Assisting media by forging co-operation and
funding projects
To
ensure continuous feedback from local professionals, the Media
Task Force works closely with groups of local media experts in
SEE.
To
date, Media Working Groups have been established in Bulgaria,
Romania, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Serbia, Macedonia, Moldova,
Albania and Montenegro. Most are comprised of media professionals,
members of the civil society and governmental representatives.
In some cases, participation of the state-owned media and local
authorities is limited.
Together
with these groups, the MTF generates carefully selected projects
and proposes these for funding. Through the Media Working Groups,
the MTF also works with governmental authorities in SEE to take
necessary measures for reform.
Beginning
2002, a first round of projects has been reviewed by local experts
and the secretariat of the Media Task Force. Eventually, 13 projects
were recommended for international support. Of these, 11 have
been funded with a total amount of over €3 million. Additionally,
nine projects are implemented upon the direct suggestion of the
Media Working Groups. These projects all address legal and regulatory
issues. Examples include a broadcasting frequency map for Albania,
an access to information law in Montenegro and contractual rights
for journalists in Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Examples of projects include a broadcast
law in Macedonia
and an Access to Information law in Montenegro
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| May
2002. Graduates of the Media Plan University in Sarajevo,
which offers a one-year MA in journalism to students from
South Eastern Europe. The initiative receives support through
the Media Task Force |
Beginning
2003, 20 new projects were proposed to international donors
after consultations with working groups and reviews done by
the Media Task Force. Most of these projects have now received
support through the Media Task Force and implementation has
started mid-2003. Examples of these new activities include media
legislation reform in Montenegro, access to information in various
countries, the production of a variety of programmes and documentaries,
local training courses for journalists and support for covering
corruption and organised crime issues.
The Media Task Force executive secretary is regularly consulted
by MFA’s on a variety of issues: (bilateral) support to
media development, requests for background notes on media related
issues or feedback on running projects. For example, the Media
Task Force cooperated closely with the German Foreign Ministry
in the selection of media assistance activities.
Read
more on the Media Task Force:
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