Challenges and perspectives for media support programs (Nov. '22)

Organisers: This seminar was part of the Sahafa Med project (funded by the EU) that is implemented by “Journalisme and Citizenship” NGO. It was organised in partnership with GFMD.

Participants: 40+ donors, NGOs supporting media and journalists and implementing partners working with media outlets and journalists in the Southern Neighbourhood region.

Location: Brussels, Belgium.

Agenda

1. Journalists and Media needs, challenges and expectations:

What are the needs and challenges in the daily activities of journalists and media in the Southern Neighborhood countries?

What are their expectations regarding international support?

This session included:

A presentation of the GFMD IMPACT initiative to renew the principles for effective media development.

https://impact.gfmd.info/activities-services/mediadev-principlesimpact.gfmd.info

There were also three presentations by Sahafa Med correspondents.

2. Obstacles, opportunities and innovation for media support initiatives:

What are the main obstacles to the development and implementation of media support programs and initiatives?

How to tackle these obstacles? Can Media support programs be innovative to be more efficient?

This session included:

A presentation of “Media Accountability” in the MENA region study by Erich Brost institute.

Three presentations by Sahafa Med correspondents.

3. Coordination between donors and implementers:

What are the success stories and the challenges?

How can coordination between donors and implementers be improved?

This session included:

Presentation of findings and recommendations from the GFMD IMPACT report: “Coordinating Media Assistance and Journalism Support Efforts”

Presentation of the key findings from the GFMD / Samir Kassir Foundation’s SKeyes Centre for Media and Cultural Freedom report: “The Funding Landscape for Media Development Actors in Lebanon”.

Presentation by three Sahafa Med correspondents.

Breakout groups

In the afternoon, participants broke into three groups to discuss the topics in more detail and to provide recommendations to donors and implenting organisations.

A report will be published collating the outcomes.