NORTH AFRICA

CPJ concerned over ailing, imprisoned Tunisian journo

NEW YORK: The Committee to Protect Journalists has expressed its grave concern regarding the health of imprisoned Tunisian journalist Fahem Boukadous and has called upon the Tunisian government to release him immediately. Read more >>

AFRICA

IPI commemorates 'Black Wednesday' in SA

JOHANNESBURG: The International Press Institute (IPI) joined South Africa in commemorating 'Black Wednesday' earlier this week by participating in the annual National Media Freedom Day at Wits University. This year's Black Wednesday events holds particular relevance in light of recent debates centering on the government-proposed Media Appeals Tribunal and the Protection of Information Bill. Read more >>

ZIMBABWE

Zimbabwe launches new destination brand

[Dumisani Ndlela] Zimbabwe has launched a fresh brand war cry, or a tourism destination brand, as they are calling it in hospitality circles: "Zimbabwe - A world of wonders". It is part of national rebranding efforts being spearheaded by Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara to help reshape the image of the country. Read more >>

AFRICA

African cinema on the big screen

[Janine Erasmus] Africa will be the main attraction at a film festival, which runs from 21 October to 5 November in Edinburgh, Scotland. The 2010 Africa in Motion (AiM) Film Festival is the fifth edition of its kind, with this year's productions sharing themes of celebration, freedom and independence, according to festival organisers. Read more >>

AFRICA

New head of digital analytics EMEA - MediaCom

Max-Philipp Deitmer has been appointed head of digital analytics EMEA at MediaCom. He will be supporting regional and local clients in selecting, establishing and optimising website-analytics solutions and will oversee their integration into holistic reports. Read more >>

AFRICA

Internet to hit two-billion users, with most growth from emerging markets

[Nur Bremmen] The number of Internet users worldwide have doubled in the past five years and will surpass the two billion mark in 2010, with most of the growth coming from emerging markets, says the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). Read more >>

GHANA

Accra to host 2011 SME event

Accra, Ghana will be hosting an international business conference and exhibition aimed at growing businesses, promoting an enabling environment for the private sector as well as creating jobs and alleviating poverty. The event, Business Sense 2011 takes place at the Accra International Conference Centre from 25-26 February 2011. Read more >>

AFRICA

Why MXit is Africa's largest social network

[Nur Bremmen] While South Africa's teachers were on strike in September, volunteers used the country's largest social network to help students prepare for exams. If you think they turned to Facebook, you would be wrong. Read more >>

AFRICA

Research finds Nokia still dominates mobile in Africa

[Erik Hersman] India has sent a clear message that it is watching Africa closely, especially after the impressive US$10.7-billion move by Indian telecoms giant Bharti Airtel to take over Zain Africa's mobile operations in 15 countries. Speaking recently at Kenya's technology centre, iHub, Ankit Rawal, head of African advertising for mobile advertiser inMobi, spent some time explaining why Africa is at the centre of mobile's global growth, backing it up with solid research. Read more >>

UNITED STATES

Festival of Media Latam Awards 2010 shortlist announced!

MIAMI, US: Latam's jury of advertisers, media specialists and advertising experts has deliberated over work from 44 agencies across 11 countries in Latin America - covering entries from 77 brands in total. A shortlist of 45 entries has been announced. Read more >>

GERMANY

Europe: Eat Pray Love book sales increase with theatrical release

NUREMBURG, GERMANY: Latest findings of Media Control GfK International show that release of movie boosts sales of book on which it was based. Read more >>

UNITED STATES

SPS first processor of Street Savings mobile marketing

ORANGE, US: Secure Payments Systems (SPS), a national leader of value-added payment services and transaction processing in the US and Canada, has announced that it has become the first direct processor of Street Savings mobile marketing products. Read more >>