China issued on Tuesday its first ever handbook to guide its NGOs on how to ally with the media in achieving their objectives.
The 200-page guide, entitled "Media Handbook for Grassroots NGOs" is expected to give an impetus to the country's NGOs, and even its fledgling civil society.
It is also a significant step indicating that media could play an increasing surveillance role in China's national development.
The guidance was jointly developed by the China Association for NGO Cooperation (CANGO ) and Germany's Heinrich Böll Foundation, which is affiliated with the German Green Party and works for similar goals as CANGO to promote international understanding, civil society and sustainable development.
The book uses 20 cases to demonstrate the failures and successes in NGOs' media work; lists nearly 80 media which have been actively reporting social welfare issues in China, and highlights nearly 500 NGO websites and blogs.
NGO staff across the country will get free copies of the handbook, whose online version is also free for Internet users to download.
CANGO Secretary General Haoming Huang said: "It is an important approach to enhance NGOs' capacity by building an interactive partnership with the media. The media could also act as a supervisor for NGOs' growth."
International NGOs hold media communications as a core component of their activities and have already developed mature systems to cooperate with the media, the Heinrich Böll Foundation says on its site.
"However, in China, both NGOs and the media are undergoing a process of maturing. Especially for local grassroots NGOs, there is a lack of knowhow and facilities for how to work together with the media," it adds.
A paper carried by China's official Xinhua News Agency points out that the Internet, as a communication platform, has helped China's civil society identify the issues of general concern, though at the same time it does not help build a strong civil society due to its users' anonymity and exchange of irrational content.
NGOs are mushrooming in China and engage in a wide range of areas. There are at least 3 million NGOs across China, and they are playing an increasingly important role between the government and markets, says CANGO.
However, NGOs in China still have a long way to go, to build themselves to be pressure groups and become more involved in national development. Inexperience in planning and management, and shortage of financial and expertise support are the key factors impeding their expansion.
Copyright Dongying Wang
3 comments:
Wang what I believe is " It is our work that make us more powerful and not the publicity alone".
Good work is always appreciated and will draw everyones attention towards it.So if NGOs in China are true and committed then doors will open automatically.
No doubt media plays a key role in the country's growth,but there will be no progress without good vision.
Great blog. Keep up the reporting. It's interesting to see reports that aren't seen in the western media. Good research too
Incisive, intelligent and well written, Dong you are my flying cloud into the Chninese media world. The BBC should have you on the payroll now.
Focus on peaking Sparkling Water
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