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 News From You
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Week ending June 16, 2007
from Sarah de Jong/INSA
The British government has challenged the world community to end impunity for the killers of journalists and other media professionals.
In an answer to questions in Parliament, the Foreign Office also reaffirmed that the deliberate killing of a journalist in conflict is a war crime.
Opposition Liberal Democrat spokesman for Media affairs Don Foster posted a series of written questions to the Foreign Office following consultation with the International News Safety Institute. INSI is seeking to ensure states follow the recommendations of UN Resolution 1738, passed by the Security Council last December, on the safety of journalists in conflict and the ending of impunity.
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Following is a transcript of written questions from Foster and answers from Foreign Office Minister Kim Howells, who stated clearly at the outset that journalists "must be provided with the protection that they need under domestic and international law".
An INSI global inquiry into journalist deaths reported in March that 1,000 news media professionals had died covering the news over the past 10 years, that at least 657 were murdered and only one in eight of the killers was brought to justice .
Transcript:
Mr. Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what (a) correspondence and (b) discussions her officials have had with (i) European partners and (ii) others (A) regarding respect for the professional independence and rights of journalists, media professionals and associated personnel during armed conflict and (B) to obtain universal compliance with relevant obligations under international law to end impunity and prosecute those responsible for serious violations of international law against such persons; and if she will make a statement.
Kim Howells: The Government are committed to promoting freedom of expression worldwide and to defending and protecting the professional independence and right of journalists and media professionals to work without fear of reprisal during armed conflict. Journalists, media professionals and associated personnel must be provided with the protection that they need under domestic and international law.
Last month, at the World Press Freedom Day, my right hon. Friend the Minister for Trade, Investment and Foreign Affairs, Ian McCartney, reaffirmed our commitment to promote, defend, and protect the professional independence and right of journalists and media professionals to work without fear of reprisal. He also spoke out against impunity for crimes deliberately targeted against journalists. To intentionally direct an attack against civilians not taking direct part in hostilities is a war crime as defined under Article 8 (2)(b)(i) of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC). Under Article 79 of Additional Protocol I to the Geneva Conventions, journalists are regarded as civilians, provided they do not take action adversely affecting their status. These provisions provide journalists, media professionals and associated personnel with protection under international law. The key challenge for the international community is to ensure that international law is respected and enforced in order to provide a strong deterrent.
To assist this process, and raise awareness of the violence directed against journalists in conflict zones, the UK and its EU partners tabled UN Security Council Resolution 1738 in December 2006. The resolution condemned violence directed against journalists in conflict zones. It called on parties involved in conflict to stop deliberate attacks against journalists and respect them as civilians under international law.
In addition to our discussions over the tabling of Resolution 1738, we also discussed this matter with outside experts at the meeting of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Advisory Panel on Freedom of Expression on 24 May. We will continue to work with our EU partners and others to support efforts to promote and strengthen respect for international law, in particular in this area. An essential part of this is our strong support for the international criminal tribunals, including the ICC, which are a key part of international efforts to combat the crimes of most concern to the international community. We also discuss with EU partners and others joint action to protest at mistreatment of journalists.
Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what measures have been introduced to ensure the UK's compliance with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1738, on the protection of journalists in armed conflict; and if she will make a statement.
Kim Howells: The Government are committed to promoting freedom of expression and the media worldwide. Journalists, media professionals and associated personnel must be provided with the protection that they need under domestic and international law.
To assist this process, and raise awareness of the violence directed against journalists in conflict zones, the UK and its EU partners tabled UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1738 in December 2006. The resolution condemned violence directed against journalists in conflict zones. It called on parties involved in conflict to stop deliberate attacks against journalists, and respect them as civilians under international law.
No specific new measures were required of the UK to implement UNSCR 1738. UK military forces are already required to act in compliance with the provisions of international humanitarian law relating to the protection of civilians, including journalists, to which the resolution refers.
Funding is available to support measures to protect journalists in armed conflict through a new human rights strand of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Global Opportunities Fund. For example, we have funded work in Colombia, with the International News Safety Institute, aimed at creating a culture of safety in journalism and reducing the risks journalists face at work.
