2009 Monaco Media Forum: 2006

Government secrecy in the United States leaves US citizens and the US government in a much weakened position in arguing for Chinese transparency for this and other cases. For the media, this is a critical matter for journalists as defendants as well as for the work of reporters in covering both their own cases and those of other people.

"Growing Wikipedia Revises Its 'Anyone Can Edit' Policy" - The New York Times

The big question is not so much the "anyone can edit" policy, or even the "protected" entries contrroverys, but rather whether the apparent success and accuracy of Wikipedia is sustainable. We are still in a period of early development, and the real test will come 5 and 10 years from now to see if a probably far larger database retains the same volunteer commitment to accuracy as we see today. The chances that it will not remain uncomfortably high.

"Moving Ahead, Rather Throws Sad Look Back" - The New York Times

Friday, June 16, 2006

"La radiodiffusion num�rique va se g�n�raliser d'ici 2015" - Le Monde

WashingtonPost.com Launches Global, Collaborative 'Panel Blog'

International initiatives like this are still infrequent, and more unusual still is the inclusion of people from other news organizations.

"Un journaliste pakistanais enleve retrouve mort dans une zone tribale" - Le Monde

He appears to have been shot in the back.

"Nouvelles restrictions sur la presse au Vietnam" - Le Monde

This is not a step forward for Vietnam.

Thursday, June 15, 2006

"At Tribune, an Insider Pushes for Profits" - National Public Radio

Another of the remaining major US newspaper companies is under attack by key shareholders.

"En pleurs, Britney Spears demande aux paparazzi de la laisser tranquille" - Le Monde

She asks "people" to photographers to treat her as they would their own families.

"Reporters Must Leave Guantanamo" - The New York Times

There is often discussion about "freedom of information" usually involving records of one sort or another. The other two pieces of the "access" puzzle are just as important even though they get less attention. In addition to access to records or "papers", there are two more "p's" - people and places. This case addresses both. The net result is that when access is denied to paper, people or places, the news media cannot do their job as well and the public's chances of learning the truth are diminished.

Wednesday, June 14, 2006

"Hiding in Plain Sight, Google Seeks More Power" - The New York Times

The competition among Yahoo!, Google and Microsoft is getting more intense and more costly.

Tuesday, June 13, 2006

"For journalists, Iraq is a continuing danger" - US News and World Report

Eason JORDAN, who made news at Davos when at CNN, surfaces again.

"World's Image of U.S. Slips Further, Survey Shows" - New York Times

This has huge implications for the media.

"China to Begin Trial of Times Researcher" - New York Times

This has the potential to be an historic trial both in a court of law and in the court of public opinion.

Sunday, June 11, 2006

"In Web Era, Big Money Can't Buy an Exclusive" - The New York Times

Saturday, June 10, 2006

"French Publishing Group Sues Google" - EContentMag.com

This is one of what could be at least several lawsuits to be initiated in the face of Google's plans.

"Younger, cheaper journalists being hired worldwide, study shows" - Press Gazette

The digital revolution is changing a great many things.

Friday, June 09, 2006

"La chasse a l'indecence s'intensifie sur les radios et les teles americaines" - Le Monde

A great French story on the "hunt" for indecency in US broadcasting.

"A Court Sides With White House on Wiretaps" - The New York Times

The internet is often not as free, or as anonymous, and some would argue.

"China Bans 'Code' After Warning From Catholics" - The New York Times

China's action lends huge support to those highly critical of China's position on media freedom and freedom of expression generally.

Wednesday, June 07, 2006

"Google's Brin Concedes China Compromise" - Forbes

Saturday, June 03, 2006

"MySpace No Longer Their Space?" - The New York Times

There are suggestions that the new part of News Corp may have peaked.

Friday, June 02, 2006

"Lesson from the past for digital doubters" - Times Online

Maritn SORRELL makes a rational analysis of how advertising agences and newspapers are most likely to make their way through the digital revolution and how it will affect them.

"Cohesive Future Depends on Comprehensive Newspaper Reporting" - Yahoo! News

A sobering analysis from the International Press Institute annual congress by Georgie Anne GEYER.

"By the Numbers" - American Journalism Review

A new measure of newspaper performance.

"After Years of Pushing Synergy, Time Warner Inc. Says Enough" - The Wall Street Journal

There have been too many internal battles and a new word is replacing synergies -- "adjacencies".

Tuesday, May 30, 2006

"Creating Content No Longer 'Elite' Endeavor" - MediaPost Publications

The number of content creators on the web is growing dramatically.

