"While the relationship between war and media is examined in literature, the cases of the positive use of mass communication channels in the reconciliation of post-conflict societies are virtually unknown. The goal of this study is to respond to the gap in literature by examining theoretical evidenc
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e and practical case studies describing media promotion of peace across the world. As a result, a total of 40 media projects in 18 countries are documented and two case studies are examined in detail. Initial lessons from the practical projects in conjunction with historical developments of media in wars suggest that the current practice would benefit from: integration of all available media channels and practices, incorporation of media into other social institutions and processes and regulation of hate media as well as production of peace-oriented media." (Abstract)
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"This case study investigates the launch of a women’s radio station in Herat, Afghanistan, in October 2003. It follows four women journalists’ struggles in balancing the demands of a highly conservative culture on the one hand, and the objectives of their Canadian journalism trainers on the othe
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r. By discussing how the radio station was forced to accede to the male-centric norms in Afghan radio production to avoid being labelled unprofessional, the study concludes that gender and media development must be conceptualised more carefully to present an effective challenge to gender inequality." (Abstract)
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"In order to work towards a more constructive role for the media in Bolivian society in the present context, this report suggests a strategy which could focus on the following four areas: advocacy for changes in the legal framework; spaces for debate and reflection; strengthening the quality of jour
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nalism; protection for journalists. For each of these areas specific interventions of immediate action are recommended. Such interventions focus on attending to the more pressing needs by seeking ways in which the media are not led to play an adverse role in the growing tension and the deepening of the conflict in Bolivia but rather to fulfill a role that makes it possible to create a bridge among the different political positions and current interests, and between these and Bolivian society." (Executive summary, page 3)
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"From small beginnings in the 1960s, Western governments and international non-governmental organisations (INGOs) are today spending huge sums on media intervention in Arab countries, to the point where such intervention has become an industry. Among the plethora of media projects aimed at moulding
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Arab public affairs are a subset intentionally framed in terms of a discourse of conflict resolution, conflict handling and peace-building. Since 1998 external donors have financed such projects bilaterally and multilaterally, with the explicit aim of replacing violence and threats among regional antagonists with mutual understanding, diversity, dialogue and exchange. When it comes to measuring their impact and effectiveness, however, the results have generally failed to meet expectations, and there have been some spectacular disasters. Despite this, the number of such projects in the region is on the increase, with an ever wider range of donors becoming involved. This chapter reviews the development of these interventions for peace. It proposes a typology for understanding their objectives, evaluates their general success and failure and concludes with some considerations about requirements for success." (Page 135)
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"Medien können eine zentrale Rolle für Transparenz, Korruptionsbekämpfung und Bürgerbeteiligung spielen. Die Stärkung eines unabhängigen Mediensektors muss daher ein Grundpfeiler der Demokratieförderung werden." (Abstract)
"Als Partner des staatlichen Rundfunks Radio Television Afghanistan (RTA) leistet der Auslandssender Deutsche Welle (DW) einen wichtigen Beitrag zum Demokratisierungsprozess in Afganistan. Denn freie, unabhängige und verlässliche Medien sind in einer Demokratie unverzichtbar. Sie versorgen die Men
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schen im ganzen Land mit Informationen und tragen so zu aktiver Meinungsbildung bei." (Seite 5)
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"The symposium Measuring Change. Planning, Monitoring, Evaluation in Media Development focused on the utilisation aspect of evaluation1: The adding of “Planning” to “Monitoring and Evaluation” in the subtitle indicates that emphasis was laid on learning from monitoring and evaluation experie
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nces, to facilitate the improvement of existing projects and programmes at all levels, from planning to implementation and follow-up." (Executive Summary)
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"The majority of the cases relate to radio programmes that have been supported by FIT Uganda (a Ugandan development company) and the FIT SEMA project (an ILO project). These interventions supported the launch of new radio programme formats that focused on business and livelihood issues. The substant
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ial impact of these interventions on sustainability of programmes, innovation and copycatting and large scale outreach figures are touched on in this report. Going further, the research presented here looks at impacts of these programmes on the livelihoods of the poor. All of the cases researched occurred some years after any direct project intervention. As such they speak positively about the FIT Uganda and ILO experience, and of the ability and willingness of commercial radio to serve a more public interest and in doing so offer an effective mechanism for poor people to tackle policy, legal, regulatory and administrative issues that matter to them." (Executive summary, page 2)
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"From 1995 to 2005, the international community provided significant support to media in the Western Balkans. Based on a meta-analysis of 37 project reports and interviews with a broad range of media experts, this study finds that direct support to independent media was a key factor in helping the c
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itizens of several Balkan countries to rid themselves of authoritarian regimes. At the same time, the publication states that often journalism training - the greatest share of media support - has had few lasting effects. Support for legislative and regulatory reform has been efficient and effective, but the new media legislation has not been sufficiently well implemented. The overall conclusion (page 36): 'Media assistance in the Balkans proved itself an effective way to promote democracy by removing barriers to the enjoyment of fundamental rights to information and expression as protected by international law, and without intervening in political choices themselves. When media support was perceived as being primarily driven by political objectives, it was in danger of being like the problem it sought to alleviate and obscuring the concept of independent media." (CAMECO Update 1-2008)
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"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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