"The thirteen significant case studies presented here examine the challenges faced by media practitioners reporting on conflicts across the diverse media ecologies of Asia. Significant themes covered include: how media culture affects the way conflict is covered, including aspects such as resource l
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imitations, different standards of professionalism, government intervention, and the degree of importance given to the concept of independent media; how media bias can be aggravated by competing demands of various ethnics, religious and political groups and how bias among journalists can contribute to spiralling violence; how journalist can face an 'identity barrier' in terms of access to news and sources; and, how the media can be affected by poor working conditions, pay, training and recognition, and a lack of physical or financial security. The chapters provide a valuable range of perspectives on reporting about conflicts within Asia." (Publisher descrition)
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"A study by De Alwis (2006) on the reporting of the Sri Lanka conflict under censorship, made comparisons to Western theories and models. The findings disclose the unique techniques used by the local press to circumvent media regulations. Censorship lacks the ability to tighten its hold on the local
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press who flaunt social responsibility and their watchdog instincts. These results are in stark contrast to Western scholarship and express an inadequacy of the Western theoretical perspectives for understanding Asian internal conflicts. The study posits the importance of understanding cultural dimensions before theorising on media behaviour and proposes an alternative model to arrive at new theoretical paradigms. Further, perceptions of non-Asian audiences on Asian media behaviour are evaluated to invite deliberations on Asian communication perspectives." (Abstract)
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"Our 21 contributors -– most of them from Asia, and representing media, development or humanitarian sectors -- do not engage in mere theoretical discussions. In 19 chapters of this book, they draw on their rich and varied experience working in either preparing disaster resilient communities or res
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ponding to humanitarian emergencies triggered by specific disasters. Some are journalists who have reported on disasters from the 'ground zero'; others are aid workers, public information officials or development professionals who have been at the forefront in emergency responses or are engaged in disaster risk reduction. Diverse as their backgrounds and experiences are, our contributors share a belief in the central role that communication can play before, during and after disasters occur. Within this, they offer a kaleidoscope of perspectives as well as a great deal of practical advice on how to communicate hazards and disasters at inter-personal, inter-agency, inter-sector and public levels. The tools, technologies and methods may vary, but there is a broad consensus that to be effective, communication needs to be two-way, inclusive, participatory and sustained over time. It is not an 'add on' to other development interventions, but an integral component in its own right." (Page 3)
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"This paper presents preliminary findings from a multi-sited qualitative study of poverty and information and communication technologies (ICTs) in India, Indonesia Sri Lanka and Nepal. It draws upon data gathered by 12 ethnographic action researchers working across 15 community ICT initiatives. Thes
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e local, 'embedded researchers' are part of a larger international project called Finding a Voice: Making Technological Change Socially Effective and Culturally Empowering, which includes UNESCO (South Asia) and UNDP (Indonesia), in partnership with Queensland University of Technology, the University of Adelaide and Australian Research Council, along with numerous local and regional organisations." (Introduction)
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"In this handbook we aim to define the issues of corruption, put them into the context of Sri Lanka, and explore the media’s role in exposing corruption and encouraging accountability. We present and analyse the findings of our research into corruption investigative reporting (CIR) in the Sri Lank
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an media – the experiences of Sri Lankan reporters, how they perceive their role and responsibility when it comes to corruption. We define investigative journalism and explore the qualities, skills and tools that make a good investigative reporter. Case studies are integrated into the handbook to help illustrate corruption and CIR in action." (How to use this handbook)
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"This book is the result of a research project covering eight countries in South and South East Asia examining the role and impact of alternative media. The definition of alternative media depends very much on the political, social, cultural and economic environment you live in. Thus, this book give
