Belgium: King honours KBR68H
The Belgian king presented Indonesian radio news agency KBR68H with the 2008-2009 King Baudouin International Development Award at a ceremony at the Royal Palace in Brussels on 19 May.
Santoso, founder and director of KBR68H, received the award for his company's "contribution to a sustainable development based on the strengthening of democracy, tolerance and citizen participation, by producing and disseminating qualitative information through a network of local radio stations and by promoting professional ethics in the media world". In addition to increased visibility and publicity, the award carries a prize of 150,000 Euros.
MDLF nominated KBR68H - a network of over 630 radio stations dedicated to promoting democracy, tolerance and development - for the award, whose previous winners include the Grameen Bank, the Landless Peasants' Movement of Brazil and the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan.
Watch the King Baudouin Foundation's short video profile of KBR68H or visit the Foundation's wesbite to view the full version.
Read further coverage of KBR68H by the Jakarta Post, The Australian and Media Helping Media.
Leave a comment:
BackInvest in press freedom
It's easy to invest in MDLF's work, providing independent news businesses with the financing they need to hold governments to account, expose corruption and fight for justice for all.
Track record
From 1996 to 31 December 2009, MDLF has provided $94.6 million in affordable financing, including:
• $82.3 million in loans and equity investments;
• $1.1 million in technical assistance grants;
• $10.7 million in other grants;
• $0.5 million through Digital Kiosk, the secure payment service for independent media.
MDLF has financed 206 projects for 72 independent media companies in 24 countries and has written off only 1.98% of the total loaned and invested.
MDLF ended December 2009 with a portfolio of approximately $38.3 million in outstanding loans and investments.
