"This edition’s findings highlight important progress: in 2024, mobile broadband services have become more affordable in most regions and for most income groups, and a growing number of countries are meeting the Broadband Commission’s target of entry-level broadband services costing less than 2
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per cent of monthly GNI per capita. These gains reflect the efforts of governments, regulators, and industry to expand access and reduce cost barriers.
Yet for far too many people around the world, the cost of connectivity services continues to account for a disproportionate share of income. This prevents them from fully participating in the digital economy, accessing vital services, or exercising their rights in an increasingly digital world. Fixed broadband remains largely unaffordable for vast segments of the population, especially in low-income countries. Even where services are affordable on average, significant gaps persist within countries, disproportionately affecting those who are already marginalized. And as digital services become more bandwidth-intensive, affordability must be assessed not just in terms of price, but also in relation to the quality and adequacy of the service." (Foreword)
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"This survey aims to provide valuable information for the creation of potential initiatives and policies that promote, foster cooperation, and offer support to Catholic networks in Hispanic America. At BNC, we leverage our longstanding relationships with the personnel of these networks and the effec
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tive mechanisms of communication and fraternal dialogue we have established with them. This allows us to speak confidently and responsibly about the information we have collected. Building upon our initial study conducted years ago [= 2013], we have chosen to maintain the same approach in terms of the topics to be evaluated and the questionnaire used. The survey is designed to collect quantifiable data to help us identify variables and trends in the ongoing operation and development of these networks over time [...] We would like to thank everyone at the 39 networks from 13 different countries who took the time and courtesy to respond to our communications and take part in this survey [...] We present the reader with a brief overview of the data we consider important to provide a quick insight and general perspective based on the information collected through this survey:
- The positioning of the mixed entity (private capital + ecclesiastical institution) as the legal form of networks ownership.
- Seventy-six per cent of broadcasters claim to own the premises from which they operate.
Small local private donations provide the main funding, followed by selling advertising or space to third parties.
- Small local private donations provide the main funding, followed by selling
advertising or space to third parties.
- Twenty-six point forty-seven percent (26.47%) of networks broadcast for 12 hours, closely followed by those that broadcast continuously for 24 hours, representing 20.59%.
- Forty-five point ninety-five percent (45.95%) of the surveyed network have between 1 and 4 studios.
- The distribution of the number of cameras among the networks surveyed shows that the majority (30.77%) have 4 cameras.
- When it comes to camera brands, Sony leads with 53.85% of the cameras used by networks.
- The editing systems are mostly comprised of between 3 and 2 per network.
- Most members of networks are between 26 and 45 years old, and the majority have been in their positions for over 5 years.
- Salary payments, investment in infrastructure, satellite rental costs, and purchase of production equipment are the top priorities in terms of urgent material needs to be met.
- 90.6% would like to receive some kind of training.
- In terms of training, advice and information needs, raising funds through partnerships/donations, creating new content and programmes, and transmission technology are the top three training needs identified by broadcasters.
- There is a need for a specific and specialised study in each network to assess both the potential and actual audience, as the methods currently used produce results that are far from conclusive at a professional level.
- According to the estimated analyses carried out by networks, 78.1% of the audience is between 36 and 60 years old. Around 57% of the audience are Catholics, while 38% are from the general public.
- Thirty-four percent of programming are networks' own productions.
- Sixty percent of the content has a religious message, while 40 percent has a general message.
- The purchase of third-party programming represents only 10% of the total broadcast programming.
- The programming received as donations increased from 6% to 23% compared to the first statistical study.
- Devotional content, followed by Church-related topics explored in documentaries, educational programs, interviews, mass events, etc., are the primary components of the programming.
- There is a significant lack of content for young and child audiences.
- Upgrading equipment for DTT (Digital Terrestrial Television) presents both economic and technical challenges for broadcasters.
