"As different governments have assumed power in Zambia since the democratic tide that swept across Africa in the early 1990s, the conundrum of a free press continues to complicate governance and journalistic practices. This study investigated how members of Parliament (MPs) felt about press freedom.
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A survey administered to current MPs, which had a response rate of 52%, revealed that almost 95% (94.6%, n=70) agreed or strongly agreed that press freedom in Zambia should be increased. A parallel measure of questionnaire reliability asked Parliamentarians to respond to the statement, Press freedom in Zambia should be decreased. The majority 81.1% (n=60) disagreed or strongly disagreed. The study’s overall results indicate that there is an awareness of the importance of press freedom among the MPs, but there appears to be a reluctance – rather than resilience – to implement changes that would provide for a freer press system." (Abstract)
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"This paper examines the relationship between parliamentary journalists and Spanish Members of Parliament. The study, based on surveys, is part of a European research in which Germany, Denmark and the United Kingdom have also participated. Among the key conclusions, it highlights the remarkable powe
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r of the media in politics and the sensationalism in political texts perceived by politicians. Concerning journalists, the majority felt that their professional work is driven by competition with other media and internal pressures, political and economic, coming from their own organization." (Abstract)
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"The Sourcebook highlights the key and fundamental ICT ofr Development (ICT4D) issues by emphasising the importance of ICT4D policies, the development of national ICT agendas, the application of ICTs in specific sectors, and the role of government and members of parliament in the process of implemen
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ting ICT4D in their respective countries. Examples from the Asia-Pacific region are provided to demonstrate how different stakeholders have successfully applied ICTs to bridge the digital divide with concrete socio-economic benefits. The Sourcebook also seeks to provide and equip parliamentarians and other decision-makers in government with key skills required to evaluate and monitor ICT initiatives within their respective nations with emphasis on the importance of analysing the objectives of ICT4D programmes, determining appropriate ICT components, empowering and encouraging stakeholder participation, and evaluating the eventual outcome of ICT4D initiatives." (Back cover)
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"Las páginas que siguen tienen, además de un rico arsenal teórico, un evidente carácter testimonial. Refleja los esfuerzos cumplidos por los Comités de Vigilancia Ciudadana respecto de los congresistas electos por los departamentos de Arequipa, Cuzco, Huancavelica, Loreto y Ayacucho. La elecci
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n del Congreso, como objeto de vigilancia, no es, por cierto, arbitraria. Responde a una necesidad universal de reonciliación entre el pueblo y sus órganos representativos que, con la video política, han ido perdiendo presencia y paulatinamente, también legitimidad. Y ello afecta, de modo grave al sistema democrático que se asienta precisamente sobre la base de la representación y, desde luego, de los partidos. Lograr esa reconciliación pasa, sin duda, por una mayor eficiencia en la tarea parlamentaria pero también por una comunicación, directa e inmediata, entre representantes y representados y entre el pueblo y los órganos de intermediación política." (Cubierta del libro)
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