Jagaran Media Centre (JMC)

The JMC, through the media, seeks to improve the social status of Dalits in Nepal, and to campaign for their inclusion in the peace process.

Overview

The Jagaran Media Centre was established by Dalit (untouchable) journalists. The organisation appeals for the elimination of discrimination, the provision of social justice and peace and the establishment of human rights at the national and international level.

The organisation aims to:

• minimise structural violence;
• create a just and peaceful society;
• build the capacity of the Dalit people in the media, conflict transformation and peacebuilding sectors;
• the organisation is committed to ensuring inclusive participation of Dalits in the peace process.

The Jagaran Media Centre operates with the aim of minimising structural violence including caste discrimination and especially against Dalits. In addition, the organisation has highlighted the case of Dalit victims in the ongoing armed conflict and provided rehabilitation services to the victims. The organisation has launched a radio programme (through already established radio and FM stations) and a public hearing about the cases of Dalits in the conflict. The formation of the ‘Dalit Pressure Group for Peace Talks’ has facilitated the preparation of an agenda for dialogue between the Dalit and both of the conflicting parties. The organisation has conducted capacity building programmes such as journalism training for Dalits to improve their situation. It is also making a television series on Dalit issues called Dalan (‘Exploitation’) which has already received media coverage.

Geographical Area of Operation

Kathmandu and 40 districts across Nepal.

Funding Resources

United Nations Development Fund: Support for Peace and Development Initiatives (UNDP-SPDI); Department for International Development (DFID) under the Community Literacy Development (CLD); European Union (EU); Swiss Development Corporation (SDC); Doen Foundation and Action Aid.

What Further Information Would You Like?

JMC would be interested to hear about any issues relating to the Dalit and the peace process; about similar issues that have faced excluded peoples in other conflict areas around the world; and any information about the past and current position of the Dalit in the mainstream media.

What New Contacts Would You Like To Make?

People and organisations working on Dalit issues during and after the conflict, and on media and Dalit issues in different parts of the world.

Associated Organisations

International Partners:

• Action Aid Nepal www.actionaidnepal.org
• Care International www.carenepal.org
• German Development Service (DED) www.ded.org.np
• UNDP www.undp.org.np
• Swiss Development Cooperation (SDC) www.sdc.admin.ch
• DFID www.dfid.org.np
• European Commission www.europa.eu.int

National Partners:

• Nepal Press Institute
• Dalit NGO Federation www.deip.com.np / dnfnepal.org
• Juna Uttham Pratsthan (JUP) www.jupdalitmedia.org ,
• Feminist Dalit Organisation (FEDO)
• Dalit Welfare Organisation (DWO)
• Nepal National Dalit Social Welfare Organisation (NNDSWO)
• Federation of Nepal Journalist www.fnjnepal.org
• ALHURED Nepal, Advocacy Forum
• Collective Campaign for Peace www.cocap.org.np
• National Human rights Commission www.nhrc-nepal.org
• National Dalit Commission
• National Women Commission
• Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalities
• Nepal Suppressed Oppressed and Dalit Upliftment Development Committee
• Dalit Literature and Cultural Academy
• Martin Chauthari 
• Conscious Media Alliance www.cmfnepal.org ,
• Self-reliance Development Alliance
• Kathmandu Training Centre 
• Various daily, Weekly newspaper and radio and TV institutions www.nepalnews.com.
• Local Partner organisations:
• Nepal Journalist Federation Kanchanpur
• Nepal National Welfare-Society Association, Kanchanpur
• Far-west Media Development Center Kanchanpur
• Nepal Journalist Federation, Dang
• Nepal Journalist Federation Surkhet
• Human rights and Peace Society, Surkhet
• Nepal Journalist Federation, Butwal
• Himalayan News Committee
• Feminist of Dalit Organisation, Butwal
• Butwal Municipality
• Nepal Journalist Federation, Palpa
• Nepal Journalist Federation, Nawalparasi
• Nepal Journalist Federation, Pokhara
• Nepal Journalist Federation, Baglung
• Dalit Community Development Center, Baglung
• Nepal Journalist Federation, Ilam
• Nepal Journalist Federation, Dhankuta
• Feminist of Dalit Organisation, Dhankuta
• Nepal Journalist Federation, Kavre