MedMedia: Towards Media Sector Reform

In the Southern Mediterranean Region

Final Report

June 2018

Project title MedMedia: Towards Media Sector Reform in the

Southern Mediterranean Region

Duration 53 months from January 2014

Countries

covered

Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Jordan,

Lebanon, Palestine1, Israel

Value €4,975,000

Funding

source

European Union under its revised European

Neighbourhood Policy

Implemented

by

BBC Media Action, International Federation of

Journalists, IREX Europe, Blanquerna School of

Communication, Jordan Media Institute

Contract

number

334-240

1 This designation shall not be construed as recognition of a State of Palestine and is without prejudice to the individual positions of the

Member States on this issue

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Table of Contents

List of acronyms used in the report ................................................................................... 4

1. Executive summary of the Action ............................................................................... 6

2. Highlights of the last reporting period ....................................................................... 9 2.1. Component One: Institutional strengthening and capacity development ............................ 9

2.1.1. Assessment reports ....................................................................................................... 9 2.1.2. Peer-to-peer (P2P) missions ....................................................................................... 10

2.2. Component Two: Networking .......................................................................................... 15 2.2.1. Stakeholder conferences ............................................................................................ 15 2.2.3. Regional networking for media schools ...................................................................... 19 2.2.4. Combating hate speech .............................................................................................. 20 2.2.5. Regional networking for policy-makers ...................................................................... 20 2.2.6. Regional networking for public broadcasters ............................................................. 21 2.2.7. Gender equality ........................................................................................................... 22

2.3. Component Three: Overview of the media sector ............................................................. 22 2.3.1. Online engagement ..................................................................................................... 22 2.3.2. Sustainability actions................................................................................................... 24

3. Results and Activities............................................................................................... 28 3.1. Results ............................................................................................................................ 28 3.2. Activities ......................................................................................................................... 48

3.2.1. Sustainability of the action ................................................................................................. 48 3.2.2. Peer-to-peer (P2P) exchanges ............................................................................................ 48

4. Cross-cutting issues ................................................................................................. 55

5. Monitoring & Evaluation ......................................................................................... 56

6. List of produced materials ....................................................................................... 58

7. Visibility .................................................................................................................. 59 7.1. Communications, media coverage and testimonials for MedMedia activities in the last period (Jan-June 2018) ........................................................................................................... 60

7.1.1. Khabirat conferences around International Women’s Day 2018 (7-12 March 2018) ....... 60 7.1.2. Peer-to-Peer Workshop in Tunis (April 23 and 24, 2018) .................................................. 60 7.1.3 MedMedia Publishes Report on Hate Speech to Mark World Press Freedom Day ........... 61 7.1.4 World Press Freedom Day: Joint meeting in Accra adopts background document to Declaration for media freedom in the Arab World and methodology for a regional press freedom review ............................................................................................................................ 61 7.1.5 MedMedia Closing events: Policy Makers Forum on Public Service Broadcasting and Conference on MedMedia results and the future of media reform in the Southern Mediterranean .............................................................................................................................. 61 7.1.6. Testimonials by MedMedia Experts ................................................................................... 62 7.1.7. Testimonials by young journalists and bloggers ................................................................ 62

Recommendations .......................................................................................................... 63

Annex 1: Closing Conference Programme ........................................................................ 65

Annex 2: White Paper on Media Development in the Southern Mediterranean Region .... 68

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(This section will appear as boxes of information in the actual report rather than as a section) 83

Annex 3: Special Mechanism for Media Freedom in the Arab World: Methodology ........ 104

Annex 4: Sustainability strategy for the MedMedia portal’s Digital Library (letter to EU Programme Manager Klara Srbova, 15 July 2018) .......................................................... 109

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List of acronyms used in the report

AGCOM (Autorità per le garanzie nelle comunicazione)2 – Italian regulator

AHNNRI (Arab Network of National Human Rights Institutions)

AIHR (Arab Institute for Human Rights)

ALESCO (Arab League Educational, Culture and Sciences Organisation)

ASBU (Arab States Broadcasting Union)

ASP (Algérie Presse Service)

BAHITHA (Lebanese Association of Women Researchers)

CAC (Catalan Audio-visual Council)

CCSB (Council for Cable TV and Satellite Broadcasting) – Israeli regulator

CCM (Centre cinématographique marocain)

