THE HAGUE - The Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science (OCW) has started a survey among members of the press on the BES islands. This research is being carried out on behalf of OCW by Renske Pin of independent research firm RE-Quest. The aim of the research is to map out the needs and advice for strengthening the media landscape on the BES islands. With the results, OCW can help set up, for example, training courses and an incentive fund for journalism. The survey is done online and is anonymous.
The survey is part of a more extensive process, in which the media landscape of the BES islands is briefly mapped on the basis of UNESCO's Media Development Indicators. In addition, an (online) meeting is organized in which the results of the exploration and survey are shared with the press and with the participants, and brainstorms are held to discuss together the further elaboration of a Media Development Plan and Training Program.
Special attention is given to exploring the possibilities of setting up an incentive fund for journalism on the BES islands. “The UNESCO media research projects in Curaçao and Aruba learn that journalism on the islands has to deal with influence from politics and commerce, which leads to self-censorship. The initiation of training courses and activities (with money) from the ministries (certainly on a small scale) can appear against the independence of journalists who follow these courses”, explains media researcher Renske Pin. This project will first focus on Saba, Sint Eustatius and Bonaire, where possible cooperation and exchange will be sought with Curaçao, Aruba and Sint Maarten.
Journalists and members of the press working on Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba are invited to complete the online survey via the invitation via e-mail or via the link: www.tinyurl.com/SurveyPressBES.