"The results of this content analysis comparing TMF grantees with non-TMF control group show a remarkable performance of TMF. In many areas the TMF group performs significantly better than the control group which can be attributed to TMF's work. Significant good performance of TMF was found in the f
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ollowing categories: Diversity of sources; Diversity of perspectives; Background reporting (root causes); Focus on rural areas; Number of viewpoints. However, in some categories the performance was not too much different from the control group or even less good. This was found in the following categories: Transparency of sources; Putting figures and numbers into context; Coherence; Investigative elements; Balance in viewpoints." (Conclusions, page 23)
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"This research project addressed specifically the information-seeking behaviour of small scale farming households in Kenya. It focused on how farmers are informed about innovation on new methods of increasing agricultural productivity, which is one of the main challenges for Africa's agriculture and
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its rural population. Shortcomings in information are presumed to be one essential element that might hinder the uptake of new methods that are made available by agricultural research. For this purpose a survey with 600 small-scale farming household was conducted, investigating the information needs and patterns. The main results of the survey point to (a) the dominating role of radio as the main media channel used by almost all farmers for receiving agricultural information and much less the mobile phone that is thought by Western donors and NGOs to be the new information tool (b) the high credibility of Government extension services as the most trustworthy source regarding agricultural information although farmers bemoan the fact that extension officers are difficult to reach and less available than expected, and (c) the apparent gap between what farmers need and what they get in two respects: They mainly get technical information, for example on new varieties, planting methods or new crops, but they also want more information on markets, gaining more income and more basic knowledge. They prefer to receive information as a comprehensive package and not isolated bits. Secondly, they prefer another mode of getting information, not the usual top down approach with little explanation, but a comprehensive mode which provides them with various options accompanied by a lot of explanation. Surprisingly, many farmers say that they lack even basic knowledge of good agricultural practice." (Executive summary)
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"This guide aims to bring together the most relevant literature on media development cooperation, both of practical and academic nature, and regardless of ideological background. It focuses on the role of external actors in media development. Included are publications which explicitly address the ro
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le of foreign or international assistance; coherently handle a clearly defined issue; are based on major programmes or various projects; are or were publicly available and were published after 1990. 485 reports, toolkits, strategy papers and academic writings met such criteria and have been included in this literature guide. They have been selected from the databases of the Catholic Media Council (CAMECO), the Center for International Media Assistance (CIMA) and the Communication Initiative. The publications are categorised in three levels: 60 core titles – in large print and single column – can be considered fundamental reading and may serve as an introduction to a given area of media development cooperation. The commentaries briefly indicate their central theses, results or proposals. 100 complementary titles – in smaller print and two columns – expand on the given theme. They are also accompanied by commentaries. 325 additional titles – in small print – cover a specific aspect or case study, and may be of interest for specialised research on a given topic or country. Short explanations may be provided if the title is in a language other than English or is not self-explanatory." (Page 1)
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"Der Artikel skizziert und vergleicht die Marktstrategien und die ökonomische Entwicklung der Verlage Abya-Yala, Ecuador (Ethnologie und Sozialwissenschaften), CEP, Peru (Theologie) und La Crujía, Argentinien (Kommunikationswissenschaft). Er kommt zu dem Schluss, dass Fachbuchverlage erfolgreich s
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ein können, wenn sie ein klar umrissenes "Markenprofil" entwickeln, sich an den unterschiedlichen Bedürfnissen ihrer - auch kleinen - Zielgruppen orientieren und, auch über Landesgrenzen hinweg, die vorhandenen Vertriebsmöglichkeiten konsequent nutzen." (commbox)
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"Seit jeher provozieren Kriege heftige Emotionen. Mit dem Fortschritt militärischer Techniken und Propagandamethoden ging aber auch eine Veränderung der Wahrnehmung von Kriegen durch die Künste einher. Bis heute konstruieren die Literatur, die Fotografie, der Film und das Fernsehen Abbilder von K
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riegsschauplätzen in aller Welt, die ihr Publikum durch die Aufrufung bestimmter ideologischer Rahmungen, Raster oder auch Pathosformeln gezielt zu emotionalisieren versuchen. Namhafte Autorinnen und Autoren aus der internationalen Literatur-, Kultur- und Medienwissenschaft untersuchen verschiedenste Phänomene der historischen und der aktuellen Kriegsinszenierung - in der Literatur seit dem 18. Jahrhundert, im Kino und in den neuen Medien." (Verlagsbeschreibung)
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"The first part of this publication provides insight into the media development practices and policy frameworks of France, Germany, Norway and the United Kingdom while the second part deals with different issues and projects, such as the role of media for social transformation in Africa and coordina
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tion of international donors and implementers. The contributions to this publication indicate a broad mutual understanding of the role of, and strategies for, media development. Four common characteristics can be highlighted. First, media assistance is seen as an integral part of democracy support, mainly due to the role of media as a guarantor of accountability and platform for public discourse. Second, media assistance requires not only journalism training, but a sector approach including all levels of the media sector, as professional editorial and financial management, capable professional associations, and an enabling regulatory environment. Third, financial sustainability is of paramount importance for a functioning independent media sector, and media development cooperation must become more active in this area. Fourth, closer cooperation and partnerships among donors and implementers should be encouraged." (Executive summary)
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"A critical review of project reports, studies, and evaluations was conducted to distil lessons learned and find out what really works and why. The results of this review are close to a paradigm shift: Starting as a magic solution from its beginnings, ICTs are now considered as just another normal m
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edia channel useful for enhancing the effectiveness of development cooperation programs; It is not the technology that counts; it is the economic and social processes behind the technology that drives the change; Thus, ICTs are instrumental, not a goal in itself, and they should serve to improve the practice of development cooperation; The once harsh contrast between ICTs and old media is already close to be overcome, and both are seen as just different instruments for different purposes applicable to different target groups; To reach the poor and marginalized and get their participation ensured (‘voice’), radio is still the most appropriate media channel, at best combined with mobile telephony, to which all segments of society are increasingly gaining access; Internet and PCs are more appropriate for the urban elite, for NGOs and other intermediaries to the poor and marginalised. Thus, a target group specific approach to ICTs and media is the most promising for improving development cooperation projects." (Executive summary)
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"This publication includes profiles of 21 German organisations active in media development cooperation. An introductory article offers an overview of current German media assistance trends. According to the preface (page 3) "new specialised actors have emerged; new concepts in strengthening the prof
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essional capacity of media have been introduced; tailor made instruments for monitoring and evaluation are being developed; the investments in media development cooperation seem to be expanding. However, German media development cooperation continues to be inadequate at strengthening a supportive legal and regulatory environment and economic sustainability of media in developing and transitional countries." (commbox)
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"The main problem of journalism in Madagascar is not the much-discussed “politicization”, i.e. the political bias in some media in favour of one side or another. As long as such opinions are transparent, such bias need not be to the detriment of the media sector; indeed, other countries bear tes
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timony to this. The main dilemma, instead, is the poor quality of the information presented, and the lack of background and analysis. Not only is there room for a greater diversity of viewpoints, but journalists seem either incapable, unable or uninterested when it comes to searching for new information, cross-checking available facts, and going into in-depth analysis. When criticism is voiced, it remains superficial and ultimately polemic." (Conclusions, page 59)
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