CLD (Center for Law and Democracy)

CNA (Conseil national de l’audiovisuel) – Lebanon

COPEAM (Conférence permanente de l’audiovisuel méditerranéen)

CSA (Conseil supérieur de l’audiovisuel) – Belgium regulator

DIT (Dublin Institute of Technology)

DTT (Digital Terrestrial Television)

EBU (European Broadcasting Union)

ENRS (Entreprise nationale de radiodiffusion sonore) – Algerian public broadcaster

ENSJSI (École nationale supérieure de journalisme et des sciences de l’information) –

Algerian media school

EPRA (European Platform for Regulatory Authorities)

EPTV (Établissement public de télévision algérienne) – Algerian public broadcaster

ESJ-Pro (École supérieure de journalisme-Pro) – France

FOJO (Media Institute) - Sweden

GFMD (Global Forum for Media Development)

HACA (Haute autorité de la communication audiovisuelle) – Moroccan regulator

HAICA (Haute autorité indépendante de la communication audiovisuelle) – Tunisian

regulator

FAJ (Federation of Arab Journalists)

HCM (High Council for Media) – Palestinian regulator

HDN (Human Development Network)

ICHR (Palestinian Independent Commission for Human Rights)

ICT (Information and communication technologies)

IFJ (International Federation of Journalists)

IMM (Institute of Modern Media) – Palestine

2 Authority for Communications Guarantees (Italy)

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IPSI (Institute of Press and Information Sciences) – Tunis

ISIC (Institut supérieur de l’information et de communication) – Moroccan Media Scholl

ITU (International Telecommunication Union)

JMI (Jordan Media Institute)

JRTV (Jordan Radio and Television)

KE (Key Experts)

LAS (League of Arab States)

LCPM (Legislation Committee of Press and Media) – Egypt

MAG (Media Advisory Group)

MCLR (Maghreb Center for Libya Research)

MDC (Media Development Center) – Palestine

MTS (Media Training Station)

MUST (Misr University of Science and Technology) – Egypt

NCE (No-Cost Extension)

NKE (Non-Key Experts)

NMS (National Media Strategy) – Palestine

OHCHR (Office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights)

OMH (OPEN Media Hub)

OSCE (Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe’s)

PAMT (Programme d’appui aux médias en Tunisie)

P2P (Peer-to-Peer)

PSB (Public Service Broadcasting)

RNT (Radio nationale tunisienne) – Tunisian public broadcaster

RTS (Radio Television of Serbia)

RTV (Slovenia public broadcaster)

SATR (Second Authority for Television and Radio) – Israel

SNPM (Syndicat national de la presse marocaine)

SNRT (Société nationale de radio et télévision) – Moroccan national broadcaster

SNJT (Syndicat national des journalistes tunisiens)

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1. Executive summary of the Action

On the 8th

and 9th

of May 2018, MedMedia held its Closing Conference in Tunis. The event

was an official event of the European Week in Tunisia. The programme of the conference is

shown in Annex 1.

The event brought together some 60 participants from across the Southern Mediterranean. It

comprised a “Policy Makers Forum on Public Service Broadcasting”, held at Tunis’ Cité de la

Culture on May 8 and a conference titled “Opportunities for Media Reform in the Southern

Mediterranean”, organised at the ASBU’s headquarters the following day.

According to the project logframe, MedMedia’s general objective was “to reinforce the role of

media as vector for democratisation and contribute to the development of a more public

service-orientated media landscape in the southern Mediterranean.”

The specific objective was “to accompany the process of restructuring the media sector in the

ENP South partner countries so that public service media are able to fulfil their role as

independent watchdogs.”

Although the media reform in the Southern Mediterranean region has not been at the desired

pace over the last five years, MedMedia never ceased at supporting the institutions and

individuals committed to this reform.

In Chapter 3.1. below, referring to the final updated log-frame matrix, the level of

achievement of the results of MedMedia are commented on the basis of the value of the

indicators and the activities implemented during the reporting period.

MedMedia also produced a brochure on the achievements of the project. The brochure is

online.

The main achievements of the project are summarized below:

Institutional, legal and regulatory reform action

1. Establishment of a Special Mechanism for Media Freedom in the Arab World and

the Declaration for Media Freedom in the Arab World.

