International Programme for the Development of Communication: Difference between revisions

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{{Short description|UNESCO programme for the development of mass media in developing countries}}

[[Image:UNESCO.svg|right|thumb|The UNESCO logo]]

[[Image:UNESCO.svg|right|thumb|TheLogo UNESCOof logoUNESCO]]

The '''International Programme for the Development of Communication''' is a [[United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization]] (UNESCO) programme aimed at strengthening the development of [[mass media]] in [[Developing country|developing countries]].

== Background ==

On December 10, 1948, Article 19 of the [[Universal Declaration of Human Rights]] was adopted and proclaimed by the [[United Nations General Assembly]] as Resolution 217 A (III). It stated that "''Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.''"<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.un.org/Overview/rights.html |title=Universal Declaration of Human Rights |url-status=dead |archiveurlarchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141208080853/http://www.un.org/Overview/rights.html |archivedatearchive-date=2014-12-08 }}</ref>

In 1977, UNESCO initiated the International Commission for the Study of Communications Problems, known as the [[MacBride Commission]] and named after the Commissioncommission's Chairman [[SeanSeán MacBride]]. The Commissioncommission was given a three-year time frame to conduct investigations and report back to UNESCO. In October 1980, the report ''Many Voices, One World'' was presented at the Belgrade Assembly.

As a result of the report, UNESCO launched the '''International Programme for the Development of Communication''' (IPDC). The programme web site states that it "exists to strengthen the means of [[mass communication]] in developing countries, by increasing technical and [[human resources]] for the media, by developing [[community media]] and by modernising [[News agency|news agencies]] and broadcasting organizations."

At the November 1987 [[General Conference (United Nations)|General Conference]] at Paris, UNESCO called for the continuation of its major plan called ''Communication in the Service of Man'' in which it re-affirmed that "it is essential gradually to eliminate existing imbalances in the field of communication, in particular by fostering the development of infrastructures, the training of people and the strengthening of production and dissemination capacities in the developing countries, and to encourage a free flow and a wider and better balanced dissemination of information, with a view to the establishment of a [[new world information and communication order]] seen as an evolving and continuous process."<ref>{{Cite book|url=http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0007/000769/076995E.pdf|title=Records of the General Conference - Twenty-fourth Session|last=[[UNESCO|author-link=United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization|UNESCO]]|first=|date=1987-11-20|publisher=|year=|isbn=|volume=1: Resolutions|place=[[Paris]]|pages=35–39|chapter=Communication in the Service of Man}}</ref>

At the June 2004 session of the UN General Assembly, it was "decided to maintain the Committee to Review United Nations Public Information Policies and Activities" with a mandate including "To promote the establishment of a new, more just and more effective world information and communication order intended to strengthen peace and international understanding and based on the free circulation and wider and better-balanced dissemination of information and to make recommendations thereon to the General Assembly."

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=== Sustainable Development Goal 16 ===

{{See also|Sustainable Development Goals}}

The IPDC is responsible for targets 10.1 and 10.2 of the [[Sustainable Development Goal 16]] (or SDG 16).<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|title=Evaluation of the International Programme for the Development of Communication (IPDC)|last1=O Siochrú|first1=Sean|last2=Geurts|first2=Geoff|publisher=|date=March 2018|isbn=|url=http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0026/002616/261689e.pdf|pages=122}}</ref> SDG 16 called “peace, justice and strong institutions” aims to “promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions”.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/sdg16|title=Goal 16 .:. Sustainable Development Knowledge Platform|website=sustainabledevelopment.un.org|access-date=2019-10-25}}</ref> More specifically, SDG 16.10 aims to: “Ensure public access to information and protect fundamental freedoms, in accordance with national legislation and international agreements”.<ref name=":1" />

The two indicators related to the target are:

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== Composition ==

The IPDC is mainly composed of the Intergovernmental Council and of the Bureau of the Intergovernmental Council. The Council normally meets in plenary session in November every two years, and the Bureau annually in March. The Bureau discharges duties decided by the Councilcouncil and has full responsibility for Project selection, approval and allocation of funds.<ref name=":1" />

=== The Intergovernmental Council of the IPDC ===

The IPDC Council comprises 39 Member State delegates elected every two years from the UNESCO General Conference, and submits to it a report on its activities. The Council elects a Chairchair, who is also Chair of the Bureau. The Councilcouncil, according to the Statutes as amended in 2003, is responsible for:

