Media’s Role in Strengthening Accountability

Media is not always part of the conversation when it comes to the overall development picture. To ensure that media is incorporated into the post-2015 agenda, interested groups secured a side meeting at the first High-Level Meeting of the Global Partnership for Effective Development Co-operation in April. In this webinar, the panelists discussed the results of this meeting and highlighted successful cases where media development projects had lasting impact on government accountability.

Mark Nelson is a former journalist and development specialist who has written extensively on aid effectiveness, governance and the role of media in development. He joined CIMA from the World Bank, where he spent 17 years as a governance and capacity development expert. Before moving to Washington in 2004, he spent eight years in Paris as head of the World Bank Institute’s European office, where he focused on democratic governance, including the role of the media. Prior to joining the World Bank, Mr. Nelson was the European diplomatic correspondent for the Wall Street Journal.

Quinn McKew is the Deputy Executive Director at Article 19. She is responsible for global operations and governance including the integration of 8 regional offices and 50+ regional partner organizations. Quinn has a Masters of Business Administration from Georgetown University focusing on global non-profit management and a BA in International Relations and the Environment from Stanford University. Prior to joining ARTICLE 19, she worked for the largest non-profit management consultancy in Europe, and was a campaign manager for leading environmental organizations in the United States.

Magnus Ag is Advocacy and Communications Officer at the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). He has also worked as head of section in the Danish Ministry for Science, Technology, and Innovation, represented the Danish Government in EU-level negotiations in Brussels and wrote speeches for the Danish minister for science. Early in his career, and compiled the daybook at the national Danish news agency, Ritzaus Bureau. He holds a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in political science from the University of Copenhagen.

The Center for International Media Assistance (CIMA) raises the visibility and improves the effectiveness of media development around the world. The Center provides information, builds networks, conducts research, and highlights the indispensable role media play in the creation and development of sustainable democracies. CIMA convenes donors, implementers, academics and other stakeholders in the media development community. Housed at the National Endowment for Democracy, CIMA coordinates working groups and discussions, and commissions reports and commentary on issues critical to the field.