News
Snippets January 2010
EUROPE
- EUROPEAN UNION
The new EU Telecoms “Better Regulation Directive” and the “Citizens’ Rights Directive” must be absorbed into national laws of the 27 EU Member States by June 2011. The new European Telecoms Authority, called “Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications (BEREC), will provide consistent regulation across Europe to strengthen the single telecoms market. “The establishment of BEREC is a visible sign that we are serious when we say that Europe’s telecoms operators and consumers should no longer feel national borders in network access and the delivery of communication services,” said Viviane Reding, the EU’s Telecoms Commissioner. “From spring 2010 onwards, BEREC will help national telecoms regulators and the European Commission to ensure that telecoms services can be delivered under consistent and competitive conditions across the EU”.
Source: EU - UK
The BBC iPlayer “Catch-up service” is averaging more than five million unique users a week – registering more than 88 million video requests a month. The service’s most watched programme of the year was “Top Gear“. The iPlayer is available on 20 devices and viewing differs on each platform. Mobile phone viewing peaks after 21.00 and again on Saturday and Sunday mornings. However, Computers still dominate iPlayer use, accounting for 86% of requests.
Source: C21Media.net - GERMANY
FEB Chairman, Harvey Thomas was a Speaker at the Christliche Medienkongress in Schwabisch Gmund in southern Germany in December, on the subject “Touching the World – the Art of Communication.” Reflecting the active Evangelical Movement, the Congress had over 200 Delegates from a wide variety of Media across Germany, from Church News Letters to the Evangelical Alliance’s “IDEA“, ERF and BibelTV. - EUROPEAN COMMISSION
The European Commission has ruled that commitments offered by Microsoft to boost competition on the web browser market are legally binding. Microsoft will now offer European users of Windows a choice among different web browsers and allow computer manufacturers and users the possibility to turn Internet Explorer off. Competition Commissioner Neelie Kroes said, “Millions of European consumers will benefit from this decision by having a free choice about which web browser they use. Such choice will not only serve to improve people’s experience of the Internet now but also act as an incentive for web browser companies to innovate and offer people better browsers in the future.”
Source: European Commission - HUNGARY
The European Leadership Forum (ELF) will be held from 22-27 May 2010 in Eger, Hungary. Last year, the Forum was the catalyst for 200 seminars, leadership training events and public lectures throughout Europe. It aims to stir the intellectual momentum of European Evangelicals and to inspire a new generation of Leaders both from Eastern and Western Europe to face today’s challenges.
Visit www.euroleadership.org - FINLAND
The SuomiTV Family Channel was launched in December. It is a new free-of-charge commercial TV channel which promotes family values and “responsible” broadcasting. It is a digital TV Channel broadcasting on Channel 33 on cable networks all over Finland. Although not overtly a religious channel, it will carry strategically placed Christian programming.
Visit www.suomitv.fi - UK
MGM Studios launched a linear high-definition (HD) channel in the UK in December as part of a 50/50 joint venture with BSkyB, with a selection from the MGM Film library. It airs 24/7 and is the 37th HD Channel now on the Sky platform. MGM is anticipating the popularity of HD and will re-master many MGM movies in HD. The MGM brand is on 20 channels in 130 countries.
Source: C21Media.net - HUNGARY (Member of the European Union)
Official Country Name Republic of Hungary Region Europe Population 10,106,017 Languages Hungarian Literacy Rate 99% Size 93,030 sq. km GDP 45,633 (US$ millions) Number of TV Stations 35 Number of TV sets 4,420,000 TV Sets per 1,000 437.4 Number of Radio Stations 77 Number of Radio receivers 7,010,000 Radio Receivers per 1,000 693.6 Number of individuals with computers 870,000 Number of individuals with Internet access 1,480,000 Internet access per 1,000 146.4
- UK
Bullying in churches is “rife” across the UK. A report has revealed that 150 Clergy and Ministers seek protection from Trade Union “Unite” every year. The Union, which has set up a helpline for Priests intimidated by their Bishops or Congregations, is calling for full employment rights for Clergy and greater protection in the law. Rachel Maskell, from Unite, said that bullying and sexual harassment of Clergy were serious problems that were not being adequately addressed. “It’s endemic throughout different denominations and different churches. Where there is an openness and willingness to address the situation we are able to resolve the case,” she said, “but when there is a denial that there is a problem, as in some denominations, then we are not able to get the solutions in place and the Clergy are very vulnerable.” Most of those who have turned to the Union for help are in the Church of England, but Roman Catholic Priests, Rabbis and Imams have also joined Unite, according to Ms Maskell. The Archbishop of Canterbury admitted that there is a problem with bullying in the Church when he spoke at a TUC Conference last year. He said, “I have good reason to know from pastoral contacts with people how much of an issue it can be.”