Monday, May 29, 2006

"Newspaper Outlook Dubbed Deeply Depressing, Ad Business Shifting To Online" - MediaPost Publications

Projections are lowered based on the impact of newspaper competitors.

Sunday, May 28, 2006

"Top Secret, Does The U.S. Government Have Too Many 'Secret' Documents?" - CBS News

The clash between the government's interest in keeping secrets and the public's desire to know what they are continues to create new disputes.

Friday, May 26, 2006

"Kidnapped Iraqi TV Reporters Draw Little Attention" - National Public Radio

The rest of the media, and others, appear not to care.

Thursday, May 25, 2006

"After The Flood" - Forbes

Paul MAIDMENT challenges newspapers to think like at least one department store chain.

Wednesday, May 24, 2006

"Federally Funded VOA Off the Air in Baghdad" - National Publc Radio

Security is the issue.

Tuesday, May 23, 2006

"Adapt or Die" - American Journalism Review

One view of what newspapers need to do.

"Med media women see common aim" - ANSA

Women around the world continue to fight for more opportunities in the media.

"Iran Closes Newspaper Over Cartoon Furor" - The Associated Press

The editor and cartoonist have been put in prison.

Monday, May 22, 2006

"Explosive Words" - The Washington Post

Books find themselves increasingly at the center of digital revolution battles of all kinds.

"France Denies It Paid Millions for Release of Journalists in Iraq" - Editor & Publisher

This is one of those stories that will outlast the truth, even if it ever gets established.

"APTN Opens Full-Time North Korea Office" - The Associated Press

This is the first Western news organization to set up a bureau in North Korea.

Sunday, May 21, 2006

"For Tiny Screens, Some Big Dreams" - The New York Times

"What do people want on their cellphones?"

"Des journalistes etrangers interpelles brievement en Egypte" - Le Monde

Four reporters were detained in Egypt by authorities and then released.

""Corse-Matin" : les grevistes annoncent la levee du blocage des depots de carburants" - Le Monde

The striking delivery workers at Corse Matin had blocked deliveries of gasoline to the the island.

Saturday, May 20, 2006

"Les portables se preparent a devenir de vrais televiseurs" - Le Monde

France considers new laws for digital television services.

Friday, May 19, 2006

"New Media Shifts Boundaries for Journalism, Marketing at Medill" - Advertising Age

There are lots of changes in the works for US schools of journalism and communications. The Medill School at Northwestern, is potentially one of the leaders.

"One billion people have Internet access" - Agence France Presse

Nearly 850 million "use the internet regularly".

"Publishers find silver lining in coloring books for the elderly" - The Japan Times

Many media offerings thought only for the young are proving to have great interest to older people as well.

50-Year-Old Italian Newspaper Geared for the Future" - AKI

Serving people in different languages is a challenge that media organizations face all over the world, including Italian language readers interested in Tunisia.

"Media must obey Chinese law, warns Olympic chief" - MediaGuardian.co.uk

Lots of questions remain about how much control China will impose on media coverage of the Olympics and China during the 2008 games.

"Publishing industry had strong 2005" - The Associated Press

The book publishing business faces an uncertain future not just because of the digital revolution, but because people seem to be reading less as well.

"Publishing industry had strong 2005" - The Associated Press

The book publishing business faces an uncertain future not just because of the digital revolution, but because people seem to be reading less as well.

"Le 68e prix Albert-Londres recompense des articles sur l'Iran, l'Irak et la condition des filles en Asie" - Le Monde

This is one of the more prestigious awards given to journalists in France.

Thursday, May 18, 2006

"Adults Under 35 Turn to Portals for National, International News" - Editor & Publisher

The figures are more complex....

"Glossed over" - The Phoenix

Magazines and newspapers face different challenges.

Wednesday, May 17, 2006

Saudi King Prohibits Pictures of Women in Newspapers

This is a new rule from the King, explained in part in this way "One must think, do they want their daughter, their sister, or their wife to appear in this way. Of course, no one would accept this....."

Tuesday, May 16, 2006

"Social Networks Attract Nearly Half Of All Web Users" - TechWeb

A new survey shows dramatically rising numbers.

"Microsoft joins hunt for next big thing" - The Financial Times

Microsoft and News Corp are actively seeking out new media companies in Silicon Valley.

"France Debates Downloads, With Teenager as Top Expert" - The New York Times

The debate over downloading music in France continues, with new advocates emerging.

"Missouri Journalism School May Add Campus in Qatar"

A sizable gift to the school would be expected in return.

"Un veteran de la dissidence chinoise condamne a 12 ans de prison" - Le Monde

A Chinese dissident is sentenced to 12 years in prison for publishing anti-government articles.

