Affirming Sri Lanka’s reputation for violence against the media
The Sri Lanka Chapter of the South Asian Free Media Association (SAFMA) condemns the dastardly attack on the news section of Siyatha, one of Sri Lanka’s most popular and diversified television and radio stations. In the early hours of today, 30th July, 2010, an armed gang intruded into the premises of the studio complex, even as broadcast operations were on-going, and proceeded to bomb and otherwise damage the facilities and equipment, resulting in severe infra-structure damage and injury and traumatising of media personnel.
SAFMA-Sri Lanka, whose parent is recognised by the SAARC Secretariat as the body for mass media professionals in the South Asian region, deeply regrets the continuation of this tragic pattern that has persisted in the country for over two decades. While almost all of the numerous other attacks on media institutions and enterprises that have occurred in the past 20 years and more have gone unsolved, SAFMA calls on the law and order authorities to act quickly to investigate this crime and violation of democratic rights and bring the culprits to book. Given that none of the numerous previous such incidents have been successfully investigated; the onus is on our agencies of law and order and national security to disprove the growing reputation of this country of consistent failure to investigate and resolve such crimes.
This latest attack can only confirm the perception of the outside world that despite the valour of our heroic armed forces and agencies of law and order in suppressing insurgencies and rebellions, much of the crimes committed outside insurgent activity, especially attacks on the vital institutions of Democracy such as the mass media, go unresolved. How is it that seemingly ‘powerful terrorists’ have been vanquished, but other perpetrators of barbaric violence, especially violence against those sectors monitoring governance, such as the media, have been roaming the country for the past twenty years and more without detection and conviction? Is this a manifestation of abject professional failure and incompetence on the part of the agencies of law and order or, is it a deliberate discrimination between those anti-social elements who attack the State and those who attack civilian sectors of Sri Lanka society?
If Sri Lankan citizens are to continue to have faith in the agencies of Law and Order and not seek intervention by international institutions such as the United Nations, it is time that the authorities prove their mettle by responding quickly and efficiently in the case of Siyatha.
23 July 2010
International journalists can apply for investigative reporting fellowship
Posted on: 22/07/2010
Investigative Reporting
Deadline: 30/07/2010
Region: Worldwide
A new fellowship program will give one journalist the opportunity to work with ABC News and its investigative unit, both in New York and in the fellow's home region. Deadline: July 30.
The goal of the fellowship is to identify and train talented international journalists to conduct important investigations in regions that are newsworthy but not adequately covered currently. The fellowship is paid and will last from four to six months.
A qualified candidate should be employed by a news organization, have at least five years experience as a working journalist, and the endorsement of an editor. A qualified candidate should also have experience working on multiple news platforms or an expressed desire to do so and a working knowledge of English.
For more information, visit http://www.gallowayfoundation.com/gffabcfellowship.html. Contact Mark Schone at mark.schone@abc.com with questions.
Investigative Reporting
Deadline: 30/07/2010
Region: Worldwide
A new fellowship program will give one journalist the opportunity to work with ABC News and its investigative unit, both in New York and in the fellow's home region. Deadline: July 30.The goal of the fellowship is to identify and train talented international journalists to conduct important investigations in regions that are newsworthy but not adequately covered currently. The fellowship is paid and will last from four to six months.
A qualified candidate should be employed by a news organization, have at least five years experience as a working journalist, and the endorsement of an editor. A qualified candidate should also have experience working on multiple news platforms or an expressed desire to do so and a working knowledge of English.
For more information, visit http://www.gallowayfoundation.com/gffabcfellowship.html. Contact Mark Schone at mark.schone@abc.com with questions.
Papers sought on faith-based poverty reduction
Posted on: 22/07/2010
Deadline: 15/10/2010
Region: Worldwide
An essay competition is seeking first-person narratives on poverty reduction from writers around the globe. Deadline: October 15.
Writers should focus on enterprise solutions to poverty that are faith-based, faith-inspired or interfaith. Topics can be focued in subjects including healthcare, education, consumer products and human rights. Two prizes of US$5,000 each will be awarded. Winners will be announced December 15.
The essay competition is being hosted by S.E.VEN Fund (SEVEN) in partnership with the Washington DC-based Center For Interfaith Action on Global Poverty (CIFA).
For more information, click here.
Deadline: 15/10/2010
Region: Worldwide
An essay competition is seeking first-person narratives on poverty reduction from writers around the globe. Deadline: October 15.
Writers should focus on enterprise solutions to poverty that are faith-based, faith-inspired or interfaith. Topics can be focued in subjects including healthcare, education, consumer products and human rights. Two prizes of US$5,000 each will be awarded. Winners will be announced December 15.
The essay competition is being hosted by S.E.VEN Fund (SEVEN) in partnership with the Washington DC-based Center For Interfaith Action on Global Poverty (CIFA).
For more information, click here.
20 July 2010
Fellowships will bring journalists to UN meeting in New York
Posted on: 19/07/2010
Specialized Reporting
Deadline: 09/08/2010
Region: Worldwide
Journalists worldwide can apply for a three-day fellowship in New York City in advance of a September summit on the United Nations Millennium Development Goals. Deadline: August 9.
During the fellowship, which will take place September 7 to 9, fellows will have access to officials from the UN and a behind-the-scenes look at relevant agencies and organizations.
Applicants must be fluent in reading, writing and speaking English. Travel, meals and hotel accommodations will be covered through the fellowship.
For more information email HWong@unfoundation.org.
Specialized Reporting
Deadline: 09/08/2010
Region: Worldwide
Journalists worldwide can apply for a three-day fellowship in New York City in advance of a September summit on the United Nations Millennium Development Goals. Deadline: August 9.
During the fellowship, which will take place September 7 to 9, fellows will have access to officials from the UN and a behind-the-scenes look at relevant agencies and organizations.
Applicants must be fluent in reading, writing and speaking English. Travel, meals and hotel accommodations will be covered through the fellowship.
For more information email HWong@unfoundation.org.
