Regional Media Forums

Going past government rhetoric and identifying the real-life consequences that result from government subsidies requires in-depth investigative journalism. Done well, investigations that follow the money trail make interesting reading. Done really well, this work can trigger public debate and ultimately even transform public policy. The Global Subsidies Initiative’s Regional Media Forums are designed to help provide journalists with the tools and resources required to undertake investigative projects on the linkages between subsidies and sustainable development.

  • Mumbai, India

    On March 26-28, 2007, The Global Subsidies Initiative (GSI) and the Forum of Environmental Journalists of India (FEJI) organized a Media Forum in Mumbai, India. The forum, which brought together 25 journalists from across India, took as its focus the role of subsidies in contributing to the agrarian crisis in India, with particular reference to the suicides of farmers. From this symptom, speakers moved to a deeper analysis of the crisis facing India’s agrarian economy, and the role that subsidies have played in alleviating or exacerbating the situation.

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  • Alexandria, Egypt

    On 17-19 April the GSI held its Middle East/North Africa Regional Media Forum in Alexandria, Egypt. The forum focused on food security, and the role that government biofuel policies were having in driving up food prices.

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  • Alajuela, Costa Rica

    On 27-29 March, in Alajuela, Costa Rica, the GSI held its second Regional Media Forum, in partnership with the INCAE School of Business and the Inter Press Service Latin America. Some 15 journalists from across Latin America were briefed on the role that subsidies have played as the primary instrument in promoting the biofuels sector. Spanning three full days, the Forum featured sessions by leading experts in Latin America, presentations by representatives from industry, civil society and government, and advice from top journalists in the region.

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  • Pretoria, South Africa

    On 3-4 November, the Global Subsidies Initiative held a regional media forum for journalists in Southern Africa, in partnership with the South Africa Institute for International Affairs, the Trade Knowledge Network, and the Inter Press Service. The Forum brought together journalists from across Southern Africa to analyze the ways in which subsidy policies have strengthened, or weakened, food security in the region.

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  • Bangkok, Thailand

    On 23-24 July 2009 the GSI held its fifth media forum. Held in Bangkok in partnership with the Southeast Asia bureau of the Inter Press Service, the forum brought together 13 journalists from across the region and a variety of energy and climate change experts. The forum featured an ambitious agenda that centered on energy and climate change policies in South East Asia, followed by a second day dedicated to developing creative journalistic articles on related themes.

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