The UK regularly speaks out when journalists are murdered, attacked or harassed. We raise cases with foreign governments, urging compliance with international law. For example, we engaged with the Russian Federation following the death of Anna Politkovskaya.
Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what (a) correspondence and (b) discussions her Department has had since the adoption by the United Nations Security Council of Resolution 1738, on the protection of journalists in armed conflict, with States Parties to the Geneva Conventions, in order to ensure that (i) all necessary action is taken to search for persons who have committed, or ordered others to commit, breaches of those conventions and (ii) such people are tried before their own courts so that they are handed to another concerned state; and if she will make a statement.
Kim Howells: The Government are committed to promoting freedom of expression and the media worldwide. Journalists, media professionals and associated personnel must be provided with the protection that they need under domestic and international law.
In addition to tabling, with our EU partners, UN Security Council Resolution 1738 in December 2006, the UK will continue to work with partners to support efforts to promote and strengthen respect for international law, in particular in this area. An essential part of this is our strong support for the international criminal tribunals, including the International Criminal Court, which are a key part of international efforts to combat the crimes of most concern to the international community. We expect that the Red Cross Conference in Geneva in November will amongst other things discuss reaffirmation of international humanitarian law.
The UK regularly speaks out when journalists are murdered, attacked or harassed. We raise cases with foreign governments, urging compliance with international law. For example, we engaged with the Russian Federation following the death of Anna Politkovskaya.
Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what (a) correspondence and (b) discussions her Department has had with (i) European partners and (ii) others to seek the earliest possible compliance with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1738, on the protection of journalists in armed conflict; and if she will make a statement.
Kim Howells: We have had no specific discussions with European partners and others on compliance with UN Security Council Resolution 1738. Compliance is the responsibility of UN States. We do continue to discuss wider matters of international humanitarian law, under which journalists are covered, and to take joint action on individual cases.
from Heidi Lambert/ENPA
“UNLOCKING CONTENT FOR ALL”
The latest developments of ACAP, Automated Content Access Protocol, the new open standard for owners of content published on the World Wide Web, will be revealed at a high-level conference in London on 26 June.
ACAP can provide permissions information (relating to access and use of content) in a form that can be recognised and interpreted by a search engine “spider”, so that the search engine operator is enabled systematically to comply with the permissions granted by the owner. (for more, go to http://www.the-acap.org/). This new standard will remove the need for proprietary mechanisms that would oblige every publisher or content owner to negotiate their own agreement with each different online relationship. Publishers and other content providers invest billions of pounds in their work. ACAP gives them control over who gets to use their content, and under what condition.
Project Manager Mark Bide of Rightscom Limited said: “We are all absolutely delighted with progress made so far. The spirit of collaboration between all involved has been inspiring and we are so far meeting every objective of the pilot that will end at the end of this year. We are also delighted to announce that, in addition to our participants, we also have an impressive membership list now (see below) which indicates the high level of interest in ACAP and our commitment to making this a totally transparent and inclusive project.”
The conference will be chaired by the new Chief Executive of the Publishers Association, Simon Juden and will include senior speakers from the European Commission, book publishers, newspaper publishers, the film industry, search engines and lawyers all giving their perspective on how ACAP will work for them, both in theory and in practice.
Presentations will encompass the business, legal and regulatory perspectives both from those working within the pilot and those with an outsider’s view.
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The new French international news channel launches three FRANCE 24 branded Channels on the YouTube platform
FRANCE 24 announced today the launch of three FRANCE 24 branded channels (in French, in English and in Arabic) on the Youtube platform. Available at - www.youtube.com/france24 www.youtube.com/france24english www.youtube.com/france24arabic- these 3 channels will allow the YouTube community and web users throughout the world to find the best programs broadcast on the new French international news channel.
YouTube is the leader in online video sharing, and the number one destination to watch and share original videos worldwide through Internet.