2. Tailor-made support for regulatory bodies and institutions tasked with drafting

proposals for media regulation.

Supporting the Public Service Broadcasting

1. Peer-to-Peer exchanges were organised between Southern Mediterranean and

European institutions, as well as between public service broadcasters from the

region.

2. MedMedia and COPEAM implemented a one-year regional P2P exchange

programme aimed at developing internal training policies and resources within

national broadcasters with a particular focus on devising effective strategies

addressing the digital transition.

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3. In April 2018, MedMedia and COPEAM organised a final Peer-to-Peer workshop

for public broadcasters which was aimed at elaborating points of consensus on

public service broadcasting best practices in terms of programming and editorial

policies.

4. MedMedia helped ASBU improve its services and build its expertise in the field of

public service broadcasting.

5. During its closing conference organized on 8/9 May 2018, MedMedia held a

policy-makers “Forum on Public service broadcasting”.

Youth on Screen

1. “Youth on Screen” acted as a catalyst for programme ideas which improved the

representation of young people on TV screens across the region and enabled them

to engage in public dialogue.

2. Cross-media initiatives such as “ énération uoi?”

Better Media Education

1. Creation of a trusted media school network

2. Providing P2P support for helping media schools to better respond to the latest

industry trends, particularly with regard to digital technologies and media

convergence.

Fostering gender equality policies and increasing women representation in the media

1. Creation of Khabirat, an online Arabic-language directory of women experts.

2. MedMedia-COPEAM one-year regional P2P exchange programme for public

service broadcasters aimed at improving the way in which women are represented,

both on-screen and within programming teams.

Countering hate speech and racism in the media

1. Solidary conference against hate speech and racism in the media.

2. Research, consultations and report on countering hate speech in the Southern

Mediterranean.

3. The Declaration for Media Freedom in the Arab World.

Online resources and tools facilitating coordination

1. A knowledge-sharing portal disseminating capacity-building resources and

facilitating an exchange of experience between key beneficiaries.

2. An online library, a ‘one-stop shop’ for individuals and organisations tasked with

reforming the media sector or implementing development projects.

In this final report, the activities of the NCE and the results of MedMedia are described,

analysed and commented on (column Comments inserted in the final updated log-frame matrix

below).

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MedMedia enjoyed great visibility as evidenced by the list of links to articles and audio-visual

documents published during the extension period. Similar lists appear in interim reports

produced during the project implementation period.

Originally, the 48-month MedMedia project was scheduled to end on January 9, 2018. But by

the beginning of 2017, it became clear that by that date a good deal of incidental budget and a

large number of working days would not have been spent.

The European Commission offered the consortium the chance to convert a proportion of the

remaining incidental expenditure budget into working days, thereby enabling the project

partners to implement additional activities over any extended period and/or to supplement the

Key Expert allocations.

On the 5th

of December 2017, the Consortium submitted to the Commission a request for a 5

month-no cost extension (NCE). The request was approved and MedMedia became a 53

month-project ending the 9th

of June 2018.

The objectives of the NCE were the following:

Ensure wrap-up and handover of strand/packages of activities to the Special

Rapporteur on Media Freedom, the Regional Coordination and to the Arab State

Broadcasting Union (online platform).

Implement a constructive regional closing and visibility event to gather all relevant

stakeholders.

Through the P2P Programme continue to offer effective direct assistance to

broadcasters and policymakers in developing charters, editorial guidelines and other

frameworks to serve as future reference documents.

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2. Highlights of the last reporting period

2.1. Component One: Institutional strengthening and capacity development 2.1.1. Assessment reports

During the last semester of the project, a brochure was developed to present the key results

and achievements of the MedMedia programme. Produced in English and French, the

brochure was published online and printed in Tunis for wider dissemination among key

stakeholders.

A White paper3 coordination between donors and stakeholders in the media development

community active in the Southern Mediterranean region was completed by Non-Key Expert

Aida Al-Kaisy, who presented its conclusions during the closing conference, held in Tunis on

8/9 May.

This paper aims to reflect the challenges faced by the media development community active in the Southern Mediterranean region when implementing donor-funded projects. It argues that the weakness in communication and coordination between the donor and implementer communities is having an impact on the resonance of interventions and capacity-building. The White Paper proposes seven recommendations for actions including the following:

Regional coordination efforts can further strengthen coordination efforts at the national level.

