Panos South Asia seeks to create space for a diversity and multiplicity of voices, especially those of the most marginalised, in a fast shrinking and rapidly globalising media environment. Through its Media Development programme, it aims to enhance inclusiveness within a democratic structure in communication processes, media structures and media ownership patterns.

At another level, the programme seeks to demystify information technology advancements and make critical information accessible to all, especially the voiceless. In short, Panos’ Media Development programme is committed to a democratic media space. This should enable ordinary men and women to frame their own development agendas and hold the implementers accountable.

PSA’s media development programme rests on two pillars. One, a state-of-the-art media centre that provides training for journalists in the region, by using cutting edge IT and Communication tools. It also helps trainees to cover the other Panos themes of Public Health, Conflict, Globalisation and Environment in a manner that fulfils our mandate of fostering public debate, pluralism and democracy.

 The second is a proposed bi-annual State of the Media Report for the region that will cast a critical eye on the media and map out trends, themes, interests, ethics, ownership patterns and the media’s business and profit making aspects Versus its public interest role.
Strategically, PSA’s Media Development Programme is focused on working increasingly with the regional language media in South Asian countries; supporting and promoting radio and its development as the most democratic, cheap and easily accessible media for the region; promoting public interest broadcasting in television and radio across the region and continuing to work with the English language print media because of its influence and impact on decision makers in the government and civil society.