Aims and Objectives
This project represents Stage 2 of the Media South Asia initiative that produced a documentary film and book on the transformation of South Asian media during the 1990s. This stage focussed on promoting debate among policymakers in the media, government and other fields about the implications of the satellite revolution for public policy.
Methodology
This was done through a conference of policymakers and the launch of the documentary and book. In addition, four workshops were held on media development, and a programme of exchanges linked professionals in key media fields both within South Asia and between South Asia and other parts of the world.
Implementation
Three major elements were implemented:
1) Launch of the book and film, and holding a Conference on South Asian broadcasting:
- The book and film were launched at the British Council in New Delhi in 2000.
- This was followed by a two day conference on ‘South Asian broadcasting in the satellite age’, which was attended by a good cross-section of media experts from across South Asia as well as four international experts. Two leading media figures, Professor James Curran of Goldsmiths College, London and Liz Forgan, former Managing Director of BBC Radio, also participated. The conference generated a range of press coverage in India and Pakistan.
- Both book and film were launched again in Mumbai in 2000, followed by a panel discussion among local media experts.
- Approximately a thousand media persons and opinion formers attended national and regional launches of the book and film. The film has been shown at a number of educational related workshops in Bangalore, Kathmandu and Manikganj and at university events in the UK. It was also shown on Nepal TV and media outlets in India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka have expressed an interest in showing the film.
- Since the film was launched, we have seen evidence of a change in attitudes to the introduction of greater terrestrial competition and more decentralisation of the media. However, progress remains vulnerable to political change. In the field of radio, steps have been made in Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and India to permit competition for national broadcasters, though Nepal and Sri Lanka are ahead of their neighbours.
2) Workshops on various themes related to media in South Asia:
- 3-day workshops were held in Colombo on ‘Reform of state broadcasters’; in Kathmandu on ‘Serving the City: the role of local radio’, in Dhaka on ‘Broadcasting and Development’; and in Delhi on ‘Promoting Feedback’. They workshops were attended by participants from across South Asia, with strong contingents from the home countries.
- One-day workshops that tied in with book and film launches were held in Karachi on ‘Culture and communication in the satellite age’; in Dhaka on ‘Bangladeshi Culture and the new broadcasting environment; in Chennai on ‘Culture and Convergence in the new media environment’; and in Colombo on ‘Innovation in terrestrial television’.
- A series of three additional workshops was held.
3) A series of exchanges to bring South Asian media professionals in contact with counterparts within the region and beyond:
Several attachments have been organised between the Centre for Advocacy and Research and other media organisations.
- Hands-on experience was organised for community radio practitioners at two of the most innovative Nepali stations
- Other attachments to stimulate innovation in terrestrial television and to improve NGO strategies were also developed.
- During the conference and workshops, we made available to participants the contact details of those attending these events as a means of creating regional networks for change. As part of this process, the project has also become a contact point for organisations trying to extend their own operations.
Key contacts
