South Asia Center for Media in Development (SACMID) believes in the power of advocacy to drive positive change in Bangladesh and the South Asian region. We see it as a crucial tool to create a more just, inclusive, and informed society. Through diverse projects, we engage in advocacy around issues that impact:
1. Freedom of Expression and Media Development:
- Lobbying for policies that promote press freedom and protect journalists from harassment and violence.
- Building the capacity of media professionals through training and workshops on ethical journalism, investigative reporting, and safety practices.
- Facilitating dialogue between government, media, and civil society on critical media issues.
2. Media & Information Literacy:
- Raising awareness about the importance of critical thinking and responsible media consumption among students, communities, and the general public.
- Developing and disseminating educational materials that equip individuals with the tools to discern fact from fiction and navigate the ever-evolving media landscape.
- Advocating for the inclusion of media literacy in school curriculums and national development policies.
3. Gender Equality in Media:
- Highlighting gender imbalances within the media and advocating for increased representation of women in leadership positions.
- Training journalists on sensitive reporting of gender-related issues and promoting ethical coverage of women’s rights.
- Engaging in policy dialogue to address discriminatory practices and create a more inclusive media environment for women.
4. Combating Misinformation & Disinformation:
- Conducting research to understand the sources and impact of misinformation and disinformation campaigns.
- Organizing public awareness campaigns to educate people about how to identify and verify information online.
- Collaborating with fact-checking organizations and policymakers to promote responsible information sharing and hold perpetrators accountable.
5. Strengthening Civil Society-Media Alliance:
- Building bridges between civil society organizations and media outlets to facilitate collaboration on advocacy campaigns and public interest journalism.
- Providing training and resources to civil society groups on effective communication strategies and media engagement.
- Advocating for policies that enable civil society to participate meaningfully in public discourse and hold institutions accountable.
