August 31st Last deadline to submit your outstanding documentary for IAWRT AWARDS. USD 1,000 Award in each category, TV, Radio, Web Audio and Web Video. Find rules and entry form on http://iawrt.peoplesresearch.org/awards/2015/iawrt-2015-international-awards
This is the last chance to apply for the IAWRT FOKUS Scholarship, to advance the media skills of members,
The IAWRT-FOKUS Scholarship was established to enable mid-career media women and young professionals. It is designed to: enrich skills in areas of media where women are otherwise underrepresented To move into the decision-making processes of media To gain the knowledge and skills to understand and communicate issues of importance to communities And, most importantly, to become agents of change
The funds must be utilised within the award year to Take courses, Research an independent study, Pursue specific endeavors to enrich knowledge of key public development interest issues.
The aim of the scholarship is to provide an opportunity and financial support to dynamic media professionals who want to enhance their professional skills through studies or other capacity building activities. The scholarship fund is full or partial support for short term or long-term academic program in media studies and media projects and related subjects.
Download details and application forms below. Assistance with membership dues contact IAWRT Secretariat at [email protected]
The Round Table will discuss: the pioneering role of international associations; creating a good structure and governance for associations; encouraging corporate activism for an inclusive society; establishing a consistent visual identity for associations; engaging, educating, and motivating volunteer workers in a competitive world and communicating clearly and effectively.
The meeting will be held at the Centara Grand at Central World in Bangkok. You will find the full programme on http://www.uia.org/roundtable/asia-pacific-2015. The registration fee for association representatives is 2,500 THB or about 75 USD. Delegates are responsible for their own travel and accommodation arrangements and expenses. (Thai Airways is offering special fares.) To register for the Round Table, contact the IAWRT secretariat.The Non-profit, Union of International Associations has consultative status with ECOSOC and associate status with UNESCO.
“Chilling effect on freedom of the press.”Thai Journalist Chutima Sidasathian and her colleague Australian journalist Alan Morison, will not serve a jail sentence after they waited six weeks for a judgement as to whether they defamed Thailand’s navy. The trial went ahead despite the United Nations human rights office, (UNHRO) and international legal, human rights and media groups urging the Thai government to drop criminal defamation charges. Alan Morison is the editor of Phuketwan and Chutima Sidasathian writes for the small English-language newspaper which reports on the Thai island of Phuket. The defamation claim is over the citing of a Reuters investigative report alleging the involvement of Thai naval security forces in smuggling Rohingya asylum-seekers fleeing Myanmar, where ethnic Rakhine Buddhists and Rohingya Muslims have been involved in numerous clashes. there was concerns amongst journalist groups that only the small puublication was charged.
Phuketwan describes itself as reporting on “Phuket and its people, including both smiles and warts”, and the two journalists are award-winning human rights reporters. The paper publishes on line http://phuketwan.com/ and they have also been charged under the Computer Crimes Act, which came into force in Thailand in 2007, “seeking to bar the spread of material believed to threaten national security or create panic,” according to UNHRO.
A letter of protest sent to the Prime Minister, General Prayuth Chan-ocha, by a number of human rights groups in early July says “the post on the Phuketwan site only reproduced one paragraph from an article (“Special Report: Thai authorities implicated in Rohingya Muslim smuggling network”) by Reuters, and that was not contested by the Navy.” https://www.fidh.org/International-Federation-for-Human-Rights/asia/thailand/thailand-drop-charges-against-phuketwan-journalists-alan-morison-and
The UN human right office says Chutima Sidasathian and Alan Morison faced up to two years’ imprisonment on the criminal defamation charges and five years in prison for breaching the Computer Crimes Act, as well as fines equivalent to $3,125.
In condemning the laying of charges last year, the spokesperson for UNHRO, Ravina Shamdasani, said such criminal prosecutions for defamation have a chilling effect on freedom of the press. “International standards are clear that imprisonment is never an appropriate penalty for defamation.”
