The Drum Beat 804 - Supporting Public Interest Media

• 1.Protecting Independent Media for Effective Development (PRIMED): Programme Approach and Glossary
  PRIMED is a 3-year programme to support the provision of public interest media in Bangladesh, Ethiopia, and Sierra Leone. Launched in October 2020, it is being implemented by a consortium of media development organisations led by BBC Media Action. The programme's overall objective is to address the challenges to public interest media at both outlet and environment level. It does this by building the resilience of media to political and economic pressures that are undermining viability and by supporting the development of information ecosystems that enable a better flow of trusted public interest media content. [Oct 2020]
   
• 2.Pathways to Media Sustainability in a Broken Market: Is Independent Media a Public Good and Is Public Subsidy to Support It Realistic?
  by James DeaneThis BBC Media Action paper assesses whether fresh approaches to public subsidy might provide part of a solution to funding independent media that works to support information as a public good, especially in low- and middle-income settings. Intended to prompt further research and debate, the working paper summarises and synthesises existing evidence and arguments around public interest media. It has been compiled for policymakers, media support institutions, and donors to guide them in making decisions on where to invest resources in supporting independent media. [Apr 2021]
   
• 3.Enabling Media Markets to Work for Democracy: An International Fund for Public Interest Media
  Developed by BBC Media Action with the support of and in cooperation with Luminate, this document outlines the case for, and the practical feasibility of establishing, an International Fund for Public Interest Media (IFPIM). The purpose of such a fund would be to support the development, sustainability, and independence of public interest media, especially in resource-poor and fragile settings. Based on input from hundreds of people from the donor, media support, journalistic, academic, international development, and other communities, this document sets out the mission, principles, governance, structure, impact measurement, and other arrangements necessary to establish an IFPIM. [Apr 2020]
   
• 4.Safe. Strong. Viable. - The Symbiosis Between Media Safety and Media Viability
  by Petra Aldenrath, Jorge Loureiro, Elisabet Cantenys, et al.This paper aims to illustrate, through research and interviews, the mutually reinforcing relationship between media safety and media viability. Deutsche Welle (DW) Akademie explores media safety in relation to psychological safety, physical safety, safe working conditions, and digital safety to make the point that investing in safety and security measures not only saves lives but also strengthens the business ecosystem of a media outlet. [Apr 2021]
   
• 5.United for News
  To help local and public interest media face the challenges posed by the global transition to digital tools and platforms, this initiative works to transform media markets around the world so that citizens, businesses, and governments can benefit from quality trusted and inclusive local news and information. A multi-stakeholder coalition led by Internews in collaboration with the World Economic Forum is undertaking a set of initiatives that fall into two overarching categories: supporting the sustainability of media; and rebuilding trust in the media. Specifically, activities are focusing on creating a system where advertising supports quality media and where trust is built by amplifying women's voices in the media.
   
• 6.25 Questions Media Entrepreneurs Must Ask Themselves
  by Koreel LahiriThis article and accompanying presentation, published by the Media Development Investment Fund (MDIF), explore some of the questions media entrepreneurs should ask themselves when launching a startup or when transitioning from non-profit to for-profit status. In particular, the author looks at some of the basic truths that, in MDIF's experience, need to be considered around issues such as product, finance, positioning, audience, and access to markets. [Mar 2021]
   
• 7.From Start to Success - A Handbook for Digital Media Entrepreneurs
  by Prue Clarke, Kirsten Han, Eira Martens-Edwards, et al.This practical guide is intended for digital media entrepreneurs from all parts of the world who are dedicated to independent journalism. Researched and written by startup founders themselves, the handbook is based on interviews with 21 media startups from 18 countries in Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, featuring startups such as the Philippines' Rappler, Egypt's Mada Masr, and Animal Politico in Mexico. Published by DW Akademie, the handbook deals with issues related to funding and revenue streams, membership and community building, staffing, internal organisation, digital innovation, collaboration, and building a trusted brand. [Sep 2020]
   
• See also:
  Media Influence Matrix Reports
  

• 8.The Chilling: Global Trends in Online Violence Against Women Journalists
  by Julie Posetti, Nabeelah Shabbir, Diana Maynard, et al.This report presents the findings of a global study on online violence against female journalists that was commissioned by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and carried out by the International Center for Journalists. The findings cover the manifestations of online violence, the impacts of online violence, online violence sources and triggers, the platforms as vectors of online violence, the role of media employers as responders to online violence, and possible legal remedies and law enforcement. [Apr 2021]
   
• 9.Media Matters for Women - Sierra Leone (MMW-SL)
  MMW-SL uses low-cost technology, as well as a network of listening centres and youth advocates, to deliver radio-style information to women and girls in remote and tough-to-reach rural areas. Working with local journalists who produce the audio podcasts on solar-powered mobile production units, the project seeks to provide women and girls across Sierra Leone with access to information tailored to their needs and developed by journalists who speak their language. Content covers issues such as the prevention of gender-based violence, women's rights, COVID-19, sexual and reproductive health, and economic opportunities. First piloted in Sierra Leone in 2010, the project has been replicated in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
   
