• About
    • Soft censorship practices
    • Recommendations
    • Contact
  • Cases
    • Interactive map
    • Africa
    • Asia
    • Europe
    • The Americas
  • Reports
    • 2015 Update Reports
    • Global Review
    • Country Reports
  • WAN-IFRA

The Americas

New Reports Detail Little Progress in Fight Against Soft Censorship

Posted on October 29, 2015 Leave a Comment

Soft censorship continues to be a major threat to press freedom and the governments of Hungary, Mexico and Serbia appear unwilling to follow recommendations that would guarantee a non-discriminatory allocation of public funds and government advertising across the media.updates-and-logo-w

This is the common conclusion of three new reports examining soft censorship practices in Hungary, Mexico and Serbia launched today by the World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers (WAN-IFRA) and the Center for International Media Assistance (CIMA) in Washington D.C.

Official soft censorship, or indirect censorship, is defined as “an array of official actions intended to influence media output, short of legal or extra-legal bans, direct censorship of specific content, or physical attacks on media outlets or media practitioners.”

Published with the support of the Open Society Foundations and research partners Mertek Media Monitor (Hungary), BIRN Serbia, and Fundar (Mexico), the three new reports provide an updated analysis of the situation as uncovered in detailed country studies conducted in 2013.

By using financial power to pressure media outlets, punish critical reporting and reward favourable coverage, biased government intervention in media sectors across the three countries not only distorts the market, but also makes it difficult for media to exercise their essential watchdog role.

“Articles of Asphyxiation: Soft Censorship in Hungary 2015 Update” shows that pressures on free and independent media
in Hungary are accelerating and that the Fidesz government is enacting new and ever-broader laws and regulations that aim to control media output. The introduction of an advertising tax and other recently passed laws, together with the unfair and opaque allocation of government advertising show that intervention in the media market aggressively increased throughout 2014 and the first half of 2015.

“Media Reform Stalled in the Slow Lane: Soft Censorship in Serbia 2015 Update” highlights small improvements to the media-related legal framework in Serbia, such as thenew Law on Public Information and Media which regulates financial relations between the state and media outlets. However, as reiterated by the new report, efforts to reform legislation alone will not suffice if the Serbian government does not fully respect these regulations.Biased subsidies to media outlets, selective government advertising contracts, and manipulation regarding licensing continue to persist in the country.

“Breaking Promises, Blocking Reform: Soft Censorship in Mexico 2015 Update” (also available in Spanish) concludes that despite presidential promises, soft censorship – most conspicuously in the form of the partisan allocation of government advertising – remains a powerful impediment to a free, independent and pluralistic media in Mexico. Despite President Enrique Peña Nieto’s 2012 pledge to create a body to oversee government advertising, regulation of the sector remains weak. Lawmakers have failed to meet deadlines to establish a legal framework, while new legislation proposed by members of the Mexican Congress to regulate government advertising has not progressed. While positive developments such as a General Law on Transparency and Access to Public Government Information promises broad access to government advertising data, compliance has so far proven extremely weak.

Through more detailed research into soft censorship practices globally, WAN-IFRA and CIMA are drawing attention to the kinds of widespread and deleterious problems facing independent media that rarely generate the same level of international outrage as direct attacks on the press. The findings and recommendations of the soft censorship research series aim to contribute to the implementation of fair and transparent rules that are necessary for the development of independent media sectors around the world.

Country reports detailing soft censorship practices in Bulgaria, Macedonia and Montenegro are currently being finalised and will be published later in 2015.

Posted in: Advertising, Audits, Bribery, Cases, Europe, Mexico, Other Administrative Pressures, Paid News, Reports, Subsidies, Taxes | Tagged: Advertising, Audits, Bribery, Europe, General, Licenses, Other administrative pressures, Paid "News", Subsidies, Taxes, The Americas

Regional journalists in Colombia sell advertising to earn a living wage

Posted on September 21, 2015 Leave a Comment

Manipulation by political authorities, blackmail through government advertising, and irregular contractual relationships are some of the problems that regional journalists in Colombia are facing. These are some of the conclusions of Untold Stories, a 2015 report by the Ethical Journalism Network.

According to the report, the main concern is the pressure to get advertising or direct interference by public officials and politicians. “In the last six years eight radio stations have disappeared. Some have closed because journalists receive threats and leave the region, or move away from journalism. But it is also because media work
is not economically viable. The ones that have better relations with the Mayor’s Office and get advertising money are the ones that survive”, said one journalist from Caucasia, capital city of the region of Bajo Cauca.

According to a 2012 report by the Colombian Federation of Journalists (FECOLPER) on working conditions and professional practice, journalists in Colombia devote 60 percent of their time to selling advertising. Most of the other 40 percent work on editing and production. The ability to conduct investigative journalism and research stories that affect society is much reduced.