There is, therefore, a role for networking groups such as the Global Forum for Media

Development (GFMD) in supporting further coordination processes on both a regional and

national level.

Note that Biljana Tatomir, advisor for media assistance in Syria and MENA region, attended

the Closing conference to explore avenues for sustainability between the actions of MedMedia

and those of GFMD.

A study produced in 2015 on Public Service Broadcasting was updated by Non-Key Expert.

Dima Dabbous. Titled Reforming the Broadcasting Sector in the Southern Mediterranean: a

Critical Overview, the report highlighted the new challenges facing broadcasting in the region,

where a digital revolution has coincided with a political revolution”.

The structure of the paper follows largely that of the 2015 MedMedia report on public service

broadcasting, covering legal reform in each of the Arab countries in the South Mediterranean

separately. However, only 5 of the original 8 countries included in the 2015 report are the

focus of the present update: Egypt, Algeria, Libya, Tunisia, and Morocco. Tunisia, Egypt, and

Libya underwent regime change between 2011 and 2012, and soon after constitutional

changes followed suit. Morocco and Algeria did not experience revolutionary change, yet they

sought to defuse existing public tension with constitutional changes and several legal reforms

of the media sector. By contrast, no constitutional changes occurred in Lebanon, Palestine or

3 Media Development in the Southern Mediterranean Region: Challenges, Priorities and Solutions. See Annex 2

of this report.

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Jordan, and legal reform in their broadcasting sector remained minimal in the last few years,

which sets these last 3 countries apart from the first five countries considered in this paper.

Here are some comments and observations made by the author based on the latest

developments:

The developments and legal reforms since 2011 have been very country-specific.

Each country (specifically Tunisia, Egypt, and Libya on the one hand, and Algeria and

Morocco on the other hand) followed a different path in its democratic transition.

Tunisia leading but faced with challenges and setbacks.

Egypt consistently regressing, and Libya still mired in chaos.

Morocco and Algeria restricting their reform to ink on paper (several new laws and

constitutional changes, but not more freedoms in practice).

Despite the specificities, some general common characteristics:

Phenomenon of introducing new legislation which, on the outside, seem to foster

media freedoms. Upon scrutiny of the content, however, these laws are neither in

harmony with the constitution nor international covenants on human and civil rights.

Despite introducing comparatively better media laws (which often cancel prison

penalties for media related offences), governments and courts still using non-media

related laws to send journalists to prison for media related offenses (e.g. Penal code,

antiterrorism laws, etc.), or based on administrative offences (lack of registration),

creating a chill effect, and climate of fear and intimidation among journalists.

In some countries where harsh prison sentences have been removed from the media

laws, court proceedings tend to be very protracted, contributing to the chill effect4 (e.g.

Morocco).

In those countries where higher regulatory authorities were introduced, their structure,

mandate, and funding do not guarantee independence.

The study also contains specific comments on national level.

Discussions around these publications are outlined in the relevant subsequent sections.

2.1.2. Peer-to-peer (P2P) missions

Working in partnership with COPEAM, MedMedia organised a workshop in Tunis aimed at

elaborating points of consensus on public service broadcasting best practices in terms of

programming and editorial policies. Held on April 23-24, this event marked the end of

MedMedia’s P2P programme for Southern Mediterranean’s public service broadcasters

(PSBs) which provided since the beginning of the project direct assistance to help these

broadcasters continue transition to more public service orientated broadcasters and to embed

the values and standards that this requires.

4 Definition: In a legal context, a chilling effect is the inhibition or discouragement of the legitimate exercise

of natural and legal rights by the threat of legal sanction. Outside the legal context in common usage;

any coercion or threat of coercion (or other unpleasantries) can have a chilling effect on a group of people

regarding a specific behavior, and often can be statistically measured or be plainly observed. (Wikipedia)

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A total of seven public broadcasters from five partner countries participated in the workshop.

They were:

Soread – 2M in Morocco

Entreprise nationale de radiodiffusion sonore (ENRS) in Algeria

Etablissement public de télévision algérienne (EPTV)

Radio nationale tunisienne (RNT)

Télévision tunisienne Al Wataniya

Al Mamlaka in Jordan

Radio Liban

During the workshop, senior editorial managers and programming directors from these

broadcasters exchanged with three peer mentors on strategies aimed at strengthening public

service broadcasting principles internally and expanding broadcasters’ editorial independence

in the short to medium terms. The experts recruited for the event were:

Bayan Tal, Media Adviser for the Jordan Media Institute (JMI) and former General

Director of Jordan Radio and Television (JRTV).

