Original Title : Media Empowerment for Democratic Information Access
Media Format : Multiple
Website : http://meroreport.net/
Producer : Equal Access Nepal
Language : Nepali and English
Location : Kathmandu, NEPAL
Contact : bguragain@equalaccess.org

MEDIA Initiative (Media Empowerment for Democratic Information Access) is a project started by Equal Access Nepal to strengthen the capacity of the independent media to play an effective role in Nepal’s emerging democracy through innovative applications of online and mobile phone based social networking software and tools; media monitoring mechanisms; the production and distribution of content to educate the public about independent media issues; a media defenders legal support fund; and training thousands of media workers on media law and rights and working in conf lict-affected environments. By combining these innovative interventions this initiative aims to strengthen the capacity of independent media to resist threats, to earn public and government respect by acting in the public interest and to reinforce the media’s role as a strong foundation for Nepal’s fragile democracy. The MEDIA initiative intends to train more than 2,000 media workers, set up Nepal’s first ever legal resource facility for journalists under threat or who have been victims of violence or corruption, and educate millions of Nepalese on media rights through dozens of print articles, national radio program episodes and a national television documentary.

The Jury observed that the MEDIA initiative has established two social networking based websites, with a member base of 500 Bloggers and Journalists. It was further observed that nearly 1000 Journalists have got trained through this initiative and 3 million plus people in Nepal are listening to weekly radio program via national and local radio station that deals with issues in relation to media, safety, security, new media and why media has to promote right to information.

Original Title : Orissa Diary
Media Format : Internet
Website :orissadiary.com
Producer :Orissa Diary
Language : English
Location : Odisha, INDIA
Contact : editor@orissadiary.com

Founded in November 2004, Orissadiary.com (OD) is a complete portal on the state of Orissa. It is designed to reflect on the contributions and concerns of the Odiya people, their language, society, polity, education, health, economy, business and industry, tourism, public grievances, citizen services, inspiring success stories and anything and everything that affects them and has impacts on provincial and national public policy. It is a gate-way for anyone interested in the state of Orissa; more specifically it is useful to the policy makers, investors, researchers, media persons, students, politicians and to the common public. Through news, views, analyses and interactivity, it provides readers with a composite picture of Orissa. It is also the first portal of Orissa that launched its site for mobile users i.e. www.orissadiary. com.

The Jury appreciated that Orissa Diary (OD) runs a 24 hrs round the clock news service on the state of Orissa, providing some unique interest to the users in the website. It was also noted that the content of OD are published in Social Media Platforms – Facebook & Twitter. It was observed that the central focus of the content remains on the lived experiences of Odiyas and their overall social, political, economic and spiritual development

Original Title :Whitedrums.com
Media Format : Jhoomla based
Website : Whitedrums.com
Producer :Whitedrums.com
Language : English
Location : Maharashtra, INDIA
Contact : whitedrums@gmail.com

Whitedrums.com was started as a citizen reporting site to help nonjournalists to report and submit news, views on happenings in their neighbourhood. Over time, it has evolved into a general news and media website where the news and stories are either specifically written for the site or shared from other sources on the site. This platform is for all those who may have gone through some bitter experiences of voicing their grievances, want an outlet to share news they know will be helpful to others and for those who believe in sharing, showcasing and learning. It is a truly democratic way of sharing news and views. The readers can have the liberty of reading anything without restriction and they can also mark the articles they liked/enjoyed.

The Jury observed that the News site Whitedrums.com is like an open source and everything published on it is for creative commons as well. It was further observed that the site provides a platform for anyone to provide information and remain elusive if they wish to or give them full credits if they want to. It is therefore a platform where one can express the feelings without any hindrance.

Original Title : The Kashmir Walla
Media Format : Internet
Website : www.thekashmirwalla.com
Producer : Fahad Shah
Language : English
Location : Jammu & Kashmir, INDIA
Contact : thekashmirwalla@gmail.com

The Kashmir Walla is a monthly online magazine of art, politics and society. Focusing on Jammu and Kashmir it covers other important issues of India and the world also. It has many contributions from people who want to express themselves through writing. It gives space to young writers, poets, photographers and painters. The magazine is widely read throughout the world and it receives a good response through social networking connections and mails also. The project is not run from any office, it is run online. Everything concerned to it is done through internet, through social networking websites and personal contacts. No advertisement has been incorporated in this online magazine so far.

TKW works on small donations by friends so that it can remain as an independent organization. TKW magazine provide an independent platform for the young writers of Kashmir. Adding to that the aim is to come out with more factual reporting on Kashmir for the world. There are many media houses all over the Kashmir and India who report about Kashmir but this magazine has only to work under the slogan of “report your story by yourself ”. The magazine helped people to get the view and knowledge of various aspects of the Jammu and Kashmir. As it reports about Kashmir and its different areas it helps locals to know about their land and surroundings. The focus is always on the best writing and factual reporting. Students, writers, poets, photographers, artists and journalists are wholeheartedly welcome to contribute for this magazine by sending their piece of work. The magazine had been successful in just five months of its launch. It has been recommended by some authors and journalists. It was recommended by Mirza Waheed, author of a novel, The Collaborator, in his interview with Al-Jazeera. TKW is also present on social platforms and they are also open for debate or comments from people on their stories.