October 22, 2004

NORDIC MEDIA NEWS

RADIO SWEDEN--Coming up on Radio Sweden:

Thursday: Live from Malmö
Friday: Live from Malmö
Saturday: Studio 49
Sunday: Sounds Nordic

We hope you received our new shortwave schedule last week. You can find the details on our website at RadioSweden.org, where you can also download a PDF version. We’ll also send details of the schedule to you automatically by return e-mail, if you write to:

schedule@radiosweden.org

RUPERT’S POWER--On October 13 Swedish Television showed the devastating documentary “Outfoxed”, about Rupert Murdoch and his right wing “news” and right wing opinion channel. The Swedish webzine ETC commented:

“Those who followed the reportage of the American Fox News during the Iraq War know already that the channel in no way follows its motto ‘fair and balanced’ in its journalism. Rather it carries consistently biased right wing propaganda. SVT’s purchasers have outdone themselves to get the red-hot documentary “Outfoxed”, which shows how owner Rupert Murdoch has exploited his political contacts to build a media empire which directly threatens democratic diversity, partly by exposing an editorial practice of shaping reality to fit Murdoch’s needs. Film-maker Peter Greenwald has spoken with former reporters, producers, and other employees who have tired of management’s demands for a made-to-order conservative product. He has also, with the help of a group of volunteers, analyzed what is actually said on the channel.” (ETC.se)

Some of the strongest criticism comes from Walter Cronkite, the dean of American broadcast journalism. The funniest section is when commentator Bill O'Reilly says he has only told an interviewee to “shut up” once…followed by a series of clip after clip with O’Reilly doing just that over and over again. Possibly the most disturbing scene is the outtake from an interview with George W. Bush where Fox’s reporter tells Bush how happy the reporter’s wife is working for the Bush campaign! (When my wife was the press secretary for a Swedish cabinet minister, it was unthinkable for me to cover anything related to Swedish politics.)

IMMIGRANTS AND DISHES--A regional rent tribunal in Stockholm has ruled that three families in the heavily immigrant-populated suburb of Rinkeby may not be kicked out of their apartments because they refuse to remove satellite dish antennas. The landlord had argued that the antennas were a hazard. Because Swedish cable operators often lack channels of interest to immigrants, many rely on satellite television to keep in touch with their homelands. (Ekot, TT)

SIRIUS--On Sirius 2 (4.8 degrees East) Rada has started on 11.766 GHz/H. (“LyngSat Weekly Updates”)

INTELSAT--On Intelsat 10-02 (1 degree West) Wine TV has started on 12.512 GHz/H, SR 3255, FEC 3/4. (“LyngSat Weekly Updates”)

A Scandinavian version of the American film channel Showtime is now part of the Canal Digital package at 1 degree West, on 12.476 GHz/H. (Christian Lyngemark in “Aftonbladet”)


EUROPE

BELGIUM--Beginning in April, Belgium’s VRT is discontinuing broadcasts in English, French, and German. Shortwave broadcasts will be reduced to four hours a day in Dutch to southern Europe. (Colin Clapson, VRT) Colin Clapson also writes that listeners who wish to protest can contact the Flemish Media Minister:

Mr Geert Bourgeois
Alhambra Building
Avenue Emile Jacqmain 20
1000 Brussels
Belgium.

email: kabinet.bourgeois@vlaanderen.be

ASTRA 2--On Eurobird 1 (28.5 degrees East) The Horror Channel has replaced ACTV on 11.390 GHz/H. Best Direct, Best Direct plus, Auction World TV and The Dating Channel have started on 11.390 GHz/V. Revelation TV has left 11.623 GHz/H, and has moved to 11.681 GHz/V. (“LyngSat Weekly Updates”)


BRITAIN--The owner of London's top commercial radio station accused the BBC on October 21 of competing aggressively with its private sector counterparts and creating a massive distortion in the marketplace. Capital Radio Chief Executive David Mansfield made the criticisms as new listener figures showed that the BBC had extended its dominance of the UK radio sector, with BBC Radio 1 morning show host Chris Moyles hammering the competition, including Capital 95.8 FM's new DJ Johnny Vaughan.

"The BBC is competing in a way which the commercial radio sector can't -- their resources are enormous, their budget is fixed, and they can do awesome amounts of free promotion," Mansfield said in an interview with Reuters. "I'm not sure how this fits with their public service remit. They're a massive distortion in the marketplace."

The BBC's share of UK radio listeners rose from 53.1 percent to 54.4 percent in the third quarter, according to data released by Radio Joint Audience Research (RAJAR). In London, where the BBC's share grew to 48.3 percent from 45.3 percent, Moyles increased his audience by a third at the expense of Capital, Heart 106.2, Kiss and Magic. The audience share of Capital's flagship 95.8 FM grew to 7.2 percent from 6.6 percent in the previous quarter, despite morning show DJ Vaughan losing 144,000 listeners.