A number of international groups monitored the trial, follow the links below for further information.
http://en.rsf.org/thailand-prosecutors-skip-last-two-days-of-16-07-2015,48113.html
http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=46828
The ABU Technology Webinar Festival is a series of online webinars offered free of cost to those interested in broadcast technology. The month long festival will include presentations on different aspects and applications of broadcast technology.
The webinar sessions will provide information on new technologies and developments in the industry. It is open for participation to all ABU members and those in the industry who are interested in broadcast technologies and its applications.
HOW THE WEBINAR SESSIONS WILL WORK
The content for these webinar sessions are taken from the workshops and conference sessions of the Digital Broadcast Symposium and other events held within the year. Each webinar session will be around 90mins, starting with a presentation by an expert on the subject matter followed by a Question and Answer session. The speaker or one of our colleagues from the ABU Technology department will be available to answer your questions. The webinar festival will start from 17th Aug and will continue until 21st Sept, with one session available every day except Sat and Sun. The webinar sessions will start at 0130hrs GMT (9:30am KL/Sin/HK time) each day and will be repeated at 0700hrs GMT of the same day (3:00pm KL/Sin/HK time). This is to facilitate participation of attendees from different timezone.
WEBINAR TOPICS & SCHEDULE FOR 2015
The webinar sessions have been grouped under the following main themes, each topic will include about 3-5 webinar sessions, with a total of 24 webinar sessions presented in the month long festival.
Click here to download webinar schedule: <download schedule>
please visit http://www.abu.org.my/Event-_-WebinarFest2015.aspx for more information.
UN Human Rights Council – Session 29 – Panel
GAMAG Europe – Global Alliance on Media & Gender –Issues & Challenges
June 17, 2015
5:00 pm – 6:30 pm – Room IX
UN Palais des Nations – Geneva, Switzerland
Mr. Alton Grizzle – UNESCO Focal Point for the Global Alliance on Media and Gender (GAMAG)
Ms. Mounia Belafia – Co-Chair of International Federation of Journalists Gender Council
Ms. Diana Nastasia – Research on Voices & Portrayals of Marginalized Populations as Women, Children, Immigrants – IAWRT Media Monitoring Project
European Women’s Lobby – Fair & Equal Representation of Women in Media in Europe
Ms. Sepi Roshan – Astute Radio – Training for Media Leadership, Challenging Stereotypes, Media & Minority Women
Ms. Lois A. Herman – Coordinator WUNRN, Women’s UN Report Network – Power Point on Gender Stereotypes
Ms. Cheryl D. Miller – Founder, Digital Leadership Institute – Women and Digital Media
Ms. Elly Pradervand – Founder & Executive Director Women’s World Summit Foundation – Women, Media & Beijing + 20
Ms. Marie-Noelle Bas – Chiennes de Garde – WECAMS – Gender Stereotypes & Discrimination in Media & Advertising
Moderator: Ms. Greta Gober – University of Oslo Centre for Gender Research – IAWRT Media Monitoring Project
Name: Geeta Sahai
Location: National Capital Region, India
I have spent three decades as a Print, TV and Radio journalist. I have made many short documentaries for TV and radio on issues pertaining to gender, disability, mental health, developmental issues and on art and culture. I was and am associated with a radio channel on Hindustani Classical music. I am a writer, too and my short stories have won awards in international competitions. I have just joined IAWRT (July 1, 2015) as Communications Officer.
Since my childhood I was interested in writing and films. Whenever I used to read something good, I used to dream about writing a book ‘like that’ myself. And same thoughts came after watching a good film. Radio was my passion. The clear diction and husky voice of presenters arrested my attention. And again, I used to go into my world of dreams, thinking ‘one day, even I will present shows like them. All my three dreams were fulfilled, one after the other.
