Issue no 49 5 March 2009
Top Story
DISCOP: Africa’s first media market attracts over 400 people to Dakar for three day meeting-fest
Africa’s first full-blown media market started with a bang last week in Senegal’s Dakar. Over 400 people came to the event to either sell programming or buy it and Dakar’s Pullman Terranga was like an ant-heap as people moved between a seemingly endless succession of meetings. Both large and small distributors were there selling international content but there were also a small number of companies (successfully) selling local African content. Russell Southwood was there and wanted to find out what’s happening in the market. Because DISCOP was held in Dakar, there were a great deal more francophone participants than might…
Content
Nickleodeon announces distribution opportunities for terrestrials in 2009
24-hour kids channel Nickelodeon Africa (DStv Channel 305) is planning to make waves in Southern Africa this year with a host of activities designed to highlight the appeal of the…
Content
Sierra Leone: local 'Waking the Dead' movie to Be Premiered March 21
Executive director of the movie, 'Waking the Dead' Tuesday said the film is a true life encounter narrating the ordeal of a media practitioner in the country. The film will…
Content
Nigeria: CBN attacks media over reports of its curbs on bank advertising
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) blamed media organisations in the country for distorting the banks' decision to curb excessive publicity and advertisements. In a statement posted on its website…
Content
Uganda: Tanzanian Star to Make Movie in Country
For the past few years, the Ugandan film industry has attracted a couple of foreign directors and producers. Some have come from Nigeria and others from Hollywood. The latest actor…
Content
Content In Brief:
- Principal photography commenced in South Africa on a Warner Bros Pictures as-yet-untitled drama, being directed by four-time Oscar winner Clint Eastwood (Million Dollar Baby, Unforgiven). The film stars Academy…
Content
Zambia: Adventist Television Network seeks to offer alternative to mainstream TV
On October 10, 2003, the Adventist Television Network (ATN) launched Hope Channel on its over 50 free broadcasting satellite with the concept of encouraging positive lifestyle television for the whole…
Content
Ghana: Row Over Abrupt End of GTV Morning Show
The former General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dan Kwaku Botwe has accused the Director General of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC), William Ampem Darko of doing everything…
Content
Southern Sudan: Government Bans Religious Programs on Public TV
The management of Southern Sudan Television has cut down religious content to news coverage of main festivals in the mostly Christian semi-autonomous region. SSTV Acting Director, Faris Matthew, issued an…
Content
South Africa: New drive show for Algoa FM
Algoa FM's Wayne Hart is getting a crack at the big time on Monday 2 March. Hart will be anchoring afternoon drive during weekdays and will host the show with…
Distribution
Ghana: Optimum Media Prime Fulfils Pledge to GFA
Optimum Media Prime (OMP), the exclusive Global media and TV rights holders of the Black Stars World Cup/Africa Cup home matches has presented GH ¢97,500 cheque to the Ghana Football…
Distribution
Hollywood, Bollywood for Mother City
The Cape Film Commission (CFC) has set off on an ambitious strategy to turn Cape Town and the Western Cape into a globally competitive film industry destination. Major deals on…
Distribution
Distribution In Brief:
- Africalia will present its Cinetoile project, a network for the distribution of African films present in 8 African countries at FESPACO this week. It will also give an example…
Technology & Convergence
South Africa: Icasa Delays Mobile TV licensing
The Independent Communications Authority (Icasa) unexpectedly withdrew an invitation to apply for mobile TV licences last week. Icasa wanted to finalise its digital migration policy and the frequency band plan…
Technology & Convergence
Uganda: Internet Hotspots Launched
Ugandans have been blasted for not being in sync with the "information society." If it was because of a lack of opportunity to match along with the rest of the…
Regulation & Policy
Zimbabwe: New Deputy Minister Promises Media Reform
A day after being sworn into office, Jameson Timba, the Deputy Minister of Media, Information and Publicity says his immediate task will be to restore media freedom in the country.…
Regulation & Policy
Rwanda: Parliament Adopts New Media Bill
The Lower Chamber of Parliament yesterday unanimously passed the law governing the media after agreeing to all amendments made by a joint ad hoc committee. Media practitioners' watched expectantly from…
Regulation & Policy
Regulation & Policy In Brief:
- A minister in Somalia's new 'unity government' has declared war against the Horn of Africa country's free press, Radio Garowe reports. Abdirahman Ibbi, the new Minister of Fisheries and…
Investment
Nigeria: Sokoto Restructures Media Outfits
In fulfillment of the implementation of recommendations of the communiqué on the media strategy committee headed by Mallam Danladi Bako, Governor Aliyu Wamakko has approved the restructuring of media organizations…
Investment
Rwanda: Media Audience Survey Underway
Potential investors will at last be able to see the scale of audiences and market share of different players in Rwanda. The Rwanda Media High Council (MHC) is carrying out…
Investment
Investment In Brief:
- In line with the existing strong relations between Eritrea and Egypt and the understanding reached between the information ministries of both countries, an advanced training dealing with satellite works…
More
Technology & Convergence In Brief:
- Sajen Production, a Sierra Leoneon film production company has launched its new website: www.sajenpro.com - When disaster strikes anywhere in the world Radio Netherlands Worldwide will go into action…
