"This report records and analyzes the results of a study in which partners of the Justice Initiative in 14 countries filed a total of 1,926 requests for information. In each country, seven different requesters twice submitted up to 70 questions to 18 public institutions. Requesters included NGOs, jo
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urnalists, business persons, non-affiliated persons, and members of excluded groups, such as illiterate or disabled persons or those from vulnerable minorities. The requests were for the types of information that public bodies hold—or should hold." (Summary of findings, page 11)
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"This collection of 10 original essays honors the intellectual legacy of Prof Everett M Rogers (1931–2004), a pioneering and distinguished teacher—scholar of diffusion of innovations, communication networks, and social change. Well-known colleagues and contemporaries write on topics that not onl
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y piqued Rogers' curiosity, but to which he made seminal and lasting contributions. The concluding documents Rogers' life journey from his modest farm boy beginnings in Iowa, through his distinguished academic career, to his final return to the farm." (Publisher description)
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"Gemessen an seiner Einwohnerzahl hat Australien den größten Community Radio-Sektor weltweit. Seit der Verabschiedung des Broadcasting and Services Act im Jahr 1992 und der damit verbundenen Vereinfachung der Lizenzvergabe für Community Radios steigt die Zahl von Community Radios kontinuierlich a
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n. Von dieser Entwicklung ausgehend untersucht die vorliegende Arbeit die damit zusammenhängenden Auswirkungen auf die selbstdefinierten Ansprüche des Mediums Community Radio anhand von drei Fallbeispielsendern in Sydney. Im Mittelpunkt der Arbeit steht die Untersuchung der Umsetzung der zwei wesentlichen an die Medienform Community Radio gerichteten Ansprüche: interessierten Bürgern einen offenen Zugang zum und umfassende Partizipationsmöglichkeiten am Medium Community Radio zu bieten. Daraus wurde die grundlegende Frage für diese Arbeit abgeleitet: in welcher Art und Weise wird der theoretische Anspruch eines offenen Zugangs und einer realen Partizipation von den drei Fallbeispielsendern in der Realität verwirklicht? [...] Nachdem im deskriptiven Schritt der Untersuchung die drei Fallbeispielsender anhand gleicher Kriterien beschrieben wurden, ist vor dem Hintergrund der herausgearbeiteten Eigenschaften der theoretische Anspruch nach offenem Zugang und umfassender Partizipation analytisch untersucht worden. Diese Untersuchung lässt folgendes Fazit zu: die wachsende Konkurrenzsituation durch die Zulassung eines weiteren Community Radios (FBI Radio) führt in Teilen von Sydneys zu einem erhöhten Wettbewerb. Folge ist eine zunehmende Professionalisierung, womit zwangsläufig Selektionskriterien und Beschränkungen in den Bereichen Zugang und Partizipation einhergingen. Für interessierte Bürger in Sydney, die an einer Mitarbeit am Medium Community Radio interessiert sind, haben sich die Möglichkeiten einer Mitarbeit damit nicht verbessert, sondern verschlechtert. Zugang und Partizipation ist nur noch in einem Rahmen möglich, der den theoretischen Vorstellungen an das Medium Community Radio widerspricht, wie beispielhaft anhand der beiden Radiostationen Radio 2ser und FBI Radio verdeutlicht wurde. Daraus ergibt sich eine Diskrepanz zwischen Anspruch und Wirklichkeit. Die Radioschaffenden bei den drei untersuchten Community Radios müssen einen Balanceakt zwischen den Vorschriften der zuständigen Behörden (ACMA, CBF und CBAA), dem eigenen Anspruch und der Wirtschaftlichkeit ihres Radios bewältigen, der aber in zunehmendem Maße nicht mehr gelingt. Die Grenzen zwischen Community Radios – als not- for profit Organisationen – und kommerziellen Radios verschwimmen zusehends. Community Radios, die auf Kosten der Professionalität an den Ansprüchen des Mediums nach freiem Zugang und Partizipation festhalten, stehen vor immensen finanziellen Problemen, da sie nur wenig Sponsoren an sich binden können und staatliche Finanzierungshilfen weiter gekürzt werden. Im Falle von Koori Radio konnte gezeigt werden, dass dies einen geregelten Tagesablauf und eine zukunftsfähige Planung kaum zulässt. Wie dieser problematischen Entwicklung entgegengewirkt werden kann, ist nicht klar. Die Regierung hat sich bisherigen Anfragen nach einer Erhöhung der staatlichen Unterstützung für den Hörfunktyp Community Radio verweigert. Auch die Idee der Erhebung einer Sonderbesteuerung für kommerzielle Radios, um damit Community Radios zu unterstützen, hatte bislang keinen Erfolg." (Zusammenfassung, Seite 110-111)
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"The purpose of the study is to determine the challenges and prospects of community radio in Ethiopia, taking Harar Community Radio (HCR) as a case study. This radio station is selected because it has already stopped broadcasting a few months ago. For the effectiveness of the research, efforts have
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been made to study the overall operational activities of Harar Community Radio and the attitudes of its audience toward the managing, financing and production processes. The researcher acquired the necessary data and information by employing both quantitative and qualitative methods, including document inspection. Taking sample survey as the main means of acquiring data, focus group discussion and in-depth interviews have been used to complement the study. In addition, different books and documents were revised to give depth to the research outcome. The researcher has also examined the theories of participatory communication and Jankowski’s community media research agenda to specify the research objectives and questions. The outcome of the study has pointed out that Harar Community Radio lacked many qualities of a community radio station. As the findings clearly identify, it is not possible to take HCR as a well organized community radio station. On the other hand, however, the radio station still has the support and trust of its audience." (Abstract)
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"Recognising that PV projects have their pitfalls, the authors call on facilitators of PV to require knowledge and experience of personal and group development processes and to be sensible to the challenges and issues facing vulnerable and marginalized people. Lack of transparency and follow-up, and