17 July 2010
Film festival seeks works that showcase Muslim women's voices
Posted on: 16/07/2010
Documentaries, Television
Deadline: 01/11/2010
Region: Worldwide
Filmmakers of all genders, nationalities and faiths can submit short films to a festival devoted to showcasing pro-women voices from within the Muslim world. Deadline for submissions: November 1.
Films should present an unfiltered and honest account of women's stories and their struggle for freedom of expression and human rights. Films can be submitted in a variety of categories.
The first-place winner will recieve US$35,000. Cash prizes totaling $31,000 will be awarded to the top three films in each category. Eight honorable mentions will receive an additional $4,000.
The festival is orgnized by Women’s Voices Now (WVN) a New York-based nonprofit social ennterprise. Filmmakers may apply and upload their films via the WVN website. Prize winners will be announced at a February 2011 event in Los Angeles.
For more information click here.
Documentaries, TelevisionDeadline: 01/11/2010
Region: Worldwide
Filmmakers of all genders, nationalities and faiths can submit short films to a festival devoted to showcasing pro-women voices from within the Muslim world. Deadline for submissions: November 1.
Films should present an unfiltered and honest account of women's stories and their struggle for freedom of expression and human rights. Films can be submitted in a variety of categories.The first-place winner will recieve US$35,000. Cash prizes totaling $31,000 will be awarded to the top three films in each category. Eight honorable mentions will receive an additional $4,000.
The festival is orgnized by Women’s Voices Now (WVN) a New York-based nonprofit social ennterprise. Filmmakers may apply and upload their films via the WVN website. Prize winners will be announced at a February 2011 event in Los Angeles.
For more information click here.
16 July 2010
Journalists from developing countries can apply for US fellowships
Posted on: 14/06/2010
Fellowships and Awards, International Experience
Deadline: 01/08/2010
Region: Worldwide
Print and online journalists from developing countries and countries with emerging markets can apply for the 2010 Alfred Friendly Press Fellowships, an annual program that brings journalists to American newsrooms. Deadline: August 1.
The fellowship is aimed at providing fellows with experience in reporting, writing and editing that will enhance future professional performance; transfering knowledge gained during the program to colleagues at home; and fostering ties between journalists in the U.S. and other countries.
The fellowship covers all costs of program-related international and domestic travel, health insurance and provides a monthly stipend to cover basic living expenses.
Applicants must have at least three years' professional experience in online and print journalism, current full-time employment as a journalist, be between 25 and 35 and have a good level of spoken and written English.
The Alfred Friendly Press Fellowships (AFPF) is an American non-profit, non-governmental organization.
For more information, visit here or contact info@pressfellowships.org
Fellowships and Awards, International Experience
Deadline: 01/08/2010
Region: Worldwide
Print and online journalists from developing countries and countries with emerging markets can apply for the 2010 Alfred Friendly Press Fellowships, an annual program that brings journalists to American newsrooms. Deadline: August 1.
The fellowship is aimed at providing fellows with experience in reporting, writing and editing that will enhance future professional performance; transfering knowledge gained during the program to colleagues at home; and fostering ties between journalists in the U.S. and other countries.
The fellowship covers all costs of program-related international and domestic travel, health insurance and provides a monthly stipend to cover basic living expenses.
Applicants must have at least three years' professional experience in online and print journalism, current full-time employment as a journalist, be between 25 and 35 and have a good level of spoken and written English.
The Alfred Friendly Press Fellowships (AFPF) is an American non-profit, non-governmental organization.
For more information, visit here or contact info@pressfellowships.org
Competition seeks works on population issues
Posted on: 09/06/2010
Basic Journalism
Deadline: 07/09/2010
Region: Worldwide
Journalists from around the world who have covered population issues can submit works to the Population Institute's Global Media Awards. Deadline: September 7.
Submissions can be submitted in a variety of categories, and will be evaluated on how well they educate and inform policymakers, as well as the public, about issues surrounding population growth. Submitted works must have been published or aired between September 1, 2009 and August 31, 2010. Winners will receive awards in San Francisco, with all expenses paid.
For more information contact visit http://africa.ifj.org/en/pages/opportunities-2, or contact Jennie Wettter at +1 (202) 544-3300 ext. 108 or by e-mail at jwetter@populationinstitute.org.
Basic Journalism
Deadline: 07/09/2010
Region: Worldwide
Journalists from around the world who have covered population issues can submit works to the Population Institute's Global Media Awards. Deadline: September 7.
Submissions can be submitted in a variety of categories, and will be evaluated on how well they educate and inform policymakers, as well as the public, about issues surrounding population growth. Submitted works must have been published or aired between September 1, 2009 and August 31, 2010. Winners will receive awards in San Francisco, with all expenses paid.
For more information contact visit http://africa.ifj.org/en/pages/opportunities-2, or contact Jennie Wettter at +1 (202) 544-3300 ext. 108 or by e-mail at jwetter@populationinstitute.org.
05 July 2010
Developing Asia Journalism Awards
Entries open for the 2010 Developing Asia Journalism Awards
Posted on: 28/05/2010
Basic Journalism, Fellowships and Awards
Deadline: 15/07/2010
Region: Asia and the Pacific
Journalists from Asia and the Pacific have until July 15 to submit published articles to the annual Developing Asia Journalism Awards (DAJA) competition, sponsored by the Asian Development Bank Institute.
The awards honor the work and contributions of journalists actively engaged in the responsible dissemination of knowledge related to poverty reduction, and other areas that support long-term growth in Asia and the Pacific.
Applicants must submit stories in one of four categories: Life in the City, Going Green, New Growth Paths and The Shape of Asia to Come.
Six prizes of US$1,000 will be awarded to the winners. Articles must be submitted in English, and must have appeared in a regional newspaper, magazine, or news wire service between January 1, 2009 and July 31, 2010.
Interested journalists must register online before they can submit articles online. For more information, click here.
Posted on: 28/05/2010
Basic Journalism, Fellowships and Awards
Deadline: 15/07/2010
Region: Asia and the Pacific
Journalists from Asia and the Pacific have until July 15 to submit published articles to the annual Developing Asia Journalism Awards (DAJA) competition, sponsored by the Asian Development Bank Institute.