"Bono, rédacteur en chef d'un jour de l'Independent, défend l'Afrique" - TV5

Bono is the guest editor today of the Independent in the UK.

"Spying scandal unfolds in Germany" - Los Angeles Times

Some number of reporters appear to have been paid to spy on other journalists.

"Spitzer Decries Digital Divide'' - MediaPost Publications

The gubernatorial candidate calls for more to be done in New York to promote broadbad access; the US is losing in the competition with other countries.

"Khamenei accuse les medias de deformer la position de l'Iran sur le nucleaire" - Le Monde

The world's media are criticized for inaccurately reporting on Iran's nuclear program.

Monday, May 15, 2006

Justices Set Aside Patent Ruling Against eBay - New York Times

The digital revolution is not patented, but it is full of disputes over patents. In this case, eBay has won a round with the the US Supreme Court.

Sunday, May 14, 2006

"Record d'audience pour le service mondial de la BBC" - Le Monde

Listeners to BBC World Service are up 10% above last year, reaching a total of 163 million people per week.

"In Tokyo, the New Trend Is 'Media Immersion Pods'" - The New York Times

The digital revolution progresses in different ways and at different speeds in different places.

"Can TV's and PC's Live Together Happily Ever After?" - The New York Times

Another core issue in the digital revolution.

"Digital Media Brings Profits (and Tensions) to TV Studios" - The New York Times

As digital products proliferate, so, too, do the challenges for those who own the rights to core - and related - content.

"Scan This Book!" - The New York Times

The future of the "book" is a critical issue in the digital revolution. As with similar issues affecting other established media, there are many points of view and many who believe they know for sure what will happen.Time, maybe not much of it, will tell.

Saturday, May 13, 2006

"A nos lecteurs, par Jean-Marie Colombani" - Le Monde

This is a message from the publisher of Le Monde concerning what the newspaper has done, and what it faces in the days ahead, in an effort to fully report an evolving case known as "Clearstream" involving many leaders of the current French government.

Friday, May 12, 2006

"Protecting Journalists in Latin America" - Knight Foundation

This is an audio narrative by the Knight Foundation president, Alberto IBARGUEN.

"Yahoo Chief: No Sale to Microsoft" - The New York Times

Report of a New Yorker interview with Terry SEMEL dealing with Microsoft, Yahoo and Google.

Thursday, May 11, 2006

"The Land Time Forgot" - New York Observer

Another view of Time magazine.

"The Perfect News Site, 2016" - The Wall Street Journal

Readers make interesting and somewhat inconsistent demands.

"An Agency's Worst Nightmare: Ads Created by Users" - The New York Times

This ad was created by the winner of a contest on Al GORE's Current TV.

Wednesday, May 10, 2006

"Time Wins Top Award for Magazine Excellence" - The New York Times

This is the first win for Time since 1985.

"La TNT couvrira plus de 70% de la population en mars 2007" - Le Monde

France claims that its terrestrial digital television service will have reached 70% of the population in March 2007, two years after its launch.

"Microsoft and Google Grapple for Supremacy" - New York Times

The two companies are figthing one of the bigger battles in the digital revolution.

"Can Microsoft Fight Threats With Deals?" - New York Times

Microsoft faces competitive challenges and choices in the digital revolution.

Tuesday, May 09, 2006

"34 percent of South Koreans use Internet for news" - AsiaMedia

This appears to be notably higher than guesses about the global level.

"HBO Planning Comedy Set in ... Baghdad?" - TV Week

A television program set in the "Hotel Palestine" is under development.

Monday, May 08, 2006

"The open ad marketplace" - BuzzMachine

This is Jeff JARVIS' proposal on how bloggers and advertiser "can finally hook up".

"Media & internet - Investors piling into internet media" - Financial Times

Investors are looking for the "next internet sensation".

"The Most Influential People in Media" - New York Magazine

How the media world looks from New York (magazine).

"Yahoo Is Unleashing a New Way to Turn Ad Clicks Into Ka-Ching" - The New York Times

Searching, so to speak, for the perfect melding of what someone wants to find through a search, and the product or service (i.e., advertising) that will prove irresistable to the searcher.

"For MTV Fans, a Parallel Universe of Programs: At Once Online and on TV" - The New York Times

Multitasking gets a workout.

"Iran: nouvelle offensive contre les paraboles" - Le Monde

Iran launches a campaign to remove all visible satellite dishes, something the government claims are "decadent". Owners of the dishes will be brought to court as well.

