The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) is deeply concerned that Sri Lanka’s Government proposes to establish a body to examine the ethics of journalists, a move which stands to further impede media independence in the country. The Media Development Authority proposal comes as Sri Lankan media personnel mark six months since the disappearance of Prageeth Eknaligoda, the Lanka-e-News. [..]

(The hoot) The classic story-telling strategy of the media is for the story teller to develop an axiom or hypothesis on what he would be reporting, and then collect information that suits the axiom.

(Ijnet)A new fellowship program will give one journalist the opportunity to work with ABC News and its investigative unit, both in New York and in the fellow's home region. Deadline: July 30. The goal of the fellowship is to identify and train talented international journalists to conduct important investigations in regions that are newsworthy but not adequately covered currently. [..]

(The Hoot) The spate of honour killings in the recent past and the wide reportage by the media have had many fallouts. While the government is gearing up to consider stricter legislation to deal with these crimes, television soaps have begun responding to the issue by introducing dimensions that touch upon the larger issue of women's rights within a family. [..]

(Guardian) Researchers say gay characters either invisible or represented in derogatory or demeaning manner by majority of programmes Gay people were portrayed positively and realistically for just 46 minutes in 126 hours of TV programmes, a study by Stonewall has found. They were shown as predatory, promiscuous or comical stereotypes half the time they appeared.

(Knight Centre) First a Rolling Stone article brought down General Stanley McChrystal, who said too much to a reporter. Now, the Washington Post is under fire for its controversial new series and database about "top secret" agencies that some critics contend reveals too much and could bring down America. [..]

(Ijnet) Journalists in Iraq's South Central region are invited to apply for an August 2 training workshop. Deadline: July 27. The Press & Media Care Committee will conduct the four-day workshop for media and NGO staff. It will focus on coalition-building and the promotion of democracy.

(Editor&Publisher) The U.S. Senate unanimously passed a bill on July 19 to protect American authors, journalists and publishers from foreign libel judgments that would not withstand constitutional protection of speech in the United States. The voice vote sent the bill to the House for final action, the Associated Press reported.

Journos take note: The economy drives politics

(Knight Centre) The Journalistic Ethics Tribunal of the National Press Association in Bolivia reprimanded the editor of the newspaper La Voz, in Cochabamba, for an article, based on rumors, about the supposed failure of the Banco de Crédito de Bolivia, one of the country's principal banks, reported La Prensa. The story provoked alarm and prompted a run on the bank.