The awards honor the work and contributions of journalists actively engaged in the responsible dissemination of knowledge related to poverty reduction, and other areas that support long-term growth in Asia and the Pacific.
Applicants must submit stories in one of four categories: Life in the City, Going Green, New Growth Paths and The Shape of Asia to Come.
Six prizes of US$1,000 will be awarded to the winners. Articles must be submitted in English, and must have appeared in a regional newspaper, magazine, or news wire service between January 1, 2009 and July 31, 2010.
Interested journalists must register online before they can submit articles online. For more information, click here.
Internet broadcasting workshop for South Asian community radio journalists
Posted on: 17/06/2010
Basic Journalism
Deadline: 15/07/2010
Region: Asia and the Pacific
The Panos Institute invites journalists at community radio stations in South Asia to participate in an Internet broadcasting workshop. Deadline: July 15.
The five-day workshop will take place at Panos' Media Centre in Kathmandu, Nepal from September 13 to 17. Participants should be seeking to build capacity to raise their voices beyond the community level.
For application and information on submissions, click here.
Basic Journalism
Deadline: 15/07/2010
Region: Asia and the Pacific
The Panos Institute invites journalists at community radio stations in South Asia to participate in an Internet broadcasting workshop. Deadline: July 15.
The five-day workshop will take place at Panos' Media Centre in Kathmandu, Nepal from September 13 to 17. Participants should be seeking to build capacity to raise their voices beyond the community level.
For application and information on submissions, click here.
Online Journalism Awards
Online Journalism Awards open for entries in multiple categories
Posted on: 25/05/2010
Fellowships and Awards, Internet
Deadline: 16/07/2010
Region: Worldwide
Online journalists and journalism students around the world are invited to submit works to the 2010 Online Journalism Awards. Deadline is July 16.
Categories include: Technical Innovation in the Service of Digital Journalism; Public Service; General Excellence in Online Journalism; Breaking News; Specialty Site Journalism; Innovative Investigative Journalism; Multimedia Feature Presentation; Blogging; and Online Video Journalism.
This year a new category has been added to the competition -- Outstanding Use of Emerging Platforms. This category honors achievement by an organization in the use of devices such as smart phones, eReaders and tablets to tell a story and serve a community.
Journalism students can also submit works in three categories: Multimedia Feature Presentation; Outstanding Use of Digital Technologies on the Web; and Online Video.
The honorees will be announced on October 30, in Washington, D.C.
For more information visit here.
Posted on: 25/05/2010
Fellowships and Awards, Internet
Deadline: 16/07/2010
Region: Worldwide
Online journalists and journalism students around the world are invited to submit works to the 2010 Online Journalism Awards. Deadline is July 16.
Categories include: Technical Innovation in the Service of Digital Journalism; Public Service; General Excellence in Online Journalism; Breaking News; Specialty Site Journalism; Innovative Investigative Journalism; Multimedia Feature Presentation; Blogging; and Online Video Journalism.
This year a new category has been added to the competition -- Outstanding Use of Emerging Platforms. This category honors achievement by an organization in the use of devices such as smart phones, eReaders and tablets to tell a story and serve a community.
Journalism students can also submit works in three categories: Multimedia Feature Presentation; Outstanding Use of Digital Technologies on the Web; and Online Video.
The honorees will be announced on October 30, in Washington, D.C.
For more information visit here.
George Munster Independent Award
Applications sought for the George Munster Independent Award
Posted on: 17/06/2010
Basic Journalism
Deadline: 23/07/2010
Region: Worldwide
The Australian Center for Independent Journalism invites free-thinking journalists from any medium to apply for the George Munster Award, which recognizes exceptional independent journalism. Deadline: July 23.
The award recognizes journalists who can demonstrate independence of mind, acuity and excellence in their craft, according to ACIJ. The award winner will receive a cash prize of US$1,000.
For more information, as well as application materials visit: http://www.acij.uts.edu.au/awards/munster.html
Posted on: 17/06/2010
Basic Journalism
Deadline: 23/07/2010
Region: Worldwide
The Australian Center for Independent Journalism invites free-thinking journalists from any medium to apply for the George Munster Award, which recognizes exceptional independent journalism. Deadline: July 23.
The award recognizes journalists who can demonstrate independence of mind, acuity and excellence in their craft, according to ACIJ. The award winner will receive a cash prize of US$1,000.
For more information, as well as application materials visit: http://www.acij.uts.edu.au/awards/munster.html
Lorenzo Natali Prize to award journalists defending human rights
Posted on: 05/05/2010
Fellowships and Awards
Deadline: 31/08/2010
Region: Worldwide
Journalists committed to defending democracy and human rights, good governance and improved standards of living around the world can apply for the 2010 Lorenzo Natali Journalism Prize. Application materials in a number of categories will be accepted until August 31.
The competition is organized by the European Commission in cooperation with Reporters Without Borders and the World Association of Newspapers. Last year, 1,000 journalists from 130 countries applied for prizes.
Works must have been published between July 1, 2009 and June 30, 2010. The first prize winner in each region will receive EU€5,000 (about US$6,430).
For information and to apply, visit http://www.nataliprize2010.eu/content/en/prize/rules/index.htm
Fellowships and Awards
Deadline: 31/08/2010
Region: Worldwide
Journalists committed to defending democracy and human rights, good governance and improved standards of living around the world can apply for the 2010 Lorenzo Natali Journalism Prize. Application materials in a number of categories will be accepted until August 31.
The competition is organized by the European Commission in cooperation with Reporters Without Borders and the World Association of Newspapers. Last year, 1,000 journalists from 130 countries applied for prizes.
Works must have been published between July 1, 2009 and June 30, 2010. The first prize winner in each region will receive EU€5,000 (about US$6,430).
For information and to apply, visit http://www.nataliprize2010.eu/content/en/prize/rules/index.htm
Reuters offers multimedia training course in London
Posted on: 19/05/2010
International Experience, Multimedia
Deadline: 05/07/2010
Region: Worldwide
The Reuters Foundation is inviting journalists from the developing world to apply for a course on multimedia reporting, to be held in London September 6 to 10. Deadline: July 15.
