The “FREE PRESS” project was one among a number of DANIDA projects, which constitutes a programme of transitional assistance from the Danish Government to Mongolia in the 1990’s. The fact that the two organisations established through the project – FREE PRESS Foundation (printer house) and Press Institute of Mongolia – now can celebrate 10 years anniversary in a stronger and more developed shape than when the official project ended can only be taken as evidence that this project has been among one of the most successful of the DANIDA projects.
The “FREE PRESS” project was implemented by the Danish School of Journalism. The official project period lasted from 1994 to 2000. The total Danish grant for the project amounted to 24 mio. DKK.
The FREE PRESS printer house started printing in February 1996. Today it is hard to imagine that it all started in an empty – not fully finished – building during the autumn of 1995. With the core management staff of the printer house – Managing director Ms. H. Naranjargal, Technical director Mr. B. Galsandorj and Financial manager Ms. D. Erdenechuluun – as the driving force all preparations were done under difficult conditions and strong time pressure. Everything should be purchased – from the dustbin to the rotation press and the pre-press equipment. Staff should be hired and prepared for their jobs. Most of the printing equipment and the raw materials should be purchased in Europe and shipped to Mongolia.
The “FREE PRESS” printer house was from the beginning a project with many innovative features. The technology was the most advanced existing in Mongolia. New management principles were introduced, including transparent and fair procedures for customers. The management from day one had a focussed strategy for huge investments in human resources. But also the concept of the enterprise was new to Mongolia. The concept was that the printer house should be a self-owned non-for-profit organisation, which should give access for all newspapers on equal conditions and have as its main objective to support the development of a free and independent press in Mongolia.
The concept of a self-owned enterprise was difficult to explain and in the first years of transition in Mongolia. Still the model of the FREE PRESS Foundation is rather unique in the world. In most countries newspapers bought their own printing plants – at high costs and often an economic burden, which hampered the main thing: To publish good quality newspapers. In many transition countries we see today independent newspapers closing down or being bought by foreign capital – thus deteriorating pluralism and independence of the press. The FREE PRESS printer house has played a crucial role to prevent this development in Mongolia. Also the fact that the FREE PRESS Foundation according to its statute makes 25% of its net revenue every year available for grants supporting professionalism in journalism and media is a unique thing. The concept of a common printing house printing more than 100 different titles – from small to national papers - is rather unique in the world. The model means that no private profit is made on the printing of newspapers. All revenue is reinvested in updating of equipment and human resources so the customers are offered the best available quality. This has given better conditions for development of the free and independent press in Mongolia than has been seen in most other transition countries in the world.
As a donor DANIDA should only be satisfied with its investment. Due to an extraordinary committed staff, management and Board the FREE PRESS printer house has really made a difference in Mongolia. It represents today a very strong platform with modern technology, highly qualified staff and efficient management – a platform that has all the potentials for further development and a continued role as a key factor in the development of independent and professional press in Mongolia.
To maintain and enhance this model in the future will not be an easy task. It will require firm management of the printer house and wise leadership of the Board of Directors.
From the Danish School of Journalism we wish all possible luck and success in this challenge.
Jorgen Ringgaard
Head of International Department
Danish School of Journalism