Provide a reliable and credible platform for civil society organisations to communicate, understand and campaign on civic space issues
The Civic Space Monitor (CSM) research collaboration will provide high quality, verified information on civic space in a way that is both globally comparable but also nuanced enough to take account of complex local realities. It will contribute to fact-based discussion about the global crisis of shrinking civil society space. At its core the CSM will provide a reliable and credible platform for civil society organisations to communicate, understand and campaign on civic space issues.
Primarily a research study based on secondary sources across several countries, relevant CSOs (more than one for each country) will draft a report on the state of democracy in their respective countries based on three basic parameters--freedom of association, freedom of peaceful assembly and freedom of expression.
CSM information will be built and triangulated across eight streams of data on civic space. The streams of data should be published print media, audio, audio-visual media, social media, blogs etc. Guiding documents from data sources will be chosen based on the following characteristics:
• Media house is a member of a self-regulatory body/complaints process/code of conduct.
• The media house has a commitment to fair and balanced coverage.
• The publication has a track record of covering civic space and civil society issues and developments in a way that does not promote any particular political interest.
• The media house is not aligned to any political party/movement.
• If the media house is state owned, it must be properly constituted as a genuine public broadcaster with an independent board and editorial freedom.
• Publishes information for free online.
• Maintains a high standard of reporting, including the avoidance of publication of hearsay, defamatory statements or the publication of single-source articles.
Geographical spread
Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Nepal, Pakistan, Singapore, Sri Lanka
Key outputs
Regular updates will be posted online on conditions for civil society in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Nepal, Pakistan, Singapore, Sri Lanka.
Updates will consist of brief submissions of narrative and quantitative information, together with supporting documentation where appropriate. Each update will provide a description of the conditions for civil society in the country in question during the period covered by the update.
Year/Period
May 2016 to April 2017
Client
CIVICUS
