"Discussion of the visual politics of solidarity, in relation specifically to the representation of suffering and development, has been grounded in analysis of images. This paper seeks to expand this debate by exploring the organizational politics that shape and are shaped by these images. The paper
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is inspired by production studies in the cultural industries and draws on interviews with 17 professionals from 10 UK-based international development and humanitarian organizations, who are engaged in planning and producing imagery of international development and humanitarian issues. It discusses how power relations, tensions, and position-taking shape the arguments and choices made by NGOs producing images of suffering and development. I focus on two arenas of struggle about how to visualize solidarity: (a) intra-organizational politics - specifically tensions within NGOs between fundraising and/or marketing departments, and communications, campaign and/or advocacy departments, and (2) inter-organizational politics: the competing tendencies towards convergence, cohesiveness, and collective identity of the humanitarian sector, and competition, distinction, and divergence between organizations on the other. I show that NGOs' visual production is an area of conflict, negotiation and compromise, and argue for the crucial need for attention to organizational politics in the production of visual representations of distant suffering in order to uncover diverse and competing motivations, and the forces driving current humanitarian and development communications." (Abstract)
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"Internews' project to integrate local media and ICTs into humanitarian response in CAR takes place in a context of distrust between journalists and humanitarians. According to this report, humanitarians view the media as lacking credibility, depth, independence and fairness, and as monetizing news
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coverage. Journalists say that humanitarians are unwilling to engage in an exchange of information other than a one-way “infomercial.” As one journalist puts it, “they are only interested in their own publicity, but fear critical coverage.” However, both journalists and humanitarians agree on one key factor that undermines the quality of the information: the lack of resources. The use of ICT has the potential to fundamentally alter the relation by constantly bringing new and reliable data to humanitarians, demonstrating the effectiveness and usefulness of journalists. However, Internews' program must also include simple efforts at rebuilding trust between the actors." (Executive summary)
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"The study focused on the following themes: how and under what conditions are priority target groups for engagement with development policy issues in China, France, Germany, United Kingdom and the United States most likely to engage; what factors influence and motivate both engagement and policy dec
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ision-making by members of these target groups; through which communication channels can members of these groups be accessed most readily and with the greatest impact. The research included a total of 128 in-depth interviews with influentials and government decision-makers; surveys of 3,824 interested citizens, and focus group discussions with 160 interested citizens." (Summary of key findings, page 3)
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"Through a series of qualitative interviews with a range of media stakeholders, the ultimate conclusion of this thesis is that the media landscape in Cambodia is diverse –with some (mostly foreign-owned and run) able to operate freely and independently, while others (most local Khmer media, partic
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ularly broadcast media) are not. While media development activities over the course of the last 20 years have been clearly beneficial to improving the quality of the media, many factors are preventing all media in Cambodia from becoming free, independent and sustainable. A lack of political will, improper legal intimidation, politicisation of the media, a lack of journalistic ethic and professionalism (among some), unsupportive institutional frameworks, media illiteracy among the broader population and little coordination of media development efforts are just some of the barriers that hinder real improvement in this critical sector." (Abstract, page 4)
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"The analysis is based on interviews with 35 media experts and news producers at major Ukrainian broadcasting organizations, as well as from print and online media. The interviewees (editors-in-chief, heads of international news’ departments, foreign correspondents) were asked about the process of
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international news production in their editorial offices, the human and technical resources allocated for foreign news coverage, the professional standards of international journalism, as well as the main sources of foreign news and criteria of their selection involved in the news making process. An important finding of the presented research is the conclusion about indirect, or circuitous movement of foreign news from international news agencies to the Ukrainian media. Because of the peculiarities of Ukrainian news production described in the paper, news from Reuters or Associated Press regularly reaches Ukrainian editorial offices after it has been processed by Russian newsmakers." (Abstract)
