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The invasion of Ukraine by forces of the Russian Federation commenced a year ago today, February 24. In Kyiv President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed a press conference. He began by paying homage to the media workers who have covered the war and those who lost their lives.
“First of all, I would like to thank you, representatives of the media, journalists,” he said quoted by Detector Media (February 24). “It is very important what you have done this year, what you have brought to the strength of our state. Thank you for speaking about Ukraine, thanks to this the whole world remembers us and helps.” (See more about media in Ukraine here)
He asked for a moment of silence. "I think you still don't know what you've done for us,” he continued. “I am sure that this (realization) will still come on the day of victory.” About 320 reporters from 170 news outlets attended the press conference. Most were foreign, noted presidential office spokesperson Iryna Pobedonostseva.
The consortium of journalism advocates Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) detailed 241 media workers attacked in Ukraine in the last year, nine confirmed killed. “The war’s deadly toll has cast a dark shadow over press freedom in Europe,” said its statement (February 24). “Killing, kidnapping, torture and other attacks on journalists and media workers has no place in Ukraine, and those responsible must face justice for their crimes. The safety of journalists and media workers on the ground is paramount and must be respected.”
Publishers are throwing in the towel on the printed page. One after another are quitting paper and ink. Some say young people are interested only if a publication is online. Others grumble about the costs of printing and delivering. All of these arguments are logically sound. Accountants are always rational.
Slick, glossy fashion magazine Harper’s Bazaar is coming to France this week (February 23). The French online edition has been available for two years. The brand has been published in the US for more than a hundred years, more recently elsewhere. Noting that France is such a glossy and fashionable place, it is fair to ask what took so long. Prisma Media, subsidiary of Vivendi, has held the license by Hearst Magazines International to publish Harper’s Bazaar in France “for some time.” (See more about media in France here)
The introduction of Harper’s Bazaar to France was announced last September. It will be available in print, online and social media. Prisma Media already publishes French editions of National Geographic, Geo, Harvard Business Review and others. Prisma Media was acquired by Vivendi, owner of Canal+, in April 2021 from Gruner+Jahr, subsidiary of Bertelsmann. All the major international fashion magazines are now represented in print editions in France. The Italian Harper’s Bazaar debuted in print last December.
A clear reason for publishing a printed edition of Harper’s Bazaar in France is the tectonic shifts in the advertising world. Circulation figures - and such - are far less important. Actually, mass markets are less attractive. The advertising people - happy as they are - want display. All the better to warm the coffee tables of the glossy and fashionable.
Iran International has abruptly moved operations from London (UK) to Washington DC (US). The broadcaster cited “advice” from the UK Metropolitan Police, said a statement (February 18). A week ago (February 13) a person was charged with “terrorism offences” for surveilling the broadcasters headquarters and detained.
Iran International is a Persian-language news channel targeting Iranians and the Persian-speaking diaspora. It was established in 2017 by Volant Media UK. It is distributed by satellite as well as shortwave radio. The Saudi Arabian royal family is a principle funding source. Volant Media opened television channel Afghanistan International in 2021.
“The threats have turned into a reality of terrorism,” said editor Niusha Boghrati to Sky News (February 19). “That is what the Met Police have been telling us. Threats were so real this time that they had to ask us to move the operation out of the country. The Met Police have been heavily guarding the location of the office in London with armed police, but it seems right now that it is getting out of hand. It was very significant.” (See more about press freedom here)
Islamic Republic of Iran (Iran) officials were extremely distressed by international news coverage of the September death of 22 year old Mahsa Amini in morality police custody and subsequent large-scale demonstrations in Iran and elsewhere. Those authorities placed sanctions on Iran International and BBC Persian in October and deemed Iran International a “terrorist organization,” said intelligence minister Esmail Khatib, quoted by Iran International (November 9). The infamous Iranian Judiciary Council suggested “summary executions” for persons found to have contacted foreign media organizations.
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