News
Snippets November 2009
EUROPE
- NETHERLANDS
New Dutch Media Laws mean that activities that are not directly related to a Dutch TV / Radio Programme, are no longer allowed within the Dutch Public Broadcasting System. EO’s “WhyJesus? ministry has therefore joined with Agape Netherlands (part of Campus Crusade for Christ International). Agape has been involved in the “LookingforGod” website and other evangelism websites and a close partner of EO for a number of years. Continuing the ministry under the umbrella of Agape is expected to give new impetus to the WJ? concept internationally and to the “Stepping Stones” strategy.
Contact: Jan-Willem Bosman jwbosman@agape.nl - UK
The UK government’s Consultation on the process of introducing Product Placement in UK programmes has been launched. Outgoing ITV chairman Michael Grade says it will put broadcasters on a “level playing field” with international rivals. Introducing branded ad partners in programmes could generate between £25m and £35m a year for UK broadcasters within 5 years. Alcohol, junk food and gambling industries may be restricted or banned from placing their products in shows. Parties have until 8 January 2010 to submit their responses on the parameters of product placement. The Consultation will also decide whether there should be a “specific prohibition” of product placement in Religious Programmes, Current Affairs and Consumer Shows. UK Culture Secretary Ben Bradshaw said that Product Placement must have “adequate safeguards to address concerns that relaxing the rules will threaten the trust of viewers and the integrity of programming”.
Source: Broadcast - EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT
The European Parliament and the Council of Ministers have reached an agreement on the EU Telecoms Reform, after negotiations brokered by the European Commission. The reform substantially strengthens competition and consumer rights on Europe’s telecoms markets. It facilitates high-speed internet broadband connections to all Europeans and establishes a European Body of Telecoms Regulators to complete the single market for telecoms networks and services. Following final votes in Parliament and Council in November, these reforms could come into force in early 2010.
Source: www.europa.eu - SWEDEN
Popular music-streaming service Spotify has signed a deal with Scandinavian IPTV provider Telia that will make Spotify available on TV for the first time. Telia, which has some 532,000 IPTV subscribers in its Swedish market, will bundle Spotify to its ISP and mobile customers, and into its set-top boxes from digital TV. The company said, “This is a big step towards being able to offer Swedish homes the very best in digital entertainment services.”
Source: C21Media.net - NETHERLANDS
A new Dutch Children’s Channel was launched on 12 November on cable platforms CAIW and Lijbrandt Telecom. Pebble TV will be free of advertising and will offer a schedule of non-violent entertainment. Pebble is funded by private investors. A separate feed for Dutch-speaking Belgium is being developed.
Source: C21Media.net - UK
The BBC is set to bring iPlayer to Freesat, with closed beta testing beginning on the platform before the end of November. The trial will be a major step towards making iPlayer available on TV sets – one of the key aims in the proposed Project Canvas. BBC future media and technology controller Rahul Chakkara said the broadcaster was keen to bring the catch-up service to “other platforms and devices.” “Our success with BBC iPlayer on Virgin Media has shown that there is an appetite among our audience for BBC iPlayer on the television,” he said. The iPlayer service on Virgin Media now accounts for 200 million programme views – more than a quarter of all iPlayer viewing.
Source: Broadcast - LISBON TREATY
The ratification of the Lisbon Treaty by the Czech Republic was finalised on 3rd November 2009. In the morning the Czech Constitutional Court rejected the appeal lodged by conservative senators and declared that the treaty was compatible with the Czech Constitution. Several hours later President Vaclav Klaus signed the text. The Treaty will come into effect on 1st December 2009 and amongst other significant changes will create the post of President and Foreign Secretary of Europe.
Source: European Voice & Robert Schuman Foundation. - UK
UK satellite broadcaster BSkyB’s Sky Mobile TV service has developed an application that allows iPhone and iPod Touch users to access live streamed TV on their handsets. Users will have to sign up for a Sky user ID before getting access to services and will have to pay £6 a month.
Source: C21Media.net
- EUROPEAN COMMISSION
Senior MEPs are casting doubt on whether the next European Commission will be in place by 1st January, with mid-February being more likely. As a result of the Lisbon Treaty being agreed, a permanent President of the European Council must be appointed, as well as a High Representative for Foreign Affairs, who will also be a Vice President of the Commission. Jose Manuel Barroso, the Commission President, has said he needs decisions on those names before he can finalise the composition of the new Commission and put forward his team of commissioners for approval by the European Parliament.
Source: European Voice - SERBIA
ELION Christian Media are searching for basic equipment for their broadcast ministry, including a video camera, software for audio and video editing, subtitling software and a good computer.
Contact: Sasko Bogeski elionmedia@gmail.com
AFRICA
- SOUTH AFRICA
A draft Public Services Broadcasting Bill has been submitted for comment by the South African Department of Communications which has wide-reaching implications for Community Broadcasters. Copies of the complete document are available from the Association of Christian Broadcasters of Southern Africa.
