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COMMENT: Ten points clear and with one hand on the Premier League crown, Chelsea are in total control. And it's no coincidence - so is their manager.

In Antonio Conte, we're seeing a leader at the peak of his powers. Putting out spotfires before any chance of a blaze. Showing his peers how to react and control a story. It was the stuff of genius last week.

It broke in Milan that Suning, the owners of recently acquired Inter Milan, had identified Conte as the man they wanted at the helm from next season. Stefano Pioli had righted the ship after the disastrous three months of Frank de Boer. But he was always ever going to be stop-gap. Conte was the one Suning wanted - and money would be no object in tempting him home.

The story had legs. Conte was alone in London. He was homesick, so they said. Wife Elisabetta and daughter Vittoria were still in Italy, where both were attending school. With Inter intermediaries making it known of their interest, claims of Conte pining for home gave the claims more credence.

Of course, Conte could've ignored it. He could've let the story run and hope it all fizzled out. But he's just not that type. He drives at issues head on. He likes a confrontation - just ask Diego Costa.

And what's more, Conte is bright enough to know how dark things can turn when there's uncertainty surrounding the leadership. Three of his frontliners - Diego Costa, Eden Hazard and Thibaut Courtois - have all been the subject of intense speculation this season. Running away with the title hasn't eased the doubts over their futures. And those interested would love nothing more than to see confusion develop over Conte's situation at the club

But before anything could really spark, Conte was giving interviews. First with the London Evening Standard, then in his pre-match presser before Monday night's win at West Ham. Everything was on the table. He was open. Wide open. Yes, he missed his family. Yes, he was still adjusting to London life. But no, as far as he was concerned, there was zero chance of him walking out on Chelsea. Indeed, he went further. When it did come time to leave, he wouldn't be returning to Italy. Conte will seek a fresh experience abroad.

And it wasn't picked up by every outlet, but he also let it be known the family will be reunited next season. Elisabetta's uni course will conclude over the summer, so allowing her and Vittoria to relocate to London permanently by the time hubby returns to work.

In one sentence, he'd not only stopped the Inter rumours in their tracks, Conte had also shut down talk of being homesick. The message to his players - and those whom fancy ferrying them away was clear: He's not going anywhere.

Clarity. Certainty. It was all offered by the manager and he was rewarded with another clinical performance at London stadium on Monday. Contrast that to the chaos and carnage across town at Arsenal and you begin to understand why Conte, in a matter of months, managed to get this Chelsea team humming.

It's not always going to run so smoothly. Diego Costa's temperament and on-off move to China is sure to rear up again. Zinedine Zidane still fancies seeing Hazard in his XI at Real Madrid. And Zizou's president, Florentino Perez, remains in contact with Courtois' minders about a return to the city.

But what Conte can control he has. And by getting on the front foot last week, he let it be known to his players - and their agents - the manager is staying.

How to control a story - and then put it out? A certain manager across town could do with getting on the phone to Conte for some advice.

Original post:
Conte in control: How Chelsea boss gave Wenger lesson in media management - Tribal Football

More than a quarter-century after Georgia gained its independence from the Soviet Union, civil-society advocates there are still fighting for the kind of press freedoms enjoyed by residents of the EU and NATO nations.

On Tuesday, they claimed a small victory when Europe's top human-rights court confirmed its suspension of an effort by authorities in Tbilisi to place Rustavi2, Georgia's largest independent television station, under control of the station's former co-owner, businessman Kibar Khalvashi, who is seen as a close ally of the government.

The European Court of Human Rights first stepped into the case last week, blocking a ruling by Georgia's Supreme Court that would have given Khalvashi control of Rustavi2, which is Georgias most-watched channel and also happens to be the only strong media voice in the country that is critical of the government.

'Europe saved Georgia!'

Rustavi2's director-general, Nika Gvaramia, hailed Tuesday's European court ruling in Strasbourg, which extended last week's decision until further notice. "Europe saved us today," he said in a televised statement. "Europe saved Georgia today!"

If Khalvashi were to regain control of the station, his opponents fear he would silence its independent voice.

The ownership dispute started shortly after parliamentary elections in 2012, which former President Mikhail Saakashvilis United National Movement lost to the Georgian Dream coalition, led by Bidzina Ivanishvil, a billionaire who made his fortune in Russia. Khalvashi is a strong supporter of the ruling Georgian Dream party.

