Deadline: 1-Aug-22
The International Training Programme (ITP) Media is currently inviting applications for the 2022 Media Development in a Democratic Framework – Africa to provide a forum and platform for constructive, creative dialogue between high-level representatives from media, government and civil society on how to improve self-regulatory and regulatory frameworks for media.
This programme involves more than training of individuals. It is a full-scale capacity-building programme aimed at real change towards a more efficient and sustainable planning and implementation of media self-regulation.
The overall objective of this programme is that the participants and their supporting organisations should contribute to the promotion and protection of the institutional frameworks that govern self-regulation of the media sector. More specifically, this programme aims to contribute to the development of self-regulatory frameworks for the media sector, strengthening the institutional and organisational capacities among relevant stakeholders and contributing to national reform and change processes.
Benefits
At the end of the training programme, participating individuals and organisations shall have obtained:
- Increased knowledge about media and freedom of expression in relation to media policy, journalism and self-regulation of the media sector.
- Extended professional national, regional, and international networks.
- Greater awareness of human rights, gender equality and security for journalists and other media actors.
- Increased knowledge and capacity to initiate structured, long-term transformational work within and outside the respective organisations.
Phases
- Phase 1 – Inception (2 months)
- Country teams are established and meet for a start-up seminar in their respective countries. During this seminar, the participants establish a common understanding of the challenges in their country and the overall theory of change. The programme then starts with a compulsory course with six introductory modules, with the purpose of providing a common understanding and knowledge base to build on. The introductory modules cover the following topics:
- change management;
- media and freedom of expression with a focus on human rights and democracy;
- media politics in a changing media landscape;
- ethics, professional roles, business and sustainability;
- media regulatory framework and self-regulatory institutions; and
- gender and media in relation to media regulation.
- The online course is offered as a mix of pre-recorded lectures and a series of webinars. Supporting literature and all presentations are available on Basecamp, a project management app, which also serves as a platform for communication and networking throughout the programme.
- Country teams are established and meet for a start-up seminar in their respective countries. During this seminar, the participants establish a common understanding of the challenges in their country and the overall theory of change. The programme then starts with a compulsory course with six introductory modules, with the purpose of providing a common understanding and knowledge base to build on. The introductory modules cover the following topics:
- Phase 2 – Course in Sweden and Change Initiative Development (2 weeks)
- Participants engage in an intensive programme of interactive discussions, study visits, exercises and skills development, covering all four priority themes/topics. All participants are expected to share their own expertise and experiences with their peers. The Change Initiative will evolve with the support of thematic mentors’ and national facilitators’ coaching, peer reviews, and individual work. During this process an action plan will be formulated.
- Phase 3 – Thematic Webinars and Change Initiative Refinement and Implementation (5 months)
- Participants engage in a series of webinars covering the different aforementioned priority themes/topics. The webinars last for about 2-3 hours, and frequently there will be a guest presenter from the region invited to lecture. All participants are expected to share their own expertise and experiences with their peers. Regular meetings are held within the country teams and the national facilitators enable collaboration between the participants. The Change Initiative is refined with the support of the thematic mentors’ coaching, peer reviews, and individual work. During this phase implementation of the Change Initiative will start. The remaining part of the training programme focuses on how to ignite and manage processes of transformation within the area of media regulation. Collaboration between the participants, the national facilitators, and the thematic mentors is an essential part of the programme.
- Phase 4 – Meeting in the Region (10 days)
- Participants meet in one of the countries in the region. Additional theory and trainings are provided, as well as field trips and case studies within the regional/local context. Participants exchange experiences of implementing their Change Initiative and further elaborate and adjust their action plans. Peer reviews and group discussions among the participants and support from the national facilitators carry the process forward.
- Phase 5 – Change Initiative Implementation (4 months)
- Activities are discussed, evaluated and adjusted throughout the process and frequent meetings are held within the country teams, coordinated by the national facilitator. The country-teams are supported by the thematic mentors and the programme management. The participants implement their Change Initiatives in collaboration with colleagues and supervisors in their organisations and/or other stakeholders. During this phase there is also a possibility for the country teams to organise an event with invited local/regional experts. Continuous thematic mentor support is provided and the programme ends with sharing of results in a final seminar. The final seminar will be held in conjunction with the start-up seminar for the participants in the following programme.
Eligible Countries: Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
Eligibility Criteria
- The programme targets individuals who can promote standards and self-regulation of the media sector in the respective countries in different ways. The programme management will identify strategically important participants from the media sector, such as media councils, judicial institutions, independent freedom of speech organisations, policy institutions, relevant ministries, parliamentary committees, and independent media outlets.
- Although it focuses on individuals, the programme primarily targets organisations, and efforts are made to establish long-term relationships with the key organisations involved. Such collaborative organisations should be willing to commit themselves to participation over several years and be ready to cooperate with other organisations in the programme, even though they may have different opinions on regulatory frameworks. Capacity and interest to drive processes to achieve long-term goals is a prerequisite to becoming a collaborative organisation.
- Applicants to the programme should:
- hold a key position in their organisation, with influence on a strategic level;
- have the drive and power to initiate and drive change processes;
- be highly proficient in English;
- hold a relevant academic degree; and
- be available and motivated for active participation through the whole training programme.
For more information, visit https://www.sida.se/en/for-partners/international-training-programmes/itp/147-itp-295-media-development-in-a-democratic-framework-africa-5-2022