|
In this Edition:
Africa
Asia
Australia
Europe
Global
Middle East
North America
AFRICA
-
SUDAN
A referendum will be held in January 2011 on the independence of the mainly Christian South of Sudan, six years after the end of Sudan's civil war, during which millions were killed or displaced. In the North of Sudan, sharia is in force, and Christians often face restrictions on their activities and discrimination in education and employment. There are fears that a vote for independence may reignite the armed conflict.
Source: Barnabas Fund
-
ZIMBABWE
TWR Zimbabwe's HIV/AIDS Radio Programmes are designed to equip people with the knowledge and will to combat, prevent and eradicate HIV/AIDS in Zimbabwe. There are currently more than one million AIDS orphans in Zimbabwe. Lucia Kusena, Producer and Presenter of "The Honey That Kills," says, "It's about bringing life to the lifeless and hope to the hopeless. We're still God's children and have a purpose to live. If we are united, we can fight against this pandemic."
Source: www.twrafrica.org
-
LAOS
Over the last two years, Christians in Laos have experienced persecution for their faith. The Communist Government has declared Protestant Christianity as its enemy and has made clear its intention to eliminate it from the country. Christians number less than 2% of the population, which is predominantly Buddhist. The authorities often monitor and harass Churches, detaining and arresting members on false charges. Email: info@barnabasfund.org
-
NORTH KOREA
It is estimated that there are 200,000 people in prison camps in North Korea, of which 50-70,000 are Christians. Prisoners are exposed to severe violations of human rights, such as torture, execution and the use of humans for weapons testing. Christians are asked to pray for the Prisoners.
Visit: www.worldprayermap.co.uk
-
SINGAPORE
Operation Mobilisation's ship " Doulos" has been saved from the scrapyard and has been bought by Singapore Christian businessman Eric Saw. The ship has been renamed " Doulos Phos" (servant light) and will be moved to a permanent berth in Singapore, to be used as a maritime museum and conference venue, with a restaurant, bookshop and facilities for a small Bible school on board. During 32 years of OM ministry, Doulos visited over a hundred countries and welcomed 20 million people onboard. Visit www.omships.org
-
INDONESIA
Barnabas Fund is supporting a church-planting ministry in Java, Indonesia, where Pastors have started Bible study groups or small house churches. It has also provided extra funds for a celebration with a special meal for Christmas, an opportunity for building friendships. Christians have recently experienced restrictions on their freedom to evangelise and to construct buildings for worship. Email: info@barnabasfund.org
-
INDIA
100 young people in Hyderabad, who are committed to long-term mission work, are following a leadership development programme, organised by OM India. The young people will then head OM Teams involved in distributing literature, showing Christian films to communities and planting churches. Another 37 are on a Teachers' Training Course, preparing to work with Dalit children.
Visit: www.uk.om.org
- WARREN ROUT
Warren Rout, Founder in 1991 of Rhema FM Canberra (now 1WayFM) Christian Radio and UCB's Vision FM, died on December 4th. In 1993 Warren was appointed Managing Director of United Christian Broadcasters Australia and served in that capacity until 2000, during which time 17 Rhema FM Radio Stations were formed, in addition to a nation-wide satellite service for country towns. Christian Media Australia recognised Warren's contribution to Christian Radio in 2006 with a Lifetime Achievement Award.
Source: Squawk News
- COMMUNITY RADIO NATIONAL LISTENER SURVEY
According to the latest Community Radio National Listener Survey, conducted by McNair Ingenuity Research, almost 1 in 5 Australians aged 15 and over listen to Christian Community Radio in an average month. More than 3.3 million Australians tune in to Christian Radio. More than a quarter of Christian Radio Listeners say they have no religious beliefs (26%), 69% are Christian and 4% belong to another religion.
Contact: David Turrell david@christianmedia.org.au
- 1WayFM
Canberra's 1WayFM and other Community Broadcasters are being forced to move their transmitters higher up Telstra's Black Mountain Tower, to an antenna owned by Broadcast Australia, as broadcasting from the current location will soon be prohibited. Costly new transmission equipment will be needed, but there will be a stronger and cleaner signal.
Source: Squawk News
- EUROPE
Silvana Koch-Mehrin, a Vice President of the European Parliament, has called for a ban on Mobile Tariff for roaming services next year. This has been agreed by the Industry Committee and will now be considered by the European Commission. She said that the European-wide ban on mobile phone roaming charges is well overdue. "It is now time to get rid of the roaming charges within the European Union, and establish a unitary domestic market for telecommunication services", she said. There are now around 500 million mobile phone users in Europe.
Source: Seer Press News
- UK
The BBC will be screening a new dramatisation of "The Nativity" story in the week before Christmas. It will be broadcast on BBC1 in four, 30-minute episodes at 7.00pm, beginning on Monday 20th December. This is the slot usually occupied by "The ONE Show". The Church and Media Network has produced a website with information about the series.
Visit: www.nativitydrama.info
- FEB CONFERENCE DVDS
DVDs of the Conference Sessions at the recent FEB Conference in Slovenia are available. Complete a DVD Order Form and send it to the FEB Office. The list includes speeches from:
- Terence Ascott - "How to reach people and Cultures with New Technology"
- Jan-Willem Bosman - "Getting Connected?"