The "Multimedia Web tools for journalists" course, to be held in London, will teach newsgathering teams practical ways to take advantage of multimedia tools and methods for finding, developing and presenting stories.
Journalists from the developing world with a minimum of two years experience with a general news or specialist reporting background are eligible to apply for the course. No prior technical skills or Internet training is required.
Full bursaries or part-funded bursaries may be available.
For more information, click here.
International Experience, Multimedia
Deadline: 05/07/2010
Region: Worldwide
The Reuters Foundation is inviting journalists from the developing world to apply for a course on multimedia reporting, to be held in London September 6 to 10. Deadline: July 15.
The "Multimedia Web tools for journalists" course, to be held in London, will teach newsgathering teams practical ways to take advantage of multimedia tools and methods for finding, developing and presenting stories.
Journalists from the developing world with a minimum of two years experience with a general news or specialist reporting background are eligible to apply for the course. No prior technical skills or Internet training is required.
Full bursaries or part-funded bursaries may be available.
For more information, click here.
02 July 2010
Celebrating SAFMA’s Ten Years
The South Asian Free Media Association (SAFMA) completes 10 years of its existence on July 2, 2010. The delegates attending the First South Asia Free Media Conference (SAFMC) in Islamabad decided to form a mainstream media body of the region on 2nd July 2000. The founding conference evolved a programme, “Media Development, Freedom and Peace in South Asia”, that focused on two-fold objectives to pursue in the subsequent years: a) media development, free flow of and access to information and a free, professionally competent, unbiased and independent media in the region and (b) promote a culture of dialogue and an environment for understanding, tolerance, peace, conflict resolution and cross-border cooperation leading towards a South Asian Union and help bring an end to the menace of extremism and terrorism.
Since then SAFMA has been established in all the eight member countries of SAARC, with elected National Chapters and offices in most countries of the region. The South Asia Media Centre was also established in Lahore from where SAFMA Central Secretariat operates. SAFMA has eight elected National Chapters and a Regional Executive Body. It is recognisd by SAARC as an Associated Body but has yet to be given the status of an Apex Body, which it must be given at the earliest.
The Action Plan approved by the Information Ministers of SAARC has been implemented by SAFMA, by establishing South Asian Media Centre, South Asian Media Net, South Asian Journal, South Asia Media School and journalists exchanges and editors conferences.
So far SAFMA has held seven regional South Asian Free Media Conferences, five SAARC Journalists Summits, two Indo-Pak, two South Asian, one Pak-Afghan parliamentary conferences and various sub-regional exchanges to promote free media, peace and regional cooperation such as Dhaka-Kolkata, Mumbai-Karachi, Punjab-Punjab and Kashmir-Kashmir.
SAMC: SAFMA has helped establish South Asia Media Commission (SAMC) in all the eight countries and at the regional level to monitor the attacks on the press and to audit media content. It has held its two regional conferences that have elected its successive Regional Executive Bodies. Eight National Chapters have also been established with representation from major media bodies and the civil society. South Asia Media Monitor, which covers attacks on journalists and audits media content, has completed five years of publication.
SAWM: SAFMA has also backed leading women journalists in establishing South Asia Women in Media (SAWM) to mainstream gender issues and ensure greater participation of women journalists. SAWM now has a Regional Executive Body with eight National Chapters in the region.
SAPANA: South Asian Policy Analysis (SAPANA) network -- a virtual think-tank and network of experts, academics and researchers -- has produced the high quality research-based South Asian Media series consisting of 13 books on major policy issues facing South Asia. Another research-based series consisting of seven books on important regional issues is under preparation and is expected to be published by the end of this year and the start of next year.
South Asian Journal: SAFMA’s joint media productions have had a positive impact on South Asia. South Asian Journal has completed seven years of publication while keeping its high quality and cross-cutting themes. Top experts, academicians, researchers and editors contribute to the Journal which has a vast subscription across the region. The Journal has focused on major regional and national policy issues to overcome information deficit and create broader understanding on inter and intra state issues.
South Asian Media Net: South Asian Media Net has been online for eight years. The news and views website is updated daily to provide one window to all South Asian countries. It has been renovated with audio-video facilities and can be accessed at www.southasianmedia.net. Any South Asian can file a story or views on the site and join various discussion forums on it. SAFMA/SAWM/SAMC members can have their conferences on this site.
South Asian Media School (SAMS): South Asia Media School, established to train and educate young journalists from the region, has successfully undertaken five eight-week and two five-week certificate courses so far under the supervision of a superb faculty and international instructors and will be expanding its training program to six-month and one-year Diploma Courses in collaboration with Goldsmiths College, London.
Free Media Foundation (FMF): FMF, registered under the Societies Act, has been the implementing agency for SAFMA, SAWM and SAMC. The Foundation has entered contribution agreements with UNDP, Norway and the Netherlands and raised more than US$ 8 million to run SAFMA activities in the past eight years. The Foundation accepts the work-plans and the budgets proposed by the Regional Executive Bodies of SAFMA, SAWM and SAMC and their Secretary Generals are represented on the Board of Governors of the Foundation.
South Asian Free Media Endowment (Fund): To become self-sustaining, FMF/SAFMA has proposed the creation of a South Asia Free Media Endowment (Fund) worth US$ 20.34 million with a possible contribution from SAARC Development Fund and members/observers of SAARC at the SAARC Journalists Summit-V in Bhutan in April 2010. SAFMA has also proposed the creation of scholarships worth US$ 336,000 annually from the respective SAARC countries for their young journalists to be trained at the South Asian Media School.
SAFMA’s Impact:
SAFMA has been instrumental in promoting free and responsible media to promote tolerance, peace and cooperation in South Asia. Pursuing a two-pronged strategy to achieve its twin objectives of developing a conscientious media community with a South Asian perspective and engaging media for conflict resolution, peace, tolerance and regional cooperation, SAFMA has made a remarkable contribution.