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"BBC Media Action has made strengthening the evidence base of reports, data sets, and analysis about the role of media and communication in democratic development a priority. Yet, the extent to which different donor organizations, foundations, think tanks, practitioners, and academics utilize resear
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ch in general and BBC Media Action research in particular, remains uncertain. To shed greater light on this question, in October 2012, the Center for Global Communication Studies at the Annenberg School for Communication, University of Pennsylvania, conducted a quantitative survey followed by in-depth, structured interviews with 57 development stakeholders from four areas of development: governance, humanitarian response, health, and resilience. These research methods were used to investigate: (1) prevailing perceptions about and uses of media among assorted development stakeholders, (2) the extent to which these stakeholders are familiar with and utilize existing research concerning media development and media for development, (3) if and how funders are using this research to decide funding and policy making priorities, and (4) the specific impact of research and evidence initiated by BBC Media Action." (Executive summary)
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"This research study provides baseline indicators for the Solomon Islands Media Assistance Scheme (SOLMAS) Program Phase III. It presents findings around the current quality of media, experiences of training to date, and relationships with stakeholders such as development organisations, government c
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ommunications and the National Disaster Management Office. This executive summary presents main findings from the study, under several key areas: media quality and inhibitors of quality; training and capacity building; audience needs and new media; media and development issues; the Media Association of Solomon Islands (MASI); the public broadcaster Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation (SIBC); and perceptions of SOLMAS to date." (Exexutive summary)
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"A partir de una encuesta anónima y grupos focales en las tres ciudades del eje, La Paz, Santa Cruz y Cochabamba, se buscó analizar la problemática desde la profesión misma. El propósito de la investigación fue conocer la percepción y evaluar el grado de (auto) censura de los periodistas al r
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especto, entender a través de su propio análisis cuáles son los mecanismos que llevan a la (auto)censura, identificar con ellos cuáles son las estrategias para sortear la (auto) censura e imaginar cómo se puede eliminarlas. Según el estudio, más de la mitad de las y los periodistas consultados (el 54%), admiten haber sido víctimas en su carrera profesional de censura y son aún más quienes han experimentado autocensura (59%)." (http://onadembolivia.blogspot.bo)
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"Guided by two overarching questions – do people want or need health news, and are they satisfied with the health news available to them – Internews used a mixed methods approach, conducting surveys, focus group discussions and in-depth interviews, as well as mining years of project data and rep
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orts. In general, the assessment found that the media is a key factor in improving the lives of Kenyans by providing more, better, and deeper coverage of complex health issues that matter to them." (Internews website)
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"The evaluation demonstrates that the Citizen Exchange programs have been highly effective in meeting their goals, from short-term changes in individuals’ skills and knowledge to long-term changes within and beyond their media organizations. Indeed, the programs produced tangible results in respon
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dents’ orientation towards their careers and their organizations’ professional practices. When they returned to work, participants applied new skills, adopted new professional or ethical standards, and developed new processes for writing, investigative journalism, and reporting on new subjects. They had substantively enhanced their knowledge of human rights, women in society, anti-corruption, the environment and trafficking in persons. Similarly, they gained a significantly increased understanding of how to access and integrate new technologies and alternative media." (Conclusion, page 133)
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"Cambodia Communications Assistance Project (CCAP) is a two-year initiative (2012-2013) funded by Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) to contribute to the development of the media in Cambodia. The project is in its initial stage and is being implemented by ABC ID, in collaborati
