WAN-IFRA: : Page 11

Argentina government accused of manipulating distribution of official advertising

Posted on March 31, 2015

THE AMERICAS — ARGENTINA — ADVERTISING & INFLUENCE

Argentina’s government is accused of routinely manipulating distribution of official advertising to limit free speech, according to many press freedom organizations. The newspapers Clarín and La Nación account for 60 percent of the readership in Buenos Aries, but receive just 2.5 percent of government advertising. Other newspapers with a small fraction of the circulation are awarded far more official advertising.

Namibia’s government ends a decade-long advertising boycott

Posted on March 10, 2015

AFRICA — NAMIBIA — ADVERTISING & INFLUENCE

In 2012, Namibia’s government ended a decade-long advertising boycott of The Namibian, the country’s largest daily newspaper. In 2000, then President Sam Nujoma blocked all government advertising and purchases of the leading daily because he perceived the newspaper to be anti-governmental.

“Jeansa” common in Ukraine

Posted on July 31, 2014

EUROPE — UKRAINE — BRIBES & PAYMENTS

In Ukraine, “jeansa” (money pocketed in blue jeans commonly worn by journalists, in exchange for positive media coverage) is widespread, a 2009 CIMA report found. Government and private companies reportedly do not simply buy advertising space, but pay for entire articles presented as news.

Election reporting marred by bribery in Malaysia

Posted on July 31, 2014

ASIA — MALAYSIA — BRIBES & PAYMENTS

In Malaysia, journalists reported they were offered bribes and kickbacks from politicians while reporting on the 2013 general election.

Preferential treatment of pro-gov media in Kazakhstan

Posted on July 31, 2014

ASIA — KAZAKHSTAN — SUBSIDIES

In Kazakhstan, all types of print media are supposed to receive state contributions of some kind, but pro-government publications often receive preferential treatment over independent and potentially critical outlets. According to IREX, a local state-run newspaper received funding amounting to USD 235,000 in 2011, the same year an independent newspaper received only USD 6,700.

Journalist bribes persist in Mexico

Posted on July 10, 2014

THE AMERICAS — MEXICO — BRIBERY/PAYMENTS

Directly corrupt practices persist in Mexico, including offering typically poorly-paid journalists bribes—known colloquially as “chayote”—to influence their reporting, as well as other payments allegedly made to editors, owners, and publicists. Some media owners are active partners in a corrupt symbiosis that rewards propaganda, the WAN-IFRA soft censorship report found.