After completing my Masters in History and a Diploma course in Journalism, I joined a newspaper. Through my journalistic writings I wanted to bring about a change in society. I could never digest injustice and violence – be it in any form. My first encounter with violence was the tangible and intangible facets of domestic violence. A domestic violence survivor once said, “Everybody can see physical abuse, but what about mental torture? How my self-esteem is being crushed, can anybody see that and believe me?” This statement hit me. In the 1980s, I began a campaign against it through my regular write-ups in the newspapers and along with it I also became Art and Culture critic. In the 90s when I joined TV as a Correspondent-Producer I again began a sort of campaign, with my regular shows on Women and Mental Health for a TV channel. It was extremely weakening to see various facets of violence on women and young girls. Simultaneously, I was regularly presenting shows on All India Radio. In the year 2002 I got an opportunity to initiate, curate and Head Hindustani Classical Music Station – Radio Gandharv, on Worldspace Satellite Network. Thus began my tryst with radio as a professional. For nearly 10 years I was associated with this radio channel, and without being immodest, I would like to say that listeners really loved my station. When Worldspace closed their operations in India in 2009 December, I joined TV – FOCUS Channel and later became an independent documentary film maker, writer and radio professional. In 2012, I received IAWRT-FOKUS scholarship to make a film on Changemaker. I made a short film – titled – ‘I have a Dream’ – https://vimeo.com/89276069
It was on a woman who is using music as a therapy for Special Children to empower and make them, their families and society realize the creative potentiality of Special Children.
Presently, I am running a net radio on Hindustani Classical music -http://hindustani.radioweb.in/
I write short stories and some of them have won prizes in international competitions. Short Story—A Dream is just a dream—won first prize in an online international Flash Fiction competition, 2013.
http://hindustani.radioweb.in/
http://geetasahai.blogspot.in/
https://in.linkedin.com/pub/geeta-sahai/6/197/92
www.youtube.com/watch?v=JNubeIBECXs
www.youtube.com/watch?v=JNubeIBECXs
http://wordweavers.in/short_story_2012_geeta_sahai.html
http://wordweavers.in/short_story_2013_shortlisted_15.html
http://atlantis-shortstorycontest.com/winners-2011/
http://www.ngoexpress.com/big-issuedetails.aspx?Id=19
http://indiatodayuk.com/uk-feature/
http://www.wpbyexample.com/detail/fystoris.info
I enjoy doing stories about achievers, musicians, women who challenge situations and circumstances and stand with their head high. I enjoy meeting people who are never defeated – after all in life only one thing matters and that is – ‘it is not about winning or losing, it is all about never losing hope.’
The most challenging and heartbreaking experience was covering Bhuj, Gujarat after the earthquake in 2002. It was shattering to see the vast scale destruction by nature’s fury. After that I spent many sleepless nights, haunted by the mass destruction. As a media person, one has to be strong enough to listen to heart-wrenching tales and witness massive destruction. It is a great challenge not to break down amidst such suffering. But one has got to learn to brave it.
I was fortunate enough to work with people who had integrity and never ever made me feel that being a woman I could not walk on certain bumpy roads. I like doing the hard work and not be bound by time constraint of 9am to 5pm . I like the freedom that this industry gives. There are only two things that I do not like of this industry. The first thing that I dislike is that after highlighting an incident or an issue, we often tend to forget about that episode after some days, completely. Secondly, I do not like the race against time to capture bytes even at the cost of hurting sentiments of the survivors.
While being associated with IAWRT, I would like to encourage and highlight the work done by women in various countries and in different spheres. I would like to highlight ‘Profile in Courage’ type of stories in the Newsletter, as well as on the website. Along with it, I would like to highlight the productions – documentary, research, radio—through proper seminars and conferences and subsequently, through these to bring IAWRT on the centre stage. And on my individual front, I would like to write a novel, based on the real life experiences of women.
Communication is a two way process. One has to be aware of the fact that we cannot just keep on bombarding information. There has to be a healthy exchange of ideas and views. Communication within the organization has to be smooth. As a communication’s person, one has to have a good understanding of editing and proofreading and also be creative. One has to think creatively and ‘out-of-the-box.’ One has to think and take decisions immediately about the seminar and conference conclusions and how those points are to be highlighted. As a communication person one has to devise ways and means to make research findings reach ‘unreachable.’ Anybody aspiring to be a communication person should have sound knowledge of designing and copywriting. Many a time, articles are written by the communication person. Hence, as a communication person, one has to be a good writer, be creative, an excellent organizer, have good contacts in media and elsewhere and last but certainly not the least, respect time and deadlines.