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broken or unreasonable promises will foster disillusionment. The authors argue that PV is a powerful means of documenting local people's experiences, needs and hopes from their own perspective. It initiates a process of analysis and change that celebrates local knowledge and practice, while also stimulating local and regional creativity. The authors emphasise the importance of granting all community members equal access to the process, so that all voices are expressed and heard. An outline of the PV process offered by the authors includes: participants are taught how to use the video equipment through games and exercises; using PRA tools and PV techniques, facilitators help the group to identify and analyse important community issues; short video messages are directed and filmed by the participants; footage is shown to the wider community at daily screenings; a dynamic process of community-led learning, sharing and exchange is set in motion; complete films can be used to promote awareness of the various groups; this process helps strengthen both horizontal and vertical communication. The authors recognise that possible bottlenecks include: limited recognition of the value of PV by home organisation, staff, and funders; empowerment and participation of target group may not be the aim of the organisation and/or funder; the organisation may be unaware of the importance of participatory forms of communication; lack of equipment or technical problems; lack of time and skill to edit footage and implement the pilot project; lack of (facilitation) skills to implement the PV pilot project; being lost when training is over or the handbook does not offer adequate guidance; limited budget for equipment or for spending necessary time on PV." (ELDIS)
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"From all that has come before it should be all too clear that starting up and developing a small independent community newspaper takes considerable tenacity. There is a general perception in this sector that the value of these publications often goes unacknowledged. Shirley Govender of the Southern
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and Soweto News summarises how many of independents in this research appear to feel: “No one takes you seriously as an independent publisher…[we] feel that disadvantage is running through our veins.” In every single newspaper’s case study at least one person says they are in the industry for the love of it. Most are stoic regarding challenges they face. Some are more independent than others. Many form good and often interesting symbiotic partnerships to share resources and people-power. Some report on contentious issues, most do not. The majority use their newspapers in ways that work towards building a better life for themselves and the communities they serve. But few have the time and know-how to access and engage with media development agencies. And fewer still have the time and expertise to represent the voice of small community publications in the battle against unfair competition, inequitable practices and marginalisation." (Conclusion, page 114)
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"Contains 11 studies, mainly on information projects, each with between four and eight stories told by people involved in those studies. Each set of stories is prefaced by a summary of the study." (commbox)
"This book analyzes the different ways in which media are being used for community building and it also critically interrogates the concept of community itself. The authors do that from a variety of different perspectives, ranging from fundamental philosophical questions regarding community, to the
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role of journalism, the possibilities of community building on a local, national and global level, online media communities as means of empowerment for marginalized groups, the representation of communities in the media, and the formation of learning communities. Although there is a clear dominance in focusing on the chances and possibilities opened up by the Internet, the role of more traditional media like magazines, radio and television is being examined as well. Both sides, the media representations with the identity positions they offer as well as the interpretations and meaning productions that take place by the users of the media, are taken into account to cover the full range of media as cultural tools of connectivity." (Publisher description)
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"This book is a review of 56 projects funded by the Pan-Asia ICT R&D Grants Programme for Asia-Pacific from 2002-2005. The aim of this book is to examine trends within these particular information and communications technology (ICT) projects in order to determine factors for success, and, common cha
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llenges. The underlying goal is to understand which projects have a lasting impact and can be replicated on a larger scale [...] In general, the review and analysis show that projects of particular value are those that increase access to information, improve efficiency, and support participation in civil society and governance initiatives. A key factor of success is projects that embrace participation and include a consultative process in their design, planning and implementation phases. However, the research showed that building partnerships and reaching common understandings throughout the planning of these initiatives was a complex and challenging undertaking. The importance of dissemination and marketing of project results is a common thread throughout each of the projects in this book. Some projects with successfully completed research objectives could not progress further without substantial promotional efforts. The analysis in this book also points to a range of strategies in which projects can be expanded on a larger scale. For example, project models can grow by moving to new locations thereby gaining momentum elsewhere." (Foreword)
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"Indigenous peoples from all corners of the globe continue to struggle for acknowledgement and recognition of their unique visions of water, both at home and in national, regional and international forums. But almost without exception, their voices remain obscured by a mainstream discourse rooted in
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the conception of water as a mere commodity. Water and Indigenous Peoples is based on the papers delivered on the occasion of the Second and the Third World Water Forums (The Hague in 2000 and Kyoto in 2003). It brings to the fore some of the most incisive indigenous critics of international debates on water access, use and management, as well as indigenous expressions of generosity that share community knowledge and insight in order to propose remedies for the global water crisis." (Back cover)
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