Exporting Press Freedom

Exporting Press Freedom
Author: Craig L. LaMay
Publisher: Transaction Publishers
Total Pages: 335
Release: 2011-08-31
Genre: Language Arts & Disciplines
ISBN: 1412809088
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International media assistance is a small but important form of international democracy-promotion aid. Media assistance boomed after the 1989 transitions in Central Europe, but now flows to virtually all regions of the world. Today the media assistance industry is focused on the problem of sustainability: How are free and independent public affairs media supposed to maintain their editorial mission while facing hostile political systems or the demands of the consumer marketplace? Many media in developing countries have been or are grant-dependent. When grants are exhausted or withdrawn, media that were funded to further democratic consolidation typically wither and die. Some become mere grant chasers. Others abandon public service to the demands of market competition, or political patronage. As a result, governmental and non-governmental grant makers now emphasize the need for sustainability in considering grants in the media sector. Many grant recipients have grown frustrated, sometimes bitter, and have sought to take a much more active role in the way assistance programs are put together. Just how is sustainability to be achieved while also ensuring a public-service editorial mission? Exporting Press Freedom examines the history and practice of media assistance, and argues that the dilemma of media independence and sustainability is best understood as an economic problem rather than one of poor editorial standards or lack of will. It includes profiles of news and public affairs media in developing and democratizing countries, and also of two non-governmental organizations that have pioneered the use of low-interest loans in media assistance. These profiles exemplify strategic and entrepreneurial approaches to developing and supporting public service media. Such approaches may be of use not only in the developing world, but in the consolidated Western democracies as well, where concern has grown about poor journalistic performance and its consequences for democratic governance.

Evaluating Democracy Assistance

Evaluating Democracy Assistance
Author: Krishna Kumar
Publisher: Lynne Rienner Pub
Total Pages: 241
Release: 2013
Genre: Political Science
ISBN: 9781588268587
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With the international community providing billions of dollars each year to promote democratic institutions/cultures in transitional and developing countries, rigorous evaluations have become essential for determining the effectiveness, as well as the future direction, of democracy assistance programs. Krishna Kumar provides a unique, practical guide to the on-the-ground tasks of evaluating and monitoring these programs, from planning to implementation to preparing and presenting evaluation reports. Kumar assesses virtually all of the evaluation and monitoring approaches currently in play, pointing out the strengths and weaknesses of each and suggesting alternative approaches where appropriate. Packed with valuable insights, his book will serve as an essential tool for those who are involved in democracy assistance programming and evaluation, fund it, or simply want to learn more about it.

Independent Media Development Abroad

Independent Media Development Abroad
Author: Jess T. Ford (au)
Publisher: DIANE Publishing
Total Pages: 52
Release: 2005-11
Genre: Social Science
ISBN: 9781422302552
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Independent media development led by the Dept. of State & the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) supports the national. security goal of developing sustainable democracies around the world. Independent media institutions play a role in supporting commerce, improving public health efforts, reducing corruption, & providing civic education. Despite important gains in some countries, the overall level of press freedom worldwide continued to worsen in 2004. This report examined: (1) U.S. government funding for independent media development overseas; (2) the extent to which U.S. agencies measure performance toward achieving results; & (3) the challenges the U.S. faces in achieving results. Charts & tables.

Project Censored Guide to Independent Media and Activism

Project Censored Guide to Independent Media and Activism
Author: Peter Phillips
Publisher: Seven Stories Press
Total Pages: 212
Release: 2011-01-04
Genre: Political Science
ISBN: 1609802934
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The independent media are arguably more important than ever today, as corporate media’s line reads increasingly like a government press release rather than a free society’s analysis of the day’s important events. But there’s a lot to sort through: Independent newsmagazines and newspapers, local cable-TV access, and independent and microtransmitted radio are everywhere, offering a vast array of news, opinions, and information. New Indymedia activists alone now have direct links to more than sixty-five grassroots news sites around the world. The challenge we are faced with is two-fold: We must make these news sources widely accessible, but we must also find ways to compile, sort, and collectively release this real news to millions of people—a project that this invaluable guide for diversifying your access to information can make much more achievable.

Promoting Independent Media

Promoting Independent Media
Author: Krishna Kumar
Publisher:
Total Pages: 216
Release: 2006
Genre: Democracy
ISBN:
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Reviews and evaluates international efforts to promote independent media in support of democratization and development.

Promoting Democracy in Postconflict Societies

Promoting Democracy in Postconflict Societies
Author: Jeroen de Zeeuw
Publisher: Lynne Rienner Publishers
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2006
Genre: Democracy
ISBN: 9781588264466
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?An engaging set of case studies, rich in detail and accessibly written, which underscore the complicated and challenging nature of war-to-democracy transitions.??Timothy Sisk, University of DenverFew would dispute the importance of donating funds and expertise to conflict-ridden societies?but such aid, however well meant, often fails to have the intended effect. This study critically evaluates international democratization assistance in postconflict societies to discern what has worked, what has not, and how aid programs can be designed to have a more positive impact.The authors offer a unique recipient perspective as they explore three dimensions of democracy promotion: elections, free media, and human rights. Drawing on the experiences of Cambodia, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Mozambique, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, and Uganda, they suggest concrete ways in which the international community can better foster democratization in the wake of conflict. Jeroen de Zeeuw is research fellow in the Conflict Research Unit at the Clingendael Institute of International Relations in the Netherlands. Krishna Kumar is senior social scientist with the United States Agency for International Development. His recent books include Rebuilding Societies After Civil War: Critical Roles for International Assistance and Postconflict Elections, Democratization and International Assistance. Contents: Introduction?the Editors. Parties and Elections. Supporting ?No-Party Democracy? in Uganda?J.-J. Barya. Fostering Political Pluralism in Ethiopia?D. Rahmato and M. Ayenew. Electoral Assistance and Democratic Transition in Mozambique?M. de Tollenaere. Human Rights. Strengthening Human Rights in Guatemala?D. Azpuru. Cambodia?s Fragile Rule of Law?S. Peou. Human Rights Assistance to Sierra Leone?M. G. Sesay and C. Hughes. Transitional Justice in Sierra Leone?Marieke Wierda. Media. Opening Up Media Space in Post-Genocide Rwanda?C. Kayumba and J.-P. Kimonyo. Promoting Independent Media Organizations in El Salvador?Anne Germain Lefevre. Building a Community Radio Network in Afghanistan?K. Kumar. Conclusion. Lessons and Recommendations?J. de Zeeuw.