AFRICA

Two editors given jail terms in CAR

NEW YORK: The convictions of two journalists in the Central African Republic over their critical coverage of a top official constitute political censorship, the Committee to Protect Journalists said on Tuesday, 31 January 2012. Read more >>

AFRICA

FNB Tanzania officially launches in Tanzania

First National Bank, a division of FirstRand Bank Limited has announced the official launch of First National Bank Tanzania Limited. Since commencing their operations in July 2011, FNB's operations have performed well in Tanzania and are in line with expectations illustrating the sound investment and business opportunity provided in the country. Read more >>

SOUTH AFRICA

A role for media agencies in solving the modern media blur

[Herman Manson: @marklives] London-based media company PHD Worldwide, a part of the Omnicom Media Group, recently stepped up its investment in the South African market with its purchase of a 70% shareholding in strategic media planning company page three. [video] Read more >>

AFRICA

Google+ hits 100-million users, watch out Facebook

[Michelle Atagana] Following the anticipation around Facebook's imminent IPO, analysts report that Google's social play, Google+, will hit the 100-million users mark on Wednesday evening. Read more >>

AFRICA

WFP to fight hunger through social media

ROME: The theory of "Six Degrees of Separation" says that every person in the world is connected to every other person in the world through, at most, six other people. Through its online hunger-fighting game Freerice.com, the UN World Food Programme (WFP) is encouraging Freerice players to use these connections to bring food to the world's most vulnerable populations. Read more >>

MALAWI

Media Council of Malawi acting executive director passes

[Gregory Gondwe: @Kalipochi] George Sly Dambula, the acting executive director for Media Council of Malawi (MCM) passed on in the early hours of Thursday, 2 February 2012, in Lilongwe, after succumbing to Malaria and lung infection. Read more >>

MALAWI

Media grows despite challenges

[Gregory Gondwe: @Kalipochi] In a report released by the Civic and Political Space Platform (CPSP), a group of civil society organisations in Malawi, it was established that the media in Malawi has had positive growth over the last two years, despite numerous challenges which almost derailed its progress. Read more >>

SOMALIA

Murder of journo highlights most dangerous place in Africa for media

The director of the leading private radio and television network in southern Somalia was murdered last week, report the National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) and other IFEX members. Hassan Osman Abdi, a senior journalist and director of Shabelle Media Network, was shot dead outside his home in Mogadishu on 28 January, after being followed by five men in a sedan, says NUSOJ. Read more >>

KENYA

Was Google Kenya's chief pushed after Mocality debacle?

In the wake of the allegations against Google in Kenya brought on by online business directory Mocality, the country manager of Google Kenya, Olga Arara-Kimani, has been asked to leave the company. Read more >>

AFRICA

Why social media should matter to the mobile marketer

[Staff Reporter] Social media adores mobile marketing. There is almost a 99% chance that the same users who browse your mobile site, have a social media account. With social networking, you can gain an immense audience from a very small audience (if you play your cards right). Follow these steps to begin to benefit from the wonders of combining social media with mobile marketing. Read more >>

AFRICA

marcusbrewster signs on hotel group in Africa

The Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, a recent merger of two hotel groups, has appointed PR firm marcusbrewster to manage the corporate PR account for its Africa business development division. Read more >>

FRANCE

Cannes Lions announces three jury presidents

CANNES, FRANCE: The organisers of the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity have announced the appointment of three more jury presidents for this year's event taking place 17-23 June. David Jones is to chair the Creative Effectiveness Jury, Mainardo De Nardis has been named Media Jury president and Iain Tait is to lead the Cyber Jury. Read more >>

SWITZERLAND

Festival of Media 2012: first brand speakers announced

MONTREUX, SWITZERLAND: The organisers of the Festival of Media 2012 has have announced the first six brand speakers - with more to come. Collectively, the six brand speakers represent over US$5bn in media expenditure worldwide. Can you afford to miss them or the Festival of Media 2012 in Montreux? Read more >>

FRANCE

Young Lions Design Competition launches

CANNES, FRANCE: Cannes Lions has announced the addition of a Young Lions Design Competition to the 2012 International Festival of Creativity, taking place from 17-23 June. Read more >>

SWITZERLAND

Young Global Leaders use mobile telephony to tackle poverty

DAVOS, SWITZERLAND: A group of Young Global Leaders will pilot a non-profit initiative this spring, which aims to give the 1 billion mobile phone users living in poverty access to educational phone apps. Read more >>

SOUTH AFRICA

Community building workshops contribute to social cohesion

Following the success of workshops held in 2010 and 2011, the non-profit organisation Symphonia for South Africa will once again be holding Community Building workshops in Cape Town, Johannesburg, Bloemfontein and Durban between 20 February and 25 May 2012. Read more >>

SOUTH AFRICA

Manufacturing to boost GDP on resurgent PMI

Although most economists are downgrading their 2012 SA gross domestic product (GDP) forecasts, a resurgent seasonally adjusted Kagiso Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) in January could mean a revising of forecasts upwards in coming months as production finally catches up with strong consumer demand. Read more >>

SOUTH AFRICA

Editors: State control of media not the way to go

Editors from SA's biggest newspapers want the industry to be self-regulated and are opposed to state control, saying that it not in the interests free speech or democracy, reports Business Day. Read more >>

SOUTH AFRICA

Technology blamed for EPWP payment delays

The North West government says a technical glitch - and not the unavailability of funds or human error - is to blame for the delay in the processing of payments for over 7 000 Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) employees. Read more >>

SOUTH AFRICA

VIP cops fight eviction; threaten violence

[Sipho Masombuka] Members of the police's VIP Protection Unit, responsible for the transportation and safety of President Jacob Zuma and his deputy, Kgalema Motlanthe, are among about 200 police officers facing eviction from the Pretoria Central police barracks. Read more >>

SOUTH AFRICA

Basic Education's efforts pay off

Despite the challenges facing education in the country, the Department of Basic Education has managed to scoop two Public Sector Excellence Awards. Read more >>

SOUTH AFRICA

Gordhan's budget should boost business confidence

South Africa's upcoming Budget Speech needs to boost business confidence while at the same time, 2012 needs to be a year of implementation, says Business Unity South Africa (BUSA). Read more >>

SOUTH AFRICA

Vehicle sales improve in January

Vehicle sales in January, although subdued, have improved, the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (NAAMSA) said. Read more >>

SOUTH AFRICA

Ford's quirky Kuga pounces... at last

[Henrie Geyser: motoring editor] Ford's quirky and rather controversial Kuga mid-sized SUV has finally arrived in South Africa after it has been dividing opinion in Europe and elsewhere since it first hit the dealer showrooms over there about four years ago. Read more >>

UNITED KINGDOM

Searches for holidays to Africa overtake North America and close gap with Europe

LONDON, UK: Online holiday searches totalled 3.1 million at the latter end of 2011 and the African continent saw a surge of queries far exceeding those for the Caribbean, Far East or South East Asia, according to leading digital marketing agency, Greenlight's latest report Holidays Issue 11. Read more >>

SOUTH AFRICA

Hôtel & Lodge: Long Beach is "Best Resort" in the world

Hôtel & Lodge magazine, a much respected French magazine that aims to offer a unique view on hotels, private retreats and lodges across the world, recently awarded its "Best Resort" commendation to Long Beach. Read more >>