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Partners > Asia > Jagaran Media Center

Jagaran Media Center




The Jagaran Media Center (JMC) was set up in 2000 by journalists from the Dalit community in Nepal. The organization seeks to eliminate discrimination by providing social justice, peace, and establishing human rights. Ultimately, it is aimed at achieving and equal society and eliminating all forms of racial and caste-based discrimination in Nepal. 


Since its establishment, JMC has been active in raising the issues of Dalits locally, nationally, and internatioally. Via numerous programs, JMC creates awareness amongst Dalits and non-Dalits about caste-based discrimination. JMC uses various media to achieve its goals, including reporting and disseminating regular e-bulletins on cases of Dalit abuses.

The JMC Campaign has been launched! Learn more about the Partner Campaign to combat discrimination in Nepal.



In 2000, Dalit journalists established JMC in response to the discrimination that their community has faced throughout history, and which continues to be perpetuated. The Dalit community is the lowest strata in the caste system that existed in South Asia throughout history, and it comprises an estimated 22% of Nepal's population.

Today, members of the Dalit community face discriminatory practices with regards to access to public resources including social, political, religious, and economic institutions. Despite an official repeal of discriminatory laws in 1963, little has been done to improve living conditions for the Dalit community. Almost half of Dalit live below the poverty line, literacy rates are 23% compared to the national average of 54%, and they remain largely unrepresented in the bureaucracy, legislature, and political parties. 

Using various forms of journalism, JMC strives to combat caste-based discrimination by empowering talented Dalit journalists, writers, artists, and professionals, and generating local and global awareness of Dalit issues. JMC also organizes campaigns, assemblies, and protests as means for placing pressure on the government as well as Nepali society to address issues of discrimination and social exclusion. (Source: JMC)

For more information on the Dalit, visit AP's Global Issues page concerning Monitoring Caste Discrimination.





JMC puts out an e-bulletin, which is archived on their website. Visit AP's resources section to view the contents of each e-bulletin with links to the full stories on JMC's website.
JMC publishes reports about their various training and workshop events.
In 2008, AP sent Peace Fellows Heather Gilberds and Jes Therkelsen to work with JMC.  Read Heather's blog and Jes's blog

In 2007, AP sent Peace Fellows Ted Samuel and Devin Greenleaf to work with JMC. Read Ted's blog and Devin's blog.
In 2006, AP sent Peace Fellows Nicole Cordeau and Stacy Spivey to work with JMC. Read Nicole's blog and Stacy's blog.
In 2004, Iain Guest visited Nepal and reported on caste discrimination.
JMC's website hosts several of the organization's pictures in their photo gallery






Outreach Partners

  • Nepal Press Institute
  • Dalit NGO Federation
  • Juna Uttham Pratsthan (JUP)
  • Feminist Dalit Organization (FEDO)
  • Dalit Welfare Organization (DWO)
  • Nepal National Dalit Social Welfare Organization (NNDSWO)
  • Federation of Nepal Journalist
  • ALHURED Nepal, Advocacy Forum
  • Collective Campaign for Peace
  • National Human rights Commission
  • 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
  • Self-reliance Development Alliance
  • Kathmandu Training Center
  • 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 Organization, 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 Organization, Dhankuta
  • Nepal Journalist Federation, Kavre


For more information about networking with JMC, please email them.



AP Peace Fellow, Devin Greenleaf, has helped JMC build a slideshow featuring their journalists who contribute to the organization's e-bulletin.
You can subscribe to JMC's e-bulletin by visiting this website.



 

 

Contact:
Buddha Nagar,
Post Box No.19619
Kathmandu, Nepal
Phone: +977-1-4780005
Email JMC

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