- It's important to clearly delineate the boundaries between what is web TV and what is a streaming service, and to provide training on the different types of legal regulation regarding programming licenses in relation to cable and over-the-air TV." (Page 4-6)
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"Esta encuesta se propone aportar información que sirva para generar posibles instancias y/o políticas de promoción, cooperación y apoyo en favor del trabajo de los canales católicos de Hispanoamérica, Desde BNC nos valemos de la relación de años que tenemos con el personal de los canales y
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de los mecanismos de comunicación y dialogo fraternal que hemos generado con ellos para hablar con confianza y responsabilidad sobre la información que hemos podido recopilar, también echamos mano del primer estudio que realizáramos años atrás [= 2013] y decidimos continuar con la misma idea en cuanto a tópicos para evaluar y el mismo sistema de preguntas que pretende relevar una serie de aspectos cuantificables con los que intentaremos encontrar variables y tendencias en la operación y desarrollo a través del tiempo de los canales [...] Agradecemos a todas las personas pertenecientes a los 39 canales de 13 diferentes países que se tomaron el tiempo y la gentileza de contestar nuestras comunicaciones y participar de esta encuesta [...] Presentamos al lector un acercamiento rapido a los datos que consideramos importantes para dar un vistazo rapido y obtener un panorama general a partir de la informacion recopilada por esta encuesta:
- El posicionamiento de la Entidad mixta (capital privado + institucion de la Iglesia) como forma juridica de propiedad de los canales.
- Un 76% de los canales afirma ser propietario del lugar desde donde se realizan las operaciones.
- Las pequenas donaciones privadas locales se constituyen en la principal fuente de financiacion, seguido de la venta de publicidad o espacios a terceros.
- La transmision por cable local, cable nacional y aire local son los principales tipos de transmision.
- El 26.47% de los canales emiten a lo largo de 12 horas, seguido de cerca por aquellos que transmiten ininterrumpidamente durante 24 horas, representando el 20.59%.
- El 45,95% de los canales encuestados cuentan con entre 1 y 4 estudios.
- La distribucion de la cantidad de camaras entre los canales encuestados revela que la mayoria (30.77%) posee 4 camaras.
- En cuanto a marcas de camara Sony lidera siendo el 53.85% de las camaras que usan los canales.
- Los sistemas de edicion se componen en su mayoria por entre 3 y 2 por cada canal.
- La mayoria de integrantes de los canales tiene entre 26 y 45 anos y mayoritariamente tienen mas de 5 anos de antiguedad en sus puestos de trabajo.
- El pago de salarios, la inversion en la planta fisica del canal, los costos de alquiler de satelite y la compra de equipamiento de produccion se llevan los primeros lugares en cuanto a necesidades materiales urgentes por suplir.
- Un 90.6% desea recibir algun tipo de formacion.
- En cuanto a necesidades de formacion, asesoramiento e informacion, la obtencion de fondos por medio de socios / donaciones, la creacion de nuevos contenidos y programas y Tecnologia de transmision sean las tres primeras necesidades de formacion mencionadas por los canales.
- Falta un estudio especializado puntual en cada canal para evaluar la audiencia potencial y real ya que los metodos empleados actualmente dan resultados que no son para nada concluyentes a nivel profesional.
- Segun los analisis estimativos realizados por los canales el 78.1% de la audiencia tiene entre 36 a 60 anos. Aproximadamente el 57% de la audiencia esta constituido por catolicos, el 38% por publico general.
- El 34% de los programas son produccion propia de los canales.
- El contenido con mensaje religioso es del 60% y un 40% con mensaje general.
- La compra de programacion a terceros representa solo el 10% de la programacion total emitida.
- La programacion recibida a modo de donacion paso de ser del 6% al 23% en comparacion con el primer estudio estadistico.
- El contenido devocional, seguido de temas de Iglesia desarrollados en documentales, programas de formacion, entrevistas, eventos masivos, etc. son los principales en la programacion de los canales.
- Hay una muy marcada falta de contenido para audiencias jovenes e infantiles.
- La actualizacion de equipos para el ingreso a la TDT supone un reto a nivel economico y tecnico para los canales.
