Global Issues

Governance and Transparency

Sam Bunnath is an journalist in Cambodia who received training in investigative journlism from Internews. Photo: Internews Mekong

Media play a critical role in fostering transparency and accountability in governance and society. They serve a crucial watchdog function, providing citizens with the information they need to keep the public and private sectors accountable.  In many countries, however, repressive legal environments inhibit the media's ability to play this role.  Moreover, some journalists lack the skills to conduct the in-depth investigative reporting that is essential to accountability. Beyond traditional forms of media, people's access to information via the Internet, cell phones and other communications technologies can be stifled by a restrictive or monopolistic regulatory environment.

Recognizing the importance of the free flow of news and information in fostering good governance and transparency in countries around the world, Internews has trained journalists in investigative reporting, produced television programming to encourage dialogue on corruption, and helped reform media laws, including expanding freedom of information rights. Internews has also worked with governments to ensure a sound and independent regulatory environment for the communications sector, promoting open and accessible Internet and telecommunications policy. In addition, to increase transparency and efficiency, Internews works in transitional countries to promote e-government, getting government services and information online.

Fostering Investigative Reporting

Internews has trained and supported journalists in in-depth, balanced investigative reporting in several countries in the Middle East, former Soviet Union, and Southeast Asia. Most recently, in Cambodia, Internews has trained Khmer-language print journalists and editors in investigative reporting with a specific emphasis on public corruption. Today, most Khmer accept bribes and corruption as a fact of life, essentially giving vested interests a free ride at the country’s expense. Internews' program emphasizes the need to develop a more critical attitude toward corruption.

With funding from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and in cooperation with Pact and Planning and Development Collaborative International (PADCO), Internews has trained Cambodian journalists in basic and advanced investigative journalism skills, legal aspects of investigative journalism, tracking down sources and conducting interviews. In addition, Internews' two journalism advisors have provided one-on-one mentoring to the journalists and have worked closely with their editors to ensure the completion of in-depth investigative reports. To facilitate this process, Internews has administered small travel and research grants to participating journalists to make much-needed resources available as they complete this difficult work.

See also, "Anti-Corruption Success Stories"

Supporting Media Watchdogs

Telekritika is web-based outlet for the review, in-depth analysis and critical assessment of Ukrainian TV and radio program content as well as current Ukrainian media trends.  Telekritika’s mission is to help build a professional, responsible, empowered Ukrainian media and serve as a watchdog for the regulatory body and frequency allocation in Ukraine with a focus on accountability of the regulatory bodies in Ukraine.  Telekritika focused on attempts by the body responsible for provision of frequencies to television and radio channels to avoid proper frequency licensing procedures for television channels.  As a result, the channels and their backers failed in their attempts to dodge legal procedures.

Reforming Media Laws

In 2005 alone, Internews worked for fair media laws in 21 countries. In advocating for a legal environment that supports independent media and upholds journalists' ability to do their jobs, Internews works with all parties involved in the issue, including the government,  industry, academia, civil society and the public. 

Internews' media law activities have included holding media law clinics, providing legal support to independent television and radio stations, engaging provincial governments to create local media regulations in tune with national laws, bringing in international experts to provide advice, and sponsoring parliamentary visits to the United States to study the American media law framework.

More information on Internews' media law and policy work.

Advocating for Access to Information Legislation

For the media to meet their obligation to inform the citizenry and act as a watchdog of government legitimacy and effectiveness, there must be mechanisms in place for journalists and the public to access government documents.  Internews has assisted several countries with their Access to Information concerns. For example, in Indonesia, Internews along with the Indonesia Media Law and Policy Center (IMPLC) worked with reform-minded parliamentarians, civil society and other relevant stakeholders for a parliamentary Freedom of Information Act.  This collaboration sensitized governmental decision makers and members of parliament to the importance of a carefully crafted bill.

Access to Information and Communications Technologies (ICT)

To ensure good governance and transparency, journalists and citizens need easy, affordable access to information via the Internet and telecommunications. In 2000 Internews and the Center for Democracy and Technology partnered to establish the Global Internet Policy Initiative (GIPI), which supports the adoption of a legal and policy framework for an open, democratic, and user-controlled Internet. GIPI has worked in 17 developing countries to date. From 2002 until 2006 Internews led the dot-GOV program, funded by USAID, to work for liberalized telecommunications and Internet policies in a competitive market. Dot-GOV projects spanned over three dozen developing countries.

More information on Internews' work on Information and Communications Technologies.

Promoting E-government

Over the past five years, with the rise of information technologies, there has been increasing focus on e-government—putting government services and information online—for both developed and developing countries. Facing pressure from outside donors to reduce corruption, and motivated to cut costs while promoting citizen participation, even some of the least developed nations of the world are beginning to explore e-government.

As part of its mission of promoting access to information for people around the world, Internews has experience with planning and implementing e-government projects in countries as diverse as Romania, Kenya, and Nepal. Currently, under a five-year grant from USAID, Internews is developing and implementing e-government solutions that aim to increase the transparency and efficiency of the public sector in the Republic of Macedonia, formerly part of Yugoslavia.

In addition, to guide countries through the complex process of implementing e-government solutions, Internews has developed a comprehensive knowledge map and "toolkit" with global best practices and case studies on e-government. Available online at http://egov.sonasi.com, the information includes training materials on e-government and even software code for particular e-government applications. The project is funded under a grant to Internews from infoDev, a global partnership of international development agencies housed at the World Bank. Internews' partners in the infoDev project include the Center for Democracy and Technology, Transnational Data Reporting Service, and SONAS Innovation.

In January 2006 the World Bank asked Internews to make a presentation on increasing efficiency and accountability through e-government.