* [[Policy|Policy-making]], guiding the planning and the implementation of the Programme;

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=== The Bureau of the Intergovernemental Council of the IPDC ===

The Bureau members comprise the Chair of the Bureau, three Vicevice-Chairpersonschairpersons, a Rapporteur and three other members, giving a total of eight who remain in office until a new Bureau is elected. The Bureau with Secretariat support is the appropriate body to submit proposals for a strategic framework to the Councilcouncil for consideration.<ref name=":0" />

== Journalism ==

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{{See also|Safety of Journalists}}

[[File:International Programme for the Development of Communication - Safety of journalists.png|thumb|767x767px|IPDC's safety of journalists Special Initiative evolution has grown in significance and scope since its origins.]]

[[Safety of Journalists|Safety of journalists]] is a special initiative of the International Programme for the Development of Communication (IPDC). Safety of journalists is the ability for [[journalist]]s and media professionals to receive, produce and share information without facing physical or moral threats. It includes a mix of international, regional and local prevention mechanisms intended to protect journalist, raise awareness on the violence they might face and promote [[Freedom of speech|freedom of expression]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://en.unesco.org/sites/default/files/un-plan-on-safety-journalists_en.pdf|title=UN plan of action on the safety of journalists and the issue of impunity|last=|first=|date=|website=|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2019-10-25}}</ref> The International Programme for the Development of Communication (IPDC) develops projects to address issues of safety of journalism and [[impunity]] in the field.<ref name="Initiatives">{{Cite web|url=https://en.unesco.org/programme/ipdc/initiatives|title=Initiatives|date=2017-04-21|website=UNESCO|language=en|access-date=2019-10-25}}</ref> Since 2008, the IPDC has encouraged Member States to submit information, on a voluntary basis, on the status of the judicial inquiries conducted on each of the killings condemned by UNESCO, for inclusion in a public report submitted every two years to the IPDC Council by the Director-General.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000246014|title=UN plan of action on the safety of journalists and the issue of impunity|last=|first=|date=|website=unesdoc.unesco.org|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2019-10-25}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://en.unesco.org/programme/ipdc/initiatives|titlename="Initiatives|date=2017-04-21|website=UNESCO|language=en|access-date=2019-10-25}}<"/ref> The IPDC's 2016 Report is summarized in the "Time to break the cycle of violence against journalists" publication which highlights key findings, provides analysis of the killings, and of Member States responses.<ref>{{Cite book|url=http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0024/002464/246409e.pdf|title=Time to break the cycle of violence against journalists: highlights from the UNESCO Director-General's 2016 report on the safety of journalists and the danger of impunity|last=IPDC|first=|publisher=UNESCO|year=2016|isbn=|___location=|pages=}}</ref>

==== UNESCO’s Director-General Report on killing of journalists ====

Data on killings is gathered and verified for the Director-General’sGeneral's report and [[World Trends Report|World Trends]] from multiple sources, including NGOs, UNESCO Field Offices and UNESCO Permanent Delegations. The Director-General further requests a report from States on the status of investigations into these killings. State responses are categorized as: i) no information received from the relevant State on the judicial enquiry’senquiry's status; ii) the case, subject to specific official information being provided, is ongoing or unresolved; or iii) the case is resolved through conviction, the death of a suspect, or a judicial decision that the death was not related to journalistic practice. The response rate of states has risen from 30% in 2013 to 74.5% in 2017.<ref name=":0" />

In addition to feeding into the Director Generals’ Report biennially, the data gathered is used in several ways. It is formally submitted to the IPDC Council, contributes to the World Trends report; it feeds into UNESCO’sUNESCO's contribution to the global monitoring of [[Sustainable Development Goal 16|SDG indicator 16.10.1]]; it is used as an input for UNESCO’sUNESCO's submissions to the Universal Periodic Report of the [[United Nations Human Rights Council]].<ref name=":0" />

