71 new media development projects to be financed by IPDC worldwide
Sengerema community radio, Tanzania (IPDC project). © UNESCO
The 59th meeting of the Bureau of the International Programme for the Development of Communication (IPDC) ended in UNESCO HQ with the approval of 71 new media development projects to be financed and implemented this year. Empowering women journalists, improving the safety of journalists or increasing quality reporting on climate change – these are the most recurrent themes in the project proposals approved by the IPDC.
Special attention was given to media development projects submitted by Ebola-affected countries, such as Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea. In addition to the 71 new projects, IPDC Bureau has also decided on further support to IPDC’s flagship special initiatives, namely the assessments based on UNESCO/IPDC’s Media Development Indicators (MDIs) and the Knowledge-Driven Media Development Initiative.
The IPDC Bureau has also decided on new priorities for the Programme, particularly the work in the area of safety of journalists, as well as safety-related areas such as countering hate speech, promoting conflict-sensitive reporting and the promotion of cross-cultural, cross-religious dialogue. Under the leadership of IPDC Chair, Ms Albana Shala, Bureau members also expressed a strong commitment to further champion the programme with donors and relevant authorities at national levels to mobilize the necessary support for the Programme.
IPDC extends financial support for Ebola projects in Africa
UNESCO's International Programme for the Development of Communication (IPDC) approved a total of US$ 58,573 to support projects aimed at building the communication capacities of Ebola affected countries in the Mano River Region. The proposals, submitted by proponents in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, are in line with UNESCO's Strategic Response to Ebola, which underlines the need to strengthen communication systems in the above countries. >> More
Ghanaian media group gives support to UNESCO’s IPDC
In a gesture of solidarity by an African news organization, Allied News Ltd of Ghana made a symbolic contribution to the International Programme for the Development of Communication (IPDC). This was announced by Peter Ankomah, Deputy Editor of The Daily Dispatch – a newspaper in the Allied News Ltd stable. He explained: “We recognize the importance of the IPDC in building journalists’ capacity in elections reporting. We thus consider our contribution as part of our effort at building a partnership with the Programme”. >> More
UNESCO builds knowledge for protecting journalists
Delegations from UNESCO Member States heard about concrete experiences worldwide in supporting the safety of journalists. An audience of more than 70 people benefited from expert speakers reporting on lessons within the regions of Latin America and the Caribbean, Arab States, East Africa, and Europe. "In a global world, to stop journalists being killed anywhere, it is necessary to stop the attacks everywhere," states the concept note of this panel. The IPDC meeting also served to launch the new UNESCO publication Building Digital Safety for Journalists. >> More
UNESCO’s IPDC is key to safety of journalists
The importance of IPDC is highlighted by recent attacks on journalists, was the message delivered by UNESCO’s Deputy Director-General, Getachew Engida, during the 59th session of the IPDC Bureau. He noted that IPDC was a vehicle to share international experiences in the safety of journalists, highlighting lessons that “are no longer distant to Western Europe – such as protection systems for journalists, training of trainers to optimize capacity-building efforts, and support for journalists suffering from trauma.” >> More
UNESCO welcomes feedback on new draft indicators for media viability
UNESCO invites media and media monitoring experts to provide feedback on a new set of indicators on media viability, developed in partnership with the Deutsche Welle Akademie. The draft indicators, which are designed to help measure the level of media sustainability in any given country, were presented at the recent meeting of the intergovernmental Bureau of the International Programme for the Development of Communication (IPDC). >> More
About IPDC
International Programme for the Development of Communication (IPDC) was set up in 1980 as the only intergovernmental programme in the UN system mandated to mobilize international support in order to contribute to sustainable development, democracy and good governance by strengthening the capacities of free and independent media. Since its creation, IPDC has channeled about US$ 105 million to over 1,700 media development projects in some 140 countries.