Media Related Achievements:
SAFMA, SAMC and SAWM have achieved the following media objectives: a) An active media network across borders with regularly elected national chapters, Media Resource Centres in eight countries and Regional Executive Bodies elected every two year by South Asian Free Media Conference and SAWM and SAMC Regional Conferences, a Central Secretariat in Lahore, Pakistan; b) Strengthening the right to know and freedom of expression by bringing changes into media and other laws of those countries that prohibit freedom of expression and right to know; c) Promoting free flow of information and movement of media-persons and media products across borders; d) Raising media professional standards through training and reorientation (SAMS); e) Helping media persons rise above their national/ethnic/religious divides in conflict situations; f) Overcoming information deficit through joint media productions, such as South Asian Media Net, a news and views portal and South Asian Journal, a high quality quarterly magazine; g) Monitoring attacks on media-persons and media organisations and auditing media content; publication of annual and periodical reports on media (South Asia Media Monitor); solidarity movements for media freedom and peace, such as in Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka; h) Gender sensitization and mainstreaming through workshops and guidelines, now under the auspices of SAWM; i) Joint media platforms for action and reform at the national and regional levels; j) Redefining media's role in conflicts, women rights, good governance, peace, fighting terrorism etc.; k) Promoting regional cooperation, conflict resolution and isolating religious extremism and fighting terrorism through media campaigns and sub-regional, bilateral and regional fora, interactions, exchanges and networking (South Asian Parliamentary conferences, Indo-Pak parliamentary conferences, Pak-Afghan Parliamentary conferences, Kashmir-Kashmir, Punjab-Punjab, Mumbai-Karachi, Dhaka-Kolkota sub-regional exchanges); l) Strengthening democracy, democratic culture, promoting tolerance and curbing terrorism and religious extremism through various activities.
SAFMA’s Achievements for Peace:
SAFMA has expanded its appeal and influence beyond the media community that increasingly joined its ranks. SAFMA is playing an active role in conflict resolution, peacemaking, confidence building, and eradication of terrorism and extremism. In its ten-year existence, SAFMA has been at the centre-stage of creating understanding, reconciliation processes and confidence between Pakistan and India and Afghanistan and Pakistan: a) It brought together not only journalists from all divides, but also parliamentarians, politicians and experts from these countries, besides building bridges between Bangladesh and India and Nepal and Bhutan. Its initiatives have led to ceasefire between India and Pakistan, after it brought together the members of the two parliaments in Islamabad who called for a ceasefire and initiated confidence-building measures between the two countries. Encouraged by SAFMA's initiative, India and Pakistan initiated a series of confidence-building measures and a composite dialogue process. b) By exchanging two groups of journalists across the Line of Control (LoC), dividing Kashmir, SAFMA facilitated an understanding on opening the LoC to divided families and a bus service between the two capitals of divided Kashmir. SAFMA organized two South Asian Parliamentary conferences in Pakistan and India that attracted official delegations of all parties from all the legislatures of the region and set the agenda of South Asian Economic and Parliamentary Union. It achieved yet another landmark by bringing together the parliamentarians from Afghanistan and Pakistan in Islamabad. d) Quite refreshing and motivating was a visit by the captains of industry, agriculture, culture and media from the Pakistan side of Punjab to the Indian side and between Mumbai and Karachi, Dhaka and Kolkata and journalists’ exchange across the divided Kashmir.
Institutional Development:
The Free Media Foundation, SAFMA, SAWM and SAMC have taken far reaching measures for its institutional development. The Central Secretariat has evolved a well thought-out institutional Development Plan and has implemented it. Free Media Foundation’s Memorandum has been revised, on the advice of a leading corporate lawyers firm, to create a strong and clear institutional and structural relationship between the FMF and SAFMA/SAWM/SAMC. Similarly, SAFMA’s, SAWM’s and SAMC’s memorandums have also been amended to strengthen this institutional and structural relationship. Ernst and Young Chartered Accountants have undertaken a comprehensive Gap Analysis of FMF’s Central Secretariat’s financial, managerial and HR procedures. The Report was approved and Ernst and Young were asked to propose Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). They proposed two manuals on finance and HR as well as a manual for National Chapters, to bring our working and governance in accordance with best practices and international corporate standards to strengthen good governance, accountability, transparency, necessary checks and balances and discipline. FMF, Central Secretariat and National Chapters must ensure that these manuals are fully followed in letter and spirit. A system of result-based Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting has been established and it must be implemented. South Asian Free Media Endowment Fund is being created for self-sustainability.
MEDIA, SAARC, SAFMA
The 14th SAARC Summit in April 2007 stressed “the need for closer regional cooperation in the field of information and communication technology”. It also directed to take steps on other ICT-enabled fields. The 15th SAARC Summit in August 2008 recognized “the importance of connectivity for realizing the objectives of SAARC …it further stressed the necessity for fast-tracking projects to improving intra-regional connectivity and facilitating economic, social and people-to-people contacts”.
Things have not moved along these tracks and the SAARC visa exemption scheme has not worked. Media and information remain the most neglected area despite South Asian Free Media Association’s (SAFMA) persistent efforts and successive SAARC Summits and the commitments made by the foreign ministers at SAARC Journalists Summits since 2004. The SAARC visa quota for journalists remains unimplemented in India and Pakistan.
Generally, the issues of connectivity, communication, routes, cross border linkages, free movement of people, goods and information still remain unaddressed despite various declarations and recommendations by the relevant forums of SAARC.
The SAARC information ministers had agreed to implement the following measures through a Plan of Action and set the following objectives:
1. To actively encourage greater flow of information in the SAARC region. (SAARC region remains prohibitive of the free flow of information and movement of journalists across borders, despite SAFMA’s lobbying for the last ten years and its Protocol on Free Movement of Journalists and Media Products repeatedly presented to successive SAARC Summits since 2003.)
2. To generate, disseminate and exchange information material. (Nothing has moved on this account. However, SAFMA has established and maintained since 2003 a daily news and views portal, southasianmedia.net, on the countries of South Asia with two million hits every month.)