YouTube users worldwide will have the opportunity to watch FRANCE 24 clips online, rate them, recommend them to friends and post their own video responses to communicate with other viewers.
The new branded Channels will also include links to the FRANCE 24 official website (www.FRANCE24.com).
Content from the new global broadcaster will include top rating shows from the three channels, including the best reports and interviews with world leaders.
FRANCE 24 will enrich its offer by adding new content on YouTube on a weekly basis.
Following the launch, Stanislas Leridon, FRANCE 24 Internet and New Media Director declares: “We are delighted to provide selected programming from our three channels on this popular online video sharing platform. More and more viewers are going online, looking for specific content, and we really think that FRANCE 24 offers a fresh point of view on international affairs with exclusive reports, numerous debates and interviews that can be of great interest to the YouTube community and to all the web users throughout the world.”
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The European Platform of Regulatory Authorities (EPRA) appointed its new Executive Board on 18 May 2007. On the occasion of the 25th EPRA meeting in Prague, Dunja Mijatovic, Director of Broadcasting Division of the Communication Regulatory Agency (CRA) from Bosnia and Herzegovina was unanimously elected Chairperson for a period of two years.
Ms. Mijatovic, the first EPRA Chair from a non-EU Member State and the first woman at the head of this European network of media regulators created in 1995, is no newcomer to the EPRA. Her regulatory authority joined the network in spring 2000 and she has been involved in the activities of the Board in her capacity of Vice-Chair since May 2003.
In her acceptance speech, she paid a tribute to the great work carried out by former EPRA chairpersons Joan Botella, Michael O'Keeffe and Greger Lindberg and thanked them for steering EPRA into safe waters and making it such a successful platform for the exchange of information and best practices between media regulators. She also emphasised her desire to carry forward the mission of EPRA and to foster cooperation between regulatory authorities in keeping with EPRA values.
Pursuant to the EPRA Statutes, the Chairperson chairs the meetings and represents the EPRA in its external relations. The Chair is also responsible for the agenda and the Minutes of the meetings.
In carrying out her manifold tasks, the new EPRA Chairperson will be supported by the EPRA Secretariat and by a strong Board composed of four Vice-Chairpersons: Jürgen Brautmeier, Deputy Director of the Media Authority of Northrhine Westphalia (LfM) in Germany, who is incidentally one of the founding fathers of EPRA, Andris Mellakauls, Member of the National Broadcasting Council of Latvia, Sebastiano Sortino, Commissioner of the Italian AGCOM and Tim Suter, Partner, Content and Standards from the British Ofcom.
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Mobile TV in Deutschland mit Umsatzpotenzial von über einer halben Milliarde Euro in 2012
Trotz aller Verzögerungen und Risiken prognostiziert Goldmedia für Fernsehen auf dem Handy in der aktuellen Mobile TV Studie ein beachtliches Umsatzpotenzial: Mobile TV könnte in
Deutschland im Jahr 2012 einen Umsatz von 655 Mio. Euro erzielen und damit zu einem wichtigen Eckpfeiler der Medienbranche werden. Auf dem Weg zum kommerziellen Marktstart sind aber noch einige Hürden zu nehmen. Erst in den vergangenen Wochen endeten bei der Bundesnetzagentur und bei den Landesmedienanstalten die Ausschreibungsfristen für den
Handy-TV-Standard DVB-H. Beworben haben sich zahlreiche Unternehmen, darunter Inhalte- und Mobilfunkanbieter sowie unabhängige Plattformbetreiber.
Basis der Goldmedia-Prognose sind aktuelle Ergebnisse der Markt- und Nutzerforschung sowie Erfahrungen kommerzieller Angebote im Ausland. Goldmedia geht in den Analysen von einem kommerziellen Start unter Beteiligung der marktführenden Player aus dem Content- und
Mobilfunkbereich bis Mitte 2008 aus und setzt voraus, dass sich die Akteure zeitnah auf ein tragfähiges Geschäftsmodell einigen. Kommt es im hochkomplexen Verfahren der Frequenz- und Kapazitätsvergabe für Mobile TV in Deutschland jedoch zu weiteren Verzögerungen, würde auch die Umsatzentwicklung entsprechend gebremst.
