Center for Democracy and Development - Liberian Webzine Project
Team: Michelle Betton, Carolina Hernandez, Therese Vana
Semester: Spring 2009
Liberia Webzine Project
Background
In October of 2008 a team of U.S. media specialists conducted a ten days series of workshops, seminars and site-visits in Liberia. One of the purposes of the visit was to expose Liberian media workers to the possibilities of using the internet as another outlet for their work. Given the large number of Liberians living abroad and the interest of the international community in events in Liberia it is felt that there are a sufficient number of potential readers to develop a current affairs type webzine specifically written by and for the global Liberian community.
The Concept
Using simple tools the webzine would both solicit articles as well as give assignments to a roster of known Liberian journalists. In addition the webzine would feature photographic essays and videos as well as video interviews and narrated slide-shows. Another reason for creating this webzine would be to encourage journalists in Liberia to begin to explore these different forms of expression.
Two of the biggest criticisms of the media in Liberia are that they spend too much effort on political scandal and not enough on the lives of the people. In addition they don't do enough investigative type stories.
The new webzine will have sections (Politics, Economy, Culture, Education, Sports) that will extend the possibilities for Liberian journalism and it will encourage investigative journalism by providing stipends to journalists who solicit interesting story ideas.
Support Needs
It is anticipated that initially the webzine will be developed, hosted and edited in the United States by a start-up team of volunteers. The group will be responsible for designing the site, soliciting the initial content and most importantly providing editing and feedback to authors and contributors.
In addition the team will be responsible for promoting the webzine (which will likely begin life as a monthly...but will have new refreshed content through blogs and newsfeeds.
For more information on this project contact: Michael Keating, UMB 917-208-4097. Keating is a Senior Fellow and Associate Director at the Center for Democracy and Development at the University of Massachusetts Boston. Since 2006 he has been leading missions to Liberia to deal with post-conflict media and development communications. He has been a consultant for the World Bank, the U.S. State Department and a special consultant to the Press Union of Liberia. He also co-founded the Liberian Media Support Initiative, a U.S. based effort to direct resources to media projects in Liberia.
Core Documents
Terms of Reference
Timeline
Final Presentation
Additional Documents
FocusLiberia Final Product.pdf
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