15.01.2012

SDC brings Swiss expertise to local media in Bangladesh

With the mandate of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), the Fondation Hirondelle, a Swiss non-governmental organization of journalists, will provide technical support to Mass-line Media Centre (MMC)- a pioneer organisation promoting grassroots journalism in Bangladesh- for latter’s institutional and operational capacity development. In this regard, the delegate to the Fondation Hirondelle, Mr. Jean-Pierre HUSI, is currently visiting Bangladesh on an official planning mission. Apart from SDC and MMC officials, during the visit, Mr. Husi will also meet with media representatives and professionals, local journalists of Rajshahi, academics, NGO and IO officials.

In many countries, the Fondation Hirondelle has been working to create or support sustainable media that can run without external help and promoting fact-based, professional journalism.

MMC is the implementing partner of an SDC funded local government project titled Citizens Voice for Improved Local Public Services which aims to develop capacity of journalists at local level in Bangladesh and sensitise local population about their entitlements by engaging local media. Hirondelle’s expertise will guide the overall strategic steering of this project and contribute to the capacity development of the local journalists for the next four years.

One of the main objectives of the Swiss development cooperation in the domain of local governance in Bangladesh is also to improve capacity of the local government bodies in the country in a transparent and accountable manner. In this regard, local media plays an important role to ensure accountability and transparency in the whole process of local governance.