Press ReleasesInternews Media House Supports Local Journalists in Sri Lanka
(February 26, 2007) As Sri Lanka struggles with renewed conflict, Internews has established a media house in the east of the country to ensure voices and concerns of local communities are included in the media – not just perspectives from the capital, Colombo, where most media are concentrated. According to Internews Country Director Matt Abud, "Local communities throughout Sri Lanka lack media that provide information and news about their own neighborhoods, making it harder for them to explore and understand local issues. Because of this, local perspectives on peace, development, democracy, and other issues are also rarely heard at the national level." Internews established the East Media House in January in Ampara, capital of the district of the same name, with a second location in nearby Kalmunai. The media house runs intensive training programs for local journalists, which teach both journalistic and technical skills. After the training, journalists receive hands-on support, to help them cover issues important in their community. “The East Media House is an ideal place to tell the world about the people’s heartbeat," said Lalith Dehigolla, a journalist from Ampara who received training at the House. "It’s a creative place to provide real, balanced, and accurate news.” The East Media House also provides local journalists with access to radio production studios, recording equipment, computers, and communications resources. Other Media Development Activities in Sri LankaIn July 2006, Internews launched a media house in Matara, on the southern tip of Sri Lanka, which provides similar support services to local journalists. The Matara Media House also holds regular professional development seminars for journalists on issues such as globalization and the media, and freedom of information. Both media houses support the production of Real Voices, the most comprehensive radio program dealing with local community and social issues and current events available to audiences in the area. Recent stories covered on Real Voices include: an update on reconstruction after the 2004 tsunami, including disputes over distribution of resources; domestic violence and mental health challenges faced by women in Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps; challenges sharing water resources for both drinking and irrigation between different communities in Ampara; and the impact of the decline in tourism due to the worsening security situation in Sri Lanka. In the East, Real Voices is broadcast in Tamil on Pirai FM (102 FM) from 17:00 to 17:30 on Fridays, and in Sinhala on Uva Community Radio (87.6 FM) from 18:15 to 18:30 on Sundays. In the South, Real Voices is broadcast on Ruhunu Sevaya (107.2 FM) at 16:00 on Sundays. Real Voices podcasts can also be found on Voices of Reconciliation Radio website run bythe Centre for Policy Alternatives. A Technical Advisory Board, based in Colombo, supports and provides input into the development of the Media Houses. Members on the Board include representatives from Internews, USAID, the Sri Lanka Press Institute, and the Centre for Policy Alternatives. In addition to the media house, Internews runs a small grants program called Radio Plus, which offers financial and technical support to organizations or individuals who lack the means to get their stories to the public. Some grantees tackle issues such as small arms proliferation; discrimination faced by disabled youth in rural areas; corruption in local communities; and the conditions of Free Trade Zone workers. Others are exploring the use of new media, including an SMS (text messaging) news service, and Internet radio programs. The Small Grants program is supported by a board which includes representatives from Internews, USAID, YA-TV, InfoShare, and the Business for Peace Alliance. Internews’ programs in Sri Lanka are funded by the US Agency for International Development's Office of Transition Initiatives. FOR MORE INFORMATION: Email: Internews Sri Lanka |
|
||
