a manager, someone associated with the account so that it’s not obvious that you are bringing company for protection.4.     If you suspect that this client has ulterior motives, decline dinner.5.     Shame is a powerful thing. If you ARE propositioned, act totally shocked. Say that you CANNOT IMAGINE that a person of their standing in the community (might be a religious community) would suggest such a thing. Perhaps you misunderstood? Give them a way to save face and back out.6.     Try this line: “Mr. ____ I’m happy to work with you and your account and take good care of the advertising for your business. If you need anything more, I will be happy to provide you with names and numbers for workers in THAT profession.”7.     If nothing else works, trade the account. NOTHING, NO ACCOUNT is worth sacrificing your integrity. If no one else wants it, fire that account.8.    Just say “No”. Make that “Hell No”.My first boss gave me a piece of advice that I’ve held on to for years. He said, “Pat there are too many nice people out there to call on to deal with those who aren’t.” Amen and Amen! […]