followthemedia.com a knowledge base for media professionals

followthemedia.com - a knowledge base for media professionals

Search the site

Debates, decrees, disagreements – it’s December in France --- Michael Hedges December 12, 2008
Debate in the French National Assembly on a public broadcasting law resumed after a stich up of several days. But the Members late return to the business of State likely means enactment overhauling France Télévisions and Radio France won’t be in place for the January 5th deadline for removing advertising from the public broadcasters. President NicolasSarkozy set the ad cut-off deadline and so it is.

First Stats Indicate The Time Has Come For NBC To Show The Olympics Live As Well As Its Prime Time Tape Delay --- Philip M. Stone August 12, 2008
The world, except for the US, got to see the Olympic opening ceremonies live and In many countries it was close to a 50 share or higher but for Americans trying to see those festivities live on the Internet – about 12 hours before NBC’s telecast – the opportunities were fleeting with most illegal video postings getting removed very quickly.

In Switzerland, Pay For Broadband, Own A Mobile Phone That Receives TV Then Pay A TV License Fee, Too --- Philip M. Stone July 15, 2008
Switzerland already has one of the world’s highest, if not the highest, TV and radio annual license fee – a total of 462 Swiss Francs ($454, €285, £228) divided into quarterly payments -- and about 95% of households pay the TV fee and 90% pay the radio fee, the money going to support the country’s public broadcasting system (TV is allowed advertising revenues in addition, radio is not). But are there those who slip through the net by using something other than a TV or radio? The regulators think so.

Is Sarkovision Public Broadcastings Future? --- Michael Hedges June 30, 2008
Like pixels filling the screen from a slow internet connection, French President Nicolas Sarkozy’s picture for public broadcasting is either a tantalizing glimpse of the future-possible or too frustrating to watch.

China and Japan Power Total World Newspaper Circulation Higher, But For The US and The EU The Paid-For Circulation Is Down --- Philip M. Stone June 2, 2008
World newspaper circulation rose by 18 million last year, but when you consider there was a gain of 18.4 million copies in China and India alone it gives a clear picture that paid-for circulation is not doing so well, especially in the US and the EU, according to figures from the annual World Press Trends study released by the World Association of Newspapers (WAN).

Grand plan for France Monde reduced, replaced, redacted --- Michael Hedges May 3, 2008
It’s been nearly a year since French president Nicholas Sarkozy unveiled his plan to consolidate and reorganize French international broadcasting. One public company would be created – France Monde – under which Radio France Internationale, France 24 and TV5 Monde would merge. The unions objected. The partners objected. Owners of the name objected.

How Long Until a London Super Bowl? --- Philip Stone February 4, 2008
With all attention on Arizona Sunday for this year’s Super Bowl, the question openly being asked in Europe , given National Football League (NFL) Commissioner Roger Goodell’s penchant for internationalizing the game, is how long before there’s a Super Bowl in London’s Wembley Stadium?

Public broadcasters calmed as Ministers translate M. Sarkozy --- Michael Hedges January 10, 2008
Anytime a national leader suggests changes in any institution some people get very nervous. So it was earlier in the week as new French President Nicolas Sarkozy commented on French broadcasting. Share prices for commercial TV channels and advertising companies rose as public broadcasters eyed the window ledges.

Sarkozy To French Media: 'If You Don’t Like To See Pictures of Me With My Girlfriend (Fiancé) Then Don’t Send a Photographer. We Are Not Going To Hide' --- Philip M. Stone January 9, 2008
Confidence oozed from French President Nicolas Sarkozy at his Tuesday news conference and the focus of the world’s media concentrated on when he was going to marry his supermodel girlfriend. That means his fascinating chastisements of the media, and some of his proposed solutions to heal the ailments of the French media business didn’t break through those headlines but they are important as one charts the future of the French media

Strange Bedfellows And New Business Models For Marketing The Media --- Philip Stone November 21, 2007
City AM is a free business newspaper with a near 100,000 daily circulation to the main financial centers in London. So how come it had a cover-wrap on Monday promoting the business coverage of the Times of London?

Ministers ‘save’ TV5 Monde --- Michael Hedges November 10, 2007
TV5 Monde partners have checked French government efforts to consolidate its international broadcasting. Swiss, Belgians and Canadians want the French-language television channel to remain a partnership and not become ‘the voice of France.’

German TV Ratings For The Tour de France Are Way Down After German Rider Is Nailed On Illegal Doping, But With A Danish Rider Leading Although Also Under A Doping Cloud That Country’s TV Ratings Have Gone Through The Roof --- Philip M. Stone July 25, 2007
This year’s Tour de France bicycle race has a little bit of everything – a German doping scandal that caused German public broadcasters to drop coverage only to be replaced by commercial broadcasters, but the ratings are way down, and a Dane is leading who has been disowned by his country’s federation because of dope testing irregularities, but that hasn’t stopped Danes tuning in as never before.