Contact: news@email.premier.org.uk
AFRICA
- SOUTH AFRICA
The “Lausanne Global Conversation” – a public Forum - has been set up by the Lausanne Movement in preparation for “Cape Town 2010“. The Lausanne Global Conversation will focus on topics to be discussed at the Event and includes a series of 12 Articles, blogs and podcasts, discussion forums, interaction on Twitter and Facebook, advance copies of Presentations from CT2010 Speakers and in-person interaction at Bible Colleges, Mission Agencies, Churches and Theological Institutions. Discussions currently in progress are: Muslim-Background Believers; Poverty, Prosperity and the Gospel; and Whole Gospel, Whole Church, Whole World.
Visit www.lausanne.org/global-conversation/about.html - MOROCCO
Fourteen dramatised testimonies of Moroccans coming to faith are being broadcast on two Christian satellite stations covering North Africa. Each episode features dramatised scenes to visualise the testimony, with the voice-over of a Moroccan narrating it. A local Moroccan telephone number is used to invite feedback and questions from viewers.
Visit www.shehada.org - SOUTH AFRICA
Martin Frische, of the Evangelical Stadtmission of South Africa (ESSA) will run special screenings of the 2010 FIFA World Cup along with the Alpha Course and the Alpha Marriage Course. ESSA currently run a Day Care Creche in Zandspruit and have just built a youth centre. Contact: Martin Frische martin.frische@stadtmission.org.za
ASIA
- AZERBAIJAN
The European Union has adopted a resolution urging the Government of Azerbaijan to restore FM broadcasts of Radio Free Europe, Voice of America and the BBC World Service. Azerbaijani authorities cancelled the FM radio licences of several international radio stations at the beginning of 2009, depriving listeners of independent sources of information. The ban was criticised by international rights organisations, but the Azerbaijani government defended it as a measure needed to bring the country into conformity with European standards.
Source: Radio Free Europe - ARMENIA
EuroVision Chairman David Hathaway has been asked by Armenian pastors to hold a Nationwide Mission in June 2010, based in the capital city of Yerevan. In his 2009 Mission, only personal invitation and word of mouth was possible – but 5000 crowded into the 4000-seater arena. The Mayor of Yerevan has granted permission to use the stadium holding over 25,000. The Armenian churches are 100% committed to this project and are actively involved in the preparation of and participation in this Event.
Contact: office@eurovision.org.uk - NEPAL
The Gospel for Asia Website is featuring a video interview with missionary Manja Tamang, who was released last June after being imprisoned for 9 years in Nepal on false charges of murder. His story has led to a growing work among convicts. The story is also featured in the GFA online “Send” magazine.
Visit www.gfa.org
AUSTRALASIA
- Christian Radio Stations receive more support from donors than any other type of station in Australia’s Community Broadcasting Sector, according to a Community Broadcasting Database (CBD) survey. Christian Stations receive an average of $180,086 annually per station, and have the second highest number of Donors, with an average of 648 people donating to each station, behind only Ethnic Stations which average 2,351 donors per station. The National average number of donors per station was 203. This positive pattern of giving is familiar in the USA – but is in strong contrast to Europe and most of Asia.
Source: Squawk, Christian Media Australia - The Internet Course “WhyJesus?” is now available nationwide in Australia after Why.Jesus.net (Netherlands), Australian Christian Channel, The Careline and Christian Media Australia joined together in the project. The Website has been renewed, e-coaches have been trained and a nationwide network of Churches has been set up to provide good “follow-up” for participants of the course. Advertising campaigns on TV, church networks and Google, invite people to sign up for the course. Each participant is provided with a personal E-coach who is available over a period of 5 weeks to answer their questions. They are then invited to take part in an Alpha course or attend a local church.
Visit www.whyjesus.com.au - Christian Media Australia (CMA) has joined with five other Sector bodies on a 5 year plan to create the “World’s most Innovative Accessible Community” Media Sector. Subject to funding being allocated, the group will look at four areas of community broadcasting: Content, Infrastructure, Co-ordination and Training. Under the plan, Community Stations will be developed to operate as community digital hubs on cross media platforms by 2015. The proposal encourages increased media literacy through the provision of stonger local community-owned and operated broadcasting stations; increased opportunities for active participation in local media production; accessible multi-platform media operation and production facilities; extended accredited media skills training and increased diversity in multi-platform media content.
