Medialink's goal was to contribute to the strengthening of Asia-Australia understanding and relations and to contribute to the professional development of the media in the region. Medialink did this by facilitating links between media, through information and personnel exchanges.

Medialink was launched in December 1999 by The Asialink Centre at The University of Melbourne which was established in 1990 to promote a positive understanding of Asia in Australia and of Australia in Asia. Asialink does this through programs in education, the arts, public affairs, and the media. Asialink, which is a non-profit organisation, works with governments, academic institutions, arts bodies and corporations.

Medialink Fellowships for in-country residencies

Medialink offered fellowships for Asian media personnel to work in an Australian news organisation for 3 to 12 months, and similarly for Australian media to be exposed to Asian politics and culture as well as media technology and procedures by being attached to an Asian newsroom for at least three months. Exchangees returned to their home organisation with more highly developed professional and personal skills in addition to more knowledge of Australia/Asia.

Five fellowships were offered in 2000, six in 2001, eight in 2002, and six in 2003/4. Together, these have allowed five Australian journalists to work in India and four in Indonesia, and one each in Japan, Thailand and Vietnam; also three journalists from India, six from Indonesia, and three from China to work in Australia.

These fellowships were funded by The Australia-Indonesia Institute, The Australia-China Council,The Australia-India Council, The Myer Foundation, and The University of Melbourne.

For further information, contact:
Program Manager, Medialink
Email: medialink@asialink.unimelb.edu.au
ph: 8344 4800; fax: 03 9347 1768