Boris Bergant, Adviser to the Director General of Slovenia public broadcaster RTV,

former vice-President of European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and longstanding media

consultant for the Council of Europe.

Djordje Vlajić, former Editor in Chief at Radio Television of Serbia (RTS).

The exchanges used as a starting point the transitional experience of the state-owned media in

Central and Eastern Europe. Former Soviet Bloc and Yugoslav states have undergone

significant reform over the past twenty years while still facing challenges to achieving

transition to a fully public service orientated broadcasting sector. This experience can resonate

with the changes in the transitional contexts of most of the Arab countries in the past few

years and is more relevant to stakeholders from the region than sharing experience on long-

standing democracies such as France or the United Kingdom.

During the first moderated discussion, Boris Bergant presented an overview of the transitional

experience within PSBs from Eastern and Central Europe where public service broadcasting

has taken different shapes and followed different models given the varying political,

technological, and economic environments in every nation. The ensuing discussion focused on

identifying transitional models which could be used in the Southern Mediterranean and which

could realistically be implemented in the current environment.

However, the discussions lead to the conclusion that there is no specific transitional model or

PSB model from former Soviet Bloc countries which could be relevant for Southern

Mediterranean countries. They reached the conclusion that each country has to define its own

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specific framework for transition. This is one of the lessons learnt from the experience of the

former Soviet Bloc where transition has taken different shapes and followed different models

given the varying political, technological, and economic environments in every nation.

Another key lesson learnt was that transition has to go through different stages and should be

conducted gradually. Priorities must be defined according to the particularities of each media

organisation. It should a step-by-step process that maximises the chances of achieving

predetermined goals since resistance to change is one of the key obstacles to transition. The

transition implies a disruption of jobs, organisation, and processes, and is accompanied by

suspicion and a dramatization of the consequences. The teams responsible for supporting

change must, therefore, consider these psychological factors and explain the necessity of

changes, as often as necessary.

During the second session, Djordje Vlajić provided unique insights into Serbia PSB which is

in the midst of an encouraging transition toward a more public service-orientated editorial

programming despite several attempts to undermine its independence under the current ruling

governing party legislature, the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) of President Aleksandar

Vučić who was elected President of the Republic last year after he served as the Prime

Minister for two terms. The presentation and the ensuing discussion focused on ways in which

concrete steps can be taken to gradually expand the editorial independence of PSBs in the

short to medium term with a view to creating a working environment conducive to more

substantial policy changes in the longer term.

The last session was dedicated to elaborate points of consensus on editorial policies and

programming schedules which are inherent in the concept of public service broadcasting

across the Southern Mediterranean’s PSBs and which takes account of the political transition

context. The participants discussed the shortcomings of the concept of public service

broadcasting as defined in their respective outlet’s current operating guidelines. In most cases,

these guidelines lay down the general principles for the benefit of the State and the citizen but

fail to define in detail the audiences’ expectations regarding the right to information. This lack

is exemplified most notably by the preponderance of institutional information to the detriment

of “citizen-focused information” i.e. information which might help them to decipher political

issues and understand the position of civil society as well as benefit from a wider coverage of

economic, social, societal and cultural events.

Finally, the participants outlined a series of priority actions including developing draft

legislation aimed at guaranteeing broadcasters’ editorial, financial and administrative

independence, ensuring internal compliance with editorial and ethical standards, developing

new business models to reduce public broadcasters’ dependence on state budgets, and giving a

stronger voice to the public in broadcast programming. The outputs of the exchanges were

compiled by JMI’s expert Bayan Tal and presented during the MedMedia’s closing conference

with a view to establishing a framework for discussion during the sessions of that event which

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were devoted to identifying what could realistically be done to reform PBSs in the short to

medium term.

