I s s u e  8  -   N O V E M B E R,  1 9 9 9
 


 

ENSURING SUSTAINABILITY AND LOCAL OWNERSHIP
Midterm review of the Media Project
Review of Journalism and Communication Education Training in Mozambique
Technical support to Radio Mozambique
Media Pluralism Landscape in Portuguese
A new staff member for the Media Project


  ENSURING SUSTAINABILITY AND LOCAL     OWNERSHIP

  Sustainability is always the key word, whenever it comes to “sowing” an idea, a project. You always start by asking to yourself: is this the right seed?If not, then what kind and quantity of fertilizer is needed? Is the land fertile enough? If not, then what kind and quantity of fertilizer is needed? It can take you for ages, before you get the correct answer, as all you really want is a good harvest season tomorrow, and just a big farm today.

  With the permanent advise and support from the project’s different stakehdores and participants, these are the concepts and strategies the Media Project Management Team (PMT) has been pursuing in the implementation process of the many components of the project, presently primarily concentrated on two important subjects:

·               Technical support to independent media

·               Support the establishment of community radio in Mozambique

  Communication Centers: Following the National Consultative Meeting in September (see UPDATE 7, October), the PMT traveled to Chimoio to design action plans with media groups from Sofala, Manica and Tete,  for the installation of three communication centers in Beira, Chimoio and Tete city, respectively. This day long workshop took very practical decisions to speed up the installation of the first computer with internet connection, a printer, and a telephone line in each one of the three sites, to help both and Maputo-based print media.

  “More than ten Media Operators. The communicating centres are expected to give technical support to more than ten local emerging media, including: Beira Jornal, Autarca, Desenvolvimento Rural and Antevisao in Beira: Megajornal: Regional Centro and GESOM in Chimoio, and Fax do Interior, Jornal do Interior, Jornal de Tete and Embondeiro, in Tete.

  Community radio. From Chimoio, the PMT travelled back to Maputo, to receive nine representatives from the Community Radio Installing Committees in Cuamba, Chimoio and Homoine, who had come for another, intensive, two-day workshop on “designing plans of action”.

  In a homely atmosphere, as the project’s conference room hosted the meeting, the three groups went through the central question of “how to really make it work”,with discussions focusing on subjects like: Mission, needs assessment, organizational structures and others

  This is, in short, the Media Project uses to prepare sustainable structure, i.e., “tomorrow’s good harvest”: through local organization and a deep-rooted feeling of ownership.

Midterm review of the Media Project

  A midterm review of the Media Project implementation is to take place from 17 November to December the 2nd, for the Norwegian Embassy, one of the major donors.

  The review, to be conducted by Professor Helge Ronning, a Norwegian specialist in communication , and well knowledgeable of Mozambique and the region, is expected to contribute for quality assurance of the activities by presenting recommendations for adjustments in methods and procedures for the implementation process.

  The consultant field work includes a one week tour throughout Mozambique, for contacts with a number of project participants or beneficiaries in Beira, Chimoio, Homoine and Maputo, to assess effectiveness in the implementation of major components such as: Training courses, support in the establishment of Community Radios, creation of editorial teams and newsrooms now conceived as integratedcommunication centres.

Review of Journalism and Communication Education Training in Mozambique

  The first Technical Advisory Group ( TAG) on training is being held on November 19, to prepare a major study designed to propose a concrete strategic plan for upgrading journalism and communication education and training in Mozambique.

  In line with the Project document’s immediate Objective 6 which talks of “reforming and upgrading journalism training institutions in Mozambique”, the review is expected to both assess the education and training ongoing as well as to identify the needs of the sector for human capacity at varying levels. On the basis of the above, the consultant will be expected to submit a first assessment of the needs for upgrading and reforming journalism training to meet needs and pluralistic media in the country.

  Apart from the state-sponsored School of journalism in Maputo, Communication Studies have just been introduced in two private universities in Mozambique: ISPU and the Catholic University.

Technical support to Radio Mozambique

  The implementation process of the Immediate Objective 10 on providing technical support to Radio Mozambique to help for a greater territorial coverage of is transmitting services is about to start.

  Following a recent meeting with the public service radio station's Management Board, the PMT is now concluding a terms of reference document to guide a specialist in as, sensing presently felt technical support needs of RM., in order to update needs expressed some five years ago, during the early negotiations phase of the Media Project.

  The study is therefore expected to advise UNESCO on the appropriate equipment needed, as well as. on possible training needs for its use and maintenance, bearing in mind the locally existing capacity.

Media Pluralism Landscape in Portuguese

Cenario do Pluralismo dos Media is the Portuguese version of the abovementioned study, released by the project in July.  The Portuguese version of the study is expected to be available to the interested public before the end of the year.

A new staff member for the Media Project

Abubacar Selemangy Bacar, until recently a journalist of "Diario de Mocambique" stationed in Chimoio has just joined the project, as a national assistant programme specialist.

  With this category, Mr. Selemangy will assist the Project Management Team in their mission to carry out the many components of the Projects, and this will include: preparation of Documentation for advisory and consultative Project meetings, missions to ensure effective implementation of field work primarily in the area of community radio and communication centers.

So, welcome on board, Abu!


Media Development Project c/o UNESCO, P.O.Box 1397 Maputo, Mozambique
Tel. + 258.1. 498752/ 490840 Fax +258.1.498717
E-mail: unesco@mediamoz.com