Just be honest and do the work with integrity. Things will fall at its place on its own. Respect and trust others. In media we meet innumerable people everybody, having different attitude and values. As a media person, we should have patience and respect for each and everyone. Deadlines are very important. Stick to them.
I like meeting people; having heart to heart talk with them; knowing them and subsequently winning their trust and friendship. I like sharing my experiences and imparting knowledge to people without acting as an ‘advisor’ to them. I make them feel that they have a friend on whom they can bank upon. Because I am modest and humble, people generally open up with me very easily. I do not indoctrinate or frighten people with my knowledge. In fact, I share a slice from my life’s innumerable experiences. In this process, I win friends and they respect me for respecting their identity and knowledge.
Name: Pochi Tamba Nsoh, but please call me Poch
Location: Yaounde, Cameroon.
I work as a journalist with the Cameroon Radio and Television, where I produce for and present programs, including TV and Radio newscasts. Besides working as a journalist, I have over the years developed real interest in contributing in whatever little way I can to a better community around. So I started a project that today organizes regular activities in communities to foster exchanges on the rights of marginalized women and children. Through the project which started in 2007, we have also funded the studies of some very brilliant but orphaned children.
I love talking to people, discovering places and understanding generally how things work, or do not work around me. I think I have journalism in my blood, and even on my most challenging days, I always come to the conclusion that I am where I belong. When I was in secondary school, I started getting very fascinated by the voices from the radio set. So one day, the set gave a phone number for any listener who wanted to interact. I called and from then, I never stopped calling in for one thing to the other. I think I took part in all programs that needed listener reaction at the time. From food programs to love chats. I just needed to be part of the magic. Later on when I had the chance, and despite my mother’s advice, I went on to study journalism and Mass Communication. It is a passion.
I find the chance to talk to people and carry their stories so unique. It always makes me so worthy each time I have a chance to speak for someone who is not able to. Challenges? I could think of a couple but, I prefer to retain only positive things.
I like the different things that you get to do each time you start a day. It is never the same. I also hate the fact that it does not have working hours. It can just eat you up
I hope to be a better reporter by the day and to really have a chance to tell the most amazing stories.
Journalism is a very tough world. When you start, you need to work very hard to make a good reputation that matters. When you have a name that means something, you have to start working really hard to dodge all the internal intrigues that come with being at the top.
You need to really know what you want so that you do not chicken out at any difficulty. Simply put, just know what you really want, and put your faith ahead of you. It works for me.
Maybe I should say that it is very easy to get taken over by the ‘bling bling’ of stardom in this job. And very often, I see very gifted colleagues who have settled for the shallow star world, instead of filling their lives with endless undiscovered stories that will give it worth.
If you get famous as you work, accept it as part of the things you will get, but do not let it distract you from what you set out to achieve. Also, we work often in very unsure conditions, with many of our colleagues not being sure if they will not lose their job the next day. It makes many of them succumb easily to the temptations of money. All I can say about this is that hard as it seems at times, we can always make the right decision- the one that does not stop us from sleeping at night
I am told that I a frank person who often does not know the word diplomacy. I know I am hardworking and a go-getter. I am very patient and a loyal friend. I guess that is as much as I can say now.