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on with three Cambodian Government Provincial Departments of Information (PDI) in Battambang, Kampong Cham and Kampot, and the Department of Media and Communication (DMC) at Royal University of Phnom Penh (RUPP). The objective of this research is to provide baseline measures and understanding of the current state of the media in Cambodia, with a particular focus on PDI in Battambang, Kampong Cham and Kampot. These measures will help track progress of the project outcomes and impact over the project lifetime and provide a clearly defined scope for the Cambodia Communication Assistance Project. The research design uses a mixed methods approach with focus group discussions, in-depth interviews and survey questionnaires for PDI staff and directors. This report examines understanding of governance issues within an audience and PDI context and assesses the capacity level of PDI staff and directors. More specifically it seeks to gain knowledge and perceptions on audience understanding of governance, transparency and accountability issues, and to determine audience perceptions on PDI content and issues concerning voice, transparency and accountability. It also assesses PDI knowledge on governance issues and skill development needs at the three targeted provinces. The findings are summarised into three key areas: understanding of governance and audience context from different perspectives; reflections on media environment; and PDI capacity needs assessment. Finally, key considerations are outlined to inform PDI activities and programs related to governance including both training and content activities which can be supported by CCAP." (Executive summary)
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"This report presents the main findings of three regional surveys on participation at local and community radio stations in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Pacific. The studies examined the involvement of the radio stations’ communities in programming, management, ownership and funding. Partic
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ipation of the community is an important feature of almost all stations participating in the survey. In all regions, involvement in programming is strongest. Results show that “traditional” forms of listener involvement, such as participation in talk shows or call-in programmes - which can also be found at public or commercial radio stations – are most frequent in local/community radios. Participation in management, ownership and funding are less common. Whereas the ranking of the various areas of participation is similar throughout the regions, differences exist in their importance: Latin American radios top participation in programming, but they are far below average in management and ownership. In Africa, the level of participation in financing and ownership is comparatively high. In Asia, participation in management plays a crucial role. The majority of the stations generate revenue through multiple sources. In Latin America, advertising is of primary importance, in Africa, sale of airtime and funding by foreign and local donors are relatively significant, while in Asia, governmental support plays a bigger role than in the other two continents. Lack of funds is seen as the most severe constraint for an increased participation of communities in all regions covered by the survey. An early involvement of the communities (in the planning and implementation phase) and their organisation in listeners' clubs are two factors that lead to stronger participation." (Abstract)
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"Este informe presenta los principales resultados de tres sondeos regionales sobre la participación en las radios locales y comunitarias en África, América Latina, Asia y el Pacífico. Los sondeos investigaron la participación de las respectivas comunidades en la programación, la gestión, la p
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ropiedad y el financiamiento de las emisoras. La participación de la comunidad es un elemento importante en casi todas las radios participantes en este sondeo. En todos los continentes, la participación se da con mayor fuerza en el área de la programación. Los resultados muestran que las formas 'tradicionales' de participación de los oyentes, como los programas de entrevistas o la participación por teléfono – también muy de uso en la radio pública o comercial - son las más frecuentes en la radio local y comunitaria. La participación en la gestión, la propiedad y el financiamiento es menos común. Mientras la clasificación de las diferentes áreas de participación es similar a través de las regiones investigadas, se dan sin embargo ciertas diferencias de importancia: las emisoras latinoamericanas tienen mayor participación a nivel de la programación, pero están por debajo del promedio en las áreas de gestión y propiedad. En África el nivel de participación en el financiamiento y la propiedad es relativamente alto. En Asia la participación en la gestión juega un papel fundamental. La mayoría de las radios genera ingresos por una variedad de fuentes. En América Latina la publicidad es de primera importancia, en África la venta de espacios radiales y el financiamiento por donantes locales y extranjeros tienen un peso significativo, mientras que en Asia el financiamiento del estado juega un papel mayor que en los otros dos continentes. En todas las regiones que cubrió el sondeo, se percibe la falta de fondos como el limitante más severo para lograr una mayor participación de las comunidades. Un compromiso 'temprano' de las comunidades (ya en la fase de planificación y ejecución) y la existencia de clubes de oyentes son dos factores que conducen a una participación más intensa." (Resumen)
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"The findings of the study show that the Jimma community radio produces different entertainment and education programs with the social development messages. It also produces programs that promote the local language and culture through local music, and narration. Moreover, the study reveals that the
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Jimma community radio gives more air time for local issues. It also reveals that the Jimma community members participate in the administration of the station as well as in the production of the programs. Many of the volunteer journalists are from the community. What is more the community participates in giving comments via phone and personal visits. The practitioners who participated in the interview have also had a similar understanding about the role of community radio." (Abstract)
