"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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"This study breaks the downward communication challenge in post-tsunami Aceh and Sri Lanka into four main areas. The first looks at the nature of communication problems between organisations and communities. The second covers mass information campaigns, including an overview of the information chann
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els in Aceh and Sri Lanka and how best to use them. The third section investigates complaints mechanisms, and, finally, the fourth section is a brief glance at what has been done to bridge information gaps in Aceh and Sri Lanka. Many organisations are still paying for mistakes made in communicating with communities in the early days of the tsunami recovery effort, resulting in what many call the “broken promises” phenomenon. The inherent problems of managing expectations were exacerbated by a widespread use of translators and jargon and the extreme levels of trauma experienced by beneficiaries. A number of organisations, however, have started to address these mistakes and build communications strategies into projects, developing models that potentially have wide application." (Executive summary)
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"This is an evaluation of the project “Promoting Professionalism, Independence and Accountability in Sri Lanka” under the Sri Lanka Press Institute, SLPI. SLPI has two major departments: the Press Complaints Commission of Sri Lanka, PCCSL, and the Sri Lanka College of Journalism, SLCJ. PCCSL is
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a self-regulatory body for press ethics, while SLCJ is running a one-year diploma course in journalism and a number of short term mid-career courses for working journalists. The major funding of the SLPI has come from Sida and Norad for the period 2003–2006. This has been supplemented by funding from DANIDA towards the end of this period. The Institute for Further Education of Journalists, Fojo, has been the Swedish partner to SLPI to support institutional capacity building [...] During a short duration of less than three years SLPI has achieved a lot. The institute is up and running. Most of the practical aspects of setting up an institute have been achieved. In addition, a whole new section for the training of TV and radio journalists which was not on the original plan has been established. Most journalists we met agreed about the concept of self-regulation and commended the SLPI for pioneering the concept. The courses conducted by the College and Fojo have acceptance within the media industry. Despite these achievements, SLPI has been going through a certain degree of turmoil in recent times, mainly linked to management issues. Hence the organisation has entered a period where it needs to sort out these issues and consolidate itself." (Executive summary)
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"With chapters on Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Korea, Mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Japan, the book presents the most authoritative assessment of contemporary Asian cinema available. Each chapter describes the cultural aspe
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cts of popular film production, analyzing key films in the context of the national, the regional and the global. Topics covered include: film theory and Asian cinema, popular film genres, major industry figures, the "art film", connections between the state and commercial interests, cultural policies, representations of national identity, trends in international co-production, transnational and diasporic dimensions of Asian filmmaking and viewing, the politics of language choice, the impact of emerging technologies on filmmaking practice, and modes of exhibition." (Publisher description)
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"The tsunami demonstrated that modern journalists can do more than just bring unfolding stories to the world. One of the biggest lessons of the tsunami that is unravelling is that the modern journalist can also help to heal communities, rebuild lives, keep families intact and raise funds. The media
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should also keep an eye on government and relief agencies, helping to ensure that aid gets to the people who need it, and that those who deliver the goods remain accountable to the donors and practice ethical standards of aid delivery. The question of media freedoms is also an important part of this equation. Beyond what journalists can do, there is also the matter of what authorities will allow them to do. In other words, the question of how much a responsible media will be allowed to do its job. It is in the rehabilitation or healing process that the media face the most challenging task. In this endeavour, democracy and freedom to gather and disseminate information may not be enough. In many parts of Asia and beyond, the mainstream media has been excessively commercialised. The tsunami became such a hot media issue around the world, because the dramatic pictures available were very attractive revenue making material for commercial broadcasters, but the rebuilding and healing process does not provide such pictures. It is in such an environment, that this book examines the challenge journalists face in reporting a process that may not provide dramatic pictures, but still needs to grab the audience/readers attention. Focusing more on the print media, many interesting issues dealing with the reconstruction and rehabilitation process are explored, with analysis and commentary on why some stories are not given the exposure they deserve and how these issues may be made newsworthy." (Publisher description)
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"Inspired by innovations that emerged from the Kothmale Community Radio and Internet project, Sri Lanka, in 1999 and 2000, UNESCO has since established some fifty CMCs in a wide range of contexts in some twenty countries on three continents. In addition to new facilities and increased local capacity
