Putting Media on the Development Agenda: GFMD Sets Goals for 2009 Posted on: 29/01/2009
Region: Worldwide The Global Forum for Media Development has launched a new campaign to ensure that media development gets the attention it deserves in a time of cuts and diminishing investment in development programmes, Chair Joyce Barnathan announced. Here are the main elements of GFMD's ambitious agenda for 2009: - Encourage new investment in media development. GFMD's steering committee will make the case to policymakers and new private donors on the contributions media make in creating and strengthening democracy and promoting political and economic development. Meetings with donors will be held in Europe and the U.S. - Map the media development field. GFMD will develop a database of all its members and their work, and then pinpoint where they are operating, their programmes and donors. This will create a valuable bottom-up view of the sector that will help avoid duplication and foster new partnerships. - Publish a new quarterly information service, the GFMD Insider, to provide members with vital information on donor trends, management tips, digital technology and in-depth interviews with media development experts. "Now that we have launched a membership network, GFMD will make the strongest case possible that the media are a key pillar of civil society and a main reason why democracies and economies thrive," said GFMD Chair Barnathan. "We will work hard to make sure that our message is heard and that new funds flow into the sector." "By the end of 2009 we intend to attract new support for media development and increase our own membership based by providing essential services that will make our members even more effective and productive," said GFMD Director Bettina Peters. For more information, go to http://www.gfmd.info/ or contact Peters at [email protected]
