FocusLiberiaThe New School Practicum

Project group:Michelle BettonCarolina HernandezTherese Vana

May 2009 Michael Waite

The Purpose

Concept report and mock-up of Focus Liberia

Webzine would:Solicit articles, give assignments to roster of Liberian journalists

Feature photographic essays/ videos, podcasts, iReports, & streaming radio

Shortcomings in Liberian media

Why a Webzine?October 2008- site visits,

workshops, seminars in Liberia

Weak media infrastructure (print, broadcast, digital)

Digital media potential to reach larger audience

Support modernization of media sector

Provide unbiased journalism to ensure transparency, accountability, good governance

2011 elections

About Liberia

First Liberian Civil War 1989-1996

Second Liberian Civil War 1999-2003

250,000 killed; nearly 1 million displaced out of 2.4 million population

Most major business destroyed, badly damaged; most foreign investors, businesses left

About LiberiaBefore Civil War: 1816- modern political

history began1847- Republic of Liberia Between 1952-1957,

economic growth rate averaged 15%, higher than any country besides Japan

After Civil War: 2005-Ellen Johnson

Sirleaf elected first female African president

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf

MethodologyPhase I

Terms of reference, plan of work, timeline, research Liberia

Phase IIComparative Study & Analysis of

17 sites & technical workInterviews

MethodologyPhase III

Concept Report containing pertinent information and recommendations

Mock-up Focus Liberia developed in collaboration with Parsons web designer

The Future, Great Opportunity!

Work in progress, Fall Practicum?

Writing Grant ProposalWordPress knowledge

ChallengesLimited Internet

connectivityLack of computer skillsDesign skills

List of donors, potential management, board of editors, other contributors.

Thank You Q&A

Project prepared on behalf of Michael Keating, Senior Fellow and Associate Director at the Center of Democracy and Development at University of Massachusetts, Boston

Barbara Camus Faculty Advisor