==== Strengthening national mechanisms to promote the safety of journalists ====

The IPDC’sIPDC's strategy since 2017 to enhance safety of journalists at national levels is to strengthen national mechanisms that promote safety and combat impunity for crimes against journalists.<ref name="unesdoc.unesco.org">{{Cite web|url=https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000259913_eng|title=General Conference|last=|first=|date=|website=unesdoc.unesco.org|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2019-10-25}}</ref> This was further highlighted during the November 2017 Eastern African Conference on National Mechanisms for Safety of journalists with the Nairobi Declaration during which [[East Africa|Eastern African countries]] called for the establishment of national mechanisms.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.unesco.org/new/fileadmin/MULTIMEDIA/FIELD/Nairobi/nairobideclarationsafetyjournalists.pdf|title=The Nairobi Declaration on National Mechanisms for Safety of Journalists|last=|first=|date=|website=|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2019-10-25}}</ref> Toby Mendel considers that “making sure that relevant stakeholders are effectively integrated into a safety mechanism can dramatically increase its chances of succeeding by harnessing the skills, resources, and support of different stakeholders, and by promoting coordination as opposed to duplication or even competition”.<ref>Toby Mendel, Supporting Freedom of expression: A practical guide to developing specialized safety mechanisms, UNESCO, April 2016.</ref> These mechanisms include capacity building, legislative reforms, monitoring, training, and the provision by media companies of protective equipment.<ref name="unesdoc.unesco.org"/>

=== Global Initiative for Excellence in Journalism Education (GIEJE) ===

The Global Initiative for Excellence in [[Journalism education|Journalism Education]] (GIEJE) is an IPDC special initiative since 2007 supporting journalism education as “essential to bring out the potential of media systems to foster [[democracy]], dialogue and development”.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://en.unesco.org/programme/ipdc/initiatives/centres-excellence-journalism-education|title=Centres of excellence in journalism education|date=2017-06-30|website=UNESCO|language=en|access-date=2019-10-25}}</ref> This special initiative is built on work relating to the publication “Model Curriculum for Journalism Education” and established Criteria and Indicators for Quality Journalism Training Institutions. The Model Curricula is an IPDC publication launched in 2007 at the request of Member States at the first World Journalism Education Congress (WJEC-1) convened in Singapore. It provides frameworks for specialized syllabi in order to set standards based on good practice internationally, as a resource on which stakeholders around the world can draw to improve the quality of journalism education in their countries. By the end of 2012, they had been adapted by at least seventy [[journalism school]]s in sixty countries in diverse linguistic, social and cultural contexts.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Model Curriculum for Journalism Education, UNESCO series on Journalism Education|last=|first=|publisher=UNESCO|year=2013|isbn=|___location=|pages=211}}</ref> Work towards this special initiative also include the UNESCO Series on Journalism Education, Centres of excellence in journalism education, staff training, learning materials and resources, enhancing institutional governance and management systems, media monitoring, creating networks between journalism education institutions and media.

'''Journalism Curriculum Development in Nairobi'''

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== Media Development ==

This was the first of the IPDC Special Initiatives, initiated by the Council in 2006 and launched in 2008 after a period of research, drafting and consultation. The framework is built on UNESCO’sUNESCO's Constitutional mandate to foster “the unrestricted pursuit of objective truth”, “the free exchange of ideas and knowledge” and “the free flow of ideas by word and image”. It has been applied in over 20 countries<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://en.unesco.org/programme/ipdc/initiatives/mdis|title=Media Development Indicators (MDIs)|date=2017-04-21|website=UNESCO|language=en|access-date=2019-10-25}}</ref> and assessments are ongoing in 18 more.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.unesco.org/new/fileadmin/MULTIMEDIA/HQ/CI/CI/pdf/IPDC/ipdc59_MDI.pdf|title=Applying UNESCO’sUNESCO's Media Development Indicators (MDIs)|last=|first=|date=|website=|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2019-10-25}}</ref>

The indicators cover the media sector as a whole, under five categories:

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* Support to UNESCO Conferences

* [[IPDC Talks]] in the field

* Access to Information in [[Afghanistan]] e.g. [[Radio Begum]]<ref>{{Cite news |title=Resilience amidst adversity: Hamida Aman, founder of women-led radio Begum, empowering Afghan women's voices |url=https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/resilience-amidst-adversity-hamida-aman-founder-women-led-radio-begum-empowering-afghan-womens# |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20241130143639/https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/resilience-amidst-adversity-hamida-aman-founder-women-led-radio-begum-empowering-afghan-womens |archive-date=2024-11-30 |access-date=2024-12-21 |language=en}}</ref>

* Access to Information in [[Afghanistan]]

* Capacity support in IPDC Secretariat

* Gender and Media Project: Fostering gender balance and sensitivity in media in [[Asia]]

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=== The Media Development indicators (MDI) ===