Mansfield's criticism of the BBC as a predatory, publicly-funded behemoth -- a widely-held view in the UK media sector -- comes after a government-commissioned report criticised BBC digital station BBC7 last week for contributing to the demise of Oneworld, a commercial station for children. The report, part of the UK government's review of the BBC's governing charter, concluded it was problematic that there was no link between the BBC board of governors and UK media regulator Ofcom.

Capital and Classic FM owner GWR announced plans to merge last month in a deal that would create the UK's dominant commercial radio company and a counterweight to the BBC. (Reuters)

ASTRA--On Astra 1F (19.2 degrees East) Activi has started on 12.460 GHz/H. (“LyngSat Weekly Updates”)

EUTELSAT--On Hot Bird 2 (13 degrees East) Rotana TV and Rotana Clip have started on 11.747 GHz/H. (“LyngSat Weekly Updates”)

On Hot Bird 6 (13 degrees East) Didar Global TV has started on 12.577 GHz/H. Iride has replaced Taxi Channel on 11.200 GHz/V. ARTE Francais has started on 11.623 GHz/V. (“LyngSat Weekly Updates”)

On Eutelsat W3A (7 degrees East) TF 1 has left 11.283 GHz/V. (“LyngSat Weekly Updates”)

HELLAS--On Hellas Sat 2 (39 degrees East) Veselina TV has started on 12.697 GHz/V, SR 15000, FEC 7/8. (“LyngSat Weekly Updates”)


AFRICA/MIDDLE EAST

GAMBIA--Gambia plans to repeal a much-criticised act which gave a media commission broad powers to shut down media outlets and punish journalists, the government said on October 20. Amadou Janneh, secretary of state for communication, information and technology in the former British colony, told Reuters the cabinet had recommended the act be repealed at the next sitting of parliament on November 29.

The ruling party holds 44 of 53 seats in parliament and the opposition already opposed the law, which was enacted in 2002 and is similar to media legislation in Zimbabwe, making the repeal little more than a rubber stamping exercise. Gambia's government had argued that it needed strong powers to clamp down on untruthful and irresponsible reporting in the tiny West African country of 1.4 million people. Ever since the law was passed international press freedom groups have condemned the act and Gambia's press union had challenged it in the country's courts. The case was due to go before the Supreme Court in November. (Reuters)

TELSTAR--On Telstar 10 (76.5 degrees East) Kanal D Fun and NTV Avrupa have started on 3.760 GHz/H. (“LyngSat Weekly Updates”)

On Telstar 12 (15 degrees West) Channel 2 (Israel) has started on 12.088 GHz/V, SR 3200, Americas beam. (“LyngSat Weekly Updates”)

INTELSAT--On Intelsat 902 (62 degrees East) Khozestan TV has started on 10.995 GHz/V, SR 3600, FEC 2/3, Middle East beam. (“LyngSat Weekly Updates”)

INTELSAT--On Intelsat 907 (27.5 degrees West) TV ALERJ have moved from 3727 L to 3.939 GHz/L, SR 1808, FEC 3/4, SW zone beam. (“LyngSat Weekly Updates”) Fashion TV has replaced Kairali Channel on 3.732 GHz/R.

EURASIASAT--On Eurasiasat 1 (42 degrees East) Star TV and Kral TV have started on 11.769 GHz/V, SR 6000, FEC 5/6, West beam. (“LyngSat Weekly Updates”)

ARABSAT--On Arabsat 2B (30.5 degrees East) STN TV has left 4.079 GHz/R (PAL). (“LyngSat Weekly Updates”)

On Arabsat 2D (25.8 degrees East) Al Sharqiya TV has left 11.662 GHz/V. (“LyngSat Weekly Updates”)

AMOS--On Amos 1 (4 degrees West) Kanal 5 and OTV Music have left 11.405 GHz/H, and has moved to Amos 2 on 11.634 GHz/H. (“LyngSat Weekly Updates”)

NILESAT--On Nilesat 101 (7 degrees West) Misr Tourist Channel has left 11.843 GHz/H, and has moved to 12.015 GHz/V. ESC 1 USA has started on 11.843 GHz/H. (“LyngSat Weekly Updates”)


ASIA/PACIFIC

PAS--On PAS 8 (166 degrees East) BLTV - Buddhism Light TV has left 3.860 GHz/H. (“LyngSat Weekly Updates”)

MEASAT--On Measat 2 (148 degrees East) BLTV - Buddhism Light TV has started on 11.602 GHz/H. (“LyngSat Weekly Updates”)

OPTUS--On Optus B3 (152 degrees East) Kanal D Fun, NTV Avrupa and Show TV have started on 12701 H. (“LyngSat Weekly Updates”)

JCSAT--On JCSAT 3 (128 degrees East) MAC TV has started on 4.120 GHz/V. (“LyngSat Weekly Updates”)

