Media News - Tuesday, July 08, 2008

Alarm over bill that would extend death penalty to online crimes

Reporters Without Borders is alarmed by a draft law that would extend the death penalty to crimes committed online. Passed by parliament on first reading on 2 July, the proposed law would, for example, apply the death penalty to bloggers and website editors who 'promote corruption, prostitution or apostasy.' Submitted by a score of pro-government parliamentarians and consisting of 13 articles with the declared aim of 'reinforcing the penalties for crimes against society's moral security,' the bill was passed on first reading by 180 votes in favour, 29 against and 10 abstentions. Article 2 of the bill lists the crimes that are already subject to the death penalty, including armed robbery, rape and creating prostitution networks. If the law is adopted, 'the creation of blogs and websites promoting corruption, prostitution and apostasy' will also become capital crimes. According to article 3, judges will be able to decide whether the person found guilty of these crimes is 'mohareb' (enemy of God) or 'corrupter on earth.' Article 190 of the criminal code stipulates that these crimes are punishable by 'hanging' or by 'amputation of the right hand and left foot.' (Reporters Without Borders)

Bookmark this : | Listen to this article | Sphere: Related Content

UAE bill to encourage press freedom

The legislative committee of the government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) approved a new bill which, if passed by the parliament, will make it illegal to sentence journalists to prison. Although the new initiative would protect journalists from imprisonment, it would allow the government to fine journalists up to USD 27,000 (EUR 17,235) for what it considers a violation of the law. The new bill will become law if passed by the UAE parliament and signed by the president, Jordanian newspaper al-Ghad reported. (International Journalists Network)

Bookmark this : | Listen to this article | Sphere: Related Content

Iran: Artists and athletes banned from commercials

Iranian artists and athletes have been banned from appearing in commercials because they are said to promote a culture of consumerism, according to the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance. The measure was announced on Monday and reported by Iran's official news agency Irna. Ali Reza Karimi, director of the ministry's press and information department said based on current laws, making use of any form of national, sports and cultural figures' image in commercials is forbidden. Moreover, Karimi said the ban included the use of Iranian athletes, actors and artists with overseas Farsi language satellite networks. He urged Iran's sport federations and artists to respect the ruling to safeguard what he calls national dignity. (AKI News)

Bookmark this : | Listen to this article | Sphere: Related Content

Brazil’s Globo studies buying Estado newspaper co.

Brazilian media giant Organizacoes Globo says it is considering buying Group Estado, owner of the nation's second-largest newspaper and a key provider of financial information. A statement from Globo says only that its directors are 'analyzing the opportunity' and doesn't speculate on the value of a possible deal. Grupo Estado owns the Estado de S. Paulo newspaper. It declined to comment on Monday's statement from Globo. There was also no comment from Abril, another media group that has been cited as a potential buyer. Organizacoes Globo already controls the nation's largest TV network and a host of radio stations, magazines and newspapers including O Globo Extra, Diaro de S. Paulo. (Business Week via Ifra Executive News)

Bookmark this : | Listen to this article | Sphere: Related Content

Nubia TV: 24-hour global black news network to launch in 2009

Nubia TV Corp says it is planning a twenty-four hour news network for worldwide audiences with black perspectives. The channel, Nubia TV, will be available via cable and satellite. The channel will air mainstream news and news magazines that are not typically carried by major news networks such as CNN, FOX, MSN, and BBC. Nubia TV will carry news and events, business reports, politics, and all other news that is of great global importance to people of African descent all over the world. The CEO of the company, Mr. Dele Olanubi, claims Nubia TV is the only media medium of its kind for all the people of African descent who are living and working all over the world to connect, talk, exchange, analyze and understand more of each other. Nubia TV says it will bring information, news, current affairs, entertainment, politics, and business to over a billion people in over seventy countries. The company plans to broadcast out of the Orlando metro area and said it's currently shooting many of its pilot programmes. (Nubia Tv Corp via Media Network Weblog)

Bookmark this : | Listen to this article | Sphere: Related Content

Google maps out Tour de France

Google is offering to take users through the Tour de France. The company has posted a new feature to its Maps service which allows users to view the entire route of the cycling race stage-by-stage. Users can traverse the entire 3500km course through the Street View function in Google Maps. The Street View angle places the user at street level and allows for complete 360-degree panning and zooming. Google said that the aim of the project was to offer the users a perspective similar to that of a cyclist running the race. The map will run through all 21 stages of the race, which began on Saturday in the coastal town of Brest and ends July 27th at the Champs Elysees in Paris. The tour map also serves as a promotion to kick off Street View in the European version of Google Maps. The service generated controversy when it debuted in the US and has been cause for concern with UK privacy groups. The company has introduced such features as face-blurring software to help alleviate privacy concerns. (VNU Net)

Bookmark this : | Listen to this article | Sphere: Related Content

• Home |
• Seminars  |
• Events |
• Media Landscape |
• Newsroom|
• Media News|
• Resources

Terms of service and Privacy policy.

Copyright © 1992-2007 European Journalism Centre. All rights reserved.

Valid XHTML and CSS.

European Journalism Centre

Sonneville-lunet 10
6221KT Maastricht
The Netherlands

Tel. : +31 43 325 40 30
Fax : +32 2 400 42 20

E-mail: info[at]ejc.net