Contact: Dave Hotchkiss djhotchkiss@telkomsa.net - NIGER
A man who works as a security guard at an FM station in Niger gave his life to Christ while listening to a Programme on the station. It was produced by an IBRA partner, and the man has now joined a local congregation. He has received teaching from the Pastor – who was the producer of the programme.
Visit www.ibra.org - SOUTH AFRICA
The Association of Christian Broadcasters of Southern Africa reports the launch of “TUG” – “The Ultimate Goal“. It is a project of SASCOL (South African Sports Coalition) an initiative by Church Leaders representing a large group of South African Churches. “The Ultimate Goal” is the outreach that will take place during the June-July World Cup Soccer Event in 2010. TUG is a network of local and international churches, para-church organisations and ministries -working together on the common goal of bringing hope and change to South Africa. TUG plans to train and mobilise people from at least 2000 churches and in 600 South African towns and cities, to run outreach activities during the World Cup. It expects to reach about 14 million people with the gospel over the 30 days of the event.
Contact: info@acb.org.za - SUDAN
A Sudanese Bishop has called on the international community for help after guerrillas crucified 7 Christians. Militants from the so-called Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) ambushed and murdered six Christians in a forest near Nzara in Western Equatoria State near the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo. The seventh was snatched from a church in Ezo. The LRA, a Ugandan rebel force, has been terrorising southern villages and stepped up its attacks at the end of last year – training its sights particularly on Christians.
Source: Global Connections World Prayer Network info@globalconnections.co.uk - ALGERIA
In September, a woman from Algeria visited IBRA’s Arabic homepage www.radioibrahim.com and then contacted IBRA to say how she had met Jesus. Her testimony is available on www.youtube.com (search for “Testimony from Algeria”).
Contact info@ibra.se
ASIA
- CENTRAL ASIA
Trans World Radio (TWR) has begun broadcasting a daily programme on MemberCare Radio (MCR), to encourage and support cross-cultural expatriate workers in their places of calling, especially those who are working in difficult regions such as Central Asia. They have also developed a new website to support the ministry.
Visit www.membercareradio.com
- THAILAND
Dee-Sae is one of many who have come to personal faith during their prison sentences through the IBRA Bible Correspondence Course. “I was a drug user and felt that I was useless and had lost hope. Through the Courses I have learned to trust in Jesus. My life has been changed and I have become strong in the Lord. My chronic headaches are also gone. I now have a completely new life and after being released from prison, I have attended Church every Sunday,” Dee-Sae wrote.
Visit www.ibra.org - PAKISTAN
In a move welcomed by Christians, President Asif Ali Zardari has said his Government is keen to solve the problem of Pakistan’s blasphemy laws. At a meeting with the Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams in London, President Zardari said he was very conscious of the need “to urgently address the issue – with a view to preventing the misuse of the blasphemy law in future.” Mr Zardari acknowledged that the blasphemy laws – section 295/C of Pakistan’s Penal Code – have been exploited by extremists to attack both religious minorities, and Muslims.
Source: Global Connections World Prayer Network info@globalconnections.co.uk - SRI LANKA
Poor people who can’t afford pharmaceutical medicines and traditional remedies are increasingly threatened by climate change, de-forestation and lack of knowledge. Damitha Rajapakse has established the Biodiversity Lifeskills Foundation in Gampaha, Sri Lanka. The foundation works with local churches to preserve endangered species, and raises awareness of their benefits for poor indigenous communities. With support from the foundation, local churches cultivate gardens in the community as part of Sunday school projects.
Source: Global Connections World Prayer Network info@globalconnections.co.uk - JAPAN
| Official Country Name | Japan |
| Region | East & South Asia |
| Population | 126,771,662 |
| Languages | Japanese |
| Literacy Rate | 99% |
| Size | 377,835 sq. km |
| GDP | 4,841,584 (US$ millions) |
| Number of TV Stations | 7108 |
| Number of TV sets | 86,500,000 |
| TV Sets per 1,000 | 682.3 |
| Number of Radio Stations | 305 |
| Number of Radio receivers | 120,500,000 |
| Radio Receivers per 1,000 | 950.5 |
| Number of individuals with computers | 40,000,000 |
| Number of individuals with Internet access | 47,080,000 |
| Internet access per 1,000 | 371.4 |
AUSTRALASIA
- Australia’s ABC has outlined plans to expand its international broadcasting operations, initially with new TV and Radio Networks in China and India. Further plans for a staged roll-out in the Middle East, Latin America, Europe and North America will follow. The public broadcaster, which receives A$34m (US$30m) a year in state funding to run its international satellite service Australia Network, has called for greater governmental spending on international broadcasting and hopes eventually to create a brand large enough to rival the BBC and CNN. ABC currently broadcasts to 44 countries in the Asia Pacific region.