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s the reader an idea of the diversity of alternative media sources available across Asia, which is very much a result of the different media regulatory regimes in the countries we have included in this study. While Bangladesh has had alternative media, in the form of community theatre and other artistic expressions for a long time, yet, community radio, which is fast becoming one of the most effective forms of alternative media in Asia, is slow to take off, because the regulations still do not allow it. Meanwhile in Indonesia and Thailand, community radio has taken off rapidly, with regulators struggling to come up with a formula to help regulate the sector while not shutting it down. In the Philippine community radio has existed legally for many years and is thriving, thus, there may be lessons others can learn from this experience. In Malaysia, where legislation tightly controls the establishment of media outlets, there are yet, some interesting examples of how alternative media could be effectively operated via the Internet. Sri Lanka, offers an interesting model where elements of community broadcasting could exist within a public service broadcaster. Thus, this book, gives you interesting examples from Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Nepal, Philippines, Sri Lanka and Thailand of how people are getting their voices heard - or are struggling to make that happen - using a variety of media and methods of expression." (Publisher description)
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"This publication features a series of papers that represent an early exploration of the challenges and opportunities for actors committed to gender equality in the information society. It is meant to open up the debates that can pave the way for a sustained engagement of gender activists with one o
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f the most powerful contemporary social phenomena." (Back cover)
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"The media play an important role in stimulating discussion in developing countries. Yet journalists asked by Panos say that the media have a poor understanding of the climate change debate and express little interest in it. Public discussion of the policies and issues involved is urgently needed. T
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his means those engaged in climate change issues must give journalists what they need for a good story." (Page 1)
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"As part of a broader analysis of corruption in emergencies, the U4 Anti-Corruption Resource Centre initiated a dialogue on the role(s) of the media. On 30 May 2006, a working meeting held at NORAD offices in Oslo brought together donors, NGOs and journalists, including media practitioners from Sri
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Lanka, Liberia and Nepal. The purpose was to draw on actual case studies to suggest ways in which humanitarian agencies and the media can mutually support responsible coverage of corruption in emergency aid. Recommendations to donors, humanitarian agencies, and both local and international media are presented at the end of this report." (Back cover)
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"The purpose of this handbook is to examine how journalists can fulfil their duties within a framework of producing high quality, ethical journalism that is responsive to the needs of the community. The handbook aims to give Sri Lankan journalists an appreciation of their role in society with partic
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ular emphasis on journalism driven by public service values. This report looks at ways individual journalists can play their part in overcoming these problems as part of the peace-building process and the advancement of Sri Lankan society. More importantly, it would allow the media to fulfil its role as the watchdog of an informed democratic society. It proposes, as a solution, that journalists strive for increased professionalism using the public service journalism model as the basis for change. The book explains the role of the journalist with particular regard to producing high quality ethical journalism that informs and engages the public – a vital element in the creation of a vibrant democracy. Checklists are useful in changing behaviour by implementing a new practical way of doing work. The checklists that appear throughout the handbook offer ways to ensure high quality ethical journalism that meets the values of public service journalism. The handbook is part of a strategy to encourage the support of journalists, editors and media owners to transform Sri Lanka’s media with the broad support of the community." (How to use this handbook, page 4)
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"This book is a review of 56 projects funded by the Pan-Asia ICT R&D Grants Programme for Asia-Pacific from 2002-2005. The aim of this book is to examine trends within these particular information and communications technology (ICT) projects in order to determine factors for success, and, common cha
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llenges. The underlying goal is to understand which projects have a lasting impact and can be replicated on a larger scale [...] In general, the review and analysis show that projects of particular value are those that increase access to information, improve efficiency, and support participation in civil society and governance initiatives. A key factor of success is projects that embrace participation and include a consultative process in their design, planning and implementation phases. However, the research showed that building partnerships and reaching common understandings throughout the planning of these initiatives was a complex and challenging undertaking. The importance of dissemination and marketing of project results is a common thread throughout each of the projects in this book. Some projects with successfully completed research objectives could not progress further without substantial promotional efforts. The analysis in this book also points to a range of strategies in which projects can be expanded on a larger scale. For example, project models can grow by moving to new locations thereby gaining momentum elsewhere." (Foreword)
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