Research conducted by the University of Chile has revealed that the country has both direct and indirect restrictions on freedom of expression, and that it lacks a national monitoring system to evaluate these issues. This project will address this problem by providing training to 130 Chilean media professionals (including journalists, academics and students) on the monitoring and follow-up of issues relating to freedom of expression and the application of laws on access to information. This capacity building effort will help to create a network for cooperation among stakeholders which will...
IPDC project priority: Promoting Freedom of Expression and Media Pluralism
Belarusian internet provides a platform for relative freedom of expression when compared to other media outlets within the country which are characterized by a state monopoly. This, combined with the soaring numbers of internet users (almost 30% of the population in 2010 thanks to the development of faster and better quality online technologies), makes internet television a prime opportunity for increasing the plurality of media in Belarus. At present, no Belarusian website has engaged users to create video content or share videos online. This project from the BelaPAN Information Company...
Despite rapid growth in the development of the Armenian media which recently has come in the form of increased internet accessibility, there is still a worrying lack of access to information for more than half of the Armenian population today, with the latest national survey on internet accessibility conducted by the World Bank in 2008 revealing that only 5.8% of Armenians use the internet. Citizen journalism has been identified as a possible means of attracting interest in new technologies and existing civil society resources, as well as promoting youth activism in the region. The...
Although major advances have been made in increasing media diversity and pluralism in Eastern Africa, some countries in the region continue to be subject to repressive media laws and policies curtailing media freedom. Such laws and policies create a restrictive environment for media practitioners, and impinge media development in the long term. Therefore a progressive campaign for just and democratic media laws is necessary if Eastern Africa is to make a successful transition to democracy. This project will assist in developing a network of media practitioners campaigning for media law...
In 2008, events relating to the arrest of journalists and police raids on the premises of a local private radio station caused Mauritius to drop 21 places on the Global Media Freedom Index by Reporters without Borders. In the same year, the African Media Barometer reiterated this negative trend by underlining that the state-controlled operator 'MBC', which dominates Mauritian television, is highly political and propagandist in terms of content and influence. Further shortcomings also exist within the profit-driven private media sector, particularly in terms of its portrayal of women. This...
The absence of a media complaints mechanism in Swaziland has led to a lack of trust of the media sector by the majority of citizens. In an effort to address the issue, the Cabinet of the Kingdom of Swaziland has endorsed the creation of a Media Commission Bill which would seek to regulate the media. However, this has been met with opposition by many media stakeholders who feel strongly that the media sector should be self-regulated and not subject to government control, particularly since the country's media landscape is at present dominated by state-owned channels. Media organizations...
Since the outbreak of war in 1991, Somalia has ranked among the world's most dangerous and violent countries. With many journalists fleeing the country, this had a massive negative effect on the amount and quality of news coverage of the political and humanitarian crisis. Access to verified and relevant information within Somalia and in neighboring refugee camps is difficult and with the conflict continuing into its 20th year, it is becoming increasingly important to bring about change to the situation. The United Nations news agency, Integrated Regional Information Network (IRIN) has a...
Under Malawi's new Republican Constitution, freedom of expression is guaranteed by law, therefore granting its media the chance to operate in a free environment. By contrast, on the topic of freedom of access to information, work remains to be done. The National Media Institute of Malawi (NAMISA) has been at the forefront of campaigns for the enactment of an Access to Information Bill. Thus far, this work has been without positive results with one of the major obstacles being a common misconception on the part of local politicians and members of the public that access to information is...
In recent years, cases of abductions and violence against journalists and media workers in Eastern Africa have increased at an alarming rate, particularly during election periods. The majority of these cases remain unresolved due to a lack of credible investigative and legal procedures. Such violations deprive citizens of their fundamental right to freely seek and receive information and express ideas, as guaranteed by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Civil and Political Rights and the African Charter on Human and People's Rights. At present however, no formal...
In spite of continued attacks on press freedom experienced by Togo's press sector, the publication 'Liberté' has succeeded amid the adverse conditions, going from a weekly to a daily publication in the space of four years following its launch in 2005. Today, the publication seeks to further push the boundaries by developing its publishing and web capabilities in an effort to get closer to rural populations. At present, Liberté's attempts to reach out to the rural Togolese population are limited by the fact that it (as with most of Togo's press media) is based in the capital city of Lomé,...
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