UGANDA

HRNJ-Uganda report points to deterioration in media freedom

A Press Freedom Index Report released by the Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda) has indicated that the space for the media in Uganda is rapidly "shrinking and sinking" due to increasing levels of attacks, especially by the police. Read more >>

EGYPT

Revolutionary storytelling: 18daysinEgypt.com

[Theresa Mallinson] Over the last while there's been a something of rallying cry for Africans to tell their own stories. But all too often proponents are more in love with discussing the idea than figuring out practical ways to make it happen. 18 Days in Egypt, a start-up that focuses on documenting the revolution, is turning the concept into a reality - and, moreover, using an innovative, collaborative digital platform to do so. Read more >>

AFRICA

Brian Dames to deliver opening address at African Utility Week 2012

Eskom has confirmed that its CEO Brian Dames will deliver the opening address on the 22 May 2012 at the annual African Utility Week conference and exhibition, set to take place between 21-24 May at the Nasrec Expo Centre in Johannesburg, South Africa. The event will once again gather together an estimated 5 000 power and utility experts from all over the world. Read more >>

MALAWI

Malawi's journos accreditation in limbo

[Gregory Gondwe: @Kalipochi] A high flying accreditation project for Malawian journalists, launched three years ago by the Media Council of Malawi (MCM), now hangs in limbo due to financial constraints. Read more >>

ANGOLA

CNN's plans positive coverage of Angola

[Rafael Marques De Morais] The CNN Press Office (London) has answered the concerns raised by Maka Angola on the agreements between the international news network and the Angolan regime, regarding a media campaign to promote a better image of the latter, due to grave concerns of nepotism and corruption. Read more >>

AFRICA

Africa emerging as a leader in the information age

[Alpesh Patel] Africa's journey into the age of the knowledge economy and telephonic communication has, until recently, been a laborious and slow process, all the while the rest of the world's usage has only but boomed. Read more >>

NIGERIA

Nigerian Islamists threaten attack on telecom firms

MAIDUGURI, NIGERIA: A purported spokesman for Nigeria's Boko Haram Islamists on Monday threatened the group would soon launch attacks on mobile telephone firms for their alleged complicity with security agents. Read more >>

AFRICA

What young Africans think of love

Over the past 10 days, YoungAfricaLive (YAL) users in Kenya, Tanzania and South Africa were given the chance to vote daily on a spectrum of polls that covered everything from love to what's going down with sex. Read more >>

AFRICA

FNB's mobile money grows in Africa

Mobile banking is set to take off in Africa, with FNB recording a 150% jump in transaction growth for its cellphone banking service and 1384% growth for eWallet for the month of December 2011 when compared to December 2010. Read more >>

AFRICA

Competition watchdog probes DStv's dominance

The Competition Authority is set to launch investigations into the operations of MultiChoice Africa, the owners of DStv, for abuse of market dominance following the collapse of its rivals in Kenya's pay-TV market. Read more >>

SINGAPORE

The world's coolest intern

SINGAPORE: Standard Chartered Breeze is a mobile banking application for the iPhone & iPad that can also be used as a desktop interface. Although similar to online banking services offered by other banks, Breeze offers a function to issue electronic bank cheques. Read more >>

GERMANY

Demand for smartphones higher than ever before in Europe

NUREMBURG, GERMANY: In 2011, demand for mobile phones once again increased in Europe, largely as a result of the rising popularity of smartphones. According to GfK, 3.2% more mobile phones were sold in 2011, in particular the sales of smartphones increased by 67%. Read more >>

UNITED KINGDOM

Celebrating 50 years of looking forward

LONDON, UK: D&AD is 50. The organisation is announcing a series of events to celebrate this remarkable milestone... Looking back over 50 years of looking forward. South Africa is represented on the juries by Graham Lang (Integrated & Earned Media jury) and Rob McLennan (Radio Advertising jury). Read more >>

UNITED STATES

Gerhard Zeiler appointed president, Turner Broadcasting System International

ATLANTA, US: International television executive Gerhard Zeiler will join Turner Broadcasting System, Inc as president of Turner Broadcasting System International, the company's global portfolio of branded television networks and related businesses. Read more >>

GREECE

Europe's Design Awards: Open for entries

KALLITHEA, GREECE: The European Design Awards is a comprehensive annual awards organisation celebrating the best of graphic design, illustration and digital design in Europe. A joint effort by 15 communication design magazines from across the continent, the ED-Awards aims to be a brilliant way to publicise your work on an international level. Read more >>

SOUTH AFRICA

Address skills, labour reforms, corruption - says opposition

Opposition members have welcomed President Jacob Zuma's announcement in his State of the Nation Address that government would spend more on infrastructure development, but urged the President to focus more on developing skills, implementing labour reforms and tackling corruption to ensure that the country overcomes unemployment and poverty. Read more >>

SOUTH AFRICA

Trade conditions off to low start in January

Trade conditions started off the year low, the South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Sacci) said in its January Trade Conditions Survey. Read more >>

SOUTH AFRICA

Presidency clarifies comments on ConCourt

The Presidency has moved to clarify the comments made by President Jacob Zuma in the media, regarding the review of the Constitutional Court. Read more >>

SOUTH AFRICA

The media 'should complement state, not become its lap dog'

[Sapa & Trevor Neethling] Planning Minister Trevor Manuel says a more intelligent public discourse that welcomed a strong stance from citizens and reached past the rift between the state and the media is necessary. Read more >>

SOUTH AFRICA

Kruger urges rangers to return to work

The Kruger National Park has urged 204 striking rangers to return to work. Read more >>

SOUTH AFRICA

Magnificent Madikwe

[Chris Moerdyk: @chrismoerdyk] There is no greater feeling of contentment than standing stark naked on your own private deck surveying an unbroken vista of pristine Africa, following an early morning skinny dip in your own private plunge pool and an invigorating outside shower. Well this is one place you might think of doing it... Madikwe Hills Private Game Lodge. Read more >>

SOUTH AFRICA

Going Back to the Crossroads at Kirstenbosch

[Michael Britton] You might think it incongruous to sit in the idyllic amphitheatre at Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens and listen to the blues. After all, blues songs open with lines like, "Been down so long it looks like up to me", and "I had the blues so bad one time, it put my face in a permanent frown". But despite the pain of betrayal and the desolation of love lost expressed in so many blues songs, the music is a celebration of life - and what better place to celebrate life than in that magnificent setting? Read more >>

SOUTH AFRICA

Corrupted innocence in Chronicle

[Daniel Dercksen] Your mind is guaranteed to explode with this sensational and extraordinary fantasy that combines elements of sci-fi with a unique coming-of-age story and the bond between school friends. It is also a brilliant exploration of how the outsider becomes king and rules his domain with malicious madness. Read more >>

SOUTH AFRICA

Serious talent at the Red Carpet Fashion Show

[Julie-Anne Pocock] Progressive opinions be damned, it's still fun to dress up and eyeball the who's who. It's not often that I climb into a pair of high heels, and it's even less often that I get to saunter into five-star fashion events. But the Red Carpet Fashion Show last Friday sounded like it was going to be an a lot of fun and who was I to say no to expensive champagne, Italian canapés and goodie bags? Read more >>

SOUTH AFRICA

My Week With Marilyn

[Daniel Dercksen] A scrupulous and sincere scrutiny of first love and how its significance can change lives and last a lifetime. Fans who are familiar with the films that turned Marilyn Monroe into an iconic legend, and her tragic life story, will applaud this wonderful opportunity of sharing some tender and intimate moments with her. Read more >>