"Newspaper Circulation Declines 2.6 Percent" - The New York Times

These are trying times for US newspaper publishers as they confront many changes in the marketplace, including the digital revolution.

"A Comedian's Riff on Bush Prompts an E-Spat" - The New York Times

There are important media business implications for this as well.

Friday, May 05, 2006

"Trials Continue Under Article 301" - Bianet

The charge is "denigration of Turkishness".

"Bono to edit Indy for Aids campaign" - MediaGuardian.co.uk

An unusual move that makes Bono editor for a day as part of a campaign to address HIV/AIDS in Africa.

"Taking Magazines to the People" - Circulation Management Magazine

The head of the MIT Media Lab implores magazine publishers to become more interactive.

"Local US newspaper integrates site with MySpace" - Journalism.co.uk

This is a first marriage of a newspaper with MySpace.

"Local TV's Clear Shot At The Net" - Business Week

Local television stations appear to have large opportunities to use digial media beyond their broadcasts.

"Old media fights the new for audience share" - Reuters

Reporting from the We Media event in London.

"Speaker calls on journalists to re-emphasize fairness" - The Athens News

Former senior news executive for Knight-Ridder offers advice.

"The changing mix of money and media" - BBC News

A commentary from Dan GILLMOR.

"Newspaper Nirvana? 300 Dailies Court India's Avid Readers" - The Wall Street Journal

Newspapr sales in India are booming, even as the digital revolution sweeps that country as well.

"Moscow Jury Acquits 2 in Journalist's Death" - The Associated Press

This comes in the case of the murder of the late editor of Forbes magazine's Russian editor.

Thursday, May 04, 2006

"694 millions de personnes connectees sur internet dans le monde (Etude US)" - Le Monde

"Le gouvernement va aider les menages a s'equiper en decodeurs de television numerique" - Le Monde

The French President wants to cover all of France within 5 years.

Tuesday, May 02, 2006

Speaking in (Many) Tongues Can Be Profitable - New York Times

Languages, and translations between and among them, are still important in a media world that remains diverse despite the surge in English as a common denominator in many places. Translators and interpreters play an important behind-the-scenes role in media in most countries.

Monday, May 01, 2006

"New Microsoft Browser Raises Google's Hackles" - The New York Times

The internet revolution frequently includes skirmishes between very large forces.

Saturday, April 29, 2006

"Internet : les Francais rois de la vitesse" - Le Monde

France confronts the challenge of how best to utilize and advance its internet user population.

"In Leak Cases, New Pressure on Journalists" - The New York Times

The Bush Administration is exploring the possible criminal prosecution of journalists under the espionage laws.

"Microsoft Software Will Let Times Readers Download Paper" - The New York Times

The New York Times and Microsoft - along with other newspapers and magazines - gain a new opportunity to participate in the digital revolution.

Friday, April 28, 2006

"Freedom: File Cannot Be Found" - The Century Foundation

In the digital revolution, there are many trade-offs; freedom of speech may not be one that ought to be traded.

Thursday, April 27, 2006

"Dear Arthur Jr" - New York Observer

There is much "buzz" about whether The New York Times Co. might "go private". So far, it seems to be all "buzz".

"Media & internet - Murdoch group attacks BBC web relaunch" - FT.com

The BBC's movements in the digital revolution are not going unnoticed.

Le Monde.fr : Semaine du grand reportage � Marseille pour la remise du prix Albert Londres

A week of activities leading up to the awarding of one of the most prestigious collection of journalism prizes in France.

"First, Plot and Character. Then, Find an Author." - The New York Times

Plagiarism claims dominate many discussions today relating to book publishing. The digital revolution has played a role in many aspects of this issue from doing the "deed" in the first place, to detecting that it has happened, to enforcing rights once discovered.

"France to get Internet game to explain budget" - Agence France Presse

Up to 10,000 people can play at once.

"World's digital divide gets smaller" - The International Herald Tribune

The internet's penetration around the world is making strong moves forward in the developing world, IBM and the Economist conclude in a joint report.

"UN urged to act on 'journalist slaughter'" - MediaGuardian.co.uk

More than 100 reporters and support staff are dying each year, with 1,300 deaths in the last 10 years, the International Press Institute reports.

"L'INA ouvre sur Internet une partie de ses archives au grand public" - Le Monde

The French audiovisual archives open to the public today on the web; 80% will be free.

"In iTunes War, France Has Met the Enemy. Perhaps It Is France". - The New York Times

It is puzzling to understand why France seems to be moving ahead with this legislation. This article provides some help.