- Mario Casni - "A Vision for Christian Media"
- Chris Cole - "Impacting Europe with Christian TV"
- David Fieldsend - "Europe and Christianity"
- Andrew Flynn - "Net-fishing in the Social Spaces"
- Jonathan Frank - "A Global Audio Strategy?"
- David Shearman - "Staying Connected
Contact: feb@feb.org
- EUROPE
According to a recent European Union Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee Report, intrusive and misleading new advertising techniques should be tackled by requiring "behavioural advertisement" warnings and encouraging policing by forum moderators, particularly on the internet. The Chairman of the Committee is Malcolm Harbour, MEP from the UK.
Source: European Union Press Release
- UK
FM Radio has been thrown a lifeline after Ministers privately accepted the digital switchover will not happen by 2015. The "aspirational" target date appears to have been abandoned as the switch from analogue heads towards crisis point. Insiders believe that the switchover may not be achievable until 2017 at the earliest - and given the current take-up rate - that 2020 is more realistic. The new technology has failed to grip the public's imagination - with low levels of digital listening and opposition from FM loyalists. Supporters of Digital Radio are hoping that Christmas may boost sales of sets, but if not, the Coalition Government will need to rethink the strategy in the new year.
Source: Daily Mail
- EUROPE
The European Commission says that Broadband connections in Europe are much faster than a year ago. 29% of EU broadband lines now have speeds of at least 10 megabits per second (Mbps) compared to 15% in 2009. Annual growth in mobile broadband was 45%, with 6 mobile broadband dedicated access devices per 100 citizens. But there is still a long way to go before the EU reaches its targets of giving every European access to basic broadband by 2013, and fast broadband by 2020, as outlined in the Digital Agenda for Europe.
Source: www.europa.eu
- NETHERLANDS
Stichting Zendtijd voor Kerken (ZVK), a Corporate Member of FEB, has been affected by the financial crisis in the Dutch Public Broadcasting System and has had to reduce its budget for international activities significantly. This announcement follows last month's news that Evangelische Omroep has also had to pull out of all international activities. ZVK and EO will be greatly missed by other Members of the Fellowship of European Broadcasters.
- UK
Through the Roof (TTF), a UK Christian Charity working with people affected by Disability, still has a few rooms available for their Holiday for Families with an Autistic Child: 12-15 April 2011 at Dalesdown Centre, near Horsham in Sussex. TTF also needs more helpers to join the Team.
Contact: Margaret@throughtheroof.org
- GERMANY
ERF reports that since the start of international telephone Devotions in October 2000 (offered in 25 languages), ERF has received more than half a million calls. Apart from short Devotions Listeners can also dial radio broadcasts such as "Through the Bible". Flat-rate users don't have any extra costs when making a call.
www.erf.de
- FINLAND
|
Official Country Name
|
Finland
|
|
Region
|
Europe
|
|
Population
|
5,175,783
|
|
Languages
|
Finnish, Swedish
|
|
Literacy Rate
|
100%
|
|
Size
|
337,030 sq. km
|
|
GDP
|
121,466 (US$ millions)
|
|
Number of TV Stations
|
130
|
|
Number of TV sets
|
3,200,000
|
|
TV Sets per 1,000
|
618.2
|
|
Number of Radio Stations
|
189
|
|
Number of Radio receivers
|
7,700,000
|
|
Radio Receivers per 1,000
|
1,487.7
|
|
Number of individuals with computers
|
2,050,000
|
|
Number of individuals with Internet access
|
1,927,000
|
|
Internet access per 1,000
|
372.3
|
- ONLINE TRAINING AVAILABLE FOR A MASTERS IN "MISSION"
A new online Masters degree, due to be validated by the UK's Open University, will start Easter 2011 with the pre-reading programme, followed by three intensive core modules over a 2 week period in July 2011, at All Nations College, England. This will enable students to get to know the other students and tutors, but means that they don't have to be away from home for too long. This course is suitable for those who have several years of Christian ministry experience and are practitioners in contextual theology, leadership or development work. It is aimed at those who are looking to develop their critical thinking around current trends in global Christianity in a missions context.
Visit: www.allnations.ac.uk
- TWO SCREENS ARE BETTER THAN ONE!
According to the UK's Daily Mail, a survey has shown that 60% of all Britons admit to using a laptop or phone at the same time as watching television, evidence of how digital technology is reducing people's attention spans. Many use Social Networking sites such as Facebook and online pages of TV shows, while watching TV. There has also been a boom in catch-up TV services such as iPlayer.
Source: Daily Mail
- NEW TECHNOLOGIES
According to new OFCOM research, UK consumers are some of the earliest adopters of new communications technologies. They are among the best connected for broadband, mobile and digital TV and the UK has seen the fastest growth in smartphone take-up. OFCOM's latest Report looks at the global communications market in 17 countries. Germany has the highest landline take-up with 85% of the population. Italy has the highest mobile take-up with 95% owning a mobile phone (91% in the UK), and the Netherlands has the highest fixed broadband take-up (85 connections per 100 households, compared to 70 in UK).