“Celebrate the Feminist and Women’s Movements 1975-2015”
8 March 2015, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
The program emcees are Houry Geudelekian, Armenian Relief Society and Susan O’Malley, International Federation of Business and Professional Women
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9:00 – 9:30 am |
Opening Event: Women of the World – Songs from Mexico, Denmark, Kenya, and China- Readings from the UN Conferences in Mexico, Copenhagen, Nairobi and Beijing by Mahnaz Afkhami, former Minister of Women’s Affairs of Iran and President/CEO of Women’s Learning Partnership, H. E. Ambassador Ib Petersen from Denmark, Sheila Katzman, Chair of the Cities for CEDAW/New York City, and Tanya Selvaratnam, Producer/Artist and author of “The Big Lie”. |
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9:30 – 10:00 am |
Welcome messages
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10:00 – 10:20 am |
Keynote address: “The Selling of Innocents”, Ruchira Gupta, Women of Distinction Awardee and winner of a Clinton Global Citizen award (with film clips) |
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10:20 – 10:40 am |
Special Message from Cherie Blair, founder, Cherie Blair Foundation (invited) |
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10:40 – 12:00 pm |
“Beijing + 20 – Voices from the Regions” Historic review of the UN/international women’s movement from 1975-1995 and impact by region, regional Declarations, Indigenous women’s Declaration Panelists:
Moderator: Ambassador Carlos Garcia Gonzalez – former Permanent Representative for El Salvador to the United Nations Discussant: Charlotte Bunch – Board of Governor’s Distinguished Service Professor in Women’s and Gender Studies at Rutgers University |
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12:00 – 1:15 pm |
Lunch: (participants on their own) |
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1:15– 1:45 pm |
“What Beijing Plus 20 Must Accomplish” |
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1:45 – 2:45 pm |
“Strategic Action to Strengthen the BPfA: Young Activist Perspectives” This panel will feature young activists who are actively carrying out the vision of the Beijing Platform for Action, CEDAW, and the post-2015 development agenda. With audience participation, the speakers will develop ideas for a strategic plan of action. Panelists:
Moderator/Panelist: Fabio Palacio – International Movement ATD 4th World Discussant: Thayvie Sinn – Save Cambodia |
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2:45 – 3:00 pm |
Announcements about the March and Closing Song NGO CSW theme song – “Keep on Movin’ Forward” Led by Laura Kroh, singer |
January 28, 2015 – New York, NY – The NGO Committee on the Status of Women, NY (NGO CSW/NY), one of three women’s committees of CoNGO that advocates for women’s rights and gender equality, is pleased to announce the 2015 NGO CSW Forum Woman of Distinction awardee, Ruchira Gupta from India, founder of Apne Aap Women Worldwide.
After winning an Emmy for her documentary on sex trafficking, The Selling of Innocents, Gupta started Apne Aap Women Worldwide, an anti-sex trafficking organization in India that empowers more than 20,000 low-caste girls and women and their family members affected by prostitution. She received the Clinton Global Citizen award for giving a voice to the voiceless and for tenaciously standing by the last girl in brothels in Bihar and India.
For over 25 years, Gupta has worked to end sex trafficking by emphasizing the link between trafficking and prostitution laws and lobbying policy makers to shift blame from victims to perpetrators. In 2000, she testified in the United States Senate before the passage of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act and addressed the UN General Assembly on human trafficking.
Gupta will be the keynote speaker at the NGO CSW/NY Consultation Day (8 March 2015 at the Apollo Theatre) along with Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, UN Under-Secretary General and Executive Director of UN Women. The formal presentation of the NGO CSW/NY Woman of Distinction award will take place at the annual NGO Reception (9 March 2015 at the Armenian Convention Center Ballroom, 6 pm–8 pm). This year’s theme of the UN Commission on the Status of Women is the 20th review of the Beijing Platform for Action. Registration is available at: www.ngocsw.org.
This annual award is given to a woman in recognition of her leadership in the struggle for gender equality and women’s empowerment. The honoree is a leading activist from a developing country who can address the theme of the CSW, will benefit from participation in Consultation Day, and make a difference when she returns home.
The NGO Committee on the Status of Women, NY (NGO CSW/NY) is one of the three women’s committees of the Conference of NGOs in Consultative Relationship with the UN (CoNGO). Under CoNGO’s umbrella, the NGO CSW committees helped plan the NGO Forums at the UN World Conferences in Mexico, Copenhagen, Nairobi, and Beijing. NGO CSW/NY is a volunteer-based, non-profit NGO funded largely by individual contributions.