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in communities around the world, pilot CMCs have involved a wide variety of partnerships, across all levels, and have led to an expanding number of creative and dynamic new initiatives and solutions in key areas, from content creation to financial and social sustainability. Significantly, the first phase of the CMC programme has also led to national ‘scale-up’ projects now underway in Mali, Mozambique and Senegal. This volume not only shares the context and experiences of UNESCO-supported CMCs, but is also intended to facilitate direct, practical cooperation between international and national agencies with CMCs at the ground level by providing a directory of local CMC services and contact information." (Foreword)
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"This media analysis report by global reputation analyst Echo Research reviews UNICEF’s communications following the Tsunami and the impact of communication on government policies and UNICEF programs in Sri Lanka and Indonesia (the Tsunami Zone). The analysis looks at UNICEF coverage related to th
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e Tsunami disaster in key international and Tsunami region media. The report tracks message pick up, spokespersons, issues related to the aftermath of the Tsunami and UNICEFS efforts related to these issues. This study is designed to help improve the effectiveness and future use of communication in support of UNICEF programming and advocacy. The period of the analysis covers the three months following the Tsunami: Dec 26, 2004 – March 26, 2005." (Introduction)
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"This report presents the findings of the research into journalists’ attitudes towards and experiences of reporting conflict. It includes the results of two media monitoring exercises: the first, how the media has covered conflict; the second, how it performed in the immediate aftermath of the tsu
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nami. The report also contains case studies of conflict reporting that illustrate the role the media has played. This will help journalists and others learn important lessons from real situations about the impact of our reporting, showing us how it can be improved. These case studies have been woven through a discussion of the issues highlighted by the journalists’ research. Using this, we have provided a snapshot of the situation now and suggestions for how it can be improved. This handbook is intended as a practical reference for journalists and includes a series of questions after each section to promote good practice. These discussion points, together with the specific case studies, can help generate discussion within the newsroom or at a media meeting, or can simply be a focus for journalists to reflect on their work and the work of colleagues." (How to use this book, page 5)
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"There is a huge disparity seen in the representation of men and women in the coverage of the twenty-year-old civil war in Sri Lanka. Most of the media coverage had been facilitated by the military during the period of the conflict. These, however, were not regular and only afforded a one-sided view
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of the conflict. The media visits organized by the military in the days of the war and the consequent visits or organized by peace-building forces were almost always represented by male journalists, while almost all individual assignments initiated by newspapers on the realted issue were also passed onto men. Less than a handful of women managed to conduct such coverage, and the few who went had to put up a regular fight for their assignments. The average ratio of female to male journalists would be one female journalist to 10 male journalists." (Introduction)
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"This study considers the conflicts in India, Nepal and Sri Lanka, primarily looking at restrictions, highlighting similarities and differences and drawing some general conclusions about the ways in which authorities and combatants restrict freedom of expression. It also sets out international stand
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ards pertaining to freedom of expression and information relevant to conflict situations." (Introduction)
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"The book opens with a review of the key issues in using media for education. It then proceeds through five country studies, written by highly qualified and experienced policy-makers and practitioners of educational media. The country studies are followed by research reviews that synthesise the majo
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r findings of evaluations. A final section presents several case studies on harnessing technologies for distance-learning initiatives. The book is designed to serve as both a resource and a guide. It provides valuable background and the insights of leading academics, practitioners, researchers and students of educational media - while also offering a unique platform from which, it is hoped, new ideas and further developments will be stimulated." (Publisher description)
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"This book aims to record political activism on the Internet and "take stock of some of the successes and failures of cyberactivists as they try to beat the various censorship regimes in Asia." The sections of this 664-page book comprise of 'Political Frameworks & New Technology', 'Regulations and C
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ontrol', 'One Party States', 'Alternative Media', 'Civil Society', 'Diaspora Communities', and 'Political Parties'. The book's 18 chapters provide an overview of current trends in democracy related new media research to country-specific case studies. "The common thread running through the book is the organizing of civil society groups at the grassroots level, and how they are influencing certain segments of their respective countries, and even challenging state control and the monopoly of mainstream media." Asian Cyberactivism strives to examine political organising online in Asia even as the technology and the rules change. Activists provide their perspectives on how new media relates to democracy, and showcase examples that could be emulated to further the cause of democracy." (Communication Initiative)
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