By John Glenday China has instigated a fresh crackdown on independent media by curtailing the freedom of websites to publish stories on socially and politically sensitive topics unless sourced from a government-run news agency. The draconian measure, implemented by the country’s web watchdog the Cyberspace Administration of China, aims to stamp out what it calls the “vile effect” of free speech. The organisation was quoted by Reuters as saying that independent journalism “seriously violated regulations and had a completely vile effect.” China’s Communist Party has been adopting ever tougher measures to stamp out dissent, demanding “absolute loyalty” from state journalists whose primary role is to disseminate Read full story › Source: The Drum...
Read MoreBy Justin Pearse The Drum has launched episode four of a 12-part video series, Cliché Killers, produced in partnership with Stein IAS, exploring B2B advertising clichés. Episode four, The Handshake, looks at why imagery of this tiresome cliché is still so commonly used in B2B advertising. “Originally believed to be a gesture of peace, by showing you weren’t concealing any weapons, it then evolved to become a business contract,” said Nathalie Nahaj, explaining the history of the cliché. “In some parts of the world it can even make an agreement legally binding.” “The handshake won’t make peace with me,” said Reuben Webb. “That’s the way to Read full story › Source: The Drum...
Read MoreBy John McCarthy Daimler has secured a merger between ride-hailing company Hailo and its service MyTaxi in a bid to embolden it against intrusion from a global leader in the industry, Uber. The joint entity, to be fully rebranded as MyTaxi in 2017, now boasts 70m passengers and 100,000 registered taxi drivers in over 50 cities across nine countries. The auto brand looks to dig its heels in in Europe with Klaus Entenmann, chairman of Daimler financial services stating: “The joining of MyTaxi and Hailo is another strategic step in making us a leader of mobility solutions and platforms. This investment is in Read full story › Source: The Drum...
Read MoreBy John Glenday Amazon could commence drone deliveries in the UK as early as next year after being given the go-ahead to pursue the technology by the UK Civil Aviation Authority. Whilst the technology remains snared in red tape in the states regulators in the UK have given the all clear to new trials which will allow drones to be flown beyond the line of sight of their operators in rural and suburban areas. This will allow obstacle sensors to be put through their paces and enable operators to handle more than one drone in flight simultaneously. Tim Johnson, CAA policy director, said: “We want to Read full story › Source: The Drum...
Read MoreBy John Glenday Marissa Mayer, Yahoo’s chief executive officer, has hit out at ‘gender-charged reporting’ following the sale of its core internet business to Verizon for $4.83bn. Speaking to the Financial Times Mayer said: “I’ve tried to be gender-blind and believe tech is a gender-neutral zone but do think there has been gender-charged reporting. “We all see the things that only plague women leaders, like articles that focus on their appearance, like Hillary Clinton sporting a new pantsuit. I think all women are aware of that, but I had hoped in 2015 and 2016 that I would see fewer articles like that. It’s a shame” Verizon Read full story › Source: The Drum...
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