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UNDP: TAPPING THE POWER OF MEDIA
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ETAN
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Jun 08, 2007 09:36 PDT
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http://www.tl.undp.org/undp/for_download/NewsLetter/UNDP%20News%20Monthly-Issue%20V,%20June%202007.pdf
UNDP
Timor-Leste
News Monthly
Volume V June 2007
TAPPING THE POWER OF MEDIA
As the date for parliamentary elections slated for 30 June 2007 draws
near, UNDP has stepped up its support to the media by fa cilitating a
series of training programmes to benefi t Timorese jour nalists
intending to cover their country's historic polls.
On 25 May, the project "Strengthening Parliamentary Democracy in
Timor-Leste" or better known as The Parliament Project, held a
workshop on "The Parliament of Timor-Leste and the media." It was
facilitated by a media expert from the Parliament of Australia Andrew
Dawson and an Australian parliamentary reporter working with the
Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), Peta Donald Also involved
were senior staff members from the Secretariat of the National
Parliament of Timor-Leste.
A free and responsible press is needed in the democracy of this new
country to accurately report to the public on the decisions and
activities of its representatives, noted Mr. Nick Beresford, the UNDP
Deputy Country Director (Operations), during the work shop attended
by dozens of reporters. "This will enable the citi zens to have
enough information to hold their elected representa tives accountable
for their actions, to make informed judgements about their work and
at last enrich the process of representative democracy."
As an independent observer of the legislative process, the media,
"also plays an educative role in Timor-leste. Its reports on
parliamentary sessions, committee meetings, hearings and proposed
legislation contribute to the public's knowledge and involvement the
legislative work" noted Nick, adding that media's role is essential
in promoting "a closer dialogue between the people and its representatives."
Urging the journalists to "take full advantage of the workshop" Mr.
Francisco Carlos Soares, who is a Member of the National Parlia ment,
said that "the future of the nation to the benefit of the people can
be realized through the parliament."
Meanwhile, a training programme for journalists on the role of
community radio stations has been launched, courtesy of a joint
initiative involving the Support to the Timorese Electoral Cycle
Project and the Parliament Project.
The one/two-day training sessions which kicked off on 21 May in Dili,
and will incorporate all the districts of the country, will culminate
in a closing ceremony in Ainaro, a few days before the parliamentary
elections. The training will focus on such topics such as the role of
the National Parliament and elections in a democracy, reporting
techniques and media ethics.
An informed media, able to produce impartial and objective news
coverage, plays a pivotal role in informing the people, in enhancing
the Timorese awareness and in promoting good governance," says
Allesandra Ronchi, the Media Advisor, Parliament Project. Allesandra
is one of the main trainers, with the other being Miguel Caldeira,
based with the Support to the Timorese Electoral Cycle.
They will work closely with their respective national counter parts
and prepare them to be the trainers of community radio station
journalists. The national trainers will then manage the sessions independently.
This is the second time in less than three months that the community
radio stations journalists have received training facilitated by
UNDP. In March and April, , an international trainer from UNDP
Support to the Timorese Electoral Cycle Project, crisscrossed the
country, holding training sessions that benefited 78 journalists.
The training programmes come hot on the heels of a recent conducted
by the authoritative media research group INSIGHT, which confirmed
that radio is the most important source of in formation in
Timor-Leste with nearly 47 % of Timorese house holds having access to
a radio set and "weekly reach" estimated at 49.6 %.
Although freedom of enshrined in the constitution, experts say that
in the past, it has often been misused by those in power.
Furthermore, media's full potential has yet to be harnessed in the
country. "Credible, viable, reliable and above all independent news
is vital" said Mr. Henry Rector, The Acting Chief of Mission of the
US Embassy during the launch of the Timor-Leste National Media Survey
in Dili on 31 May 2007.
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National Coordinator
East Timor & Indonesia Action Network (ETAN)
PO Box 21873, Brooklyn, NY 11202-1873 USA
Phone: (718)596-7668 Fax: (718)222-4097
Mobile phone: (917)690-4391 Skype: john.m.miller
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