- Es importante marcar claramente las fronteras entre lo que es una web tv, un servicio de streaming y capacitar sobre los diferentes tipos de regulacion legal de las licencias de la programacion en relacion a los de tv por cable y aire." (Página 4-6)
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"1. More women in low- and middle-income countries are using mobile internet than ever before, but their rate of adoption has slowed for the second year in a row. While 61% of women across these countries now use mobile internet, only 60 million women started using mobile internet in 2022 compared t
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o 75 million in 2021. Men’s rate of adoption also slowed in 2022, highlighting that progress on digital inclusion for all has stalled across low- and middle-income countries. 2. The gender gap in mobile internet remains relatively unchanged – women in low- and middle-income countries are 19% less likely than men to use it, which translates into around 310 million fewer women than men. This year there have been no significant changes in the mobile internet gender gap in any region, including South Asia where there have been notable changes in the past few years. 3. To close the mobile internet gender gap by 2030 across low- and middle-income countries, an estimated 810 million women need to adopt it. This is equivalent to 100 million women a year, on average. However, if the gender gap remains unchanged, forecasts suggest that only 360 million more women will adopt mobile internet by 2030. 4. There are 900 million women in low- and middle-income countries who are still not using mobile internet, almost two-thirds of whom live in South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. Women in these regions remain the least likely to use mobile internet compared to men, with gender gaps of 41% and 36%, respectively. 5. Women were more likely than men to report they had reduced their use of mobile internet in 2022, especially those who live in rural areas and are less educated. Across all survey countries, women also tend to use their mobile phones for a narrower range of activities and use mobile internet less regularly than men. 6. The gender gap in smartphone ownership has stalled for the second year in a row, and women in low- and middle-income countries are 17% less likely than men to own a smartphone. This translates into around 250 million fewer women than men. While more men and women own a smartphone than ever before, the rate of adoption for both has slowed down slightly. 55% of women now own a smartphone compared to 67% of men. However, once women own a smartphone, their awareness and use of mobile internet is almost on par with men." (Key findings)
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"Presents media consumption data from European countries and the US, but includes also statistics on television, print media, mobile phone and social media usage of children and adolescents from Africa and Latin America." (commbox)
"The following report on the financial transparency of media represents data of 2020. In order to illustrate the extent to which budgetary funding influences the editorial policy of the media or to observe the types of editorial policies the concerned media outlets pursue, it also discusses some exa
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mples of media coverage. Released by the Media Development Foundation (MDF) annually, the report explores, on the one hand, declared revenues of broadcast media and, on the other, the practice of allocating budgetary funds for advertising and dissemination of information in media outlets." (Introduction)
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"I. Regional countries spend about 1.1 percent of GDP on digital investment, while advanced economies spend an average of 3.2 percent
II. 37% of social media users in the region have contributed to the creation of news, commented on it or shared it with others.
III. There is an upward trend in arres
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ts and detentions after political related publications on social media.
IV. Notable regional trend in political parties and governments gaging members on social media.
V. Social media interruptions through internet disruption are now common in the region.
VI. Citizen journalism through social media is on the rise in the region.
VII. There is significant growing employment of social media surveillance which threatens to squeeze the space for freedom of expression and access to information, including civic activism on social media.
VIII. Increasing presence of social media within political campaigns and electoral processes across the region.
IX. Significant rise in organized social media manipulation through cyber troops within the region.
X. Substantial use of social media to ‘break’ news by traditional media houses.
XI. Increase in social media surveillance in the region.
XII. Internet penetration in 2019 averaged 39.6 percent in region compared to 62.7 percent in the rest of the world, affecting social media usage.
XIII. Region has some of the highest total cost of mobile ownership in the world ranging from 10% to 68% of average income and also has highest cost of internet; limiting social media usage.
