"[The authors] introduce a conceptual model for organizations and other stakeholders wishing to monitor and evaluate sustainable journalism. Their chapter provides a theoretical foundation for the argument that journalistic media competes for a wide range of resources that determine their success an
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d sustainability. By carefully identifying and monitoring the distribution of these resources, which include, for instance, advertising revenue, audience attention, government resources, investor capital and skilled labor, we will better understand the nuances and dynamics of media ecologies, and possibly respond to the processes by which some organizations evolve while others fade away." (Page xxxi)
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"Journals in the developing world face challenges in becoming known and respected in the international research landscape. Since 1998 the Journals Online project has established a network of local journal platforms to help Southern journals gain an online presence and increase their global visibilit
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y. The framework described in this document is a response to the second part of the challenge: that of increasing respect for Southern journals. Concerns are often raised about the perceived quality and transparency of publication processes for Southern journals. This, in turn, limits the perceived credibility of the research published within those journals. The Journal Publishing Practices and Standards (JPPS) framework provides detailed assessment criteria for the quality of publishing practices of Southern journals and is initially being used to assess the journals hosted on JOL platforms. Journals assessed against the JPPS criteria are given one of six levels: inactive title; new title; no stars; one star; two stars; and three stars. The assigned JPPS levels serve a dual purpose. For readers, they provide assurance that the journals meet an internationally recognized set of criteria at a particular level. For journal editors, the detailed feedback from the JPPS assessment helps them identify ways to improve their publishing practices and standards with a view to achieving a higher level at the next assessment. The JPPS framework has been established and is managed by African Journals Online (AJOL) and INASP." (Summary)
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"The 2016 Norms and Standards, now consolidated into one document, are interrelated and mutually reinforcing. The ten general norms should be upheld in the conduct of any evaluation; the four institutional norms should be reflected in the management and governance of evaluation functions. The associ
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ated standards support the implementation of these normative principles. The 2016 Norms and Standards will serve as the framework for the UNEG evaluation competencies, peer reviews and benchmarking initiatives. UNEG guidance documents provide further details and guidance on implementation of these Norms and Standards and on evaluation practice within their framework. In some areas, UNEG working groups are updating or developing new guidance where gaps exist, informed by the practical experience of UNEG members and global good practices." (Preamble)
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"This brief offers a simple one-page tool for thinking about the theories of change that underlie public policy advocacy strategies. It first presents the tool and then offers six questions that advocates, and funders working with advocates, can work through to better articulate their theories of ch
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ange. The tool—labeled the advocacy strategy framework—has several advantages over more familiar linear box-and-arrow theory-of-change tools: As advocacy is not predictable or linear, the tool does not force linear thinking; it offers a place to start, rather than a blank page; it helps advocates to think more specifically about audiences—who is expected to change and how, and what it will take to get them there; while theories of change often consider advocacy strategies in isolation of other efforts, this tool helps to think about how other advocates (like-minded or in opposition) are positioned; it prompts thinking about useful tactics and meaningful interim outcomes." (Introduction, page 1)
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"The BetterEvaluation Rainbow Framework prompts you to think about a series of key questions. It is important to consider all these issues, including reporting, at the beginning of an evaluation. The Framework can be used to plan an evaluation or to locate information about particular types of metho
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ds. An expanded version of the framework showing options or methods for each question can be downloaded from our website: http://betterevaluation.org/plan." (Introduction)
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"International law provides robust general protection for freedom of expression, including freedom of the media, and this has been subject to detailed elaboration by international human rights courts and other official bodies tasked with promoting human rights globally and regionally. For the media,
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some of the key implications of the right to freedom of expression are that the media should only be regulated where this is necessary to serve an overriding social interest and that such regulation should be undertaken only by bodies which are protected against political and commercial interference. Furthermore, an important goal of media regulation should be to foster and promote diversity in the media. International law also places clear limits on restrictions on what may be published or broadcast through the media, while also imposing a positive obligation on States to put in place systems to ensure that individuals can access information held by public bodies. All of the countries in the Arab world are in serious breach of all or most of these standards. While there has been some progress recently, particularly in terms of respect for freedom of expression in practice, the need for comprehensive media law reform in the region remains pressing and very substantial. Unless structural protection for media freedom is provided through law reform efforts, it is extremely unlikely that any gains in respect for freedom of expression will be lasting." (Conclusion, page 64)
