INDEPENDENT MEDIA

Media for Transparent Governance

Editors session -8

The last meeting of task force was organized on 8 December 2004.

Agenda:

1. Selenge, World Bank
2. Altantsetseg, Wold Bank
3. Sukhjagalmaa, UNDP
4. Bayartsetseg, Open Society Forum
5. Approval of media campaign strategy

The organizers invited international donors to meet task force and the above organizations kindly received our request.

WB representatives told about WB anti-corruption strategy and its priority in Mongolia. Journalists can use WB center of distance education through knowledge network. WB targets at government officials, some NGOs and media. WB Institute is more active on South East ASia and Pacific countries. WB in Mongolia is more focused on budget transparency, public discussion on budget planning and implementation and state procurement. 2 types of loans are provided for poverty education and strengthening of economic capacity. WB also works on building management capacity and promote Commission of State Department.

As said Ms. Sukhjargalmaa UNDP has spent app. 290 000 MT between 1997-2000 for mass media development, manly supporting Press Institute's activities in the provinces. UNDP is re-considering strategy in relation to formation of the Big Coalition Government as result of the last Parliamentarian Elections. Policy on governance is closely linked to poverty reduction. Public oversight is very important. Mass media will be a part of this. UNDP also focuses on administrative reforms. As part of National Anti-corruption programme, investigative journalism, raining and re-training of journalists are one of vital roles.

Open Society Forum has been cooperating with Globe International on development of freedom of information legislation and media self –regulation.