The Media Development indicators (MDI) were developed by the IPDC Intergovernmental Council 2006 in line with IPDC’sIPDC's priority areas of promotion of freedom of expression and [[media pluralism]], development of [[community media]], and human resources development.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000160017|title=Defining indicators of media development|last=|first=|date=|website=unesdoc.unesco.org|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2019-10-25}}</ref> In a 2013 assessment<ref>Mariona Sanz Cortell (2013) Report on the impact of the UNESCO Media Development Indicators assessments. UNESCO.</ref> of the impact of the MDIs, outcomes were identified based on interviews with UNESCO HQ and Field Staff and over a dozen media development experts. The first refers to the specific impacts of the MDIs, such as:

* In [[Bhutan]], the MDI completed in 2010 contributed to amending a media law to create an Independent Press Council; and an IPDC Project,<ref>The Project documentation can be seen here: <nowiki>http://www.unescoci.org/ipdcprojects/content/development-third-tier-broadcasting-community-radio-bhutan</nowiki></ref> run by the [[World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters]] (AMARC) in 2012, instigated a process introducing community radio as a third tier of broadcasting. The first two stations were opened in 2016.

* The MDI in [[Tunisia]] in 2012, part of a wider IPDC Special Initiative after the [[Arab Spring]], combined with other social forces outlined the role of the MDI as an advocacy tool.

* In [[Gabon]], where MDI recommendations are on the webpage of the [[Ministry of Digital Economy and Society|Ministry of Digital Economy]], the government has started to fund community media.

* In the [[Maldives]], the decriminalization of [[defamation]] in 2011 can “in part be attributed [to] one of the MDI report’s recommendations”, according to the Evaluation of the International Programme for the Development of Communication published in 2018.

A second point of influence of MDIs aims at purposes other than enhancing government [[policy]]. The third type of outcome noted by the report is the enhancement of dialogue, empowerment and capacity building. In [[Ivory Coast|CoteCôte d’Ivoired'Ivoire]], the process of consultations initiated by the MDIs resulted in the creation by the government of a Media Development Committee comprising both government and non-governmental organizations.<ref name=":0" />

=== Journalism Safety indicators ===

{{See also|Safety of Journalists}}

Based on their Media Development indicators, UNESCO's IPDC developed the Journalists Safety Indicators (JSI). According to UNESCO's website, its purpose is to "pinpoint significant matters that show, or impact upon, the safety of journalists and the issue of [[impunity]]".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://en.unesco.org/themes/safety-of-journalists/journalists-safety-indicators|title=UNESCO Journalists' Safety Indicators|date=2018-01-04|website=UNESCO|language=en|access-date=2019-10-25}}</ref> These indicators aims on mapping the key features that can help assess safety of journalists, and determining whether adequate follow-up is given to crimes committed against them.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000260892|title=Journalists’Journalists' Safety Indicators: International Level|last=|first=|date=|website=unesdoc.unesco.org|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2019-10-25}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000260893|title=Journalists’Journalists' Safety Indicators: National Level|last=|first=|date=|website=unesdoc.unesco.org|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2019-10-25}}</ref> Analysis based on the Journalists Safety indicators have been conducted in [[Guatemala]] (2013), [[Kenya]] (2016), [[Nepal]] (2016), [[Pakistan]] (2013-2014).<ref name=":0" />

In [[Pakistan]] an IPDC Project was used to enhance mechanisms to monitor attacks on journalists by the Rural Media Network Programme, and to provide training on safety awareness especially for [[Women in journalism|women journalists]];

In [[Colombia]] in 2014, an IPDC Project implemented by Fundación para la libertad de Prensa, developed and implemented for four major media outlets a [[Internet safety|digital safety]] strategy, including a safety guide and building in the use of a safety app for journalists.

In [[State of Palestine|Palestine]], IPDC supported risk assessment and safety training among independent Gazan journalists, undertaken by the Ma’an Network.<ref name=":0" />

