Media Support Mission Summary
Media Support is an independent NGO and consulting company which aims to use media – particularly radio - to provide information and education, and promote development and democracy goals in developing countries. Media Support projects build the capacity of local partners to produce needs-based programming in a cost-effective, sustainable and measurable way.
So what does this mean?
Media Support primarily works with community, commercial and national broadcasters in developing countries to make radio or TV programmes which help people – and poor people in particular - explore obstacles to change, and possible solutions to problems affecting their lives.
Issues addressed include
- Health and HIV/AIDS
Promoting behavioural and social change - Poverty alleviation
Making the link between environmental change and livelihoods - Social and political participation
Giving a voice to communities seeking better government services - Education
Raising standards through distance education of teachers and children - Gender equality
An issue that cuts across all others - Peace-building
Forming partnerships between media and civil society to tackle the root causes of conflict
Through its two sister organisations, Media Support Solutions [MSS] and Media Support Partnership [MSP], Media Support trains programme-makers to carry out research in local communities, and then use this information to create entertaining programming which captures the interest of listeners. Typically, we use drama to portray role models who show the audience how to change and interactive formats to generate discussion and reinforce the impact of new information.
We believe it is crucially important that audiences feel that media programmes are theirs, rather than something ‘imported’ and imposed by outsiders. We support initiatives which make an impact on the poorest and most vulnerable people. We work with disadvantaged communities to create programmes that matter to them. Media Support's emphasis is on programme content, not technology.
We believe in researching and evaluating the impact of our projects and we advocate for greater investment in communications for development and the dissemination of best practice.
Some projects are managed directly by Media Support, others are assisted by specialist consultants passing on technical, creative and management skills and building local capacity. One key aim is to forge closer links between the media, government and development agencies. Another is to help organisations in developing countries and recently emerging democracies to initiate and manage these activities themselves.
In our Project Management and Consultancy activities, we have the contacts to source individuals with the appropriate expertise to provide the best advice, project development and management skills.
Media Support is a lean organisation, able to react quickly and tender competitively to implement projects. We welcome partnerships with groups or individuals pursuing similar objectives. Our staff and consultants have experience of developing and delivering projects in Africa, Asia and the Balkans, including post-conflict countries.
Media Support has developed systems to ensure that financial and narrative reporting is timely, thorough and transparent.
Media Support is committed to supporting its consultants and staff in the field by being available whenever needed for advice and help. Recognising that working conditions can be stressful, Media Support is flexible and responsive to individual needs.
Media Support believes that more opportunities are needed for individuals with communications skills to work in development, and plans to expand work secondments and internships. At the same time, Media Support will strengthen development communications by documenting and publishing good practice, and teaching specialist courses in communications for development.
