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Summary of the Conclusion and
Recommendations of Strategy Planning Meeting of Council
of Asia/Pacific Press Institutes (CAPPI)
5-7 MAY, 2001
The Meeting of the Council of Asia/Pacific
Press Institutes held from May 5 to 7, 2001 in Kathmandu
adopted a comprehensive Plan of Action for strengthening
the role of media in the emergent democracies of the Region.
It also adopted a number of recommendations
which reiterate the commitment of CAPPI to safeguard human
rights and freedom of the press as important cornerstones
of democracy, promote free flow of information and media
pluralism in the Region through support to free media. It
also resolves to promote the role of media in the elimination
of social inequities, injustices and exploitation by focusing
media capacities on the improvement of the condition of
children, women and other disadvantaged groups of the society.
The meeting has called upon the media
to utilize their potentials for the conservation of environment
and attainment of a safer and secure world by promoting
the culture of peace, harmony and reconciliation as have
been aptly emphasized by the United Nations as issues of
global concern for this decade.
The meeting expressed concern over the
rising influence of transnational media on the culture of
developing nations and suggested to undertake more research
studies on the impact of electronic media on younger age
group people, including children and to adopt appropriate
measures to protect the interests of the vulnerable groups
of the society, It also calls the attention of media organizations
and practitioners over the gradual deterioration of the
ethical standards of a free press at the cost of commercial
interests.
The meeting was held at Godavari, Kathmandu,
from 5-7 May, 2001. Nepal's Foreign Minister Chakra P. Bastola
declared open the meeting by lighting a lamp. H.E. Reudier
Lemp, German ambassador to Nepal delivered a note of felicitation.
Thomas Bernd Stehling welcomed and addressed
all the guests and participants to the 4th CAPPI meeting.
He individually mentioned each participating institute for
the success of the previous CAPPI meeting in Cambodia last
year and commended Cambodia, particularly the Club of Cambodian
Journalists which started their programs on media training
and organizations after the meeting.
Ajit Bhattacharjea, Director of the Press
Institute of India, delivered the vote of thanks.
Participation: Senior media executives
of Press Institutes of Bangaldesh, Mongolia, Republic of
Korea, the Philippines, Fiji, India, Nepal and Pakistan
who are also the founding members of CAPPI attended the
meeting. In addition, representatives from the Cambodian
Press Club, the dean of KAF Centre of Journalism at Ateneo
University of the Philippines and Baltic Media Centre (BMC),
Denmark attended the meeting as observers for the first
time.
The participants presented country reports
of the organizations represented and discussed on the emerging
media trends, the challenges posed by new technologies and
the need for enhanced support to human development programmes
at national as well as regional levels.
At the conclusion, the meeting adopted
an Action Plan that focuses on the training requirements
for media practitioners in the countries of Asia Region
including the absorption of new technologies, upgrading
of the courses of studies, specialization and research.
The Action Plan
1. Media Training
In order to strengthen the development
of free and independent indigenous media in Cambodia, CAPPI
should come up with a standardized set of curricula and
assist in the training of local journalists in association
with national training institutes.
In the face of changing and fast developing
information technologies, the meetings emphasized the need
of bringing about further innovation in the existing training
and develop more specialized courses for adoption by respective
member institutes of the Region. CAPPI was requested to
facilitate synergy and sharing of ideas while standardizing
the training courses among the institutes giving the contents
high credibility and image.
The meeting agreed to set up an expert's
panel with the task of grading and improvement in the contents
of some of the standard training courses most commonly used
by media training institutions of the Region
Dr. Violet Valdez Dean, KAF Centre of
Journalism, Ateneo University, Manila
Mr. Charles Fletcher Media Consultant, Baltic Media Centre
Mr. Fazal Qureshi Pakistan Press Foundation
Representative Nepal Press Institute
2. Online Networking and Information
Exchange
With the expansion of the organizational
responsibilities including the task of networking, it was
suggested to strengthen the secretariat making it more functional.
The meeting welcomed the offer made by the participant from
Fiji that Pacific Islands News Association (PINA) would
manage a web-site for CAPPI and launch an on-line bulletin
to be shared among all the members. The proposed web-site
could also act as a focal point for the UNESCO sponsored
JOURNET.
PINA and NPI Secretariat will be 'collaborating'
on this project and ensure its wider dissemination.
3. Organizational
a. Membership as per the provisions of
CAPPI Charter, membership base should be widened further
to include more members from countries in transition to
democracies in various parts of Asia.
b. On the question of the 'pending' membership
of the Club of Cambodian Journalists, it was decided to
continue the observer status for another year until the
next meeting will decide on the issue.
c. The membership fee of US$ 150 a year
as specified at last years' meeting was endorsed without
any alteration. The members were requested to remit the
dues by the end of June, 2001.
4. Capacity Building of Training Institutions
In order to support the training initiatives
of various media training organizations and institutes,
it was suggested to create a regional pool of qualified
trainers and organize a series of Trainers Training programmes.
The meeting commended the support of KAF in organizing a
regional level Trainers Training Workshop that was held
in Manila in October, 2000.
5. Media Exchange Programme
In order to promote a culture of regional
cooperation, goodwill and understanding among the people
above narrow national interests, CAPPI is requested to promote
exchange of journalists on short-term reporting errands.
Start can be made in this direction by putting aside contentious
issues and focusing more on human development themes, environment,
population and health. Regional and international support
agencies will be requested to assist the Media Exchange
Programme organized by member institutes under the aegis
of CAPPI.
6. The election of new office-bearers
of CAPPI
The election of new office-bearers was
held by consensus. Accordingly, Nepal Press Institute is
elected chairman for the next two years term. The post of
Vice -
Chair has gone to Pacific Islands News, Association (PINA).
The Secretary-General is to be appointed by Nepal Press
Institute and the Philippine Press Institute has been elected
as treasurer of the Organization.
7. Venue for the next meeting
The next annual meeting of CAPPI has been
suggested to be held in Seoul, Korea. Second option is given
to Suva, Fiji.
ANNEX
Suggested Topics for Specialized Training
Environmental Reporting
- Reporting the Environment - national
and local
- Forum on understanding environmental
issues such as climate change, effects of industry and
development, pollution and health hazards, etc.
Business & Economic Reporting
- Understanding Economic Indicators
- Reporting Business in a Global Economy
- Reporting E-Commerce
- Understanding Business & Finance
Documents
Human Development / Grass root peoples
- Empowerment
- Reporting on Minorities
- Human Rights Vs. individual Rights
- Human Development
Reporting on Injustices and Human Rights
Violations
- Children's Issues e.g. Regulation of
Television Commercials/ Programs
- Media Sensitivity to HIV / Women's
Issues
IT skills in Journalism
- Basic Designing
- Basic PC Skills
- Online Publication I/IT
- Computer-Assisted Reporting
Training of Trainers
- National Program - Identification of
6 Trainers
- Regional Conference -Trainers' Forum
- Identifying Common Issues
- Learn from each other
Reporting on Conflicts
- Cultural Diversity
- Legal & Ethical Dimension
Community Newspaper Management
- Marketing Skills
- Management Skills
- Networking - National/Local and Regional
- Focus Groups Meeting
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