"In passing and implementing the Access to Information Act 2002, Jamaica has established a new and more open form of governance and accomplished what many other countries are still attempting. The Act, which provides citizens an enforceable right to official documents held by public authorities, is
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key to enhancing democracy, ensuring citizens’ participation, and building greater trust in Government decision making. Access to public documents can assist citizens in exercising their other fundamental socioeconomic rights, such as the right to housing, appropriate health care, and a clean and healthy environment, and it can serve to make government more efficient and effective. Passing an access to information law is, relatively speaking, easy in comparison to the practise of implementation, which can be challenging for any country. Successful implementation of an open information regime requires a commitment of resources (human, financial, and time), preparation of public bodies, development of procedures, change in culture and behaviours, and expertise. It is clear that the Jamaican Government and its public authorities, who entered into effect in phases with the final large group beginning in July 2005, have made great progress in the implementation of the Act including training of civil servants in the law and best practices. Many of the efforts in Jamaica serve as a model for other jurisdictions. However, as with any new regime there is the potential for constructive reform and advancement." (Introduction)
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"This book discusses the fundamental elements of media systems and shows how they are used in eight sample countries. Unlike other books, it is organized according to media elements, with comparative discussions of all eight countries within each chapter. This helps readers make connections and comp
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arisons between the countries and allows them to apply the concepts to other countries not discussed in the book. Comparing Media from Around the World also features exciting photographs from the sample countries showing not only the media but how they are experienced in context (for example, a newspaper stand in France and an internet cafe in Ghana)." (Publisher description)
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"This report records and analyzes the results of a study in which partners of the Justice Initiative in 14 countries filed a total of 1,926 requests for information. In each country, seven different requesters twice submitted up to 70 questions to 18 public institutions. Requesters included NGOs, jo
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urnalists, business persons, non-affiliated persons, and members of excluded groups, such as illiterate or disabled persons or those from vulnerable minorities. The requests were for the types of information that public bodies hold—or should hold." (Summary of findings, page 11)
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"¿Es la (in)seguridad ciudadana un invento mediático o una realidad? La respuesta está en este estudio del contenido de los diarios latinoamericanos sobre el tema de seguridad ciudadana desde una perspectiva cotidiana del delito. ¿Qué hace la noticia del delito? ¿Cuáles son los temas? ¿Cómo
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es el tratamiento? ¿Quiénes actúan la inseguridad? Una investigación realizada en 14 periódicos: Chile: El Mercurio; Argentina: El Clarín y La Nación; Brasil: La Folha de Sao Paulo; Colombia: El Tiempo y El Colombiano; Venezuela: El Nacional; México: El Universal; Perú: EL Comercio; Costa Rica: La Nación y La Prensa Libre; El Salvador: El diario de Hoy, El mundo y La prensa gráfica. 795 piezas periodísticas. Período analizado: Nov. 20 a Dic. 6, 2004." (Página 1)
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"Due to the presence of over 12 million people from almost 60 different ethnic groups, Mexico is a multicultural/ethnic country. Indigenous radio has developed under the auspices of a governmental organization charged with policy-making directed toward these populations. Thus a hybrid model for radi
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o has emerged combining public, state, and local community media characteristics. Based upon qualitative research conducted in the geographical area covered by the oldest of these stations, this article focuses on the sociocultural repercussions of indigenous radio and shows how, although linked to the governmental apparatus, it has subtly contributed to the transformation of the dominant symbolic order and has strengthened the sociocultural cohesion among the three ethnic groups who inhabit the region. The research reveals the relevance of the intercommunication which radio facilitates and shows how beyond direct exposure to the medium, radio produces a trans-territorial and trans-generational impact in the social imagination of indigenous populations." (Abstract)
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"In this volume, experts discuss the content, audiences, and cultural and legal aspects of their respective countries, all of which are major TV markets. The country-specific chapters draw on the individual insights, expertise, and currency of 10 resident authors. Contributions represent every hemis
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phere of the globe, offering detailed examinations of media entertainment in United Kingdom, Germany, Egypt, Nigeria, South Africa, India, Japan, China, Brazil, and Mexico. The two concluding chapters provide cross-national case studies that look at familiar TV experiences - The Olympics and the "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" show - in global and novel ways." (Publisher description)
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