| | | Worldwide | | | Forum to focus on importance of media in peacebuilding, conflict prevention
Members of the media can join representatives from politics, business, science, culture and development in Bonn, Germany, at a global conference designed to discuss media as an integral part of peace and conflict prevention throughout the world, especially in post-conflict countries.
| | | Report: Press freedom levels declined in 2007
Press freedom has become more restricted in the past year, both in democracies and authoritarian countries, according to a new report by the press freedom watchdog Freedom House. | | | New television programs aim to improve quality of media for children
Objective news programs for children are being launched in Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Latin America with the goal of giving more children a voice and improving the quality of media for children around the world. | | | Index: Iraq, Sierra Leone, Somalia have worst impunity rates
A new index that ranks levels of impunity around the world shows that Iraq, Sierra Leone and Somalia have the worst records for allowing killers of journalists to go free. | | | | Eastern Europe and Central Eurasia | | | Radio stations 'cyberattacked' on Chernobyl anniversary
On the 22nd anniversary of the Chernobyl, Ukraine, nuclear catastrophe, which occurred April 26, 1986, Web sites run by US Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), based in Eastern Europe, were "cyberattacked," according to the Associated Press.
| | | Online course to focus on covering education issues
Journalists from Central and Eastern Europe, Central Asia, and the Caucasus have until May 10 to apply to take part in a six-week online course on covering education issues. | | | Grants to foster integration of minorities in Georgia
Journalists or media organizations interested in taking part in communication projects to promote the cultural, social and economic integration of ethnic minorities in Georgia can apply for funding through a program aimed at facilitating greater tolerance and understanding of the needs of ethnic minority groups in the nation.
| | | Traveling film festival on peace and human rights to tour Caucasus
A Documentary Film Festival of Peace and Human Rights will open May 3 in Georgia and continue to travel around 27 places in the southern Caucasus until October. | | | Russian media law amendment moves forward
An amendment that would allow Russian courts to shut down media outlets for publishing "defamatory statements" has made its way through the parliament's lower house, according to a Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) press release. | | | | Latin America | | | Catholic organization invites journalists to Bogotá meeting
Bogotá, Colombia, will host the first meeting of the Catholic press, scheduled for May 28 to 30. Registration deadline: May 10.
| | | Journalists invited to congress on Latin American integration, global cooperation
Journalists and communicators can attend a congress in Cuenca, Ecuador, from June 3 to 6 to infuse the dialogue on "the global reality" with Latin American perspectives. | | | International commission says Mexico is increasingly dangerous for journalists
Mexico's journalists are currently facing challenges including organized crime, corruption, lack of political will, and lack of protection, according to a statement released by the international human rights organization Article 19.
| | | New technologies, digital broadcasting to be focus of congress
New technologies and their convergence with traditional media will be the main theme of a congress that will take place June 16 to 19 in San Jose, Costa Rica.
| | | Seminar in Guatemala to examine how to improve dailies
Media directors and newsroom editors-in-chief are invited to analyze the content, promotion and management of tabloid-style newspapers in a seminar scheduled for June 11 to 13 in Guatemala City. | | | | | | PAID ANNOUNCEMENTS
Reach a global audience of media professionals by posting your announcement on the IJNet Web site and in our weekly bulletin. Announcements should be 250 words or less. To place your announcement, contact editor@icfj.org or telephone (1-202) 737-3700.
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| | Webb on the Web | | COLUMN: Webb on the Web
Getting Started With Ning  In this week's Webb on the Web column, digital media consultant Amy Webb discusses Ning, an online service to create, customize, and share a social network. Webb explores how journalists can implement this new social framework as a useful editorial, training and even reporting tool.
Got a question for Amy? Post a comment! Webb on the Web in past weeks: ...And more! | | Points to Ponder | | Press Freedom Day: What is its significance to you? "As a Cameroonian journalist working for one of the first ever independent newspaper[s], Le Messager, i have realised the difficulties of the press freedom and even the search for informations. I have been endanger[ed] and even oppressed while in duties in Cameroon. I was investigating a corruption in the education department and finance administration and then i have been told by of the police officer that they have received orders to send me out and even to try to cool me down. In Cameroon to cool down a journalist means that they can send you [to] detention without any charges against you or they can just kill you without having to report to anyone. The authorities ... are still afraid of what the journalist can reveal to the world." Charles Atangana, Cameroon
See all comments here. | |
| Paid Announcements | | Editors encouraged to apply for five-weeks in a U.S. newsroom Editors of newspapers, wire, or online news outlets have until June 1 to apply for the opportunity to spend five weeks in the U.S. working in a professional newsroom. Administered by the International Center for Journalists in partnership with the American Society of Newspaper Editors, the "International Journalism Exchange" program (IJE) is open to editors who have worked in journalism for at least five years, are proficient in English, but have little substantial previous travel to or training in the U.S. The five-week program will begin October 10 with an orientation in Washington, D.C., followed by a newspaper assignment that offers exposure to all the departments of a U.S. newsroom. The program concludes with a two-day session in New York City that consists of professional group activities, including visit to The New York Times and final evaluation of the program. For more information, visit http://www.icfj.org/OurWork/Fellowships/InternationalJournalismExchange/tabid/336/Default.aspx or email ije@icfj.org. Submit applications online at https://app.formassembly.com/forms/view/667, or via email -- the application documents can be downloaded at http://www.icfj.org/OurWork/Fellowships/InternationalJournalismExchange/tabid/336/Default.aspx. Or fax or mail to International Journalism Exchange, International Center for Journalists, 1616 H Street, NW, Third Floor, Washington, D.C., 20006, U.S.A.; Tel: +1-202-737-3700; Fax: +1-202-737-0530.
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Many in the news industry have embraced the trend of allowing readers to comment on -- and even add facts to -- the news online. Yet others think comments can push readers away and end up hurting the story, especially if they are speculative, crude, or biased. 
