The role of the media is enormous in waging the war of ideas. Given its importance as the fourth pillar, it requires high quality of ethical and informed reporting.

The media is now expanding the space it provides to report on matters of concern to the average citizen: how does the government spend my money, what is the status of school education, health care facilities, electricity, water, infrastructure in other parts of the country and the world, how do international institutions affect my day to day life, what do I need to know about old policies and new ideas before adopting a new public policy? We see increasing number of instances, the stories broken by media houses are the force that have commanded and delivered an immediate response action by government.

Civil society organizations increasingly include number and quality of media coverage as an indicator of the success of their awareness and advocacy efforts. The social-economic-political tapestry of India is changing every day and there is a need for continuous reorientation on the nature, causes and consequences of social problems especially in the area of effectiveness and efficiency of public services in the country.

Therefore, for media professionals, a better understanding of public policy, how it is formulated and how to evaluate its impact on citizens enables them to better report on important social, political and economic issues. Increased knowledge sharing expands their horizon to challenge conventional solutions and explore innovative community and market-based solutions to public policy issues which can address the problems in the long-term.

Established on 15 August 1997, the Centre for Civil Society (CCS) is an independent, non-profit public policy think tank devoted to improving the quality of life for all citizens of India by reviving and reinvigorating civil society. Through its award winning research, outreach and advocacy, CCS is a resource for innovative community and market based ideas for critical public policy issues facing India today, particularly in the areas of education, livelihood, governance and environment. CCS targets students, policy makers, professors etc through its training workshops and seminars.

(CCS was ranked the top 8th Think Tank in Asia in 2008 by a study conducted by University of Pennsylvania.)

To expand its services to media, CCS is organizing a three-day residential Certificate Course on Public Policy for Journalists from Hindi media from 13-15 November 2009. As the first target group, we would like to work with journalists from Hindi media first, as they have a much larger readership and second, since they have limited opportunities for training and knowledge enhancement as compared to the English media. CCS experience in organizing workshops for students in Hindi as well as the recent launch of its Hindi web portal: www.azadi.me gives it the necessary foundation for this Course.

This Course is supported by the Friedrich Naumann-Stiftung für die Freiheit (FNF).

Overall Aim of the Course:
To increase the number and quality of ethical and informed reporting on public policy issues

Objectives of the Course:

1. To strengthen the understanding of the impact of public policy on citizens especially for the poor and the marginalised section of the society who face unintended consequences of ill-thought and conventional policies
2. To equip journalists with objective tools to understand and evaluate public policies so as to better distinguish between objective facts and subjective opinions
3. To create self-confidence in the power of individuals to create social change through their reporting
4. To build a network of media professionals who are keen to learn more about current trends and best practices to offer sound analyses of policy issues and innovative solutions

Key Benefits for Journalists:

1. A better understanding of the current trends and innovative solutions offered in key socio-economic issues with a special focus on the desired role of government, markets, civil society in improving the state of the country and providing access to quality services to all
2. A better understanding of sound public policy will give a critical and analytical edge to their day-to-day reporting
3. A forum for media practitioners to inquire, learn, and critically analyse key policy issues and explore solutions within a national and international context
4. An opportunity to engage with prominent speakers, experts, leaders from various sectors from other parts of India
5. An opportunity to share experiences, ideas and challenges with peer media professionals from other parts of the country
6. Access to the latest information in key public policy issues in social sector (CCS research and resources in areas of education, livelihood, governance and environment)

Key Benefits for Newspapers

1. Improved quality of reporting focused on in-depth analysis of core issues, thereby engaging the readers with realistic as well as innovative solutions
2. Increased opportunities to report ground-breaking stories as a force to require government response and action
3. Trained staff with a sound understanding of public policy principles and issues challenging conventional ways of thinking and reporting
4. Access to CCS research, resources, and experts in diverse sectors

Topics & Methodology
The themes addressed during the Course will include:

• Poverty Alleviation and Wealth Creation
• Governance: Accountability, Transparency and Delivery
• Role & Relevance of International Institutions: WTO, World Bank, IMF, UN
• Liberalisation and Globalisation: Livelihood Freedom for the Rich or the Poor?
• Education: Role of Choice and Competition
• Role of Hindi Media in Modern India
• Code of Ethics: Challenges for News Reporting
• Freedom of Press and of Information: Challenges & Strategies

The format of the Certificate Course will combine inputs from experts in the respective fields and participatory methodologies (group discussions, documentary screenings etc) to allow the journalists to also share their own experiences, ideas and challenges within the group.

Target Group & Participation Process
This Course is targeted towards middle level media professionals with some experience including Senior Correspondents, Feature Writers, Beat Reporters, Assistant/Sub-Editors).

You can download the Application Form which outlines the details of the application and selection process.

The Course is open to all Hindi print, electronic, radio and online media journalists who are welcome to apply directly with CCS. The discussions during the course will be in both Hindi and English so please take this into account while filing your applications. The course has been designed to make each session participatory and therefore available seats for the course has been restricted to only 25 people.

Please note that selected candidates will be required to participate for the entire duration of the Course at the end of which a Certificate in Public Policy will be awarded. CCS will cover the costs of boarding, lodging, return train travel (3 Tier AC) and local conveyance for the selected participants.