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Support to the Syria Times Newspaper

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Implementing Partner: Ministry of Information
Practice Area: Democratic Governance
Total Budget: USD 900,000 (Ministry of Information ($600, 000), UNDP TRAC ($100, 000), UNDP Cost-Sharing (200,000 USD)
Total Expenditures to Date (Dec 2009): US$ 170, 000
Duration: October 2008 – 2010 (initial 24 months extended)
Status: Ongoing
Location: Syrian Arab Republic

Description / Overview:

This project aims to provide an influential and widespread English-daily newspaper to English-speaking Syrians and foreigners seeking Syrian news by providing support to the Syria Times newspaper through designing a more effective internal structure, working on capacity development for staff and re-designing the physical layout of the newspaper.

Cross-Cutting Themes:

ICT


Objectives:

While the project intends to fulfill its objectives within national media institutional development goals expressed in the Syrian Government’s 10th Five Year Plan, UNDAF and CPAP, it will also produce a model for future media development projects in Syria. This project will be executed by the Syrian Government in collaboration with UNDP.


Target Beneficiaries:
  • Staff and Production team of the Syria Times Newspaper
  • Ministry of Information and its corresponding press units and departments
  • Citizens and expatriates living in Syria as audience to English media outlets in Syria

Implementation Strategy:
  • Conduct a broad capacity assessment of organizational structure, human resources and staff capabilities of the Syria Times
  • Develop and present a comprehensive re-launch strategy for the Syria Times based on the capacity assessment
  • Re-structure staff and production team at the Newspaper
  • Design and conduct training for the editorial staff at the Syria Times
  • Conceptualize a new design and corresponding PR campaign to re-launch the newspaper

Achievements / Current Status:

As of February 2010:
  • UNDP contracted Al Akhbar Lebanon to conduct a comprehensive and complete capacity assessment of the Syria Times Newspaper 2009.
  • UNDP and the Ministry of Information will now work to implement the re-launch strategy provided from Al Akhbar.
  • UNDP is currently working on preparing and equipping the new location for the Syria Times Newspaper and will begin implementation of the second output “Operationalization of the Al Akhbar Assessment” in coordination with the Ministry of Information.
Project Document:
 
UNDP Project Management: Governance Team
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Last update of project information: February 2010