=== Internet Universality indicators ===

{{Main|Internet Universality}}

[[Internet Universality]] is the concept that "the Internet is much more than infrastructure and applications, it is a network of economic and social interactions and relationships, which has the potential to enable [[human rights]], empower individuals and communities, and facilitate [[Sustainable Development Goals|sustainable development.]] The concept is based on four principles stressing the Internet should be Human rights-based, Open, Accessible, and based on [[Multi-stakeholder governance|Multistakeholder participation]]. These have been abbreviated as the R-O-A-M principles. Understanding the [[Internet]] in this way helps to draw together different facets of Internet development, concerned with technology and public policy, rights and development."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://en.unesco.org/themes/internet-universality-indicators/background|title=Background|date=2019-06-13|website=UNESCO|language=en|access-date=2019-10-25}}</ref> UNESCO is developing Internet Universality indicators to help governments and other stakeholders assess their own national Internet environments and to promote the values associated with Internet Universality.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://en.unesco.org/themes/freedom-expression-internet|title=Freedom of Expression on the Internet|date=2017-07-04|website=UNESCO|language=en|access-date=2019-10-25}}</ref> The research process was envisioned to include consultations at a range of global forums and a written questionnaire sent to key actors, but also a series of publications on important [[Internet Freedom]] related issues as [[Human rights and encryption|encryption]], [[Online hate speech|hate speech online]], privacy, digital safety and [[Journalism source protection|journalism sources]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://en.unesco.org/unesco-series-on-internet-freedom|title=UNESCO Series on Internet Freedom|date=2017-07-06|website=UNESCO|language=en|access-date=2019-10-25}}</ref> The outcome of this multidimensional research will be publicized in June 2018. The final indicators will be submitted to the International Programme for Development of Communication for endorsement.

=== The Gender Sensitive indicators for Media ===

The goal of the Gender Sensitive Indicators for Media framework (GSIM)<ref>http://www.unesco.org/new/en/communication-and-information/crosscutting-priorities/gender-andmedia/gender-sensitive-indicators-for-media/ {{Dead link|date=February 2022}}</ref> is to contribute to [[gender equality]] and [[Womenwomen's empowerment|women’s empowerment]] in and through media of all kinds. The framework covers two dimensions: gender equality within media organizations; and gender portrayal in media content. It is designed for use by all media organizations.<ref>GSIM Framework p.17.</ref> The GSIM has been applied under IPDC on a number of occasions and in different contexts, including the following:

* In 2014, Gender and Media in [[Southern Africa]] (GEMSAT) applied it (after refinement for use locally) in [[Tanzania]] to seven community radio stations enhancing understanding of the issues and encouraging change.<ref>See Project database: <nowiki>http://www.unesco-ci.org/ipdcprojects/content/application-unesco-gendersensitive-media-indicators-means-promoting-gender-equality</nowiki></ref>

* In 2015, it was implemented in [[Paraguay]] by an NGO, Global News Agency, focusing primarily on content in two each of print and digital media and of television channels, and analyzing over 1,100 articles and 400 advertisements.<ref>See Project database: <nowiki>http://www.unesco-ci.org/ipdcprojects/content/promotion-gender-equalitythrough-use-unesco-gender-sensitive-indicators-media-policies</nowiki></ref>

* Thai Public Service Broadcasting (TPSB) was established in 2008 partly to become a best practice leader in media. The GSIM fitted well with its goal, and TPSB’sTPSB's training institute implemented it in 2014 - 2015 across six prominent broadcasting outlets both public and commercial. The goal was also to raise awareness among these media organizations, the media regulator and the public.<ref>See Project database: <nowiki>http://www.unesco-ci.org/ipdcprojects/content/assessing-gender-sensitivity-thaipublic-media</nowiki></ref>

* In the [[Dominican Republic]] in 2014, a Project implemented both the MDI and GSIM by the Dominican College of Journalists, in a wide consultation process.<ref>See Project database: <nowiki>http://www.unesco-ci.org/ipdcprojects/content/media-assessment-dominicanrepublic-using-media-development-indicators</nowiki></ref>

* A similar Project of the Haiti State University’ Communications Department began in 2016 implementing the GSIM and MDI together, with the goal of producing a set of recommendations to strengthen the development of the media sector and guide future policy.<ref>See Project database: <nowiki>http://www.unesco-ci.org/ipdcprojects/content/media-assessment-haiti-usingmedia-development-indicators</nowiki></ref>

* In [[Mongolia]], Globe International Centre from 2015 to 2016 took the GSIM and translated it into Mongolian, and piloted it in the public service broadcaster MNB, the private TV station UBS, and the Confederation of Mongolian Journalists.<ref name=":0" />

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== References ==

{{reflistReflist}}

== External links ==

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== Further reading ==

* O.Boyd-Barrett & T.Rantanen, ''The Globalisation of News'', London, [[SAGE PublicationsPublishing|Sage Publications]], 1998.

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:UNESCO]]