mediadev library

"Media centres around the world are facing the same challenges in ensuring long-term sustainability after “start-up” funding from donors ceases. In order to overcome these challenges, a number of centres have pioneered innovative approaches for ensuring financial and institutional viability and ... more

"The overview of activities to support the media in Southeast Europe is not equally detailed and comprehensive for each country or organization. Also, the information made available for this overview was provided in different ways: narrative or tables, divided by country or type of activity. This ma ... more

"This document contains reports written by Media Working groups in nine countries in November 2003. The reports describe the media landscape and provide information on media legislation, journalistic professionalism, media associations and donor activities. The sections on the media landscape provid ... e a quick picture of the media in South Eastern Europe today: a high number of media outlets but far fewer sustainable and genuinely independent ones, virtually no direct governmental control but remaining influence in several key areas and a generally difficult transformation process of former state broadcasters. The information on media legislation reveals both progress and remaining difficulties. Defamation laws are strict, usually not in line with European standards and regularly abused, leading to many pending court cases and high fines. Access to Information laws are adopted in five countries, but implementation is problematic. Broadcast legislation is frequently debated and revised, regulatory bodies are insufficiently independent and public broadcasters require additional safeguarding against political influence. Professionalism is a concern. By no means only due to a lack of training, of which there has been a lot in the past years, but particularly due to structural problems. Journalists often work without proper contracts, affecting their position. They are generally low-paid and skilled people leave the profession. Young and cheap employees, sometimes preferred by owners, do not feel in a position to oppose influence on editorial policy. Lack of resources impact on quality, as there is little or no money for investigative reporting or domestic production of quality television programs. And in several cases, links between media owners and political parties affect the editorial independence. Media associations and watchdog organizations have proven tremendously important in defending press freedom and promoting quality. Several countries have seen the growth of professional and respected institutions, while in others the associations are divided, small and have limited credibility among journalists. Effective unions are generally lacking, training institutions have improved with outside support and press freedom organizations have increased strength and influence but are seeking sustainability. Finally, brief information is provided on donor assistance – much more is available in the Overview on support to the media in SEE, also prepared by the Media Task Force. Overall, outside assistance has made a great and positive difference in improving the diversity, quality and sustainability of the media. Suggestions for future support include the further strengthening of associations, in-house training rather than seminars, work on drafting and implementing media legislation (e.g. revising defamation clauses) and support to investigative journalism and domestic television production." (Overview, page 2) more

Building Sustainability for Media Centres: A Handbook on Best Practices
Inspiring Practice

Support to Media in Sri Lanka: An Overview of Activities and Proposals for the Future

Overview of Media Support to Southeast Europe

Media in South Eastern Europe: Legislation, Professionalism and Associations

Media in the CIS: A Study of the Political, Legislative and Socio-Economic Framework

Building Sustainability for Media Centres: A Handbook on Best Practices Inspiring Practice

Support to Media in Sri Lanka: An Overview of Activities and Proposals for the Future

Overview of Media Support to Southeast Europe

Media in South Eastern Europe: Legislation, Professionalism and Associations

Media in the CIS: A Study of the Political, Legislative and Socio-Economic Framework

Building Sustainability for Media Centres: A Handbook on Best Practices
Inspiring Practice