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"This Tool is not a true how-to manual, although it offers detailed suggestions from leading journalists on innovative ways to use a vast and growing trove of public records and independent media networks. The flood of information in today’s inter-connected world creates an opportunity for journal
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ists focused on corruption, and this document provides advice for extracting that information and explaining what it means to the public. It also places great emphasis on the need for ethics, accountability and accuracy that distinguish professional investigative reporting from an increasing number of online and social media sites that often publish information without the depth and context such efforts require. Most of the measures outlined have been long practiced and taught by respected journalists and academics. This document also takes a step further, introducing innovative suggestions, such as standardizing computer records across nations, enlisting lawyers to work pro-bono with journalists, and increasing the use of cross-border journalism networks and evidence-based activism." (Page 8)
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"Evaluating Communication for Development presents a comprehensive framework for evaluating communication for development (C4D). This framework combines the latest thinking from a number of fields in new ways. It critiques dominant instrumental, accountability-based approaches to development and eva
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luation and offers an alternative holistic, participatory, mixed methods approach based on systems and complexity thinking and other key concepts. It maintains a focus on power, gender and other differences and social norms. The authors have designed the framework as a way to focus on achieving sustainable social change and to continually improve and develop C4D initiatives. The benefits and rigour of this approach are supported by examples and case studies from a number of action research and evaluation capacity development projects undertaken by the authors over the past fifteen years. Building on current arguments within the fields of C4D and development, the authors reinforce the case for effective communication being a central and vital component of participatory forms of development, something that needs to be appreciated by decision makers. They also consider ways of increasing the effectiveness of evaluation capacity development from grassroots to management level in the development context, an issue of growing importance to improving the quality, effectiveness and utilisation of monitoring and evaluation studies in this field. The book includes a critical review of the key approaches, methodologies and methods that are considered effective for planning evaluation, assessing the outcomes of C4D, and engaging in continuous learning." (Publisher description)
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"The UNESCO Global Media and Information Literacy (MIL) Assessment Framework is a practical tool developed by UNESCO to assist its Member States in monitoring the extent to which investments in an enabling environment are required to support the development of and competencies in Media and Informati
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on Literacy of their citizens – in particular teachers in service and in training – to enable them to participate in global knowledge societies. This Global MIL Assessment Framework provides a conceptual and theoretical framework for MIL, and introduces the rationale and methodology for conducting an assessment of country readiness and existing competencies on MIL at the national level. It also includes practical steps for adaptation at national levels." (Back cover)
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"Quality assurance (QA) systems applied in educational contexts are generally concerned with inputs — how much money is spent, what staffing, resources and support are provided, what kinds of teaching and learning are involved, and so on. There is an assumption — not always fulfilled — that th
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e higher the standards of the inputs, the higher the quality of the outputs. In this toolkit, we propose a different approach: the evaluation of the programmes’ outcomes, outputs and impacts. We examine the differences between informal and self-directed learning, nonformal education and training (NFE) and formal education; provide examples of NFE programmes using a variety of face-to-face, distance education and technology-based teaching and learning methods; examine the approaches to QA that are required in NFE; consider the outputs, outcomes and impacts that can be achieved in NFE programmes; propose the adoption of a rigorous but simple-to-use QA framework which is based on outputs, outcomes and impacts." (Back cover)
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"The gender-sensitive indicators for media (GSIM) is a non-prescriptive set of indicators, designed particularly for media of all forms. However it bears much relevance and usefulness to citizens' media groups advocating for gender equality, other non-governmental organizations, media associations,
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journalists' unions and clubs, media self-regulatory bodies, civil society organizations, especially those concerned with gender and media, government ministries or entities, academic institutions and research centres such as journalism, communication, technology schools and universities and other training institutes. The purpose is to encourage media organizations to make gender equality issues transparent and comprehensible to the public, as well as to analyze their own internal policies and practices with a view to take necessary actions for change. The hope is that media organizations will, through their own mechanisms, decide to adapt and apply these indicators to enhance media development and quality journalism." (Page 16)
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