3. To strengthen cooperation in the field of media and information and upgrade the professionalism of media persons through human resource development programs and regional exchanges. (Nothing was done for the professional development of journalists. A few exchanges of journalists did take place. SAFMA has, in the meantime, held and organized over 50 regional conferences and exchanges, including journalists/editors, experts, academicians, parliamentarians and politicians. For the professional uplifting of young journalists SAFMA has developed a South Asian Curricula on Media, South Asian Faculty and a South Asian Media School (SAMS), which has held seven 2-month media courses for young journalists from the eight countries.
South Asian Free Media Association (SAFMA) proposes the following steps and measures SAFMA is ready to facilitate and SAARC and its member states must help implement:
1. To allow Access to Information. SAFMA has proposed a model Protocol on Information to the member countries and the SAARC for adoption.
2. Ensure an easy and unrestricted visa regime for journalist and for the people at large, for free movement of media persons across South Asia. SAFMA proposes once again our Protocol on Free Movement of Media Persons and Media Products to the 16th SAARC Summit for adoption.
3. Lift all barriers on free flow of information, newspapers, magazines, books, radio and TV channels and other electronic productions, remove all bottlenecks in postal and telecommunication services and allow a South Asian information highway.
4. Help create a South Asian News Agency, which SAFMA is capable of running.
5. Recognize SAFMA as SAARC’s Regional Media Forum and grant SAFMA the status of SAARC’s Apex Body. SAFMA is ready to organize the conferences of editors and working journalist from the platform of SAARC with the backing of SAARC secretariat.
6. SAFMA has created South Asian Media Net which covers all about South Asia and member countries of SAARC. SAARC must support southasianmedia.net and we are ready to help develop and update the SAARC website.
7. SAFMA has organized documentary festivals in most countries of the region, besides a South Asian Documentary Festival. SAFMA is ready to organize South Asian Documentary Festivals for SAARC with the support of member countries.
8. SAFMA is also ready to help SAARC Audio Visual Exchange (SAVE) Program by making them more attractive and popular. SAFMA is prepared to help develop Model Guidelines for trans-national broadcasting in the region with the participation of major stakeholders.
9. SAFMA proposes to SAARC and its member countries that the South Asian Media Centre it has established in Lahore be considered as SAARC’s Media Centre.
10. Discourage negative projection of member countries by the media in South Asia. SAFMA is ready to propose professional ethical standards for voluntary adoption by the media outlets and professional media bodies.
SAFMA’s Proposal to SAARC and its Member Countries for Support:
11. Recognize South Asian Media School as an affiliate of SAARC in media training. We appeal to the member countries of SAARC to approve scholarships for young journalists and fresh graduates for media training from their countries through SAFMA National Chapters for training at South Asia Media School.
Appeal to SAARC and its Member/Observer to help create
South Asian Media Endowment Fund
12. Allocate funds for the creation of a South Asian Media Endowment Fund either out of SAARC Development Fund and/or with the contribution from Member Countries of SAARC.
The Endowment Fund can be created with the amount of USD 20.340 million which will be maintained by a regional trust dedicated to the objectives and activities of SAFMA/SAWM/SAMC and their implementing Agency, Free Media Foundation. Two options through which SAFMA is seeking support are:
Alternative-I: The funds for South Asian Free Media Endowment Fund be provided by the SAARC Development Fund;
And/Or Alternative-II: The Member Countries of SAARC share the funds among themselves.
Since then SAFMA has been established in all the eight member countries of SAARC, with elected National Chapters and offices in most countries of the region. The South Asia Media Centre was also established in Lahore from where SAFMA Central Secretariat operates. SAFMA has eight elected National Chapters and a Regional Executive Body. It is recognisd by SAARC as an Associated Body but has yet to be given the status of an Apex Body, which it must be given at the earliest.
The Action Plan approved by the Information Ministers of SAARC has been implemented by SAFMA, by establishing South Asian Media Centre, South Asian Media Net, South Asian Journal, South Asia Media School and journalists exchanges and editors conferences.
So far SAFMA has held seven regional South Asian Free Media Conferences, five SAARC Journalists Summits, two Indo-Pak, two South Asian, one Pak-Afghan parliamentary conferences and various sub-regional exchanges to promote free media, peace and regional cooperation such as Dhaka-Kolkata, Mumbai-Karachi, Punjab-Punjab and Kashmir-Kashmir.
SAMC: SAFMA has helped establish South Asia Media Commission (SAMC) in all the eight countries and at the regional level to monitor the attacks on the press and to audit media content. It has held its two regional conferences that have elected its successive Regional Executive Bodies. Eight National Chapters have also been established with representation from major media bodies and the civil society. South Asia Media Monitor, which covers attacks on journalists and audits media content, has completed five years of publication.
SAWM: SAFMA has also backed leading women journalists in establishing South Asia Women in Media (SAWM) to mainstream gender issues and ensure greater participation of women journalists. SAWM now has a Regional Executive Body with eight National Chapters in the region.
SAPANA: South Asian Policy Analysis (SAPANA) network -- a virtual think-tank and network of experts, academics and researchers -- has produced the high quality research-based South Asian Media series consisting of 13 books on major policy issues facing South Asia. Another research-based series consisting of seven books on important regional issues is under preparation and is expected to be published by the end of this year and the start of next year.
South Asian Journal: SAFMA’s joint media productions have had a positive impact on South Asia. South Asian Journal has completed seven years of publication while keeping its high quality and cross-cutting themes. Top experts, academicians, researchers and editors contribute to the Journal which has a vast subscription across the region. The Journal has focused on major regional and national policy issues to overcome information deficit and create broader understanding on inter and intra state issues.
South Asian Media Net: South Asian Media Net has been online for eight years. The news and views website is updated daily to provide one window to all South Asian countries. It has been renovated with audio-video facilities and can be accessed at www.southasianmedia.net. Any South Asian can file a story or views on the site and join various discussion forums on it. SAFMA/SAWM/SAMC members can have their conferences on this site.