Mobile TV - Slow Finding Customers – Gets Subsidies --- Michael Hedges - May 14, 2007
Ask any media crystal gazer to name the next big thing and there is one, resounding answer: Mobile TV. People viewing something on that mobile phone’s tiny screen is the center-piece of new media thinking, or dreaming, or wishing, or hoping. Sadly, though, people are just not clamoring to help cellcos (mobile telephone providers) increase those billable seconds. The solution, of course, is government subsidies.

RFE/RL and VOA in Russian Sights --- Michael Hedges July 10, 2006
International broadcasters are increasingly backed against a wall when it comes to finding easy broadcast licenses for the taking. Governments can prevent access to distribution or, at the very least, make life very uncomfortable for local media affiliates. The enduring rule of media and politics is that no government takes criticism easily, particularly from foreigners.

French International News Channel Cleared to Go by EC. “Russia Today” Set to Go, Too. --- Michael Hedges June 13, 2005
Governments looking to spin television news to their liking are setting up satellite channels. And they are avoiding their own international broadcasting agencies.

Two Tabloids With Full Front Page Picture of Dominique Strauss-Kahn – One Called Him 'Le Perv' And The Other, 'DSK Out' – Which Country Ran Which? (Many Of You Will Be Wrong) --- Philip M. Stone May 17, 2011 Follow on Twitter
The arrest for attempted rape of Dominque Strauss-Kahn, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) chairman (DSK as the French and we will call him), in New York over the weekend is a huge story in Europe...

Radio Channel Slides To The Right, Regulator Blunts Show Host --- Michael Hedges September 13, 2021 - Follow on Twitter
Media proprietors exert undeniable control over their broadcasting and publishing assets. It is the benefit - and sometimes peril - of ownership. Outside of some public broadcasting structures, listeners, viewers and readers either accept what is distributed or, well, not. Most often, though not entirely, private sector media owners seek to monitize the most attractive product offer. There are certain variations.

Sharp Words On And About Television --- Michael Hedges January 27, 2010 - Follow on Twitter
All things television are all important to politicians. Even where journalists are held in low esteem and media credibility is low, politicians flock to interviews with newspapers, television and radio. And they don’t necessarily choose their words carefully.

Symbolism, Poison fruit And Public Broadcasting --- Michael Hedges February 15, 2010 - Follow on Twitter
Eager for large red headlines, politicians regularly woo voters with plans for public sector reform. Tales of extravagance also make headlines, particularly of the rich, the powerful and television-blessed. Public broadcasting becomes a target of convenience.

Broadcasters Warned On “Shock Value” News --- Michael Hedges July 12, 2012 - Follow on Twitter
Recordings of communication between police and a murder suspect that found their way to a television news program raised questions about news value and ethics. Authorities want to know how the recordings, graphically revealing police negotiations with a deranged killer, left their control. Mirroring the outrage of victim’s families, the media regulator asked if rules were broken.

The Blockbuster That Is Television --- Michael Hedges February 28, 2011 Follow on Twitter
Most everyone in the television world is just pleased as punch with the Great Recovery of 2010. Swept away are the spider webs of recession, depression, viewer confusion, advertising dearth and austerity budgets. Bigger is back; audiences, advertisers, screens and shows. What’s not to like?

Public Television: Just Wait --- Michael Hedges September 7, 2010 Follow on Twitter
Long gone are the easy days for public broadcasting. Politicians have searched for convenient solutions; to governance, finance, competition. At every corner, there’s a surprise. Change is hard to manage.

Can’t You All Just Get Along? --- Michael Hedges April 4, 2011 Follow on Twitter
Powerful people play tough because they know that’s the way the game is played. Mixing politics and media with ego and hubris can create a high-tech war zone. This story is about the tricks, trials and collateral damage.

Broadcasters Fight Institutional Inertia With Broom --- Michael Hedges February 18, 2013 Follow on Twitter
Public broadcasting reform isn’t simple. There seems to be universal agreement, more or less, that the radio and television funded by and for the public is in need of a rethink, digital transition casting a new wave and economics another. Ideas are proposed, debated, changed and discarded. Nothing is easy but a good housecleaning helps.

The Community Of Fans --- Michael Hedges September 7, 2009 Follow on Twitter
Every sport has its rabid fans. Craziness aside, it’s the fans – and super-fans – who drive broadcast sports and sports marketing. New media gives broadcasters a new tool for building audience and revenue.

Journalists Warned To Lock All Doors, Front And Back --- Michael Hedges May 15, 2019 - Follow on Twitter
Media workers have no doubts that their every endeavour, professional or otherwise, is under scrutiny. Faith that press freedom and other conventions offer a level of protection has dissipated as authoritarian leaders continue to diminish the media’s role in civil society, if not civil society generally. We have seen this movie before.

