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The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) at its first Council meeting for 2021 has called on the State Capture Inquiry led by Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo to divulge the names of journalists who were paid by the country’s intelligence agencies where there is evidence to back this up.
SANEF has taken firm decisions to promote freedom of expression, ethical and transparent journalism.
A major point of discussion was on the recent allegations of journalists being used as spies to further the agenda of the State Security Agency (SSA). Members again noted the admission of African News Agency (ANA) CEO Vasantha Angamuthu that they accepted money from the State Security Agency (SSA) to “provide multi-media training for SSA analysts and interns across Africa” and to carry positive stories about South Africa and the government.
HRW Joins Other Rights Watchdogs In Condemning Uzbek Blogger s Arrest
February 12, 2021 09:51 GMT
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Human Rights Watch (HRW) has joined other rights organizations in condemning the arrest of Uzbek video blogger Otabek Sattoriy, calling the extortion case against him dubious and urging the Central Asian country s government to drop all charges and release him. Otabek Sattoriy s blogging on sensitive issues such as alleged corruption and farmers rights has put him in local authorities crosshairs, Mihra Rittmann, senior Central Asia researcher at HRW, said in a
statement on February 12. Uzbek authorities should release Sattoriy, drop the charges for lack of evidence, and respect and protect freedom of expression, Rittmann added.
Home Polish media groups halt news coverage in protest at advertising tax
Polish media groups halt news coverage in protest at advertising tax
Broadcasters fear proposed new levy would undermine country’s independent media
World Economy News
10 Feb 2021 • 2 min read
Private media groups in Poland suspended their news coverage on Wednesday in a 24-hour protest at a proposed tax on advertising they fear would undermine independent journalism.
Channels run by the two biggest independent broadcasters, TVN and Polsat aired black screens with the message “This is where your favourite programme was supposed to be”.
Meanwhile, several private radio stations, including TOK FM and Radio Zet, replaced normal programmes with a message on a loop, accusing the government of wanting to “destroy independent media”.
Bulgaria Condemned For Refusal To Probe Journalist s Violent Arrest
February 11, 2021 14:15 GMT
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Reporters Without Borders (RSF) is calling for an independent and transparent investigation into the beating of Bulgarian freelance journalist Dimitar Kenarov while in police custody in September 2020.
“We condemn the Sofia police’s refusal to reexamine this journalist’s arbitrary and violent arrest, and the absurd and dystopian narrative, worthy of George Orwell, being used by the authorities,” Pavol Szalai, the head of the Paris-based media freedom watchdog’s European Union and Balkans desk, said in a statement on February 11.
Szalai said a new independent investigation is needed to “establish the facts and to ensure that the authorities do not tolerate such behavior towards journalists covering demonstrations.”
RFE/RL Accuses Russia Of Violating Treaty Through Foreign Agent Law
February 11, 2021 21:15 GMT
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PRAGUE Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty says Russia is violating a bilateral investment treaty by targeting the organization’s news operations within Russia under its controversial “foreign agent” law.
The assertion, made public by RFE/RL in a statement issued on February 11, comes as Russian regulators have hit the company with a series of fines in recent weeks.
Media regulator Roskomnadzor has demanded RFE/RL comply with strict requirements to label content published and broadcast within Russia as financed by foreign sources. Those demands include prominent 15-second disclaimers shown at the start of every television, radio, or video program, be it online or broadcast.