• 10.Gender in Ethiopian Media Landscape: An Indicative Research Report with Recommendations for the Fojo-IMS Ethiopia Programme: "Media Reform in a Time of Change: Promoting Journalism and Democracy"
  by Bethlehem Negash Woldeyohannes and Tewodros Hailemariam; edited by Alan FinlayThe purpose of this study, conducted by Fojo Media Institute and International Media Support, is to generate baseline information and programme recommendations on the state of gender and the media in Ethiopia. Specifically, it: offers a quantitative baseline of the number of women journalists working in newsrooms and their levels of seniority (including their participation in management structures); assesses the extent to which gender norms determine the kind of issues women are likely to report on; and provides a qualitative account of workplace policies and processes that support the empowerment of women in the newsroom. [Mar 2021]
   
• 11.Amplifying Women's Voices - A Gender Balance Guide for Media
  This guide aims to equip media organisations and professionals with tools and insights to increase gender balance in their content. It was produced by Women in News, a World Association of News Publishers initiative that works to increase women's leadership and voices in the news by equipping women journalists and editors with the skills, strategies, and support networks they need to take on greater leadership positions and editorial influence within the industry. [Apr 2020]
   
• 12.Gender and Media Resource Guide
  Developed by Free Press Unlimited (FPU), this online resource guide offers a repository of information to promote gender equality in and through media. As stated in the guide, "Gender inequalities that are present across many aspects of society are reflected in the media. Media can perpetuate gender inequalities, but also have the power to address and challenge them. There is an enormous potential for media to show more balanced, inclusive and diverse portrayals of gender, thereby contributing to a more just society." In this light, the guide explores the relationships between gender and media and the role media practitioners and organisations can play in working towards gender equality. [2019]
   
• See also:
  Reflect Reality Handbook
  

• 13.Calling for Coalitions: A Look at Successful Media and Advocacy Partnerships
  by Yi Chen, Gregory Francois, Ritubhan Guatam, et al.This report explores the dynamics of successful collaborations between the media and advocacy groups in order to support effective partnerships in a world in which civil society and public interest journalism may need to increasingly rely on each other and on donors to support their work. Based on case studies of collaborative projects in Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, and Peru, the report provides recommendations for foundations, nonprofit organisations, and media organisations on building partnerships in ways that can maximise their collaborative impact while respecting their differing roles in society. The report was published by the School of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University in collaboration with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation's Global Media Partnerships. [May 2020]
   
• 14.Mapping Coalitions: Mapping Out Coalitions, Collaborations, Partnerships and Networks for Media and Civil Society in Sub-Saharan Africa
  by Haron Mwangi and Martha NjiiriThis study focuses on mapping out coalitions, collaborations, partnerships, and networks for media and civil society in sub-Saharan Africa. It seeks to engender a deeper understanding of the architecture, relevance, and needs of media organisations and civil society organisations (CSOs), as well as their institutional capacity, level of influence, powers, and limitations. The study was published as part of the Consortium to Promote Human Rights, Civic Freedoms and Media Development (CHARM) project in sub-Saharan Africa, which seeks to protect and expand the civic space for CSOs and human rights defenders and to nurture and enhance the effectiveness of independent media and journalism in the region. [Apr 2021]
   
• 15.The Untapped Potential of Regional Cooperation for Media Reform in Southern Africa
  by Herman WassermanAt a time of growing challenges to the media sector, this report looks at regional cooperation as a tool for dealing with the complex and highly fragmented media sector reform agenda in Southern Africa. Published by the Center for International Media Assistance (CIMA), it examines lessons learned from previous collaborative efforts in the region and the potential benefits of and challenges to this approach to media development. The report also identifies a set of best practices and makes a series of recommendations about how such cooperation can be structured. [Mar 2021]
   
• 16.Somalia: Coalition Building for Press Freedom
  This briefing paper describes FPU's Somalia Programme, which sought to bring together the media and CSOs to contribute to social change at a time when opportunities for political and social reforms were being made possible following the 2017 elections in Somalia. The paper outlines the programme's activities and some of the outcomes and lessons learned, particularly around building coalitions for advocacy on legal reform, gender equality, and journalism safety. [Jun 2021]
   
• 17.Building Regional Strategies for Media Development in the Middle East and North Africa
  by Fatima el-Issawi and Nicholas BenequistaA decade after the first wave of Arab uprisings and pro-democracy movements, media in MENA still face major challenges. This report from CIMA summarises the main findings and concrete recommendations for action articulated at a regional consultation that aimed to connect and invigorate those working to strengthen independent journalism in MENA. The experts pointed especially to the need to increase collaboration in countries that allow media and civil society to operate with some degree of freedom. The ideal would be networks and exchanges that cut across sectors and engage diverse actors to enable a holistic approach to improving the enabling environment for media in the region. [Mar 2020]
   

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