Issue no 7 27 June 2007
Top Story
France: First African film entries in mobile film festival
A wave of mobile film festivals have been happening globally that reflect the rise of use of the mobile phone for making short films. At the beginning of June there was a three day festival of so-called “Pocket Films” with over 200 films of every genre from 30 countries represented. It was an interesting straw in the wind that several African countries entered films. For it is probably true now that more Africans have access to a mobile than have access to a cinema screen. Films submitted to the festival included everything from comedies, political statements, experimental work and community…
Content
Africa: MTV launches first youth-focused, global, multi-platform climate change campaign – MTV Switch
MTV last week announced the launch of MTV SWITCH, the first youth-focused, global, multi-platform campaign created to help slow down the acceleration of global warming. Through public service announcements (PSAs),…
Content
Nigeria: HiTV Signs On Sky, Eurosports News
New Nigerian pay television operator, HiTV, has underlined its commitment to bringing the best television entertainment to Nigerians with the introduction of additional news and sports channels to bring its…
Content
Ghana: The COPA AMERICA 2007 gets set to roll on DStv!
In an announcement guaranteed to keep African football fans locked onto DStv screens this month, SuperSport has confirmed that it will definitely screen what is known as the oldest national…
Content
Zimbabwe: ZBC in Hola Africa Initiative
Zimbabwe Broadcasting Services -- radio and television -- are together with 40 other broadcasters drawn from more than 30 countries participating in the Hola Africa Initiative to combat HIV and…
Content
South Africa: SABC Withdraws Controversial Documentary for Second Time
Now you see it, now you don't, now you see it, now you don't: such is the farcical situation with the controversial documentary on President Thabo Mbeki, which the South…
Content
Zimbabwe/Uganda: Two More News Channels On DStv
At least two more news channels have been added to the DStv bouquet, providing alternative perspectives on international news and current affairs issues to the existing selection of channels. Kirsty…
Content
Namibia: Are NBC And SABC Bedfellows?
The Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) and its South African counterpart (SABC) certainly have a lot of things in common. After all, both are public institutions administered along the same guidelines…
Content
Kenya: GTV Launches in Nairobi Promising Value, Quality
Pay Television channel, GTV, has launched its services in Nairobi. It announced that they would show live broadcasts of between 296 and 313 Barclaycard Premier League matches, including those that…
Content
Namibia: NBC Sinking in Red Ink
The Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) may soon find itself in a situation where downsizing and retrenchments are unavoidable, unless Government steps in to rescue the embattled broadcaster. Escalating financial problems,…
Content
Botswana: New Radio Stations Herald Exciting Times
Last month the mass media marketplace became more competitive. The issuance of three national radio licences has given a new complexion to the broadcasting terrain. It has been a long…
Content
Kenya: Introduce Sign Language, TV Stations Urged
The Government has no powers to compel media houses to introduce sign language. However, it has written to all media houses and the Media Owners Association, asking them to introduce…
Content
Senegal: Radio Station Mired in Technicalities
For a while it appeared as if Madiambal Diagne might have found a way around the Senegalese government's apparent determination to keep him away from the airwaves. The well-known journalist…
Content
Sierra Leone: Friends of the Earth to Open Radio Station Soon
Executive Director of Friends of the Earth, Olatunde Johnson last week told Concord Times that his organization will be opening a new radio station later this year. He said the…
Distribution
South Africa: SABC Millions to Clinch Deal on British Soccer Matches
The dispute over the sale of Premier Soccer League (PSL) broadcasting rights took another twist yesterday when it emerged that the SABC had bought rights to Monday night English Premier…
Distribution
South Africa: Italian Serie A TV rights assigned
Media Partners & Silva agreed a deal with South African pay-broadcaster SuperSport for the TV rights for Italy’s Serie A in South Africa. Under the three-year deal, SuperSport will broadcast…
Investment
Moroccan cinema: subsidy to rise to USD 12Mn by 2010, Minister
Some US$7 million has been be earmarked in 2007 to promote the Moroccan film industry, and is due to rise to US$12 million by 2010, said Minister of Communication, Nabil…
Investment
Nigeria: Iredia Seeks Funds for Potiskum, Gashua TV Stations
The director general of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Dr. Tonnie Iredia, has called on the Yobe state government as well as authorities of Potiskum and Gashua local government areas…
Investment
South Africa: Johncom Expects Jump in Earnings
Media company Johnnic Communications (Johncom), which owns media assets including Nu Metro cinemas and the Sunday Times as well as half of Business Day, said last week headline earnings per…
Regulation & Policy
Liberia: Two Journalists Beaten by Police and UN Peacekeepers, One Seriously Injured
Reporters Without Borders condemns the use of violence by members of the national police and United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) against several journalists, including Daylue Goah of the privately-owned…
Regulation & Policy
Congo: Local ANR Officials Close Mayi-Munene Radio Station, Confiscate Equipment
JED condemns the closing of a community radio station emitting in Mayi-Munene, near Tshikapa, in central RD Congo, and the confiscation of its equipment, by local officials of the National…
Technology & Convergence
Africa: Strong growth forecast for MENA pay TV
The pay TV market in the Middle East and North Africa will grow by 36% over the next five years, according to new research published today. The fourth edition of…
Technology & Convergence
South Africa: The Most Definitive Interactive Device
Recent research showed that the US was at the forefront of global mobile web growth, with a 300% increase in usage over the last year. And most remarkably, South Africa…
Technology & Convergence
South Africa: Telkom Media: SA keen on pay TV
South Africans were willing to pay for subscription television services, research by Telkom Media revealed on Thursday. Spokesperson Chris Van Zyl said the market potential for satellite subscriptions could be…
Technology & Convergence
Rwanda: Internet to Boost Newspaper Readership - Honderich
The former publisher of Canada's largest daily, The Toronto Star, has encouraged Rwandan newspapers to use the Internet as a partner to increase their clout and boost circulation. In a…
More
Nigeria: Jigawa Fires Gm of State Radio
Jigawa State government has fired the general manager of the state's Broadcasting Corporation (Radio Jigawa), Hajiya Hauwa Sule Ringim, even as it relieved the secretary to the corporation, Hajiya Maryam…
More
Nigeria: Osunbor Appoints Chief Press Secretary
Governor Oserhiermen Osunbor of Edo State, Tuesday, appointed Daniel Aigbavboa as his chief press secretary (CPS). Until his appointment Tuesday, he was the chief press secretary to the former Deputy…
More
Seeking marketer/distributor for feature film
We are a French production company based in Paris (France) and Abidjan (Ivory Coast). We are registered with the Ministry of Commerce in Abidjan. We are trying to find an…
