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The Group of Experts on the establishment of SAARC Media Development (SMD) Fund at its meeting discussed the modalities and framework for the setting up of the Fund. The SMD Fund will be initiated with a seed money of US $ 1,00,000. The amount may be arranged from one or all of the following sources:
(1) Contribution by the member countries based on the agreed formula for the SAARC;
(2) Voluntary contribution from member countries;
(3) Contributions from donor agencies e.g. UNDP, World Bank etc. The sustainability of the fund may also be supported by voluntary contributions from private donors within the member countries.
The meeting proposed a rotational secretariat for a period of three years. The Secretariat would receive projects/proposals, process them and circulate them to the members of the Governing Board and undertake fund raising activities, besides coordinating and holding of the governing board meetings. The Governing Board will comprise of the Information Secretaries of the SAARC countries or their representatives and a representative of the SAARC Secretariat.
The idea of SMD Fund was mooted by the Information Ministers of SAARC countries as part of the agenda to promote media activities and greater flow of information in the SAARC region on all issues of common concern to the member countries. The second Conference of the Editors and Working Journalists of SAARC countries at its meeting in October, 2004 had recommended the meeting of an Expert Group to finalize the modalities related to the creation and operation of the SMD Fund. The SMD Fund is aimed at helping to promote SAARC ideals within and outside the region and to further developmental news production and reporting by mainstream print and electronic media of the member countries. Exchange of visits of media personnel within the region, Scholarships/fellowships for media persons, holding of seminars, workshops and institution of SAARC media awards are some of the activities earmarked for the SMD Fund.
The proposals of the Experts Group will be considered by the Information Ministers of SAARC countries at their 5th meeting this year, for a final decision for putting them into operation.
The Experts’ Group meeting was inaugurated by Secretary, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Shri Navin B. Chawla yesterday. Smt. Shakuntala Mahawal, PIO and representatives from SAARC member countries, except Maldives, and the SAARC Secretariat took part in the two-day deliberations.
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