XIV. Africa remains the only continent whose digital gender gap has widened since 2013." (Key highlights, page 5)
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"[...] To test the argument whether the killing of journalists is a precursor to increasing repression, we introduce a new global dataset on killings of journalists between 2002 and 2013 that uses three different sources that track such events across the world. The new data show that mostly local jo
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urnalists are targeted and that in most cases the perpetrators remain unconfirmed. Particularly in countries with limited repression, human rights conditions are likely to deteriorate in the two years following the killing of a journalist. When journalists are killed, human rights conditions are unlikely to improve where standard models of human rights would expect an improvement. Our research underlines the importance of taking the treatment of journalists seriously, not only because failure to do so endangers their lives and limits our understanding of events on the ground, but also because their physical safety is an important precursor of more repression in the future." (Abstract)
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"Foundation Maps for Media Funding is a data mapping platform that brings the diverse and expansive field of media and philanthropy to light, allowing users to research and explore media and technology funding around the world. The tool captures activities related to media content and platforms; tel
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ecommunications infrastructure; media applications and tools; media access and policy; and journalism, news, and information that foundations across the globe have supported from 2009 to present. Specifically designed for funders, nonprofits and journalists, Foundation Maps for Media Funding enables users to see, understand and dig deep into the numbers, networks and trends surrounding media and philanthropy." (Page 5)
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"Over five years Facebook has grown from practically no users in Sub-Saharan Africa to become the most widely used social media platform. In the four countries where face-to-face surveys were carried out for this research, between 14% (Tanzania) and 27% (Ghana) of all respondents were using it [...]
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Over the last five years, the number of Africans who own or have access to mobile phones, computers, laptops, smartphones and tablets has grown considerably. These both act as media carriers (a mobile with a radio or TV receiver) or a media in their own right (a mobile accessing the Internet and Social Media). African newspapers face the same dilemma as many developed country newspapers. Their print version generates almost all of their revenues but increasingly their online users are either close to or above their print readership." (Page 8)
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"What is clear from the Research ICT Africa (RIA) Household and Individual Access and Usage Survey is that the diffusion of ICT is highly uneven concentrating in urban areas and leaving some rural areas almost untouched. Access to these technologies is constrained by income as is usage, and as they
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become more complex, they are increasingly constrained by literacy and education. This analysis explores the inequities of access and usage further, by viewing them through a gender lens. Of the limited demand-side data on Africa that exists, very little is disaggregated on gender lines. This study provides a descriptive statistical overview of access to ICTs by women and men and their usage of them. This is supported by focus groups that were undertaken in five of the 17 countries surveyed in East, Central, South and West Africa. The survey reveals some surprising instances where more women than men own mobile phones, such as in South Africa and Mozambique, or where women have greater knowledge of the Internet such as in Cameroon. More generally however, the study confirms the differences in access by men and women to ICTs especially where they depend on public access." (Executive summary)
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"If the ambitious goal of building a global Information Society is to be realised, it is important to track progress against the indicative targets set out in the WSIS final outcome documents. One of the key elements is the bridging of the digital divide. This is a measure of the gap in access to IC
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Ts between different countries, or between different regions within a country. A further element is to examine the progress of the different multi-stakeholder partnerships that have been established during the WSIS process. There is a sense in which the WSIS has created a learning community, in which policy-makers and regulators can learn from best practice experiences of their neighbours and peers in other parts of the world. This Report is intended to provide guidelines for policymakers, in particular in developing countries, in the context of mobilizing resources and developing their own strategies for building the Information Society. In this regard, the Report covers the main elements of the Information Society and provides a new tool for measuring progress towards building it, through the Digital Opportunity Index (DOI)." (Page 11)
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"In many ways, this book is a simple and straightforward product of social science research. A conceptual expectation was created through the integration and extension of existing theory and research findings. The responsiveness argument presented in chapter 2 lead to the expectation that aid bureau
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cracies will try to roughly match the levels of aid they offer with their perception of the domestic political importance of the recipient. It was argued that the news media provide a simple, clear and easily accessible indicator of that importance and, as a result, it was expected that aid bureaucracies will respond to the content of the news media by matching development aid allocations with levels of coverage. From that conceptual foundation, a comparative battery of tests were conducted to evaluate the empirical implications of that expectation, and to address at least a few of the obvious potential objections or critiques. In analysis after analysis, the predicted relationship was found: aid levels and media coverage are clearly correlated." (Page 137)
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