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"Even though Indonesia has entered a new era of democracy and press freedom, self-censorship still exists in the professional practice of many Indonesian newspaper journalists. Indonesia has a long history of censorship, particularly pressure from the government encouraging journalists to self-censo
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r their work. As such, self-censorship has been encouraged and promoted through the institutionalised and internalised values of many Indonesian newspaper publications. Through interviews with journalists who work for new and re-established newspapers in Indonesia, this article will explain how the practice has evolved, and how it persists today. While the main agent of pressure during Indonesia's New Order regime was the government, today the owners of newspapers are powerful figures who exert their influence and hinder the autonomy of Indonesian journalists." (Abstract)
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"This critical ethnographic study is an investigation of the effects of witnessing trauma for Canadian journalists and photojournalists working on national and international assignments. Our primary aim is to describe our participants’ understanding of the effects of covering trauma, disaster, or
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conflict within a journalism culture. Our findings are derived from in-depth interviews and workplace observations with journalists across Canada. Of specific note are the tensions that exist between the journalists’ beliefs about appropriate practices within the culture of journalism and their personal experiences in the field. These tensions may exacerbate negative effects of witnessing human violence and suffering. Articulating and exploring these tensions may contribute to our understanding of the use and type of support needed and desired by news workers both in and out of the newsroom. (APA PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)." (Abstract)
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"This study brings journalists back to the centre of inquiry about the media’s role in covering ethnicity and religion. It asks: What professional norms guide editors and journalists when reporting on ethnicity and religion? What news gathering tools are most commonly used? What are the institutio
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nal constraints in producing reports? What could have been done better? What makes excellent coverage? What type of journalistic work fuels intolerance instead of providing information that supports intercultural understanding? Based on extensive interviews with 117 journalists and editors in nine EU countries and analysis of 299 news stories, it offers a review of reporting practices as related to the coverage of ethnic and religious issues. The study finds that the main obstacles to good reporting are the poor financial state of the media, overloading of reporters, lack of time, lack of knowledge, and lack of in-house training." (Executive summary, page 2)
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"Since the invasion of Iraq in 2003, war journalists have reported news from the battlefields and streets of Baghdad to the world audiences. As the violent conflict in Iraq winds down, so do the war reporting operations in Iraq. Based on in-depth interviews with 23 war correspondents, this study inv
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estigates gatekeeping forces that affected the journalists’ news coverage of the Iraq War. The study found that the war journalists singled out personal judgment, an individual-level gatekeeping force, to be the most salient element in reporting the escalation period of the Iraq War. However, the journalists responded that financial constraints and deference to audience interest, organizational-level, and social institutional-level gatekeeping forces determined the direction and the volume of the war reporting more saliently during the de-escalation period of the Iraq War." (Abstract)
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"This report is focused on attitudes to trust in international media. It collates findings from 36 focus groups and 11 immersion interviews conducted in Nairobi (Kenya), Cairo (Egypt), Dakar (Senegal), Mumbai (India) and Lahore (Pakistan) in the summer and autumn of 2010 [...] The report explores th
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ree core questions for each market. What news are people interested in? Which providers do people trust and why? How does trust affect the consumption of news from different providers and across different platforms? Whiel for each market there are different responses to these questions, the findings also identify a number of overarching trends across the five markets." (Executive summary)
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"Independence for the former Soviet republics of Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan in Central Asia has not led to press freedom, solutions to pressing environmental problems, or development of effective grassroots nongovernmental organizations. This article examines relations between journalists and environ
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mental nongovernmental organizations, and it identifies barriers to in-depth, balanced, and accurate news coverage of environmental issues and events." (Abstract)
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