South Asian Media School (SAMS): South Asia Media School, established to train and educate young journalists from the region, has successfully undertaken five eight-week and two five-week certificate courses so far under the supervision of a superb faculty and international instructors and will be expanding its training program to six-month and one-year Diploma Courses in collaboration with Goldsmiths College, London.
Free Media Foundation (FMF): FMF, registered under the Societies Act, has been the implementing agency for SAFMA, SAWM and SAMC. The Foundation has entered contribution agreements with UNDP, Norway and the Netherlands and raised more than US$ 8 million to run SAFMA activities in the past eight years. The Foundation accepts the work-plans and the budgets proposed by the Regional Executive Bodies of SAFMA, SAWM and SAMC and their Secretary Generals are represented on the Board of Governors of the Foundation.
South Asian Free Media Endowment (Fund): To become self-sustaining, FMF/SAFMA has proposed the creation of a South Asia Free Media Endowment (Fund) worth US$ 20.34 million with a possible contribution from SAARC Development Fund and members/observers of SAARC at the SAARC Journalists Summit-V in Bhutan in April 2010. SAFMA has also proposed the creation of scholarships worth US$ 336,000 annually from the respective SAARC countries for their young journalists to be trained at the South Asian Media School.
SAFMA’s Impact:
SAFMA has been instrumental in promoting free and responsible media to promote tolerance, peace and cooperation in South Asia. Pursuing a two-pronged strategy to achieve its twin objectives of developing a conscientious media community with a South Asian perspective and engaging media for conflict resolution, peace, tolerance and regional cooperation, SAFMA has made a remarkable contribution.
Media Related Achievements:
SAFMA, SAMC and SAWM have achieved the following media objectives: a) An active media network across borders with regularly elected national chapters, Media Resource Centres in eight countries and Regional Executive Bodies elected every two year by South Asian Free Media Conference and SAWM and SAMC Regional Conferences, a Central Secretariat in Lahore, Pakistan; b) Strengthening the right to know and freedom of expression by bringing changes into media and other laws of those countries that prohibit freedom of expression and right to know; c) Promoting free flow of information and movement of media-persons and media products across borders; d) Raising media professional standards through training and reorientation (SAMS); e) Helping media persons rise above their national/ethnic/religious divides in conflict situations; f) Overcoming information deficit through joint media productions, such as South Asian Media Net, a news and views portal and South Asian Journal, a high quality quarterly magazine; g) Monitoring attacks on media-persons and media organisations and auditing media content; publication of annual and periodical reports on media (South Asia Media Monitor); solidarity movements for media freedom and peace, such as in Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka; h) Gender sensitization and mainstreaming through workshops and guidelines, now under the auspices of SAWM; i) Joint media platforms for action and reform at the national and regional levels; j) Redefining media's role in conflicts, women rights, good governance, peace, fighting terrorism etc.; k) Promoting regional cooperation, conflict resolution and isolating religious extremism and fighting terrorism through media campaigns and sub-regional, bilateral and regional fora, interactions, exchanges and networking (South Asian Parliamentary conferences, Indo-Pak parliamentary conferences, Pak-Afghan Parliamentary conferences, Kashmir-Kashmir, Punjab-Punjab, Mumbai-Karachi, Dhaka-Kolkota sub-regional exchanges); l) Strengthening democracy, democratic culture, promoting tolerance and curbing terrorism and religious extremism through various activities.
SAFMA’s Achievements for Peace:
SAFMA has expanded its appeal and influence beyond the media community that increasingly joined its ranks. SAFMA is playing an active role in conflict resolution, peacemaking, confidence building, and eradication of terrorism and extremism. In its ten-year existence, SAFMA has been at the centre-stage of creating understanding, reconciliation processes and confidence between Pakistan and India and Afghanistan and Pakistan: a) It brought together not only journalists from all divides, but also parliamentarians, politicians and experts from these countries, besides building bridges between Bangladesh and India and Nepal and Bhutan. Its initiatives have led to ceasefire between India and Pakistan, after it brought together the members of the two parliaments in Islamabad who called for a ceasefire and initiated confidence-building measures between the two countries. Encouraged by SAFMA's initiative, India and Pakistan initiated a series of confidence-building measures and a composite dialogue process. b) By exchanging two groups of journalists across the Line of Control (LoC), dividing Kashmir, SAFMA facilitated an understanding on opening the LoC to divided families and a bus service between the two capitals of divided Kashmir. SAFMA organized two South Asian Parliamentary conferences in Pakistan and India that attracted official delegations of all parties from all the legislatures of the region and set the agenda of South Asian Economic and Parliamentary Union. It achieved yet another landmark by bringing together the parliamentarians from Afghanistan and Pakistan in Islamabad. d) Quite refreshing and motivating was a visit by the captains of industry, agriculture, culture and media from the Pakistan side of Punjab to the Indian side and between Mumbai and Karachi, Dhaka and Kolkata and journalists’ exchange across the divided Kashmir.
Institutional Development:
The Free Media Foundation, SAFMA, SAWM and SAMC have taken far reaching measures for its institutional development. The Central Secretariat has evolved a well thought-out institutional Development Plan and has implemented it. Free Media Foundation’s Memorandum has been revised, on the advice of a leading corporate lawyers firm, to create a strong and clear institutional and structural relationship between the FMF and SAFMA/SAWM/SAMC. Similarly, SAFMA’s, SAWM’s and SAMC’s memorandums have also been amended to strengthen this institutional and structural relationship. Ernst and Young Chartered Accountants have undertaken a comprehensive Gap Analysis of FMF’s Central Secretariat’s financial, managerial and HR procedures. The Report was approved and Ernst and Young were asked to propose Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). They proposed two manuals on finance and HR as well as a manual for National Chapters, to bring our working and governance in accordance with best practices and international corporate standards to strengthen good governance, accountability, transparency, necessary checks and balances and discipline. FMF, Central Secretariat and National Chapters must ensure that these manuals are fully followed in letter and spirit. A system of result-based Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting has been established and it must be implemented. South Asian Free Media Endowment Fund is being created for self-sustainability.