"Arrestation du directeur du bureau d'al-Jazira au Caire" - Agence France Presse

The Al Jazeera bureau chief in Cairo has been arrested on charges of disseminating false information that damages Egypt, relating, it would seem, to the bombings in Dahab.

"Le groupe de presse McClatchy vend quatre journaux a MediaNews pour 1 md USD" - Agence France Presse

The sale of the Knight-Ridder newspaper company still has several phases through which it will pass before all of the newspapers are in the hands of new owners.

"Web Sites Set Up to Celebrate Life Recall Lives Lost" - The New York Times

The web has allowed people to take the traditional media concept of an obituary and turn it into something far quicker and more interactive, using multiple media.

Wednesday, April 26, 2006

"Le "prince rouge" au secours de la presse libre au Maroc" - Le Monde

The cousin of the king has come to the rescue of a newspaper threatened with bankruptcy because of a defamation judgment. The prince, Moulay HICHAM, has offered to pay the 270,000 euros himself in oder to preserve the liberty of the press in Morocco.

"Microsoft Sets Up a Venture To Rival Social-Network Sites" - The Wall Street Journal

Wallop joins a growing field of competitors.

"BBC to Deepen Web Presence, Plans Service Like MySpace.com" - The Wall Street Journal

The BBC is making bold moves for a traditoinal media organization.

"Management a la Google" - The Wall Street Journal

Google has deployed some unusual leadership techniques to manage its part of the digital revolution.

Tuesday, April 25, 2006

"Cell phone users" - Pew Internet & American Life Project

A comprehensive look at the role of cellphones in American life.

"TV's Path to Web Remains Unclear" - Chicago Tribune

Television stations and networks face tremendous challenges in integrating the internet into their traditional media operations.

Monday, April 24, 2006

"Workers' Paradise Is Rebranded as Kremlin Inc." - The New York Times

This company has significant media interests and aims to have more.

"One Day Soon, Straphangers May Turn Pages With a Button" - The New York Times

Newspapers are bringing what they do best to portable screens.

"Advertiser Counts on Sheep to Pull Eyes Over the Wool" - The New York Times

The digital revolution is being fought on fields of all kinds.

Sunday, April 23, 2006

ELPAIS.es lanza '24 Horas', el primer diario impreso actualizado al momento" - ELPAIS.es

The new service of El Pais is emphasizing that it is free, and is a full, up to date newsppaer, whenver you choose to print it. It will be between 8 and 16 pages depending on the news and time of day.

"El Pais publie un journal sur internet actualise en permanence: "24 Horas"" - Le Monde

In a major innovation at El Pais in Madrid, the paper will launch tomorrow a continuously updated, and printable, newspaper on their website.

"Report offers pessimistic view of Iraqi news media" - International Journalists' Network

This report comes from a group of Arab writers and intellectuals in Germany.

"Chinese newspaper gets mobile domain" - United Press International

Another innovation in the digital revolution.

"Gazprom Media eyeing new assets" - Russian News and Information Agency

The company says it is looking at acquistions throughout the Russian media sector.

"Appeals court upholds record damages against independent weekly" - Committee to Protect Journalists

The publication faces bankruptcy.

"Philips device could force TV viewers to watch ads" - Tech News on ZDNet

This invention will give users the opportunity to pay something in order to avoid the commercials that they otherwise be unable to skip.

"For MySpace, Making Friends Was Easy. Big Profit Is Tougher". - The New York Times

Advertising seems like such "old" media to some, but it's one of the few options for financing anyone's digital revolution. MySpace is about to find out whether it will work for this new part of News Corp.

Friday, April 21, 2006

"Among the audience" - Economist.com

"Personal" and "participatory" are the key words in dealing with new media.

"My Virtual Life" - Business Week

An interesting story about people spending lots of time in a virtual world.

"Paper Founded by Sartre Finds Itself Trapped Between Being and Nothingness" - The Wall Street Journal

France's Liberation, founded 33 years ago, is going through a difficult time as it sorts out its future, and tries to keep its financial head above the water while it does so.

"Television Stations Are Urged to Break a Few Rules" - The New York Times

Traditional media continue to increase their participation in the digtial revolution.

Thursday, April 20, 2006

"NBC, Affiliates Form Venture To Sell Video Via the Internet" - The Wall Street Journal

This is a move designed to preserve the concept of a television network duruing the digital revolution.

"Yahoo Assisted China a 3rd Time" - ABC News

Yahoo! is under attack again, this time for its alleged role in assisting the Chinese government in the arrest and imprisonment on charges of "subversive activities" of Jiang Lijun.

"Germany to Help Open Holocaust Records" - ABC News

This is a good move and important precedent for access to government-held records in other countries.