To download the full submission visit www.cbaa.org.au/content.php?folderid=78
GLOBAL
- UK CONSUMERS IN ‘DIGITAL ELITE’
According to an OFCOM report, the UK is one of the world’s most advanced countries in terms of Digital communications. The UK Regulator said that people in the UK watched more TV and sent more texts than most countries, but had slower broadband. The UK has the highest proportion of households with digital TV on their main set – at 88%. The OFCOM report compares the UK with countries including France, Germany, Italy, the USA, Poland, Spain, Netherlands and Sweden. Across European countries, the average time spent watching TV was 3.5 hours per day compared to the USA which averaged 4.6 hours a day. The UK was the 2nd highest texting nation in the world, with the volume of outgoing messages estimated to be 83 billion a year, second only to the US where 830 billiion texts were sent. UK consumers enjoy the cheapest prices for mobile phones and broadband, and lead the world in online advertising. However, only 10% of UK homes had broadband speeds of over 8Mbps compared with 37% in Netherlands, placing it 21st out of 30 countries for network speed.
Source: BBC News - MICAH 2010 GLOBAL CAMPAIGN
Micah Challenge has called on Churches around the world to join a global campaign of Prayer and Promise, MICAH 2010, which aims to release half a billion people from extreme poverty. Micah Challenge International Director, Joel Edwards, has invited Christians to unite for a day of prayer and promise on October 10, 2010, to mark ten years since nations promised to get serious about poverty, when they agreed to the Millennium Development Goals in Johannesburg.
Visit www.micahchallenge.org
MIDDLE EAST
- SAT-7 TURK
On January 1st 2010, SAT-7 TURK began its first broadcasts as a full member of the SAT-7 network of channels. It began six years ago as an independent ministry under the name TURK-7. The launch marks the end of a merger process with SAT-7 and the beginning of an expansion for the Turkish broadcaster. David Middleton, SAT-7 TURK’s Executive Director says, “Being part of a larger organisation provides us with great support that we didn’t have before.” In 2010 they will double their hours of production and gradually become a 24/7 channel by 2011.
Visit: www.sat7turk.com - SAT-7 PARS
SAT-7 PARS, the Christian satellite TV channel for Farsi speakers in the Middle East, has celebrated its 3rd anniversary by producing 3 live programmes in December. 2009 was a difficult year for the PARS team, partly due to the situation in Iran following the elections, and the anxiety of viewers.
Contact: office@sat7trust.org
NORTH AMERICA
- 3D SERVICES
ESPN and DirecTV are to launch stereoscopic 3D services in the States in the first half of 2010. According to USA Today the dedicated sports network will launch ESPN 3D on June 11, following 2 years of testing. It will kick off with a game from the Football World Cup. Meanwhile, DirecTV is expected to confirm a 3D service at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, aiming to launch in 2011. Discovery said it is forming a joint-venture company with Sony and IMAX to deliver a 3D dedicated 24 hour service next year, showing films, nature programmes and other suitable content. Sky will launch a 3D service in the UK during 2010. Source: Broadcast - NATIONAL RELIGIOUS BROADCASTERS (NRB)
NRB has launched a new feature on its Website – “The Media Source“. It’s a compilation of news items which will be updated several times daily and will include articles, press releases and public notices. Dr Frank Wright, President & CEO of NRB said, “We are confident that this will be a ‘go-to’ source every day, on news affecting the industry and religious broadcasters in general.”
Visit www.nrb.org
DIARY DATES
- GERMANY: SIL are holding a Minority Language Focused Outreach Consultation in Muecke, near Giessen, Germany from 27-30 September 2010. They invite Media specialists including radio, TV and internet; IT technicians, translators of minority languages in the Eurasia region; small language centred associations looking for recording or IT help, and Ministry leaders. Contact Steve Baughman: steve_baughman@sil.org
SLOVENIA: The next FEB Conference will be 11-14 NOVEMBER 2010 at the City Hotel, Ljubljana, Slovenia with the Theme “Getting Connected?” Terry Ascott, CEO of SAT-7 will be a Plenary Speaker. Register and pay online at www.feb.org
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