Internews Establishes Emergency Media Fund for Disasters and Conflicts Internews (press release) - USA (February 10, 2009) With a three-year, $500000 challenge grant from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, Internews Network has established a ... <http://www.internews.org/prs/2009/20090210_macarthur.shtm>
Press Release Internews Establishes Emergency Media Fund for Disasters and Conflicts MacArthur Foundation Challenge Grant Enables Local Media to Provide Lifesaving Information in Emergencies (February 10, 2009) With a three-year, $500,000 challenge grant from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, Internews Network has established a fund to enable local media to provide vital news and information to survivors of humanitarian disasters and other crises. Internews global reach and experience make it possible for us to respond immediately in emergency situations, said David Hoffman, President of Internews Network. With the generous and far-sighted support of the MacArthur Foundation, we will be able to help more people more effectively by providing the timely and accurate information that is so essential during a disaster. The grant seeds Internews new fund for emergency media, allowing local, independent media in crisis zones to play a key role in disasters. This includes immediately disseminating vital humanitarian information to affected populations and providing a two-way channel of communication between relief organizations and those they are trying to help. Donations to the fund will be matched dollar for dollar by the MacArthur grant. Established at the beginning of the year, the fund has already launched its first crisis response. http://www.internews.org/prs/2009/20090209_gaza.shtm Starting on January 9, during the height of the conflict between Israel and Hamas, Internews became the first and only international media organization to organize the broadcast of vital information on distribution of food and blankets, safe havens, road closures and other humanitarian news to the people of Gaza. Produced by a team of Palestinian journalists, the special broadcasts air on three independent West Bank radio stations as well as one Gaza station. Internews has considerable experience mobilizing local media to play a lifesaving role in disasters and emergencies. Internews has responded to the 2004 Asia tsunami, the 2005 Pakistan earthquake, the ongoing Darfur refugee crisis, and the 2008 post-election violence in Kenya, among other crises. Yet these efforts have been ad hoc, undertaken only as funding could be raised. The MacArthur grant will enable Internews to respond more quickly and comprehensively. MacArthur has long provided support to ensure a diversity of voices and expand the availability of high-quality content, both at home and abroad, said Elspeth Revere, Vice President of General Programs at the MacArthur Foundation. Internews Network is well-positioned to ensure the free flow of information across the globe. Internews Network is an international non-profit organization that empowers local media worldwide to serve the information needs of their communities. The organization has worked in over 70 countries and trained over 70,000 people in media skills. Together with local partners, Internews activities include establishing and supporting media outlets, journalist associations, and broadcast networks. Internews also has specialized programs to improve reporting on the environment, humanitarian crises, public health and womens issues. The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation supports creative people and effective institutions committed to building a more just, verdant, and peaceful world. In addition to selecting the MacArthur Fellows, the Foundation works to defend human rights, advance global conservation and security, make cities better places, and understand how technology is affecting children and society. For more information, contact JoAnne Sullivan Woolley, 202-833-5740 ext. 208 _______________________________________________ cr-india mailing list cr-india@sarai.net https://mail.sarai.net/mailman/listinfo/cr-india