MEDIA, SAARC, SAFMA
The 14th SAARC Summit in April 2007 stressed “the need for closer regional cooperation in the field of information and communication technology”. It also directed to take steps on other ICT-enabled fields. The 15th SAARC Summit in August 2008 recognized “the importance of connectivity for realizing the objectives of SAARC …it further stressed the necessity for fast-tracking projects to improving intra-regional connectivity and facilitating economic, social and people-to-people contacts”.
Things have not moved along these tracks and the SAARC visa exemption scheme has not worked. Media and information remain the most neglected area despite South Asian Free Media Association’s (SAFMA) persistent efforts and successive SAARC Summits and the commitments made by the foreign ministers at SAARC Journalists Summits since 2004. The SAARC visa quota for journalists remains unimplemented in India and Pakistan.
Generally, the issues of connectivity, communication, routes, cross border linkages, free movement of people, goods and information still remain unaddressed despite various declarations and recommendations by the relevant forums of SAARC.
The SAARC information ministers had agreed to implement the following measures through a Plan of Action and set the following objectives:
1. To actively encourage greater flow of information in the SAARC region. (SAARC region remains prohibitive of the free flow of information and movement of journalists across borders, despite SAFMA’s lobbying for the last ten years and its Protocol on Free Movement of Journalists and Media Products repeatedly presented to successive SAARC Summits since 2003.)
2. To generate, disseminate and exchange information material. (Nothing has moved on this account. However, SAFMA has established and maintained since 2003 a daily news and views portal, southasianmedia.net, on the countries of South Asia with two million hits every month.)
3. To strengthen cooperation in the field of media and information and upgrade the professionalism of media persons through human resource development programs and regional exchanges. (Nothing was done for the professional development of journalists. A few exchanges of journalists did take place. SAFMA has, in the meantime, held and organized over 50 regional conferences and exchanges, including journalists/editors, experts, academicians, parliamentarians and politicians. For the professional uplifting of young journalists SAFMA has developed a South Asian Curricula on Media, South Asian Faculty and a South Asian Media School (SAMS), which has held seven 2-month media courses for young journalists from the eight countries.
South Asian Free Media Association (SAFMA) proposes the following steps and measures SAFMA is ready to facilitate and SAARC and its member states must help implement:
1. To allow Access to Information. SAFMA has proposed a model Protocol on Information to the member countries and the SAARC for adoption.
2. Ensure an easy and unrestricted visa regime for journalist and for the people at large, for free movement of media persons across South Asia. SAFMA proposes once again our Protocol on Free Movement of Media Persons and Media Products to the 16th SAARC Summit for adoption.
3. Lift all barriers on free flow of information, newspapers, magazines, books, radio and TV channels and other electronic productions, remove all bottlenecks in postal and telecommunication services and allow a South Asian information highway.
4. Help create a South Asian News Agency, which SAFMA is capable of running.
5. Recognize SAFMA as SAARC’s Regional Media Forum and grant SAFMA the status of SAARC’s Apex Body. SAFMA is ready to organize the conferences of editors and working journalist from the platform of SAARC with the backing of SAARC secretariat.
6. SAFMA has created South Asian Media Net which covers all about South Asia and member countries of SAARC. SAARC must support southasianmedia.net and we are ready to help develop and update the SAARC website.
7. SAFMA has organized documentary festivals in most countries of the region, besides a South Asian Documentary Festival. SAFMA is ready to organize South Asian Documentary Festivals for SAARC with the support of member countries.
8. SAFMA is also ready to help SAARC Audio Visual Exchange (SAVE) Program by making them more attractive and popular. SAFMA is prepared to help develop Model Guidelines for trans-national broadcasting in the region with the participation of major stakeholders.
9. SAFMA proposes to SAARC and its member countries that the South Asian Media Centre it has established in Lahore be considered as SAARC’s Media Centre.
10. Discourage negative projection of member countries by the media in South Asia. SAFMA is ready to propose professional ethical standards for voluntary adoption by the media outlets and professional media bodies.
SAFMA’s Proposal to SAARC and its Member Countries for Support:
11. Recognize South Asian Media School as an affiliate of SAARC in media training. We appeal to the member countries of SAARC to approve scholarships for young journalists and fresh graduates for media training from their countries through SAFMA National Chapters for training at South Asia Media School.
Appeal to SAARC and its Member/Observer to help create
South Asian Media Endowment Fund
12. Allocate funds for the creation of a South Asian Media Endowment Fund either out of SAARC Development Fund and/or with the contribution from Member Countries of SAARC.
The Endowment Fund can be created with the amount of USD 20.340 million which will be maintained by a regional trust dedicated to the objectives and activities of SAFMA/SAWM/SAMC and their implementing Agency, Free Media Foundation. Two options through which SAFMA is seeking support are:
Alternative-I: The funds for South Asian Free Media Endowment Fund be provided by the SAARC Development Fund;
And/Or Alternative-II: The Member Countries of SAARC share the funds among themselves.
Fellowship program offered for journalists covering climate change
Posted on: 01/07/2010
Environmental
Deadline: 11/07/2010
Region: Worldwide
Journalists in developing countries who are interested in reporting on climate change and other environmental issues are encouraged to apply for the Climate Change Media Partnership (CCMP) fellowship program. Deadline: July 11.
The main element of the fellowships is support to attend the UN climate change negotiations in Cancun, Mexico, from November 29 to December 10.
Participants will undergo an intensive two weeks of reporting on CCMP negotiations and receive training and mentoring throughout the program.
For more information visit: http://www.ccmpapplication.com/index.php?action=fellows
Environmental
Deadline: 11/07/2010
Region: Worldwide
Journalists in developing countries who are interested in reporting on climate change and other environmental issues are encouraged to apply for the Climate Change Media Partnership (CCMP) fellowship program. Deadline: July 11.
The main element of the fellowships is support to attend the UN climate change negotiations in Cancun, Mexico, from November 29 to December 10.
Participants will undergo an intensive two weeks of reporting on CCMP negotiations and receive training and mentoring throughout the program.
For more information visit: http://www.ccmpapplication.com/index.php?action=fellows
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