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 [...]

In this report, Anne Nelson, a former journalist now teaching at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs, examines recent trends in private U.S. funding of media development projects around the world. While U.S. foundations have long funded both “media development” and “media for development” programs, recent political and economic trends have shifted the [...]

Throughout history, war has affected media, with conflict often creating an information void. In the 21st century, media has begun to affect war more than ever before. Digital media technologies – particularly participatory, networked tools – have increased communication and information dissemination in conflict settings, affecting all sides and involving new producers of news coverage. [...]

A media-literate public is essential to building and sustaining a democracy of active citizens.  Effective free and independent media depend not only on skilled journalists but also on the knowledge of their readers. Media literacy training is a tool that the development sector can use to educate citizens to better understand the value of accurate [...]

Citizen journalists are quickly becoming a potent force for creating, supporting, and building open and democratic societies. In countries where repressive governments limit the operations of professional journalists, citizen journalists are filling the gaps. Yet they often have no formal training or understanding of the essential roles independent media play in ensuring accountable and transparent [...]

In this report, Andrew Green, principal of DG Metrics, a consultancy focusing on applied research in U.S. foreign assistance, and an adjunct professor at Georgetown University, assesses the U.S. government’s ability to support media development around the world. Green finds that while media play a pivotal role in U.S. foreign policy, there are significant resource [...]

This report examines how the communications landscape has changed over the past decade, and discusses new opportunities and restrictions for both print and broadcast media outlets and journalists.  Written by Karin Deutsch Karlekar, the managing editor of Freedom of the Press, an annual index that tracks trends in media freedom worldwide, this report recommends the [...]

This report is the result of a CIMA workshop held on July 7, 2009. Approximately 150  media development implementers, new media experts, journalists, representatives of international organizations, and others, came together to discuss the impact of new communications technologies in Iran.  The discussion centered on the role of new media in pre- and post-election Iran, [...]

This report examines the ways in which media around the world have attempted to regulate themselves. Written by Bill Ristow, a veteran journalist and international journalism trainer, Sword and Shield: Self-Regulation and International Media discusses the use of press councils and ombudsmen around the world. While nearly all such efforts officially espouse the same generalized [...]

This report is the result of CIMA’s workshop held November 12, 2008. Approximately 75 representatives of international organizations, media development implementers, journalists, telecommunications companies, and others came together to discuss the impact of new cell phone technologies. The discussion centered on how cell phones are being used to collect and distribute information and data, as well [...]

This report examines the use of money by governments to influence news coverage. Written by Don Podesta, a veteran journalist with more than 30 years’ experience at the Washington Post and other newspapers, this report explains that as formerly authoritarian regimes have moved toward more democratic societies, this insidious form of censorship has emerged on [...]