Amid an intense Russian propaganda campaign of fake news and disinformation, Georgias current government contends it has no political motives, and is merely trying to resolve infighting between Rustavi2's current and former owners.

Media turmoil 'looks bad'

Either way, Georgias media turmoil looks bad, Edward Lucas, senior editor of The Economist weekly, told VOA via email from London.

The legal position may be complicated, but the government should be doing everything to make sure that the broadcast media are pluralistic," he said. Otherwise, he added, the government looks as if it is "engaged in a power-grab of Georgia's media.

Tamar Abazadze of Georgias Young Lawyers Association told VOA that Georgia, as a member of the Council of Europe, is obliged to implement decisions by the European Court of Human Rights, under Article 46 of European Convention on Human Rights.

Other media cutbacks

Meanwhile, new management at Georgian Public Broadcaster has announced it plans to suspend more than 100 television and radio shows by July, fueling concerns the broadcaster will be largely silenced ahead of next year's presidential elections.

Those cutbacks follow Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili's proposal on Monday to create a Media Ombudsmans Office tasked with monitoring the media environment in Georgia. The initiative has been largely panned by civil society activists, who call it nothing more than a ploy to turn media outlets into government mouthpieces.

Nino Danelia, professor of mass communications at Ilia State University, suggests an office of media ombudsman is an effort by the government to influence international observers who have voiced concerns about state of Georgian media.

The main problem Georgian media is facing today is the government itself," she told VOA. "No state appointed ombudsman can prevent problems the government is creating itself.

Warning from Freedom House

In 2015, U.S.-based media watchdog Freedom House called on Georgia to end its interference with the media.

For a country like Georgia that has struggled very hard and got where it is now in its democratic evolution, this is a serious setback," Robert Herman, the group's vice president, told VOA. "The research Freedom House and others have done show that when there are infringements upon the media sector, they often end up as precursors of a deeper and broader backslide, as well as erosion of democratic norms and practices.

Television is the main source of the information for 77 percent of Georgia's 4 million citizens, according to National Democratic Institutes public attitudes research. Only 14 percent of Georgians depend on the internet for news, the group said.

This report was produced in collaboration with VOA's Georgian Service. Some information is from Radio Free Europe.

View post:
European Rights Court Intervenes in Georgian Media Dispute - Voice of America

Founding Fathers Thomas Jefferson and John Adams warned that an educated and well informed citizenry is vital to the survival of our democracy. Now, at both the state and national levels, serious efforts are being made to limit the information available to us.

Here in Wisconsin, Gov. Scott Walker has proposed in his budget that the Wisconsin Natural Resources magazine be discontinued after 100 years of publication. Interestingly, this magazine costs the taxpayers nothing. Why then is it included in the budget? The Walker administration has already moved to take phrases such as global warming and climate change out of state publications in an effort to limit the information citizens receive. This is just another attempt to do the same.

At the national level, President Donald Trump wages a war on the media, going so far as to ban news organizations that criticize him and his policies from press briefings. Im sure every one of us has a few media outlets we do not like. But whether they shout at us from the left or the right, our democracy will survive them. What it cannot survive is a news media that works only to support the sitting majority -- in other words, a government controlled news media.

-- Jane Noffke, Madison

Read the original here:
Government shouldn't control the news media -- Jane Noffke - Madison.com

Social Media Policy Town Hall. Photo from the Facebook page of the Presidential Communications Operations Office

The Philippine government may soongive media accreditation to bloggers and other social media publishers. Many have welcomed the initiative as a positive step towards citizen engagement but others worry that the proposed guidelines on how bloggers can join government-sponsored events could undermine the independence of accredited social media publishers.

The Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) organizeda Social Media Policy Town Hallevent to announce the creation of a Social Media Office, unveil the guidelines on how PCOO employees can use social media, and consult the public about the framework for social media accreditation.

Last month, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte agreed to the request of his online supporters to document his activities inside the presidential palace. It led to the discussion of whether the government can give media accreditation to bloggers. This was also proposed during the previous administration but it was refused after mainstream media groups cited the issue of accountability and professionalism involving bloggers and other netizens.

