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Tips
and more for journalists A new information centre opened in Macedonia to assist journalists in their coverage of environmental issues in South Eastern Europe (SEE). With its own webpage at www.repc.net, the
Regional Environmental Press Centre provides new information
resources for journalists, including a searchable database of
environmental experts and a regular e-mail tip sheet for
reporters covering the area's environment. The database of experts, called the Media Source Directory, allows journalists to quickly identify and contact professionals with expertise in a wide range of specialties in environmental science and sustainable development. SEE Environment Watch is a twice-monthly tip sheet based on submissions from the various SEE country bureaus of the Regional Environmental Press Centre. The tip sheet offers journalists a collection of interesting and important environmental news stories that are relevant to all the countries in the region, explains editor Slagjana Nasteska. The webpage presents content in a user friendly way and is easily navigated. It offers a search engine that can be used as a knowledge database on environmental issues, according to Elenko Elenkov, a journalist at the IT section of Capital, a news weekly in Bulgaria. "The site offers comprehensive newswire-style information which always cites its sources. Even though it currently has little content, the structure of this site will allow it to grow into a good online resource for environmental information in eastern Europe," Elenkov said. The Regional Environmental Press Centre is a joint initiative of the Regional Environmental Center for Central and Eastern Europe and the Skopje-based Environmental Press Centre, funded by the government of the Netherlands. The overall goal of site is to improve the quality of environmental news reporting in the region as part of the Regional Environmental Reconstruction Programme for SEE. Polish laws online Polish laws and practices regarding access to environmental information and public participation in the legislative process is online at www.mos.gov.pl/aarhus/index_eng.html. Hand books on environmental impact assessment (EIA)procedures and access to environmental information are available in PDF format. The English language resources collection is part of an Aarhus Convention website maintained by the Polish Ministry of Environment. New Polish legislation requires the promotion of such information electronically, which is a great step forward, said Magdolna Toth-Nagy, head of the Public Participation Programme at the REC. The posted legislation can serve as a model for other lawmakers in the region, Toth-Nagy said. Baltic marine environmental atlas The Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission (HELCOM)recently posted the Baltic marine environmental atlas at www.helcom.fi/atlas.html. Visitors to the site are invited to join HELCOM's Baltic Safari, take a walk around the Baltic and visit the 62 Baltic Sea Protected Areas. They can browse for other environmental issues, promises the Information Secretary of the HELCOM Ulrike Hassink. HELCOM is an intergovernmental cooperative effort between Denmark, Estonia, the European Community, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Russia and Sweden. It aims to protect the marine environment of the Baltic Sea. REC web site: Gateway to CEE environment The web site of the Regional Environmental Center for Central and Eastern Europe (REC) offers a portal to environmental information in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). A new feature of the site allows users to search the REC's library holdings online. The site also offers: Databases: Nearly a dozen different regionwide databases help you find environmental experts, environmental NGOs, government officials dealing with the environment and other contacts and basic information about the CEE environment. REC publications: In addition to general information about the REC itself, you will find all of the REC's publications, searchable directories and project information. Find it all at: http://www.rec.org. |
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