Olbermann Leaves ‘Countdown’ on MSNBC
Keith Olbermann in November. Photograph: The New York Times
THE NEW YORK TIMES: Keith Olbermann, the highest-rated host on MSNBC, announced abruptly on the air Friday night that he was leaving his show, “Countdown,” immediately.

The host, who has had a stormy relationship with the management of the network for some time, especially since he was suspended for two days last November, came to an agreement with NBC’s corporate management late this week to settle his contract and step down.

In a closing statement on his show, Mr. Olbermann said simply that it would be the last edition of the program. He offered no explanation other than on occasion “all that surrounded the show – but never the show itself – was just too much for me.”

Mr. Olbermann thanked his viewers for their enthusiastic support of a show that had “gradually established its position as antiestablishment.”

In a statement, MSNBC said: “MSNBC and Keith Olbermann have ended their contract. The last broadcast of ‘Countdown with Keith Olbermann’ will be this evening. MSNBC thanks Keith for his integral role in MSNBC’s success and we wish him well in his future endeavors.” >>> Bill Carter | Friday, January 21, 2011

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Church Concern Over Religious Broadcast Hours
THE INDEPENDENT: The Church of England today voted to express "deep concern" about a reduction in religious broadcasting across British television - but drew back from singling out the BBC for criticism.

Members of the Church of England's national assembly, the General Synod, overwhelmingly backed a motion criticising a decline in religious programming.

But they rejected an attempt to narrow the focus of criticism to the BBC after a series of speakers urged the Church to do more to communicate its message.

One member of the General Synod said putting the BBC "on the naughty step" would not help encourage better coverage of religious affairs.

Nigel Holmes, a former BBC radio producer from Great Corby, near Carlisle, told the meeting in London that over the past 20 years the total output of general programme channels on BBC television had doubled.

But the hours of religious broadcasting on television were fewer and generally scheduled at less accessible times, he told the Synod.

"A fortnight ago the BBC announced that it was commissioning research with a view to improving the representation of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered people," he said.

"Perhaps it could do the same for those who proclaim a faith and particularly for younger people for whom nothing spiritual is to be found either on television or on the radio." >>> Martha Linden, Press Association | Wednesday, February 10, 2010

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Australia Plans Broadcasts to Burma
DAILY EXPRESS: Australia is planning to broadcast a Burmese language radio service into the south-east Asian nation to promote democracy and human rights.

The military junta which rules Burma heavily censors the nation's media and limits the population's communications with the outside world. 



But foreign radio remains popular among locals, including US Government-funded Radio Free Asia and Democratic Voice of Burma, a Norwegian-supported operation. 



Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith said the Burma service would become the eighth language broadcast by state-owned Radio Australia, which focuses on Asia and the Pacific. 



Mr Smith said the service would "open up a new channel of international contact for the people of Burma". 



It would also show Australian solidarity with pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, he said. 
>>> | Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Turning On TV News a Turn-off for Young and Ethnic Minorities
THE GUARDIAN: · Ofcom says solution could be to axe impartiality rules
· BBC fears lost generation as audiences dwindle
The media watchdog Ofcom warned yesterday that one of the only ways to get young people and ethnic minorities to engage with television news might be to sweep away impartiality rules, ushering in opinionated bulletins and more politicised news channels.

In the US, where there are no rules demanding impartiality in television news, the rightwing network Fox News has won viewers at the expense of traditional bulletins.

Ofcom said that discarding restrictions for broadcasters other than the main public service channels might lead to a wider range of voices and help re-engage viewers turned off by the homogeneity of views elsewhere. It said the requirement for impartiality may have "fostered a middle-of-the-road culture" in mainstream news.

A recent BBC study into impartiality also called for a more sophisticated approach to reflect a wider diversity of views. TV news 'a turn-off for young and ethnic minorities' (more) By Owen Gibson

Mark Alexander