MENA region

Needs assessments and coordination of media assistance in the MENA region

Media Professionalism Index (2023)

TAFNIED MTÜ

A digital platform that is the result of a collaborative effort among several Arabic institutions specialised in fact-checking and news verification

The index works on analysing and evaluating the professionalism of content published by the most influential and widespread Arabic media outlets. This is done through a set of criteria and indicators, comparing different media outlets in terms of content, perspectives, objectives, and the extent to which professional standards are met.

Tomorrow's Journalism in the Southern Mediterranean Countries (2023)

SahafaMed

This is a study of the needs of the media and independent journalists.

The study, completed in September 2023, provides an overview of the situation of the media and journalism in the various countries of the region, with a view to identifying prospects and courses of action to promote and sustain, through independent media, free journalism at the service of society and the general interest. It also aims to improve the match between the needs of journalists and the programs proposed by donors and organizations in charge of media development.

Public Funding for Private Media in the MENA Region (PRIMED, April 2022)

Authored by Sarah Zaarour

This research paper was commissioned by BBC Media Action to support discussions in a national conference in Sierra Leone in April 2022 aimed at fostering an enabling environment for media investment and at exploring new ways of supporting independent media. Combining desk research and interviews, it examines national funding mechanisms for private media in the five selected countries and gives a general assessment of their role in promoting viable, independent, and diverse media.

primed-research-public-funding-for-media-mena-zaarour.pdfdocs.google.com

Building Regional Strategies for Media Development in the Middle East and North Africa (2020)

Center for International Media Assistance

Experts from 13 countries in the Middle East and North Africa agreed on the priorities that could provide the basis for greater collective action to defend independent media in the region. This report provides a summary of those deliberations.

Building Regional Strategies for Media Development in the Middle East and North AfricaCenter for International Media Assistance

Combating Disinformation in the Arab World - The COVID-19 pandemic as a case study (2020)

Arab Reporters for Investigative Journalism (ARIJ)

The policy paper, conducted by researcher Noha Atef, and with support from Basma ElMahdy and Basma Mostafa, uses COVID-19 as a model to arrive at the causes and effects of misleading content, also offering alternative solutions that would allow for the improvement of media performance.

ARIJ Publishes Policy Paper: "Combating Disinformation in the Arab World - The COVID-19 pandemic as a case study"Arab Reporters for Investigative Journalism (ARIJ)

Tunisia

Tunisia Media Landscape Assessment (2023)

Internews

Tunisia has undertaken significant strides towards its democratic transition in recent history, with freedom of expression and a vibrant media landscape being two of the main gains from the Jasmine revolution. However, almost a decade later, the levels of trust Tunisians have towards the electoral and political processes (EPP) in their country are on a downward trend. This lack of trust can be attributed to several factors, most notably that citizens believe elected officials and political parties are doing little to address their needs, paralleled with a media landscape, which despite being vibrant in volume, is in need of significant strengthening in capacity, credibility, relevance and reach.

Tunisia Media Landscape Assessment - Information Saves Lives | InternewsInformation Saves Lives | Internews

From funding crisis to opportunity: ideas and solutions in a post-USAID landscape (2025)

International Journalism Festival