Regional : Building the Capacity of Journalists from Developing Member Countries in Asia and the Pacific

Energy / Energy sector development and institutional reform

Finance / Finance sector development

Information and communication technology / ICT strategy and policy, and capacity development

Public sector management / Public administration

Asia and the Pacific has made great strides in poverty reduction and economic growth in the last 50 years. However, there are unfinished development agendas. Issues such as poverty and vulnerability, rising inequality, climate change, growing environmental pressures, and large infrastructure deficits remain to be addressed. Emerging trends, such as technological advancements, urbanization, and changing demographics present challenges. In addition, with developing Asia becoming increasingly integrated with the global economy and its economic influence continuing to grow, the need and demand for Asian perspectives and presence on global issues are rising. Given the size of Asia and the Pacific, achieving major global commitments such as the SDGs will depend critically on the success of the region and its people.

Turning global commitments from aspirations into achievements will require the understanding and active participation of all sectors of society. Limited awareness and understanding prevent stakeholders from engaging and acting on the SDGs. In order to promote urgent action to tackle development issues, awareness and knowledge should be raised among a wide range of stakeholders, including local and national government officials, policymakers, regulators, civil society organizations, corporates, and the general public.

Media, both traditional and nontraditional, has a significant influence on public beliefs, attitudes, opinions, values, and behavior. Media is one of the most influential means of transmitting knowledge and information to a broad public audience. The power of media can be used to raise awareness of Strategy 2030 priorities, including the SDGs, and promote positive actions.

DMC journalists are key actors in this effort, as they can influence the understanding of millions of readers, listeners, and viewers daily. However, DMC journalists face limitations and constraints. Many lack resources and capacity to adequately cover a wide range of development issues. They have limited opportunities to study, report, and write about development issues. As the media landscape rapidly evolves and the complexity of development issues deepens, many journalists lack the skills and exposure to relevant information, context, and nuances required to make sound judgements and produce well-informed and balanced news stories.

The proposed capacity building programs will continue and enhance ADB's support to DMC journalists. The programs will deepen journalism skills and broaden DMC journalists' understanding of increasingly complex economic and social development issues related to Strategy 2030 priorities, including the SDGs. DMC journalists will be provided opportunities to engage and network with a broad range of actors, and access knowledge and information on a wide range of development issues that are intertwined across sectoral and thematic areas as well as across borders. This will enable them to improve the quality of their reporting, expand public awareness, and enhance public dialogue on development issues.

Informed public debate in DMCs on economic and social development issues, including the Sustainable Development Goals, has been expanded

DMC journalists' coverage of complex social and economic development issues has improved

Journalists' capacity to report on complex development issues strengthened

Knowledge sharing and discussions on media and development issues enhanced