"Radio has long been seen as an important tool in the social, economic and political mobilization of developing countries. There have been volumes (Fardon & Furniss; Head Manoff; Wedell; Hyden, Leslie & Ogundimu) written about social development and the utility of radio in addition to how radio migh
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t be used in post-conflict and nation building scenarios. However, there has been little, if any, examination of a more holistic approach of how both these bodies of work might be melded together providing some insight into how media, and more specifically radio, might be used as a peacebuilder. This paper seeks to draw elements from both social development and conflict resolution theories, bringing them together to examine how radio could be used in post-conflict and conflict resolution situations. An examination of Radio Okapi in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC; former Zaire) will serve as a case study of the role radio can play as a post-conflict or peace-building tool." (Introduction)
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"In May 2003, UNESCO and Sida jointly organized a seminar on ”Assistance to Media in Tension Areas and Violent Conflict”, bringing together a select number of NGOs, UN agencies and donors for two main purposes: first, to discuss various experiences and perspectives on assistance to media in conf
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lict situations and, second, to highlight the key issues relevant to conflict management and media support. The seminar, held in Vaxholm outside Stockholm, generated a number of recommendations that aimed at combining conflict management strategies and press freedom principles. These recommendations will be incorporated into the planning process leading up to World Press Freedom Day 2004, to be organized by UNESCO in Belgrade on 3 May 2004. In addition, they will be included in follow up donor discussions. A comprehensive discussion paper was produced as background for the seminar’s deliberations. The booklet before you is a compilation of the discussion papers produced for the seminar, reflecting the outcomes of the discussions." (Foreword)
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"This study proposes four focus areas for support to the media in these provinces including: Strengthening the Media Environment; Developing Professional Skills and Resources; Facilitating Information Flows and Access; Supporting Community-based Communication." (Recommendations, page 50)
"The International Media Support (IMS) Conference, entitled ‘Friends or Foes? - Peacekeeping Forces, Humanitarian Aid and Media Development’ was held in Copenhagen on 26 and 27 November 2004. The theme of the Conference was the dilemma facing media development in the wake of peacekeeping and hum
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anitarian aid operations in conflict-affected areas. The need for rapid and effective dissemination of information from aid organisations and peacekeeping forces sometimes collides with the development of an independent media sector. The conference therefore sought to examine cases from post-conflict situations, including amongst others Liberia, Iraq, Kosovo and Afghanistan. The speakers included representative from peacekeeping forces, humanitarian aid agencies, media organisations and freedom of expression organisations." (Page 3)
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"Highlights the major accomplishments and setbacks of electoral, human rights and media assistance to eight post-conflict countries: Cambodia, Ethipoia, Rwanda, Uganda, Mozambique, Sierra Leone, El Salvador and Guatemala. International assistance has been instrumental in encouraging democratic initi
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atives in post-Conflict societies. However, democracy assistance has not been as effective as it could have been for a number of reasons." (commbox)
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"Analyzing the “clues to conflict” in vulnerable societies can enable policymakers to identify societies that are particularly vulnerable to media abuse and decide on the most appropriate type and timing of media interventions. These clues are divided into two categories. Structural indicators c
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oncern media outlets, media professionals, or government institutions concerned with media; these indicators can include media variety and plurality, degree of journalist isolation, and the legal environment for media. Content indicators concern content designed to create fear (such as a focus on past atrocities and history of ethnic hatred) or content designed to create a sense of inevitability and resignation (such as discrediting alternatives to conflict). In response to the clues to conflict, a number of opportunities for intervention are suggested. These media interventions fall into three categories: structural interventions, such as strengthening domestic and international journalist networks; contentspecific interventions, such as issue-oriented training; and aggressive interventions, such as radio and television jamming." (Summary)
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"1. Filled an Important Supporting Role to Indigenous Civil Society: Centre Lokole work supported indigenous civil society, providing them with information and services that enabled them to be more effective and informed in their work. This is important as it reinforces the sustainability of indigen
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ous agencies. Further consideration should be given to providing open and equal access for all local groups. 2. Developed a Highly Popular and Effective Radio Medium: The radio soap opera Jirani Ni Ndugu is the jewel in the Centre Lokole crown. This radio programme is highly popular and effective, with what appears to be a dedicated listenership that takes to heart many of the messages of the programme. Not all the radio programmes have avid followings however and further consideration needs to occur as to the strategic purpose these shows make. 3. Programming Initiated a Multiplier Effect: The results of CL programming went beyond those directly engaged participants. Independent initiatives resulting from engagement in a CL activity or project were clearly visible." (Executive summary)
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