The microphone and hat booby trap is a consequence of the advertising system’s “quotas” that operates in Colombia. Owners of radio stations provide radio or television space for journalists, as part of their remuneration. Thus, owners pay low wages, which are about 300 dollars, and in return journalists get more airtime, which in turn is sold to those interested in advertising. Journalists are forced to sell advertising to get their stories on air.

When a journalist is assigned to meet senior officials, he must first get out the microphone to ask questions and immediately after he must show the hat and convince them to advertise on his media, and thus collect money. Not surprisingly. It’s a situation that makes independent, critical journalism impossible.

In the book called País lejano y silenciado (Silenced and Distant Country), published by FLIP, the terrible consequences of this system are highlighted. According to the research it has given rise to a generation of journalists skilled in “extortion”, who disseminate false information in order to press potential customers to advertise. It has also served to present cases of “parachutist” journalists, who aren’t professionals but “opportunists who create programmes or newspapers with the only objective to make money from advertising”.

 

Source: Jonathan Bock (2015) “Colombia. Corruption, censorship and bullet points for ethical journalism” in Aidan White (ed.) Untold Stories. How Corrption and Conflicts of Interests Stalk the Newsroom. Ethical Jornalism Network.

 

Posted in: Advertising, Cases, Paid News, The Americas | Tagged: Advertising, Paid "News", The Americas

Ownership concentration reportedly limits criticsm in Ecuador

Posted on September 9, 2015 Leave a Comment

Ownership concentration within the private media is a problem in Ecuador, according to Freedom House. In December 2014, it was reported that Mexican media mogul Remigio Ángel González was buying El Comercio, Ecuador’s oldest and most recognized newspaper. González already owned 13 television channels and radio stations in Ecuador and was expected to change the editorial tone of El Comercio, which has been critical of the government.

Foreign ownership of communication outlets was initially illegal under the Communication Law, but Correa passed an implementing regulation in late 2013 that revised the relevant article and allowed foreigners from countries that had signed certain cooperative agreements with Ecuador to own national media. Journalists and outside watchdog groups expressed concern that the sale of El Comercio would further limit media diversity.

The government is the country’s largest advertiser and generally grants ad contracts to outlets that provide favorable coverage. In 2012, Correa directed his press secretary to withdraw public advertising from what he called “mercantilist” media outlets, including the newspapers Hoy, El Comercio, El Universo, and La Hora, and the television stations Teleamazonas and Ecuavisa. The intrusive regulations and sanctions associated with the Communication Law have made it even more difficult for independent media to achieve financial sustainability and retain advertisers. Analysts say that businesses do not want to be associated with media targeted by the authorities, as they could lose state contracts or face government audits in reprisal.

Source: Freedom of the Press Index 2015 – Ecuador
https://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-press/2015/ecuador#.VZZLjUv_9EQ

Posted in: Advertising, Cases, Other Administrative Pressures | Tagged: Advertising, Ecuador, Other administrative pressures, The Americas

The transition to digital bradcasting punishes critical media in Venezuela

Posted on August 26, 2015 Leave a Comment

In February 2013, CONATEL initiated the transition to digital broadcastingIn February 2013, CONATEL initiated the transition to digital broadcasting in urban areas. Although the decree announcing the switch promoted pluralism in the diffusion of ideas and emphasized more efficient use of the broadcast spectrum, 8 of the 11 stations selected for digital transmission are state run. Only two private channels, Venevisión and Televen, were selected for digital transmission, and each focuses more on entertainment than on news programming. Globovisión, long the most vocal opposition-oriented station, was excluded from the transition.

Source: Freedom of the Press 2015 – Venezuela https://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-press/2015/venezuela#.VY0cvkv_9EQ 

Posted in: Cases, Licenses, Licenses, taxes, imports and audits, The Americas | Tagged: Licenses, Other administrative pressures, The Americas

Changes in ownership result in a more favourable coverage to the Venezuelan government

Posted on August 20, 2015 Leave a Comment

In 2013, private business interests linked to the government purchased the Cadena Capriles newspaper conglomerate and Globovisión, two outlets that had carried criticism of the government. Within months of the ownership changes, news coverage and commentary grew more favorable to the authorities, and a number of prominent editors and reporters resigned their positions, alleging editorial pressure, according to Freedom House.

In 2014, the daily El Universal, the country’s oldest circulating newspaper, likewise underwent a notable change in its editorial line after an undisclosed buyer took control in July. In the months following the sale, more than 25 columnists were dismissed, several journalists resigned over censorship by their editors, and award-winning cartoonist Rayma Suprani claimed she was fired for an illustration that criticized the public health system.

