National Journalism Funds (July 2023)

GFMD IMPACT consultation on national funds to support journalism and public interest media.

Event: “State of the field - National Journalism Funds”

When: 5 July 2023

Time: 15:00 - 16:30 CEST

Where: Online

Registration link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYsc--sqzIjEtTa20pC9-uUo2dX9a3EkTCO

Introduction (15:00 - 15:05)

Mira Milosevic, Executive Director, Global Forum for Media Development

Sameer Padania, Director, Macroscope

Session 1: Examples of funds that were set in the past-lessons learned and new, upcoming funds (15:05-15:25)

Speakers/case studies:

• Marius Dragomir, Director, Media&Journalism Research Center MJRC
• Anya Schiffrin, Director, School for International and Public Affairs SIPA, Columbia University
• Abir Awad, Media Development Consultant, former Head of Programme for large pan-Arab content/media development initiatives 2009-2012 BBC Media Action
• Francis Sowa (Ph.D.), National Coordinator, Media Reform Coordinating Group (MRCG)

Session 2: National Journalism Funds - a tool for assisting public interest media - opportunities and challenges (15:35-15:55)

Q&A (15:25-15:35)

Speakers/case studies:

• Verónica Longo, Universidad Nacional de San Luis, Argentina

• Kamanzi Dustan, Director, Tanzania Media Fundation

• Franz Kruger, Research associate from Wits University, Johannesbu

Q&A (15:55-16:05)

Discussion and recommendations (16:05-16:30)

--ENDS--

A National Fund for Journalism (NFJ) is a dedicated structure that is designed with a strategic sectoral purpose to provide long-term funding to an independent journalism ecosystem in a particular country, region or place. It can take different forms, but in essence is designed to redress shortcomings, barriers or imbalances in a particular media market, or to incentivise, catalyse or accelerate new entrants or transformative processes in that market.

The discussion attempted to answer the following questions:

1. What are the ideal characteristics of a national journalism fund?
2. What kinds of objectives do NFJs have?
3. What is driving increased interest in NFJs as a strategic solution?
4. What systemic challenges can NFJs address?
5. What design questions do those setting up a fund need to ask?
6. Which approaches are used to establish NFJs?
7. What practical steps and lessons learned about good practice can be observed from existing or proposed NFJs?

The resulting policy paper also outlines a number of considerations for the media development community.

GET INVOLVED ADD MORE CASE STUDIES AND LITERATURE TO OUR EVOLVING MAPPING OF NATIONAL JOURNALISM FUNDS

Literature review and case studies

For a literature review and case studies including Tanzania, Siera Leone, Armenia, Argentina and other past, current and upcoming funds please see this page.

Lit' review & case studies