ASIASAT--On AsiaSat 3S (105.5 degrees East) TVB 8 has started on 3.729 GHz/H, SR 13650, FEC 3/4. (“LyngSat Weekly Updates”)

On AsiaSat 2 (100.5 degrees East) CBN has started on 4.148 GHz/V. (“LyngSat Weekly Updates”)


AMERICAS

MORE O’REILLY-- Bill O'Reilly, the caustic host of the most highly-rated show on US cable news, has traded lawsuits with a producer over sexual harassment allegations overflowing with lurid tabloid fodder. O'Reilly struck first, filing a suit October 13 claiming that Andrea Mackris, an associate producer of his program "The O'Reilly Factor" on Fox News, had sought 60 million dollars in "hush money" to prevent her and her lawyer going public with their allegations.

Hours later Mackris filed her suit that focuses on a series of conversations, both over dinner and over the phone, during which she says O'Reilly, 55, peppered her with lewd comments about vibrators, phone sex and masturbation. He also offered unsolicited details about the loss of his virginity and his sexual fantasies, the lawsuit says, characterising the comments as "perverted ravings." Mackris worked as an associate producer on "The O'Reilly Factor" from April 2000 through January 2004. She left for CNN in early 2004 but returned to Fox in July after her boss at CNN was fired for sexual harassment. (AFP)

SINCLAIR OUTFOXED-- Reeling from protests and stock market pressure, a leading US conglomerate has dropped plans to show a documentary strongly critical of John Kerry's Vietnam War record just ahead of the November 2 presidential election. There has been a storm of protests from the Democratic campaign since the plan was announced by the Republican leaning Sinclair Broadcast Group earlier this month. The share price of the broadcaster, which reached about a quarter of US households, has fallen more than 20 percent in two weeks. Investors had joined political protests against the planned documentary "Stolen Honor: Wounds That Never Heal."

Sinclair announced October 19 that it will now broadcast an hour-long special on Friday on what it called attempts by various organizations to use the media to influence presidential election results. Some allegations against the Democratic White House contender planned in the original documentary will still be aired, it said.

On October 20 the Kerry campaign released a statement saying "Sinclair Broadcasting has a history of putting their own partisan politics ahead of honest journalism. We do hope they will reconsider their decision to help their friend, George W. Bush, by imposing false, negative attacks on their viewers."

The original documentary was to harshly criticize Kerry's appearance before Congress in 1971, when the Vietnam veteran vehemently denounced the war and said US troops had committed atrocities in Indochina. The program was to feature ex-Vietnam prisoners of war and their families accusing the Massachusetts senator of betraying his comrades and prolonging their captivity. Democrats and many non-partisan groups called the documentary a brazen attempt to influence the November 2 election in favor of Republican candidate Bush.

Sinclair planned to show the program in many swing states, where Bush or Kerry could win, and told its network of stations to call off regular programs to show the documentary. In a letter to the Federal Election Commission, Democratic National Committee General Counsel Joseph Sandler said the broadcast plans amounted to an illegal "corporate in-kind contribution" to Bush. Eighteen US senators complained to the Federal Communications Commission about what they saw as improper use of media networks. Under federal regulations, stations broadcasting political programming are required to accord equal air time to both sides of the partisan divide. (AFP)

AMC--On AMC 6 (72 degrees West) La Cadena del Milagro has left 4.180 GHz/H (NTSC). (“LyngSat Weekly Updates”)

DIRECTV--DirecTV 5 has arrived at 72.5 degrees West. (“LyngSat Weekly Updates”)

SBS--On SBS 6 (74 degrees West) KPLC-TV has left 11.708 GHz/H. (“LyngSat Weekly Updates”)

BRASILSAT--On Brasilsat B3 (84 degrees West) Rede Bandeirantes Presidente Prudente has left 3.692 GHz/V, and has moved to Brasilsat B2. (“LyngSat Weekly Updates”)

INTELSAT--On Intelsat Americas 5 (97 degrees West) ITC has started on 11.867 GHz/V. Yemen Satellite TV has left 11874 H, moved to 12146 V. (“LyngSat Weekly Updates”)

GALAXY--On Galaxy 10R (123 degrees West) KWWF-TV has started on 11.719 GHZ/V. (“LyngSat Weekly Updates”)


CYBERSPACE/GLOBAL/LAUNCHES

STOPPING DOWNLOADING--The British music industry won a crucial High Court decision on October 14 that forces Internet service providers to hand over the identity of Britons accused of using the Internet to swap free songs. The British Phonographic Industry (BPI) along with trade group The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) announced last week they would sue 28 British music fans who use such popular file-sharing networks as Kazaa and eDonkey to download and exchange songs for free. In order to begin the legal crackdown though, the BPI needed a court order forcing service providers (ISPs) to hand over names and addresses of the accused. (Reuters)