Hohe Umsatzpotenziale ohne subskriptionsbasierte Geschäftsmodelle kaum erreichbar
Auch in einem von Free TV geprägten deutschen Fernsehmarkt sieht Goldmedia reelle Chancen, für Mobile TV ein subskriptionsbasiertes Geschäftsmodell zu etablieren. Anders als im Internet oder im klassischen Fernsehen ist der Mobilfunknutzer gewohnt, für Dienste zu zahlen. Ergebnisse der Nutzerforschung in Real-Tests belegen eindeutig, dass es für Handy TV in Deutschland eine hohe Zahlungsbereitschaft von durchschnittlich 7,50 Euro pro Monat gibt.
Markterfolg von Mobile TV braucht Top-Contentmarken und Mobilfunkkonzerne
Dass die gegenwärtigen rundfunkbasierten Mobile TV-Angebote noch wenig Resonanz haben, ist vor allem zwei Faktoren geschuldet: zum einen sind bislang nicht alle führenden Contentmarken im Programmangebot vertreten und zum anderen ist das Engagement der großen Mobilfunknetzbetreiber bei der Vermarktung nicht gegeben. Goldmedia Consultant und Autor der Studie Michael Schmid unterstreicht: „Der ökonomische Markterfolg von rundfunkbasiertem Mobile TV setzt zwei Dinge ganz klar voraus: ein vielfältiges Programmangebot mit attraktiven Content-Marken sowie deren Vertrieb durch die großen Mobilfunkkonzerne unter Nutzung der führenden Endgeräte-Marken.“
Mobile TV kann 2012 knapp ein Fünftel der heutigen Werbeumsätze im TV erreichen
In Abhängigkeit von der Art der Geschäftsmodelle, des konkreten Marktstarts und der beteiligten Akteure entwirft Goldmedia in der aktuellen Studie Mobile TV 2012 verschiedene Entwicklungsszenarien: Im Best Case prognostiziert Goldmedia für Mobile TV in Deutschland im Jahr 2012 einen Umsatz von über 900 Mio. Euro, im Worst Case dagegen werden es weniger als 200 Mio. Euro sein.
Ein Blick auf andere Medien verdeutlicht die Entwicklungsdimensionen dieser jungen Branche: die im Realistic Case für 2012 angenommenen 655 Millionen Euro Umsatz (1) entsprächen bereits rund einem Fünftel der Nettowerbeumsätze, die heute im Fernsehen erzielt werden (2006: 4,1 Mrd. Euro). Die Mobile TV-Umsätze 2012 würden ferner in etwa den heutigen Netto-Werbeeinnahmen im Hörfunk (2006: 680 Mio. Euro) gleichen.
Andere europäische Länder sind Deutschland voraus: selbst Albanien schon gestartet
International gibt es zur Übertragung von Handy-TV weiterhin klare Präferenzen für DVB-H. Während Mobile TV über diesen Standard bereits in Italien, Albanien und Finnland eingeführt wurde, ist ein Start in Deutschland frühestens 2008 zu erwarten. Je länger sich allerdings der
Beginn eines breiten Mobile TV-Angebotes hinzieht, desto höher wird die Wahrscheinlichkeit, dass auch alternative Standards bevorzugt werden könnten.
„In Deutschland müssen die Akteure jetzt dringend ihre Hausaufgaben machen“, betont Goldmedia Consultant und Studienautor Michael Schmid. „Dazu gehören insbesondere die rechtssichere Vergabe der Sendeplätze, die Abstimmung über ein tragfähiges Geschäftsmodell und die finanzielle Sicherung eines schnellen Sendernetzaufbaus. Wichtig ist die ausgewogene
Berücksichtigung der Interessen aller Marktteilnehmer. Die Fokussierung auf Maximalpositionen Einzelner schadet am Ende der Entwicklung des Gesamtmarktes Mobile TV.“
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