DEVELOPING TIMES: Freedom of the press...read the next post too..

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Rural Empowerment Initiatives (REI) mission is to collaborate in the reduction of poverty through investment in rural areas and training of local people.

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REI's vision is to treat every created being with dignity, respect and love. We strive to work with those most in need by empowering people to recognize their God given talents, enabling them to make the world a better place and providing them hope for the future.

Our Principles
REI believes that all people are created equal.
REI will develop small to medium businesses (SMEs) as one approach to reach those most in need by creating jobs that build the economy in rural areas.
REI's partner businesses will be led, managed and majority owned by local people.
REI will always seek a triple bottom line of economic, spiritual and social transformation.
REI seeks to build sustainable community-oriented business models.
REI's focus of support is to the economically disadvantaged.
REI will seek attractive market and growth opportunities.
REI will incubate pilot projects with capable management.
REI believes in collaboration. We seek partners whose strengths complement our own in an effort to build well-rounded projects of lasting economic value for the communities in which we work.
REI is inspired by the life and ministry of Jesus Christ, and is therefore rooted in the Christian faith.

Sunday, June 3, 2007

Freedom of the press...read the next post too..

Senegal erects multi-million dollar press house

afrol News, 11 May - Macky Sall, the Senegalese Prime Minister laid the foundation stone of a multi-million dollar press house for the country’s media fraternity.

The six-storey building project equipped with the latest technological devices is expected to complete in 18 months time. It cost the Senegalese government CFA 5 billions to erect the edifice. It will be erected in the former city of police in the capital, Dakar.

Senegal is among few African countries that give yearly subvention to their media. Since he came to power in 2000, President Wade has twice increased the annual press subvention from CFA 100, 200 and now 400 millions.

The Senegalese Prime Minister viewed the project as booster for press freedom in one of Africa’s biggest democracies. He said it has proven President Wade’s commitment to developing freedom of the press and expression in the country.

Mr Sall admitted the existence of sporadic frictions between the government and media. He however said a strong press is needed to stimulate democracy in the country. “This is why we want the press to enjoy freedom so that along the way, people become educated,” he said.

He believed the edifice will serve as an important venue for fruitful exchange of knowledge and experience among journalists and communication experts in Africa as a whole.

During his opposition days, President Wade had set up some political publications in Senegal. The papers included Le Democrate, Le Citoyen, Takussan and Sopi, which was created in 1988. However, all these papers have now gone into extinction.

Dr Bacar Dia, the Minister of Information said the structure will no doubt turn “our press more modern, free and independent.”

The Chairman of Walfadjri Group, Sidy Lamine Niasse, who spoke on behalf of the journalism fraternity, commended President Wade for the magnificent project. He also dispelled the widely believed notion that the media has reduced itself as opposition mouthpiece. “That’s not the case,” Mr Niasse said.

By Musa Saidykhan

© afrol News