Accredited bloggers will have faster processing for on-site or access passes to PCOO events and activities. They will also be included in the agency's mailing list and media volunteer programs.

During the Social Media Policy Town Hall, the PCOO discussed the draft guidelines for media accreditation of bloggers. Bloggers or social media publishers with at least 1,000 followers can apply for accreditation. They must have editorial independence, they are barred from endorsing commercial products, and they have to follow the PCOOs code of conduct. In particular, they should refrain from using offensive, inflammatory, or provocative language. Further, accredited bloggers should post all press releases and statements of the PCOO.

An online poster announcing the Social Media Policy Town Hall. Image from the Facebook page of the Philippine Information Agency.

In a press statement, Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar mentioned the reason why the government drafted the social media policy:

Were in interesting times wherein we are seeing bloggers with names become bigger than anyone Its a phenomenon that we have to embrace, at the same time we also have to control.

Danilo Arao, a journalism professor, highlighted this quote in his critique of the governments social media policy:

a supposedly harmless gesture of voluntary accreditation becomes a scheming attempt to control online content.

He described the 10-page draft memorandum as a self-serving document that seeks to make mouthpieces of accredited social media users.

He explained further how the draft disempowers bloggers as critical and independent reporters:

This essentially reduces the accredited ones to mere mouthpieces of the PCOO. And when analyzed in the context of one of the guidelines that they should not use language that is offensive, inflammatory, or provocative (PCOO, 2017, p. 7), it becomes clear that contrary views are unacceptable lest they be misinterpreted as provocative.

Noemi Lardizabal-Dado, a speaker during the town hall, reiterated that bloggers should not be required to publish everything what government officials are saying or doing:

it is not a matter of sharing press releases as part of our responsibility. Bloggers are independent minded and have the freedom of choice which press release to share or write about.

Antonio Contreras, another speaker in the town hall, reminded the government about the consequence of strictly regulating social media users:

The moment you begin regulating it (social media), you are constraining it.

Blogger Trixie Angeles warned that the proposed code of conduct can stifle the creativity and freedom of bloggers:

This code of conduct is very worrisome. Social media is like the wild, wild west. If traditional media is the very proper east coast, we're the wild west. The reason why we have such a wild reach is because we are a little free-er in our speech.

Tess Termulo, another blogger who participated in the event, echoed a similar point:

What would be considered as offensive? Does offending feelings considered offensive? With the arguments online, it is easy to be offended.

I think this also represents the freedom of bloggers to be more expressive with what they post as opposed to traditional journalists who follow a stricter code of ethics. Since this is an aspect of expression that traditional journalists must exercise utmost restraint, it is up to the bloggers to be able to express the pulse of ordinary citizens.

Among those who attended the town hall were pro-Duterte bloggers who were initially granted the privilege of interviewing the president inside the Malacanang Palace. They were also part of the group of bloggers who petitioned the government for media accreditation.

Below are some Twitter reactions about the event:

The town hall succeeded in gathering bloggers who are interested to join other journalists in covering the president's activities. It allowed the government to determine the views of bloggers about its proposed social media policy. There are several objections to the content of the memorandum, but fortunately the PCOO said it will consider the suggestions and views raised during the town hall. The office will release an updated memorandum this month.

Link:
Philippines Offers Media Credentials to Bloggers But Some ... - Global Voices Online

Despite the proliferation of media devices in North Korea as well as increased access to information, the North Korean government has been able to adapt in an attempt maintain tight control, according to a new report published on Wednesday.

The report, conducted by Intermedia, draws on a survey of 350 North Korean defectors and travelers as well as investigations into the technical makeup of North Korean devices and software.

In recent years North Korea has experienced a limited digital revolution with the proliferation of mobile phones and devices, coupled with government promoted intranet uses and applications.

While this provides the potential for further exposure to information and a challenge to North Korean authorities attempting to maintain total control, the DPRK government is using a combination of existing measures and newtechnology to implemented a system of pervasive surveillance and censorship.

More North Koreans have greater access to a larger variety of media content and communication devices. However, it is equally clear the North Korean state is determined to regain control of how and what information its citizens access, the reports conclusion reads.

