CAMP begins new life as Sourcefabric

On 23rd April 2010, the Center for Advanced Media–Prague (CAMP) became a wholly autonomous organisation, Sourcefabric, dedicated to enabling quality journalism through open source software and professional services. Sourcefabric is established as a Czech non-profit organisation with its headquarters in Prague and branches in Berlin and Toronto.

MDLF founded CAMP in 1998 as its new-media arm. It had recently become clear that securing CAMP’s long-term future outside of MDLF would be the most effective way to provide it with the independence it needed to develop further. Sourcefabric has secured funding for at least three years from a private Swiss foundation.

CAMP has implemented some truly outstanding projects over the past decade, providing valuable support to independent media in countries as varied as Indonesia, Belarus and Sierra Leone,” said MDLF Managing Director Sasa Vucinic. “Spinning it off as Sourcefabric, an entirely independent organisation with funding secured for at least three years, is a testament to all it has achieved."

Sourcefabric will take over the development of the open source software MDLF originally commissioned and released under the Campware brand. This includes the acclaimed Campsite content management system for media organisations and the Campcaster radio playout and automation system. "We will greatly increase development of software development projects targeted at independent media," said Sourcefabric Executive Director Sava Tatić. "Sourcefabric's goal is to make the best software for media organisations, be they in Bamako or Basel. News media are just realising the value, flexibility and power of open source, and we plan to firmly entrench it in the industry mainstream," he added.

"Independence allows us to continue the work of the past decade and more, but with greater scope and a new organisational structure," said Douglas Arellanes, Sourcefabric's managing director for clients and services. "Sourcefabric will offer a range of services to media organisations including consultation, software development, implementation, technical support and training, while continuing to develop some of the leading software for journalists, including Campcaster for radio stations and Campsite for news websites." The home of this expanded mission, a new website and community platform, will be launched on May 10th at www.sourcefabric.org.

With its headquarters in New York City, Media Development Loan Fund is a mission-driven investment fund for independent news outlets in countries with a history of media oppression. Through low-cost capital, solutions and know-how, it helps journalists in challenging environments build sustainable businesses around quality journalism. More than 32 million people receive news and information from MDLF clients.

For press information on Sourcefabric contact Micz Flor, from the Berlin branch of Sourcefabric. For further information on MDLF contact Peter Whitehead, Director of Communications.

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