Celebrating Media Freedom Day - 17 Oct 2011

In commemoration of Black Wednesday, 19 October 1977, and to celebrate the 15th birthday of the South African National Editors' Forum (SANEF), the editors' forum and the Institute for Advancement of Journalism (IAJ), supported by Media Monitoring Africa, will be jointly hosting an event at 12 noon on South Africa's Media Freedom Day this Wednesday, 19 October 2011, at the IAJ, 9 Jubilee Road, Parktown, Johannesburg.

All parties interested in protecting and promoting our precious media freedom are invited to attend. Refreshments will be served and seats are limited. RSVPs must be made to either SANEF (tel +27 (0)11 484 3630; email az.gro.fenas@nimda) or the IAJ (tel +27 (0)11 484 1765; email az.gro.jai@aleel) by 2pm tomorrow, Tuesday, 18 October.

SANEF is also still selling its 100% cotton media freedom T-shirts (I have both options - "You can shut me up but you can't keep me quiet" and "Coalition for freedom of speech: make yourself heard"), aimed at drawing the public's attention that the country's democratic rights are under threat. Please contact SANEF on the above-mentioned details to place your order now.

The second monthly online Thought Leadership Digibate will take place this week Thursday 20 October in Cape Town and will largely focus on the out-of-home sector (including commuter and digital), with some insights into the current intention to ban alcohol advertising. Hosted by Aegis Media in conjunction with Bizcommunity.com, the panel debate by media/marketing heavyweights will be streamed live 9am-11am on online radio station The Taxi. Podcasts will be available after the event here on Biz.

To stand a chance to WIN one of five double tickets to this week's digibate, courtesy of Aegis and Biz, simply email moc.ytinummoczib@nerraw with your name, surname and one sentence why you want to be present by the end of today, Monday 17 October.

The fifth and sixth articles in our "Google AdWord Free Trial" series are now up, with tips on bidding, budgeting and how to get to the top of Google with AdWords. Don't forget that Biz Marketing & Media South Africa readers can get R400 worth of pay-per-click advertising on Google through this campaign.

To media freedom and beyond!
Simone Puterman (@SimoneBiz)
Managing editor