Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Sahara Reporters and three other NGOs share $5M Grants

Sahara Reporters and three other NGOs share $5M Grants

The daring citizen news website Sahara Reporters of Nigeria is among the four media organizations chosen to receive the first Omidyar Network grants in support of Investigative and Citizen Journalism in the Developing World.

Stephen King, investment partner and Omidyar Network's global practice head for Government Transparency, made the announcement yesterday at the World Press Freedom Day conference in Washington D.C.

According to a press release, particular emphasis of the Omidyar Network Government Transparency initiative is to focus on organizations that seek a free, open and vibrant media as well as investigative and citizen journalism organizations that provide citizens access to credible information that increases citizen engagement and participation in civil affairs.

King also announced the first organizations to receive support through the expanded initiative. Nearly $5M in grants and a program related investment will go to four non-profits: African Media Initiative, up to $1.7M over two years; the Sahara Reporters project, up to $450k over three years; Media Development Loan Fund, $2M; and Committee to Protect Journalists, $800k.

Through its Government Transparency initiative, Omidyar Network invests in nonprofit and for-profit organizations that use technology and media platforms to provide access to information and tools necessary for citizens to participate in the governing process and hold governments to account. Today's announcement underscores Omidyar Network's recognition of the crucial role journalism plays in achieving those ends.

"Omidyar Network believes a healthy government – one that is responsive to its citizens -- requires a healthy, robust fourth estate. By focusing additional efforts on fostering investigative and citizen journalism, we believe we will be catalyzing transparency efforts that will positively affect millions of people," said King. "True to the tenets of our Government Transparency initiative, we'll pay particular attention to innovative organizations utilizing technology platforms to scale their impact with a recognition that effective technologies will vary by country and region. In some geographies, the technology will take the form of an online platform, mobile in others, and broadcast in yet others."

The African Media Initiative is a non-profit, pan-Africa program that seeks to strengthen the continent's media sector though advocacy, investments, technology and training. The initiative is led by private media owners operating in Africa who believe a strong media is required for social development, economic growth and empowered citizens. For more information, please visit: http://www.africanmediainitiative.org

Sahara Reporters is a citizen media website that encourages citizen journalists to publish evidence of ongoing corruption, abuses of human rights and government malfeasance in Nigeria. It is one of the principal sources of independent investigative journalism and breaking news on Nigeria's government. For more information about Sahara Reporters, please visit: http://www.saharareporters.com.

Media Development Loan Fund is a mission-driven investment fund for independent news outlets in countries with a history of media oppression. Working in Africa, Asia, Latin America, Southeast Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States, the fund provides low-cost capital and technical know-how to help journalists in challenging environments build sustainable businesses around professional, responsible, quality journalism. For more information, please visit: http://www.mdlf.org.

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) is an independent, nonprofit organization that promotes press freedom worldwide by defending the rights of journalists to report the news without fear of reprisal. By publicly revealing abuses against the press and by acting on behalf of imprisoned and threatened journalists, CPJ effectively warns journalists and news organizations where attacks on press freedom are occurring. CPJ publishes articles and news releases; special reports; and Attacks on the Press, the most comprehensive annual survey of press freedom around the world. For more information, please visit: http://www.cpj.org.

About Omidyar Network

Omidyar Network is a philanthropic investment firm dedicated to harnessing the power of markets to create opportunity for people to improve their lives. Established in 2004 by eBay founder Pierre Omidyar and his wife Pam, the organization invests in and helps scale innovative organizations to catalyze economic and social change. To date, Omidyar Network has committed more than $400 million to for-profit companies and nonprofit organizations that foster economic advancement and encourage individual participation across multiple investment areas, including microfinance, entrepreneurship, property rights, government transparency, consumer Internet and mobile. To learn more about Omidyar Network, please visit www.omidyar.com.

SOURCE Omidyar Network

CONTACT: Greg Pershall of Omidyar Network, +1-360-607-8901

Web Site: http://www.omidyar.com/



Releases displayed in Africa/Lagos time
4 May 2011
12:00 Bristow Group Announces Fiscal Year 2011 Fourth Quarter and Year-End Earnings Release and Conference Call Schedule
10:00 Corruption Risks in Egypt, Middle East Increased in Run-up to Revolutions, Study Finds
3 May 2011
21:15 Grand debut for CODIST II as MPs launch African Inter-Parliamentary Forum on Science, Technology and Innovation
18:41 FDI Into Africa on the Up
18:01 Africa increasingly attractive to emerging market investors / FDI into Africa on the up / Ernst & Young's first Africa Attractiveness Survey
17:52 Martin Ennals Award for Human Rights Defenders / Communiqué de presse
16:06 IOM Appeals for its Boat to Dock in Misrata to Carry out Urgent Life-Saving Evacuation Mission
15:35 Omidyar Network Broadens Government Transparency Initiative to Include Support of Investigative and Citizen Journalism in the Developing World
14:00 Gilat Satcom Installs iDirect Hub to Expand Broadband Services in Nigeria
11:00 Bristow Group Announces Renewal of Long-Term Contract Award for Two Large Helicopters in Norway

4 May 2011

12:00 Barclays Wealth Continues to Recommend Equities, Particularly Developed Markets

10:00 Corruption Risks in Egypt, Middle East Increased in Run-up to Revolutions, Study Finds

07:00 Lonrho's Oceanfresh to Supply Private Label Fish Products to South African Retail Chain Makro

05:42 Libya / Following the US operation in Abbottabad, the chairperson of the Commission of the African Union reiterates AU's commitment to an enhanced global cooperation against terrorism

05:01 Twelve Social Change Visionaries Are Honored by the Ford Foundation

3 May 2011

22:16 UN Security Council Commends Morocco's Commitment to Human Rights, Urges Algeria-backed Polisario to Improve Refugee Rights

Chinese Direct Investment Abroad Could Total $1-$2 Trillion by 2020

Honeywell Wins $38 Million FAA Contract

NCIS is America's Favorite TV Show

Songs For Japan Raises $5 Million for Japanese Red Cross Society in First Month of Digital & Physical Sales

PR Newswire Introduces ARC Latino Multimedia Platform

Barclays Wealth Continues to Recommend Equities, Particularly Developed Markets

Death of Osama Bin Laden

U.S. Auto Sales in April

Southeastern Tornadoes

Mothers Day






No comments :