In this issue of the MDLF newsletter, we take a look at two loan funds set up in Indonesia and Russia by a radio news agency and a group of newspaper publishers.

Over the past year, MDLF clients Kantor Berita Radio 68H and the Association of Independent Regional Publishers have set up loan funds to provide regional independent news outlets with financing for small but vital projects. With MDLF support, the two funds have been quick to make an important contribution to media development in their regions.

We also examine how technology developments are changing news media - no one will escape the profound changes taking place - and review Campcaster open source radio software, designed specifically for stations in emerging democracies by the Center for Advanced Media–Prague.

Small loan funds make an impact in Russia and Indonesia

With specialist knowledge and low overheads, locally-managed loan funds are ideally placed to provide small amounts of financing to regional media businesses.

A radio news agency in Indonesia and a group of newspaper publishers in Russia have – with MDLF support – set up funds to provide small loans to independent news outlets with no other access to affordable financing. With 12 loans made in the first year, they are making an immediate impact. Read the full story here.

Technology is changing news media

Technology developments are changing how media businesses operate. They are driving changes in how people access news and how they interact with media companies and each other. It seems that old business models may no longer apply as cheap hardware, widespread Internet access and powerful mobile devices transform media consumption, revenues and production. At the same time, developments in print and broadcast technologies are revolutionising traditional media.

How can traditional media businesses in developing democracies compete in a hyper-competitive and uncertain world? As MDLF considers how it can help media take advantage of new digital opportunities, we invited a small group of technology experts to identify the major trends and outline the key questions that all media in transitional countries need to ask. Read more here.

Photo by Powerbooktrance

Open source software gives radio stations a helping hand

Most radio software is expensive, inflexible and designed for big commercial broadcasters in Europe and the US. Campcaster is the first software designed specifically for radio stations in developing democracies that allows them to playout “live” or at a scheduled later date, share programme files and archive material.

Better still, Campcaster – released by the Center for Advanced Media-Prague, MDLF’s new media arm – is open source, so it is free to download and free to modify to suit a radio station’s specific needs. It can also provide protection against authorities looking for an excuse to close down a station. Read more here.

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