Since 2012, currency controls have made acquiring newsprint difficult. Maduro has exacerbated the problem by centralizing distribution in the government-operated editorial complex where all newspapers, magazines, and books bearing the state’s official seal are printed. More than a dozen newspapers have been shuttered, and several others were forced to cut pages or reduce the frequency of circulation as a result of the shortage. However, in September 2014 Maduro announced the launch of two additional state newspapers, prompting journalists to accuse the government of restricting access to newsprint in order to censor critical voices.

 

Source: Freedom of the Press 2015 – Venezuela

https://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-press/2015/venezuela#.VY0cvkv_9EQ

Posted in: Cases, Imports, Licenses, taxes, imports and audits, Other Administrative Pressures, The Americas | Tagged: Other administrative pressures, The Americas

Bolivian journalist resigns to save radio station from financial suffocation

Posted on August 18, 2015 Leave a Comment

Top journalist Amalia Pando announced her resignation from the leadership of a news program on Erbol, a Catholic radio in La Paz, which for a decade imprinted a questioning journalism style, analysis and reporting of abuse of power.

The station, like other media that defend editorial independence, is prevented from receiving government advertising, and journalist Pando claims that her resignation could help this media to recover income to avoid shutdown.

The National Press Association of Bolivia (ANP) has repeatedly claimed about a tax encirclement and economic strangulation, that weaken the finances of independent media.

Read more: http://bolivianthoughts.com/2015/08/07/under-the-coca-grower-leader-bolivia-endures-lack-of-freedom-of-the-press-amalia-pando-is-the-latest-casualty/

Posted in: Advertising, Cases, Taxes, The Americas | Tagged: Advertising, Bolivia, The Americas

Venezuelan newspapers denied paper import

Posted on March 31, 2015

THE AMERICAS — VENEZUELA — LICENCES, IMPORTS & AUDITS

Several Venezuelan newspapers, including El Nacional, were in 2013 and 2014 denied international currency to import paper. WAN-IFRA reported that El Nacional reduced its number of pages to preserve paper reserves, and several smaller publications were forced to shut down despite assistance from independent media in the region.

Read more

Posted in: Cases, Licenses, taxes, imports and audits, The Americas | Tagged: Imports, Other administrative pressures, The Americas

Mexican broadcast spectrum used to censor

Posted on March 31, 2015

THE AMERICAS — MEXICO — LICENCES, AUDITS & IMPORTS

In Mexico, allocation of the broadcast spectrum is a distinct soft censorship mechanism, used particularly to restrict community broadcasting.

Read more

Posted in: Cases, Licenses, taxes, imports and audits, The Americas | Tagged: Licenses, Other administrative pressures, The Americas

President controls much of broadcast media in Nicaragua

Posted on March 31, 2015

THE AMERICAS — NICARAGUA — ADVERTISING & INFLUENCE

The family of President Ortega controls much of the broadcast media in Nicaragua.25 Between 2007-2008, 80 percent of the USD 3.5 million state advertising budget was reportedly channeled into a broadcaster owned by President Ortega’s sons. It is also reported that the president’s wife tried to buy shares in El Nuevo Diario, one of the biggest newspapers in the country, after the government cut publicity that accounted for a quarter of the paper’s advertising revenue. Negotiations fell through when another buyer emerged.

Read more:

Blake Schmidt, New York Times, “Nicaragua’s President Rules Airwaves to Control Image”, November 28, 2011, http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/29/world/americas/daniel-ortega-extends- control-to-nicaraguas-airwaves.html

Committee to Protect Journalists, Attacks on the Press 2009: Nicaragua, February 26, 2010, http:// cpj.org/2010/02/attacks-on-the-press-2009-nicaragua.php

Posted in: Advertising, Cases, The Americas | Tagged: Advertising, The Americas

Mexican Gov uses advertising to shape editorial lines

Posted on March 31, 2015

THE AMERICAS — MEXICO — ADVERTISING & INFLUENCE

In Mexico, the soft censorship country report’s research and extensive interviewing exposes how federal and local governments use official advertising to shape editorial lines as well as to push partisan agendas, selectively funding media outlets that support certain officials and their policies.

Read more

Posted in: Advertising, Cases, Mexico, The Americas | Tagged: Advertising, The Americas
1 2 Next »

"Official 'soft censorship' describes an array of official actions intended to influence media output, short of legal or extra-legal bans, direct censorship of specific content, or physical attacks on media outlets or media practitioners."

SC Map

Tags

Advertising Africa Asia Audits Bolivia Bribery Ecuador Euope Europe General Imports India Interviews Licenses Other administrative pressures Paid Paid "News" Subsidies Taxes The Americas Turkey

#SoftCensorship

  • 
  • 
#softcensorship Tweets

Partners

Learn about other WAN-IFRA projects

Media Development micro-site

Copyright © 2021 WAN-IFRA.

Theme by ThemeHall.