The Drum Beat 57: DANIDA - Communication, Media and Development

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DANIDA, the Danish International Development Agency, supports communication for development. There is currently a policy revision taking place. The following articles and activities indicate pathways for future activities relating to communication for development. Not all activities are supported by DANIDA. Inge Estvad (journalist, est@image.dk), Finn Rasmussen (Communication Adviser, IBIS Ecuador, frasmussen@andinanet.net) and Thomas Tufte, Ph.D. (Professor, Roskilde University ttufte@ruc.dk) gathered the material summarised below, with links to articles, written in a journalistic style, that provide comprehensive insights into the policies and programmes selected.

STRATEGIES

1. DANIDA Media Strategy #1 - Media & Development - main goal for development communication is to create public participation and viable projects. Focus is on the development of the media sector for the benefit of free press, education and training of journalists and the establishment of independent press and media centers. The basic intervention formula is communicating knowledge in a way that allows a group to be empowered and involved in the issue. Contact: Dariann Riber darrib@um.dk

2. DANIDA Media Strategy #2 - Media & Democracy - supports activities that promote democracy and human rights, including support of free elections, reconstruction of legal sectors, promotion of free speech and equal access to democratic processes. Attention is on radio projects and in-service training of media associates. Contact: Dariann Riber darrib@um.dk

3. UNESCO Media Strategy - Freedom & Development - support free and independent media in societies where both freedom and pluralism have seen difficult times in the past. The International Program for the Development of Communication (IPDC) mobilizes new economic contributions for specific media projects. Contact: Torben Krogh http://www.unesco.org

COMMUNICATION FOR DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS

4. Los Maribios - Nicaragua - imparts knowledge of new agricultural techniques and crops to 2,400 rural families through video. Includes action on agriculture, gender and economic development through a weekly agricultural radio programme, seminars on gender, and videos on the breeding of iguanas for export. Contact: fao-nic@field.fao.org

5. Agriculture - Chile, Peru, Bolivia - FAO media communication programmes that use an audio-visual pedagogy, combining farmer's knowledge and experience with recent scientific research, to produce training videos for farmers. Contact: FAO website

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6. Radio Cabal - El Salvador - broadcasts programmes of debate, information and socially oriented radio dramas for the poorest members of the population. Investigating the commercialization of products, including sales in advertising, sponsor agreements and radio programmes in order to become self-financing. Music is a tool for creating solidarity and expressing identity. Contact: rcabal@itinet.net

7. Radio Manuela Ramos - Peru - feminist radio station with a focus on a woman's right to decide if she wants children, receive education, obtain a divorce and setting up small businesses and financial support for medical services for women who have had illegal abortions. Strengthens consciousness on domestic violence. Supports idea that it is important to involve men if the situation of women is going to change. Contact: kulu@kulu.dk

8. Soul City - South Africa - multi-media initiative that deals with issues such as domestic violence, AIDS, child abuse and rape. Based on entetainment-education concept. Has resulted in social mobilization, public debate and has influenced law making. Also includes newspaper strips, daily radio shows, and educational material for children and adults.

9. Mobile Radio - Republic of Central Africa - UN Peacekeeping mission (MINURCA) proposed a mobile radio station to broadcast impartial information about the general election and educate citizens on voting procedures. 60% illiteracy rate in C.A.R. Now the country's most listened-to radio station. Contact: Dariann Riber darrib@um.dk

10. Peace - Israel, Jordan, Palestinian Authority - DANIDA selected 16 media associates from Israel, Jordan and the Palestinian Authority, to work together producing a TV series to prevent stereotypes. Goals were to train the participants in the use of media equipment and production technology, and to produce something that would represent the people of the 3 countries as peaceful. Contact: Ove Lynge Larsen inroads@inroads.net

11. Blindness - India - involvement of local people to improve communication about cataracts and the possibilities for treatment. Targets people with incorrect or inadequate information, particularly women and people from poor areas. Current strategy involves IEC Committees developing and testing a selection of communications methods with different target groups. Contact: Dr. Arbind Sinha arbind@danpcb.org

MEDIA DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS

12. The Media Project - Mozambique - supports independent media development, de-centralization of media, media pluralism, training of media people and development of democratization. Responds to the need for information and the re-establishment of social networks after years of war. Supports radio programmes on health, culture and the environment. Media Project Contact: bjallov@mediamoz.com

13. Debate - Zambia - reconstruction of independent media through the development of a democratic mass media structure, including journalist organizations such as PAZA and ZAMWA. "Independent Radio Authority" produces educational materials and works in co-operation with the journalist program at Zambia's university. Contact: David Dahmen ddamen@swipnet.se

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14. PRODECA - Central America - supports freedom of speech and investigative journalism. Includes newspaper supplements that put a critical focus on development strategies. Uses 3 main approaches: strengthening the instruction of students; encouraging media to take students as interns; supporting the flow of news between rural and urban areas. Contact: Thora Gehl thora@infovia.com.gt

15. Media Institute of Southern Africa [MISA] - seeks freedom of the press, freedom of expression and media pluralism. Promotes strategies, action plans, and training of journalists in media rights and democracy. Registers human rights and media rights violations. Establishing a press bureau. 

16. Freedom of Expression Institute (FXI) - South Africa - guards freedom of expression and media pluralism in South Africa. Concerned that prohibition of forms of racism in the media will reduce the openness and visibility of racism, making it more difficult to challenge. Activities: promoting free, independent media and freedom of expression, and working for increased media pluralism. Contact: info@article19.org.za

17. Internet for Development - Ghana, South Africa - investigation found that Internet and e-mail functions improve access to information and break down isolation. Developing countries have the highest Internet growth rates in the world. Training in the use of the Internet is a key component to continuing the development of democracy. Contact: Anja Moller anjmol@um.dk

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The most recent issue of THE MEDIA BEAT is available on the web site. Articles include: Internet and Poverty in India; ECOSOC and IT; Mobile phones - Nepal; Digital lines - Bangldesh; 11th FM radio station - Kenya; Media and Child Rights - Ghana; and more. Media Beat

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This Drum Beat edited by Heather Fisher.
Please send contributions to The Drum Beat to the Editor - Deborah Heimann dheimann@comminit.com