Source: C21Media.net
- Australia’s Christian Community Radio Station Rhema FM Central Coast have asked their listeners to nominate people in the community in need, who would benefit from the gift of a car. “We received quite a few nominations,” said Rhema FM’s station manager Rick Broome, “and selecting a winner was tough. But after much thought, prayer and discussion, one person stood out, and that was Sandy Simpson from Point Clare.” Sandy is a single mother who has a heart for the needy of the community. She has been involved in starting a number of ministries on the Coast helping struggling families, and was instrumental in the establishment of the Donnison Street Restaurant which feeds homeless people in the Gosford area. The car was provided by Handbrake Turn Central Coast, a Christian organisation that focuses on helping disadvantaged young people.
Source: Squawk, Christian Media Australia - Host of Adelaide’s Life FM Sunday morning programme “Celebrate“, Liz Tobias was recently announced as the winner in the Voicingers International Jazz Singers Competition held in Zory, Poland. The competition contributes to the career development of the most gifted vocalists in the highly demanding profession of a performing jazz musician. It tests their abilities in a presentation of their own concept of jazz music-making, in a jury-rated public performance.
Source: Squawk, Christian Media Australia - The New Zealand Bible Society, Wycliffe Bible Translators and Scripture Union New Zealand are partnering on a campaign to address low levels of Bible literacy and understanding. E100 is a programme for churches which has been effective in the US and is now being promoted to churches in New Zealand. There will be an extensive promotional campaign and investment from the three organisations. The pilot period is from October to December 2009, with a nationwide launch in Spring 2010.
Source: Global Connections World Prayer Network info@globalconnections.co.uk
GLOBAL
- INTERNET
Eric Celerier, founder of the “Knowing God” Web Ministry, reports plans to launch two major projects in French.
The Widget “Jesus.net” is a mini version of “Knowing God” that can be embedded in any website. The Internet seeker who makes the prayer to accept Jesus will be directly connected to a local church. It will multiply the access points to the Gospel.
See The Widget at: http://godrev.jesus.net/widget_demo/The second project is: “MyChurch.net” In France, people are often afraid to join a local church, particularly an evangelical church. This site will follow up people who respond to ”LookingforGod.com” and connect them to local churches in France.
Watch a video of the set up of MyChurch.net: http://tiny.cc/MyChurch20
LATIN AMERICA
- ECUADOR
A project plan to develop a ministry for abused and marginalised women in Ecuador has been finalised. Jill Ball and her colleagues will develop ministries of practical, emotional and spiritual help for abused and at-risk girls and women. The work is led by Life in Abundance (Ecuador) Trust, in conjunction with the Baptist Church in Santo Domingo.
Source: Global Connections World Prayer Network info@globalconnections.co.uk - SEMILLA
Semilla reports that in response to many requests, the texts of Jose Gonzalez’ Lecture Series on a Spiritual Perspective of the Roots of Latin American Culture are to be published as a book in early 2010.
Contact diana@semilla.org
MIDDLE EAST
- SAT-7
SAT-7 Television has begun broadcasting on Mondays a second series of “An Hour is Not Enough” (Sa’a Mish Say’a) . The series airs “live” and highlights the vulnerability of women in the Middle East. In Lebanon, Voice of Charity Radio will be simulcasting the programme.
Visit www.sat-7.org and www.radiocharity.org - UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
Pakistan-born Emmanuel combines working as a parts manager on heavy vehicles with pastoring a Pakistani and Indian congregation in Dubai. Emmanuel and his son Asher support low-paid workers and share Bible Society Audio Tapes and printed Scriptures. “The labourers feel lonely,” Emmanuel explains. “Sometimes they get into bad habits, using liquor, sniffing substances. Many live in labour camps so we reach out to them in their dorms or common rooms there.”
Source: Global Connections World Prayer Network info@globalconnections.co.uk
NORTH AMERICA
- USA
US mobile television specialist MobiTV has appointed Jan Olin, previously Yahoo! Europe director of business development, as MobiTV MD of Europe. He previously worked for Ericsson where he was responsible for the company’s mobile TV strategy. MobiTV has over 7 million subscribers in the US and aims to re-establish its presence in Europe once the framework for broadcasting mobile TV standards has been formed.
Source: C21.media.net - USA
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has been directed to create a National Broadband Plan by February 2010, to ensure that every American has access to broadband capability and to establish benchmarks for meeting that goal. As well as the provision of broadband access, they hope to increase broadband adoption from a rate of 63%, which is below the average of other developed nations. The FCC has also released a Notice of Inquiry asking for input on how to make Digital Media safe for children so that “children can be served and better protected and parents be further empowered in the new digital media landscape.”
Source: www.fcc.gov - USA
Inspiration network International (INI) has announced that it will launch a new reality TV programme from Steelroots, one of the leading providers in the US of faith-based content for young people. The programme, called “The Basement 360” centres on “The Basement” a popular event in Birmingham, Alabama led by evangelist Matt Pitt. The series airs on INI three times weekly: Thursdays at 16.00 GMT, Fridays at 16.30 and Saturdays at 04.00 & 13.00 GMT. “The Basement 360” is also available at www.steelroots.com
Contact: Melissa Prince mprince@insp.com
DIARY DATES
- SLOVENIA: The next FEB Conference will be 11-14 November 2010 in Ljubljana, Slovenia. Put the dates in your diary NOW!
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