"This publication is a short, easy-to-read introduction to the field of media assistance. Following the usual steps of the project cycle, it describes the principal elements to analyse needs in media assistance and to select specific intervention strategies. The document distinguishes six interventi
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on areas: training of individual journalists; the organisational level of media outlets; the strengthening of media support institutions (research institutions, press councils, etc.); enhancing the sustainability of media; establishing and enforcing favourable media laws and regulations; and activities aiming at cultural values and societal beliefs. For each area, appropriateness, strengths and weaknesses, key issues for analysis and simple monitoring techniques are briefly listed." (CAMECO Update 1-2008)
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"Media centres around the world are facing the same challenges in ensuring long-term sustainability after “start-up” funding from donors ceases. In order to overcome these challenges, a number of centres have pioneered innovative approaches for ensuring financial and institutional viability and
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credibility, thus allowing them to successfully evolve into stable expert institutions within their media landscapes. It is in this context that in October 2006 International Media Support (IMS) invited a number of media centres and other institutions from Southeast Europe, West and East Africa, South and Southeast Asia and the Middle East to a workshop to share lessons learnt and identify approaches for addressing common challenges. These centres were asked to join the workshop because they represent perspectives and experiences from all over the world, thus offering the chance to pool diverse knowledge and experiences. In undertaking this workshop, it was recognised that all media centres are unique. The participating institutions represented media centres at differing stages in their development and performing varied roles, from lobbying for media policy reform to providing training opportunities and producing media publications. Nevertheless, despite these differences, there are considerable similarities and therefore scope for sharing knowledge. As an outcome of the workshop, the best practices discussed and defined by the participants have been collated in this handbook, which is being published jointly by IMS and the participating media centres. I hope that this publication is a useful tool for media centres of all designs and orientations, in further strengthening their options for achieving financial self sustainability." (Introduction, page 5)
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"I have been privileged to compile this anthology of essays, stories and testimonies of Africa’s top media executives who, through their actions and visionary leadership, are re-shaping and strengthening Africa’s fledgling media companies and institutions. Their touching real-life stories are an
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inspiration to all who work and desire to see Africa succeed and to have its voice heard above the din of the new digital age. A financially robust African media that is also independent and pluralistic will serve to give meaning to and strengthen the continent’s nascent democracy and contribute to the lifting of its people out of grinding under-development, poverty and related ills. These media leaders, in sharing their stories with the rest of Africa and the world, show that the real test of what works and does not work in managing and leading a successful media firm too often lies in the field and at times does not necessarily follow orthodoxy." (Editor's note)
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"This manual is the result of initial activities developed together with our partner in Peru, the Asociación ETC Andes. It is an attempt to develop a method which will help people to document their experiences, focusing on the detailed description and analysis of a set of activities carried out in
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the field and their results and impact. The method has proved to be adaptable enough to be relevant for many different circumstances – it can be used to document single, short activities, projects, or for longer and more complex programmes. As our work in Latin America and elsewhere has shown, it can be carried out by community based groups or organisations, NGOs, networks or large institutions. We think that this manual can be a very useful guide for all those who understand the importance of drawing lessons from the activities they are implementing in the field. We do hope it will stimulate field level practitioners to deepen their learning and share this with others in an organised way, and thus to build new and relevant knowledge." (Foreword, pages 7-8)
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"This booklet describes 14 stories of organisations using e-collaboration in some way, varying from using Moodle as an online learning platform to Teamspeak as a software tool for having an online meeting with partners located all over the globe. We hope to inspire you with these experiences, stimul
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ating you to take this first step, using your work as a laboratory for experimenting." (Foreword)
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"Exporting Press Freedom examines the history and practice of media assistance, and argues that the dilemma of media independence and sustainability is best understood as an economic problem rather than one of poor editorial standards or lack of will. It includes profiles of news and public affairs
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media in developing and democratizing countries, and also of two non-governmental organizations that have pioneered the use of low-interest loans in media assistance. These profiles exemplify strategic and entrepreneurial approaches to developing and supporting public service media. Such approaches may be of use not only in the developing world, but in the consolidated Western democracies as well, where concern has grown about poor journalistic performance and its consequences for democratic governance." (Publisher description)
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