Fund Request to organize Advanced Level Training to the Journalists and Editors of 14 zones of Nepal

"Democracy, Constituent Assembly, Roles and Responsibilities of Journalists"

Dear Friend,

Namaste!

I take this opportunity to inform you that National Media Development Center (NMDC) is fully involved to empower district/provincial media through different resulted oriented activities. I believe and devote for implementation is that without strong local media democracy cannot be institutionalized in Nepal. The political situation of Nepal is still in transition. However, it is not desperate. It is a clear fact and truth that it takes time to resolve the ten- year old severe conflict

Nepali media, civil society, UN organizations and development agencies are true supporters for pluralism, political stability, and peace building through the process of Constituent Assembly Election in Nepal.

After 2006 April movement, Nepali media are in attempt to reach in the districts. Illiterate and poor people are happy enough looking at the radio antennas and print media outlets at the remote districts of Nepal. We are in emotion. The basic infrastructure in terms of resources, media technology, media management and good journalism skill development are at a very basic level. Emotion and good spirit of the people have to be preserved and changed into real life.

Nepali democracy needs strong provincial media. On the other hand, media should respect the norms and values of democracy being honest and responsible to the citizen. For the first time in history, the people of Nepal are making their own Constitution through Constituent Assembly (CA) election. People have to be aware of the role; importance, procedures, mechanism and electoral system of CA. Journalists always remained in forefront in democratic movement of Nepal and media is the only wide reach and effective means to educating the people. In this regard, National Media Development Center (NMDC) has decided to organize advanced level 3-day training on Democracy, Constituent Assembly, Roles and Responsibilities of Journalists in 14 zones. The objective of the program is to intensify understanding of journalists regarding Constituent Assembly, and their professional role and responsibilities. There are 75 districts and 14 zones in Nepal.

After completing the training throughout the country, NMDC is planning to publish a " Handbook for media people on- Democracy, CA, Roles and Responsibilities of Journalists." This book will be useful to the journalists in reporting perspective.

NMDC recently organized this training at Palpa. According to the experience, NMDC expects the following impact of the training program.

• Knowledge and Skill of the journalists on Democracy, CA and its different aspects increased.
• Coverage on CA in local media increased
• Media becomes responsible and accountable to the citizen
• Illiterate people get information from different media outlets. And they will not support blindly to any political party rather they become able to raise questions to bring party's clear vision and destination for CA.

All this can only happen after the empowerment of journalists. It is truth. Therefore, to make the foundation of democracy stronger, we have to make the journalists perfect and competent.

NMDC has started this program to complete by the end of 2007. According to our plan, we have organized one training at Palpa that was found practical and inspiring. The constitutional expert and media trainer will be our full time resource person.

From this training- editors, reporters and chief of media organizations are satisfied and NMDC's confidence has been boosted.

It is inspiring to inform you that FES Nepal office has agreed to support us for other two trainings in Bagmati zone ( Kathmandu) and Bheri zone ( Surkhet-mid-west). Now, we have 11 zones remained. In this connection, may I hereby humbly request NDI to support the proposed training program. I will submit other details including budget later.

Overall Objective:

• To intensify understanding of journalists regarding Democracy, Constituent Assembly, and their professional roles and responsibilities.
• To facilitate the ongoing peace process in the country.

country,

Target Group:

• Senior editors and reporters working in regional newspapers and FM Radios of different districts of respective zones of Nepal.
• 35 participants in each group. All together 490 senior and active journalists and editors of 14 zones and 75 districts get training and it will have a national impact and visible result.

Course Objectives:

• Make the journalists understand constitution, state and constitution formation method
• Basic concept of modern democracy
• Make the journalist understand the CA, its role and importance in democracy,
• Basic aspects of CA, CA procedures, electoral system,
• Civic and voting rights of the citizens
• Roles and responsibilities of media in institutionalizing democracy at local level.
• Threats, challenges and Role of Media in CA election at local level,
• Make the journalists more responsible in their profession/responsibility of the journalists

It will be my pleasure to send you Palpa report if necessary. I'm looking forward to hearing your kind response and eager to working together for the institutionalization of Nepali Democracy.

With best regards.

Sincerely Yours,

Bishnu Prasad Sharma

President

bishnu@nmdc.org.np

mob-9841377083

Our bank address is given below:

National Media Development Center (NMDC)

Nepal Investment Bank,

Cur.A/C Number 4519100

Swift Code: NIBLNPKT

Durbar Marg, Kathmandu Nepal

for further detail please contact:

bishnu@nmdc.org.np