"In this moment of unprecedented humanitarian crises, the representations of global disasters are increasingly common media themes around the world. The Routledge Companion to Media and Humanitarian Action explores the interconnections between media, old and new, and the humanitarian challenges that
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have come to define the twenty-first century. Contributors, including media professionals and experts in humanitarian affairs, grapple with what kinds of media language, discourse, terms, and campaigns can offer enough context and background knowledge to nurture informed global citizens. Case studies of media practices, content analysis and evaluation of media coverage, and representations of humanitarian emergencies and affairs offer further insight into the ways in which strategic communications are designed and implemented in field of humanitarian action." (Publisher description)
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"Anne Skjelmerud and Ivar Evensmo, both senior advisers at the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation, present a tour d'horizon of Norway's pioneering engagement to change the asymmetrical N
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orth-South news flow, a legacy of the colonial area, in order to improve the global flow of information. Their essay is drawn from decades of field experience and professional analysis that involves media policy and humanitarian action. Norway discovered and explored a practical partnership approach to local media support for development, peace building, democracy, and human rights in the Balkans in the 1990s. They argue that a trusted relationship must be based on sound principles of collaboration, otherwise it may be vulnerable to opportunistic behavior from both sides. The essay analyses how media development has emerged as a field of knowledge and practice. Norad's Human Rights Approach emphasizes people's rights to participation, non-discrimination, and accountability in life-saving operations. It covers development programs, advocacy and educational endeavors, while taking democratic engagement seriously. The essay gives examples of how media and communication can act as informational platforms for peace building, development and social change. However, this requires close collaboration between providers of peace and security, humanitarian and long-term development support. When done right, support to media and communication can have strong, long-term impact. They point out that today Norway is one of the ten largest international supporters of independent media and other activities promoting Freedom of Expression, which in turn has a tremendous impact on media coverage of the field of humanitarian action." (Introduction to part 3, page 132-133)
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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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