"A major limitation in the development and protection of people’s media in Thailand is the unstable and highly polarized political environment in which governments are short-lived and the constitution is not taken seriously as the fundamental law of the land. As a result, media have become tools i
...
n larger political struggles. This analysis demonstrates that while several foundational elements necessary to promote people’s media are emerging in Thailand, others are still lacking. A clear understanding of people’s media as distinguished from both state and commercialmedia has recently gained strength. Yet, constitutional protections for people’s communication rights are nevertheless undermined by politicized media laws that in practice carry more weight than the constitution and prevent people from acting on their communication rights with confidence. This article explores these issues, and discusses two forms in which people’s media have found a space to operate – community radio and Internet-based people’s media. The analysis finds that while these media still find themselves struggling to survive a complex and constantly shifting policy environment, the basic concept of communication rights has taken hold, in the process providing lessons for people’s media elsewhere." (Abstract)
more
"The book’s narrative structure intentionally uses minimal theoretical academic abstractions. Instead, it adopts a pragmatic approach – journalistic to an extent – to speculate what works best for journalists in Asia given the political constraints and resource limitations that many are compel
...
led to work under, and which journalists in richer developed countries would take for granted. As the title of the book implies, speculative discussions, commentaries and interviews with journalists aim to rediscover “development journalism” as a viable model for working out the recognisable benchmarks of best practice in the Asian context. Case studies and interviews were mainly conducted with English language newspapers – excluding the local language community radio, which is arguably the most influential medium in developing societies – for no other reason than language accessibility." (Prologue, page xv)
more
"This book examines the role played by the media in China's ongoing cultural transformation. It demonstrates that the media is integral to China's changing culture in the age of globalization, whilst also being part and parcel of the State and its project of re-imagining national identity." (Publish
...
er description)
more
"[...] The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of international media training on radio professionals in Indonesia. The study examined the effectiveness of training organizations in implementing training programs in Indonesia. Diffusion of innovation theory was used as a theoretical fr
...
amework based on the premise that training has been one of the most common tools used to diffuse new ideas and knowledge other than the formal education setting. A mixed-methodology by combining focus group discussion and survey was used in order to understand the impact of training for Indonesian radio professionals. Finding suggested that most journalists and managers adopted training and diffused the new knowledge and skills to fellow professionals. Some of them continued to adopt while others stopped due to both internal and external challenges. Journalists said management was the main obstacle to for adoption; while managers blamed the market situation. In addition, other factors that occurred in training also played a role in adoption including participant selection, needs assessment, training materials, trainers and the structure of training." (Abstract)
more
"The glories past of the Cambodian cinema, with international well known filmmakers like the former King Sihanouk, seems to be well and truly over. The current breakdown of the Cambodian cinema industry shows an alarming circle and reflects a desolate situation. In this book the author Kirstin Wille
...
examines the existing framework conditions and figures out the reasons for this situation. In doing so a model is developed that contains general key factors for the success of motion pictures and interrelations among these factors. Due to country specific demands, she conducted a survey among cinemagoers to figure out the key components and gives advices which framework conditions must be changed generally and what kind of movies should be produced in order to build up a prosperous film industry." (Back cover)
more
"This article analyses the importance of participation in development discourse and examines the effectiveness of theatre as a participatory technique and communication channel. It considers how theatre forms and aesthetics have potential power to produce individual and collective knowledge and alte
...
r perceptions. It examines community as a unit of analysis and the role it can play in selfdetermination, considering existing power structures. It is placed in the context of Jana Sanskriti, which aims to help communities learn how to use theatre as a language for reflection, exploration, and analysis in order to articulate new direction and bring about transformation." (Abstract)
more
"This book examines the incorporation of newly accessible mass media into practices of religious mediation in a variety of settings including the Pentecostal Church and Islamic movements, as well as the use of religious forms and image in the sphere of radio and cinema." (Publisher description)
"This guide and the included mulitimedia CD will guide you step by step mulitimedia CD will guide you step by step through the process of establishing your own community radio. It starts by explaining what community radio is and how to determine the communication needs of a community. It continues w
...
ith the importance of community involvement and volunteering, includes information on appropriate technology and ends with financial sustainability and evaluation. This guide also builds on examples and reflects upon lessons learnt from the pilot project in Khoun District and draws your attention to important issues you need to consider when establishing your own station. The biggest challenge in setting up a community radio is not the technical equipment or the transmitter, there is always a solution to that. The challenge is how to organize the community support and involve members of the community right from the beginning in developing in developing their community radio. The other challenge is how to produce creative interactive programmes that community radio. The other challenge is how to produce creative interactive programmes that allow as many people within the community as possible to participate in the broadcasts in different ways." (Introduction, page 3)
more
"This guidebook offers instructions for strengthening the organisation of community radio stations, in order to improve their effectiveness and efficiency. The all-embracing essentials of community radio station management, ie, governance and programme/financial/technical management, are discussed i
...
n detail. Aspects of these organisational tasks are human resource plans, resource mobilisation, fundraising, accounting, maintenance of equipment and the determination of a clear broadcasting policy. But not only advice for practical matters is given: The publication further discusses the underlying mission, vision and goals of organisations, which are viewed as not sufficiently thought through by many community radio stations, yet crucial for their survival. The guidebooks' step-by-step lists, tables and forms, in part taken from existing community radio stations like Radio Sagarmatha in Nepal, are particularly useful, as they show how theoretical and abstract manuals can be turned into practice." (commbox)
more
"Given the centrality of communication to society, who ‘owns’ the media, who gets to speak on behalf of whom, and to what end are critical issues. The regression of ‘mainstream’ media from ‘watchdogs’ of democracies to business ventures resulting in Habermasian ‘refeudalisation of the
...
public sphere’ is worrying. Community media re-engage communities on the periphery, opening possibilities for social change. The dominance of mainstream players in media governance, complicated by sustainability concerns of grassroots enterprises, result in legislation that impedes the potentiality of community media access and participation – as mapped in this paper with the case of community radio struggle in India." (Abstract)
more