Rather than attempting to recreate the information blockade and national sequestration of the Kim Il Sung era, the states recent technological innovations strongly suggest it is moving toward a new, but no less heavily controlled information environment, it added.

This extensive control of information, according to the report, occurs at the network, device specific and human levels.

Across these levels the North Korean government seeks to censor content, survey usage and maintain integrity over provided information, the report says.

The DPRKs network is a closed intranet system that is not connected to the external internet, ensuring that North Koreans are only accessing content allowed by the authorities.

According to the report, the network usage is monitored closely by North Korean authorities despite the growth of users.

The digital devices themselves provided by the North Korean government contain mandatory software that only permits approved content and software, which is able to delete unsanctioned files that do not have government code signature to prevent sharing.

Via software, the North Korean authorities are also able to log the device usage and export the data if it is obtained by security personnel.

The reports authors additionally found that in some instances unsanctioned content is not wholly deleted but is instead tracked, collecting personal device signatures that allow authorities to identify social networks and usersthat have shared or viewed prohibited content.

North Korean authorities have also implemented tamper-resistant software within their modern devices to ensure that citizens cannot circumvent software controls, the report says.

On the human level, North Koreas ability to control its people has persevered with the report citing an increase of crackdowns.

North Korean security forces have responded to the increased use of digital media and micro-storage devices with an increased number of crackdowns, the report reads.

This includes raids on homes, confiscation of devices, the use of informants and the technology to track the use of unsanctioned mobile devices.Security forces are now starting to be aided by the increased use of technology such as triangulation of domestic and Chinese cell phones to help them locate targets, the report reads.

While many of the technology adaptations by the North Korean government involve the use of technology and software on approved devices, maintaining information flow control mechanisms is also affecting the perceived security of users acquiring information via unsanctioned methods.

This includes via traditional modes of information consumption enjoyed by North Koreans through the use of radios, DVDs, CDs and other methods to consume foreign news broadcasts and entertainment.

The report states that 64 percent of those surveyed believe it has become more dangerous to watch foreign dramas since Kim Jong Un took power and zero percent saying it is less dangerous.

Punishments for listening to foreign radio under Kims tenure have also become more severe, according to 77 percent of respondents, again with zero percent saying it has waned.

According to the survey, however, corruption has been able to mitigate some of these impacts with 184 of the 350 surveyed respondents saying they have been able to bribe officials to avoid punishment.

INFORMATION TRENDS

Despite the proliferation of new technologies used in North Korea, the survey shows the top source of information for North Koreans is still word of mouth communication, with 71 percent of those surveyed choosing this option.

The use of foreign radio is second at 11 percent, with domestic TV and South Korean TV at 3 percent each, Chinese TV at 2 percent and Party Circulars at 1 percent.

But the survey also indicates that North Koreans use their devices for increasingly varied reasons.

The development and diversification of the media environment in North Korea is powerfully underscored by the wide range of media devices that a substantial proportion of North Koreans can now access, the report reads.

This includes DVD players, MP3 players, USB flash drives, SD cards, Micro-SD cards, tablets, computers, a variety of radios, television and for a very small minority, the internet. This has also resulted in an increase of media access since 2010.

Although the survey is non-representative and limited to defectors and travelers, it could indicate the proliferation of mobile devices is relatively widespread.

The range of uses of these mobile devices is also varied, with North Koreans using the phones to send and receive text messages, take, send and receive photos and videos as well as sending or receiving other files.

This has resulted in North Koreans being connected and able to communicate more often.

The country is transforming from an environment in which the state attempted to actively prevent horizontal person-to-person connection to one in which legal cell phones are greatly expanding the range and accelerating the speed of such connections, the report reads.

The emerging trends from those surveyed, while in the shadow of the state, may have larger impacts in the future, the report says.

While the state continues to maintain a huge power imbalance over its own people, these negotiations are likely to gradually make North Korea look less like an autarkic global outlier, the report read. It even suggests the possibility for the emergence of something resembling civil society.

Despite the proliferation of media devices in North Korea as well as increased access to information, the North Korean government has been able to adapt in an attempt maintain tight control, according to a new report published on Wednesday. The report, conducted by Intermedia, draws on a survey of 350 North Korean defectors and travelers

The rest is here:
As N. Koreans access more media, government adapts controls: Report - NK News