The UK and Spain lead the way with digital TV take-up at 91% as digital switchover is implemented globally. However, take-up of HDTV services is highest in the USA, where 44% of households have HDTV services with access to 404 HD channels, followed by Japan (43% and 130 channels), France (42% and 55 channels) and then UK (13% and 50 channels).
Source: OFCOM
LATIN AMERICA
- BOLIVIA
Over 80% of children in Bolivia live in extreme poverty and around 100,000 under-14s have to work to support their families. Currently, more than 80,000 children are known to be addicted to drugs. Other serious challenges for Bolivian children include child abuse, trafficking and abandonment. Mission Groups and NGOs are urging the Bolivian government to fight the causes of child poverty, abuse and abandonment more effectively.
Source: World Prayer News
- CHILE
Operation Mobilisation (OM) has produced a DVD about the recent earthquake tragedy in Chile, and its ongoing work physically to rebuild Churches and support Communities.
Email: books@uk.om.org
- HAITI
"Wheels of the World" was invited by Dr June Hanks, Advantage Programme, Les Cayes, to visit Haiti to see if there was a way to help in the work of Medical Teams International who coordinate and help faith based aid agencies. The Advantage Centre has given out about 200 wheelchairs plus other mobility aids received from Apostolic Christian World Relief and Wheels for the World. The wheelchairs not yet issued were in various states! The team put together chairs and seats and listed everything - in temperatures of nearly 100 degrees one day and torrential rain the next.
Source: Vital Link, Through the Roof
MIDDLE EAST
- SAT-7
SAT-7 has launched a new Arabic channel "SAT-7 PLUS" on the HOT BIRD satellite system, replacing the two existing Arabic channels - SAT-7 ARABIC and SAT-7 KIDS. These two channels will continue to be broadcast on the Egyptian Nilesat satellite. The new channel will carry a selection of the best programming from both channels and will have a different schedule, enabling viewers to have a wider choice of viewing.
SAT-7 is also broadcasting a new programme, "I Love You This Much", hosted by Rita Elmounayer, which gives help and support to disadvantaged children.
Visit: www.sat7trust.org
- ABU DHABI
BSkyB has formed a joint venture with Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation to start an Arabic-language news service, its first foreign-language channel. The 24-hour channel will run under the Sky News brand from Abu Dhabi and will begin broadcasting in 2012 to the Middle East and Northern Africa. BSkyB already broadcasts Sky News in English in the Middle East.
Source: www.arabianbusiness.com
- SAT-7
SAT-7 has announced that the next Arabic Christian Media Convention (ACMC) will take place in Beirut, Lebanon from 5-8 May 2011. The theme will be "Christian Media in a Changing Middle East". The Convention will include a Christian Media Exhibition, Plenary Sessions and Workshops. ACMC will be launching its new website in a few weeks' time.
Visit: www.sat7.org
NORTH AMERICA
-
USA
Our friend Joni Eareckson Tada is receiving treatment for breast cancer. Please pray for her and read more details on her blog online at www.joniandfriends.org/jonis-corner/ Here's a recent extract - "It's amazing how often I've tried to find 'meaning' in tough times (like the one I'm going through). I've got to remind myself that suffering has no meaning in itself. On its own, it is a frustrating burden. But given the context of relationship, suffering has meaning - I see that with Ken as he tends to my needs; with the team at Joni and Friends, and with friends who pass on inspiring stories, scriptures and hymns! But nowhere does the meaning in our suffering become clearer than in an intimate relationship with Jesus. There's nothing absurd, from his point of view, about a relationship with hurting humans... It's then when my suffering makes sense. Complete sense."
Visit www.joniandfriends.org
-
USA
"Nations for Jesus" (NFJ) is organising a short-term Missions trip to Hyderabad and Vijayawada, India from 6-16 January 2011. NFJ is an international mission organisation based in Georgia, USA and working mainly in Africa and Asia doing church planting, evangelistic crusades and helping set up Hope Centres for orphans.
Visit www.nationsforjesus.org
-
USA
Comcast has denied claims by Level 3 Communications that it is charging extra fees for transmitting online video content. Level 3 said the demands amounted to putting a "toll" on the edge of the Internet, and would make Comcast a gatekeeper of certain content, violating guidelines for net neutrality. Comcast is in the process of taking over NBC Universal and is waiting for US regulators to approve the deal. The Federal Communications Commission will investigate the allegations.
Source: C21media.net
FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT THE FEB WEBSITE: www.feb.org
-
"SNIPPETS" IS DISTRIBUTED BY FEB ON BEHALF OF THE GLOBAL MEDIA PARTNERSHIP.
-
SEND US YOUR "SNIPPET" TODAY. WE LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING FROM YOU.
-
Back copies of Snippets are available on the FEB Website
Barclays Bank, 1250 High Road, Whetstone, London N20 OPB, England - Account: 80155748 IBAN GB75 BARC 2095 6180 155748, SWIFTBIC BARCGB22
|
