SOUTH AFRICA

Today is Media Freedom Day

Today South Africa marks the 35th anniversary of constitutionally guaranteed media freedom, freedom of expression, the right to communication and access to information. Read more >>

NIGERIA

Howzit MSN, Ad Dynamo partner to extend reach in Nigeria

Howzit MSN has partnered with Ad Dynamo to monetise its growing traffic in Nigeria, following the extension of its brand from South Africa into the rest of sub-Saharan Africa. Read more >>

ZIMBABWE

Liquid Telecom lays Zimbabwe's fibre optic cables

[Paul Moyo] Liquid Telecom would have laid down in excess of 8 500km of fibre optic cables after completing the three phased national and international connectivity throughout Zimbabwe and the southern African region, a representative from the company has said. Read more >>

AFRICA

CEO of iROKO to open DISCOP Africa 2012

Basic Lead, the Los Angeles based organisers of DISCOP Africa, the digital content market and co-production forum targeting Africa, taking place from 31 October to 2 November 2012 at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg, South Africa, have announced Jason Njoku, CEO and co-founder of iROKO, as the opening keynote speaker of the 2012 edition. Read more >>

AFRICA

Reasons to attend Tech4Africa 2012

Tech4Africa, the mobile, web and emerging technology event in Africa brings a global perspective to the African context. The annual event, taking place over two days at the Indaba Hotel, Johannesburg, South Africa from 31 October - 1 November 2012, brings together attendees and speakers from around the world. Tech4Africa's vision is that technology can catalyse economic and social change in Africa. Read more >>

KENYA

2012 AITEC East Africa ICT Summit releases event guide

The AITEC East Africa ICT Summit 2012, taking place from 24-25 October 2012 in Nairobi, Kenya, is a multi-faceted event that will draw together the many strands of a vibrant growth market, underpinning high-level business-to-business services with widespread consumer engagement in modern mobile applications and electronics. The final event guide has been released and is available for download (Size: 2.21 MB).

MALAWI

Government differs with MISA on arrested journo

[Gregory Gondwe: @Kalipochi] The government of Malawi have reacted to the arrest of Justice Mponda, an online journalist, saying it is becoming increasingly concerned with the false publication by Malawi Voice where the journalist worked for. Mponda has since been released on bail by the Lilongwe Senior Magistrates Court. Read more >>

AFRICA

African peace journalists receive awards

[Caesar Abangirah] Three journalists from Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo and Ghana were, on Wednesday, 17 October 2012, recognised for their high quality programs that contribute to peace in Africa. The competition was organised by Search for Common Ground's Radio for Peacebuilding Africa Project (RPBA). Read more >>

NIGERIA

Airtel Nigeria offers free Nano SIM cards with new iPhone

[Henry Ifeanyi] As Nigerians await the delivery of the newly launched iPhone 5, Airtel has announced the availability of the special Nano SIM cards specially made for latest iPhone at its stores countrywide. Read more >>

AFRICA

Exset chooses the African Press Organisation

The African Press Organisation (APO), a press release wire in Africa, have announced the agreement with Exset, pioneers of TV ecosystems for emerging markets, to distribute all press releases issued by Exset. Read more >>

KENYA

Have PR companies killed objectivity?

[Carole Kimutai: @CaroleKimutai] A call from a public relations company is every editor's nightmare. Gone are the days when an invite would be sent to your desk and that would be the only communication from a PR agency. These days, an invite (on email or hardcopy) is followed by a phone call seeking confirmation as to whether you will attend the event or you will send a reporter. Read more >>

KENYA

Safaricom eyes growth of SMS

[Carole Kimutai: @CaroleKimutai] As the battle in Kenya's telecom industry continues to get fierce, mobile operator Safaricom has launched a short messaging service (SMS) promotion aimed at boosting its revenue ahead of a government proposal to increase tax on the mobile money transfer services. Read more >>

SOUTH AFRICA

Nigeria gets taste of South African wines first hand

In its first business-to-business showcase, 10 South African wine producers participated in the South Africa-Nigeria Week, held in Lagos earlier this month. The Nigerian wine market is valued at around US$300 million a year. Read more >>

SOUTH AFRICA

Others likely to follow in SABMiller's footsteps

HARARE, ZIMBABWE: Other powerhouse commercial beer industry players such as Brandhouse are likely to follow in the footsteps of global brewer‚ SABMiller‚ which has expanded its Chibuku brand into the rest of Africa. Read more >>

NEW ZEALAND

New Saatchi & Saatchi New Zealand campaign for L&P

Trying to describe what L&P tastes like is tackled in a distinctly kiwi way this week in the new Saatchi & Saatchi campaign for L&P. The kiwi brand has launched four new 15-second TV spots with the 'Bit Different Aye' campaign, which follows an online competition on its Facebook page. Read more >>

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

Dubai Lynx Confirms presidents for Design, Media juries

The Dubai Lynx International Festival of Creativity will be held at the Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai from 10-13 March 2013. Heading up two of the seven juries will be Sylvia Vitale Rotta, CEO of Team Créatif, presiding over the Design jury, and Iain Jacob, president of Dynamic Markets, Starcom MediaVest Group, who will head up the Media jury. Read more >>

UNITED STATES

Yahoo! steals another Google executive

SAN FRANCISCO: Yahoo! nabbed another key Google executive, Henrique de Castro, who will join the company as its chief operating officer. Read more >>

EUROPE

EU tells Google to fix privacy rules or face fines

PARIS: European data protection agencies on Tuesday, 16 October 2012, said Google's new privacy policy does not comply with European Union laws and told the US Internet giant to fix it within months or face legal action. Read more >>

SOUTH AFRICA

City, residents' committee agree on mediation

PRETORIA: The City of Tshwane and Schubart and Kruger Park Residents' Committee have agreed that a mediation team should be appointed to facilitate discussions aimed at resolving issues between the parties. Read more >>

SOUTH AFRICA

South Africa should look to the South

PRETORIA: South Africa's prospects for growth and development will depend increasingly on diversifying and strengthening of economic links with countries in the south, said Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies. Read more >>

SOUTH AFRICA

Zuma hosts Lesotho Prime Minister

PRETORIA: President Jacob Zuma is to hold a meeting with Lesotho's Prime Minister Motsoahae Thomas Thabane during the latter's official visit to South Africa on Thursday, 18 october 2012. Read more >>

SOUTH AFRICA

Mthethwa calls for global unity in fighting crime

PRETORIA: Crime is a scourge that does not respect borders and international solidarity is needed to combat it, says Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa. Read more >>

SOUTH AFRICA

Remix your version of A-trak's "Money Makin" and win

Calling all producers - win yourself a #5GumExperience by remixing and submitting your version of A-trak's "Money Makin". A-trak will judge all submissions and the winner and a mate will be flown to the 5 Gum SA gig either in Jozi or Cape Town, put up in a hotel, and will get to meet the man himself. Read more >>