"On 5 September 2002, an International Seminar bringing together representatives of the Afghan government, local civil society and the international community adopted a Declaration on Promoting an Independent and Pluralistic Media in Afghanistan (‘the Declaration’). This Declaration, together wi
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th the Policy Directions on Reconstruction and Development of Media in Afghanistan issued by the Minister for Information and Culture on 6 June (‘the Policy Directions’), constitutes the basic framework for the development of media policy in Afghanistan. Both the Policy Directions and the Declaration are firmly rooted in international law and standards. This Explanatory Memorandum seeks to elaborate the international and comparative law basis for the Declaration, particularly relating to the guarantee of freedom of expression. It draws on international law, as elaborated in the decisions of international courts and authoritative international statements, as well as leading national court decisions interpreting constitutional guarantees of freedom of expression. It is intended to contribute towards implementation of the Policy Directions and Declaration. Where possible, specific suggestions are made for the practical implementation of individual action points mentioned in the Declaration. This memorandum first discusses the importance of freedom of expression in a democratic society, with particular emphasis on the special role of the media. It then provides a commentary on those issues addressed in the Declaration which are of a legal or regulatory nature, including public service broadcasting and the promotion of an independent and pluralistic media." (Introduction)
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"Media in China is about a new kind of revolution in China - a revolution in which rapidly commercializing media industries confront slow-changing power relations between political, social and economic spheres. This interdisciplinary collection draws on the expertise of industry professionals, acade
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mic experts and cultural critics. It offers a variety of perspectives on audio-visual industries in the world's largest media market. In particular, the contributors examine television, film, music, commercial and political advertising, and new media such as the internet and multimedia. These essays explore evolving audience demographies, new patterns of media reception in regional centres, and the gradual internationalization of media content and foreign investment in China's broadcasting industries." (Publisher description)
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"This study, sponsored by the Communication Assistance Foundation, examines the potential for community-based radio in Afghanistan and identifies examples of how community radio can support initiatives for community development. The report and its recommendations are primarily intended as a resource
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for agencies and organizations considering supporting radio, media or communication activities in the country, whether with funds or expertise [...] The report's main conclusion is that community radio is not only a viable option for Afghanistan, it is also a low-cost and effective way of contributing to medium and long-term efforts for reconstruction, development, democracy and nation-building. Community radio can be the missing link in a three-tiered publicservice radio system made up of national, regional and local radio stations. Recommendations deal with awareness of community radio, legal issues, governance, technology, and coordination of activities." (Executive summary, page II-III)
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"This book examines how media have brought about or paced dramatic political events in Southeast Asia over the last two decades. It highlights a situation where media dynamics are no longer a simple formula of state control versus media resistance. The state can propel its own media-liberalizing pro
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gramme; civil society can be an enemy of press freedom; market forces and cultural mindsets are sometimes more potent agents of change than state-appointed media custodians. Practitioners, scholars and activists have come together in this volume to provide a diversity of narratives on subjects as varied as powerful politicians and marginalized transsexuals." (Publisher description)
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"This book documents the inputs and final statement of the third “Bishops’ Institute for Social Communication” (BISCOM III Samphran, Thailand 2001), a first time gathering of seminary rectors, formators and Church-communication experts on a common theme. It is insightful, bringing together vas
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t experiences of eight resource persons from Asia and US. The resolve is for clergy and religious to acquire skills, but more to be formed in the communicating disposition, attitude and person of Christ." (Publisher description)
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"La mondialisation des médias est souvent perçue comme une menace pour la souveraineté ou l'identité nationale des pays du Tiers Monde. Elle est en revanche rarement envisagée sous l'angle de ses effets potentiellement subversifs dans ceux de ces pays où le pouvoir, soucieux de son monopole po
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litique, s'efforce d'exercer un strict contrôle sur les moyens d'expression locaux. Approcher l'action des médias transfrontières à partir, aussi, de leur aptitude à contourner les mesures de censure, tel est l'objectif de cet ouvrage collectif. Les huit auteurs, de sept nationalités différentes, décentrent donc la perspective. Ils mettent en lumière les voies largement clandestines par lesquelles les flux de communication transnationaux plus ou moins indésirables s'infiltrent dans les sociétés, les usages qu'en font les populations, les défis sociopolitiques dont ces flux sont porteurs pour l'État ou d'autres formes d'autorité. Ne sont pas seulement étudiés les enjeux attachés à la circulation d'informations prohibées, mais également ceux liés à la diffusion de programmes de divertissement à la grande force d'évocation. Après avoir, en introduction, retracé les controverses théoriques suscitées par le thème du Tiers Monde face à l'internationalisation des médias, les chapitres de ce livre analysent tour à tour l'impact des radios et télévisions internationales en Afrique sub-saharienne ; le développement de la vidéo et des paraboles en Iran ; l'immixtion des chaînes étrangères en Tunisie et en Algérie ; les stratégies de la radiodiffusion gouvernementale américaine vers Cuba ; la présence des médias sud-coréens en Corée du Nord et l'apparition d'Internet en Chine." (Description de la maison d'édition)
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