Want To Get Your Message Across? Simple, Start Your Own 24-Hour Cable News Channel --- Philip M. Stone July 7, 2010 Follow on Twitter
What do you do if you’re a nation that doesn’t think the world’s 24-hour English language global news networks are giving you a fair shake? Simple, you start your own English news channel. All you need is money and that’s what governments print so, no problem even in these days of counting pennies.

Journalist Group Seeks Expansion, Sidesteps Hard Decisions --- Michael Hedges June 6, 2022 - Follow on Twitter
Consensus does not come easily to journalists. Big questions, in particular, highlight the talents of those who earn their daily bread observing and sharing. No two sets of eyes, metaphorically, see exactly the same. This is a good thing. Small things, like punctuation, are no less debated. This, too, is just fine.

Journalism As A Social Movement --- Michael Hedges December 2, 2020 - Follow on Twitter
News organizations and editorial unions are fed up seeing their employees and members roughed up, beaten and shot at by police agencies. It happens all the time, seemingly, because reporters assigned to cover civil assemblies witness unseemly and confrontational behavior. And these assemblies are taking place with increasing frequency and news coverage follows.

Media Follows Violent Retribution For Those Daring To Dissent --- Michael Hedges September 26, 2022 - Follow on Twitter
Dissent is an expression. Protests are also expressions. But dissent reaches beyond chanting and carrying signs. It results from profound frustration. Media can be a vehicle for protest. Dissent is personal.

Another Gloomy Press Freedom Report, Bright Spots Scant --- Michael Hedges May 3, 2023 - Follow on Twitter
Set aside by the UN General Assembly in 1993, World Press Freedom Day is an annual marker for democracy advocates. Freedom of expression communicated through published and broadcast media is a right afforded to and for all persons. This year May 3rd is the 30th anniversary. Various press and media freedom advocates typically make special representations throughout the week.

Go Figure -- BBC World Television Blankets Kennedy Funeral But On CNNI Its Talk Asia And The Like --- Philip Stone August 31, 2009 Follow on Twitter
CNN International (CNNI) apparently believed Senator Kennedy’s funeral was of interest only domestically in the US so it was business as usual on the network Saturday afternoon and evening with more repeats of Talk Asia and the like. But on BBC World there were more than three hours of non-stop, no commercial interruption funeral coverage from before the hearse arrived at the Boston church until after its departure. Goes to show that the 24-hour TV news networks are not alike!

Television News: Form And Content --- Michael Hedges November 29, 2010 Follow on Twitter
Television news is like fruitcake; looks good, cooks debate the best recipes and nobody really likes it. Endlessly, mercilessly critics skewer both. There’s too much sugar, not enough booze and the nuts rise to the top.

Big Leaks, No Meetings, Shoe Leather Reserved --- Michael Hedges May 2, 2016 - Follow on Twitter
Clandestine meetings on dark street corners, secrets passed silently, details checked diligently, the story written brilliantly and published under a tough editor’s watchful eye has narrated journalism’s highest calling, bringing truth to power. Real life is less dramatic. The digital age has brought new tools to the newsroom and a far different practice. The result is measured the same.

Names Change, Truth At Risk --- Michael Hedges March 22, 2019 - Follow on Twitter
The out-of-service sign has been hung on the term fake news. Collins English Dictionary anointed it word of the year in 2017 after a tsunami of fake news, fake ads and fake video created a vast undertow. People were drowning in it, for it and with it. Then in that most post-modern way clever dictators usurped the term, changing it into criticism of criticism. Fake news has always been about creating confusion. Now we talk about disinformation.

Painting Stark Pictures Data Journalism Offends The Powerful --- Michael Hedges October 6, 2021 - Follow on Twitter
From oligarchs and kings to pop stars and football players lifestyles - and the money paying for them - are closely guarded. Secrets, in fact. Taxes are such an annoyance there are special means of avoid them all. Media outlets thrive on revealing these secrets. Democracies depend on it.

Broadcasters Warned On "Shock Value" News --- Michael Hedges July 12, 2012 - Follow on Twitter
Recordings of communication between police and a murder suspect that found their way to a television news program raised questions about news value and ethics. Authorities want to know how the recordings, graphically revealing police negotiations with a deranged killer, left their control. Mirroring the outrage of victim’s families, the media regulator asked if rules were broken.

Intimidating Reporters Yields Results For Autocrats --- Michael Hedges March 4, 2019 - Follow on Twitter
The sun rarely sets on a part of the world where reporters and editors escape threats and intimidation. And rarely a day passes when another transgression is reported. Authoritarian dictators, crime bosses and wannabes in both ranks take some pride, it seems, in putting news media under their thumbs. It never ends.