Throwing the Switch: Challenges in the Conversion to Digital Broadcasting explores the consequences for democracy of the worldwide conversion from analog television broadcasting to digital. The report by John Burgess, a former Washington Post editor, technology writer and foreign correspondent, looks at whether the creation of multiple broadcast channels will provide more openness and diversity on the airwaves. Alternatively, he asks, could it result in governments clamping down on critical broadcasters or loss of service? Burgess explores how media development organizations, broadcasters, regulators, and civil society groups can ensure that decisions on airwave space are made in a fair and open manner. Read more »

Over 60 people attended CIMA’s dicussion on U.S. Private and Non-U.S. Funding of Media Development.  As both U.S. journalism and private foundations have entered a period of crisis, new avenues and approaches are being explored for the media development business model. Traditional foundations–especially those rooted in U.S. journalism companies–are cutting back on international funding, and new foundations from the digital media technology sector are making a major impact. A recently published CIMA report by Anne Nelson, called Experimentation and Evolution in Private U.S. Funding of Media Development, covers both traditional and new U.S. private funding mechanisms. A forthcoming CIMA report by Mary Myers focuses on funding for media development by major non-U.S. donors. From an international perspective, the global economic downturn has not yet had a significant effect on media development funding world-wide. A look across the international donors surveyed in the report shows that budgetary commitment to media support has either risen slightly or remained the same over the last three to five years.

 How is U.S. private and non-U.S. funding being spent? Is it for training, capacity-building, infrastructure, legal reform, physical safety, online media, or other projects? What are the trends in terms of donor priorities and approaches? What can media development organizations expect from U.S. private foundations and non-U.S. donors in the future? Read more »