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Consensus points included the need to:

Restore public trust and ensure the public is at the heart of all editorial policies

Each country should find its own roadmap towards PSB

Define PSB and change culture

Define a strategy is to achieve objectives and which should include every detail

such as editorial policy, code of ethics, identity, productions, cost …

Consult experts and initiate public debate on strategy to ensure public buy in

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2.2. Component Two: Networking 2.2.1. Stakeholder conferences

Closing Conference: Day 1

The MedMedia programme held its closing conference in Tunisia on the 8th

and 9th

of May

2018, kicking-off a round of events organised in the country on Europe Week.

The event brought together some 60 participants from across the Southern Mediterranean. It

comprised a “Policy Makers Forum on Public Service Broadcasting”, held at Tunis’ Culture

City on May 8 and a conference titled “Opportunities for Media Reform in the Southern

Mediterranean”, organised at the ASBU’s headquarters the following day.

Welcoming participants, Patrice Bergamini, Head of EU delegation in Tunisia, expressed the

EU’s commitment in support of media reform across the region saying: “MedMedia helped

improve the capacity and quality of media in the region. In this sense, it has contributed to

strengthening Euro-Arab relations.”

Representing the Tunisian government, Iyed Dahmani, spokesperson and Minister in charge

of the relations with the Parliament, stressed in his opening remarks public media’s

fundamental role in outlining the region’s cultural and social orientations and countering

violence and extremism in society. “People need a free, honest and independent press with

objectives and a sense of responsibility”, he said.

Also speaking at the opening, Younes Mjahed, Senior Vice-president of the International

Federation of Journalists (IFJ) said: “Journalists and their unions in the region have been

fighting to reform state media into public service media for many years. The fight for quality

journalism and editorial independence is long and difficult but we are not shying from this

struggle which we lead with many institutions and civil society organizations in the region.”

Andrea Cairola, Adviser on Communication and Information at the UNESCO, expressed the

UN body’s commitment to “supporting initiatives that advance media freedom and offer hope

and a voice to younger generations in the region”.

BBC Media Action Country Director, Anne Reevell stressed that “BBC Media Action, as

MedMedia consortium leader, has had the privilege of working with four partners whose

expertise has allowed this unique project to achieve some ground-breaking successes.

The result of an IFJ-led initiative, the Declaration on Media Freedom in the Arab

World, the founding charter of the initiative to establish a Special Mechanism for

media freedom in the Arab World, is a ground-breaking achievement for media reform

in the Arab World.

IREX Europe has made a lasting contribution with their hugely successful peer-to peer

mentoring project bringing together media practitioners, building capacity, skills and

enduring professional relationships.

The Jordanian Media Institute and Blanquerna School of Communication showed that

networking between media schools and the development of journalism education in

the MENA region is essential to change in the media sector.

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The BBC is often seen as the gold standard in Public Service Broadcasting – it has been

fortunate to have been born in easier times where competition was non-existent and the

internet had not been invented. Like all public service broadcasters, it faces new challenges

and like all broadcasters its funding model is having to adapt. So, while we hope that we can

support government and broadcasters in the search for new models that fit the times and the

context these discussions are not about imposing a BBC one size fits all Public Service

Broadcasting model, but rather sharing experience, listening and learning from each other to

create new models that work.”

Two parallel events followed the plenary opening, a debate on the future of media reform

and a Policy Makers Forum on public service broadcasting (cf. details and conclusions

Infra).

On Wednesday May 9, the conference examined the programme’s key achievements,

including the Initiative to establish a Special Mechanism for Media Freedom in the Arab

World and the signature of its regional Declaration in six Arab states.

IFJ’s representatives expressed their will to continue to develop the Special Mechanism for

Media Freedom in the Arab World. The campaign was launched prior to MedMedia support

and which was co-funded by itself, the Norwegian government and benefited from the support

of a vast array of organisations. It is very likely that three other States from the Arab region

will endorse the Declaration for Media Freedom by the end of this year, in parallel to

discussions with regional networks on the mandate itself. So, this work is sustained and there

has already been tangible progress on it since the end of MedMedia programme.

The conference also launched two publications, an update by NKE Dima Dabbous of a study

produced in 2015 on Public Service Broadcasting and the White Paper on Media Development

in the Southern Mediterranean Region, developed by Aida Al-Kaisy.

Update of the MedMedia study on Public Service Broadcasting:

Titled Reforming the Broadcasting Sector in the Southern Mediterranean: a Critical

Overview the report was developed by Assistant Dean of Phoenicia University in Lebanon,

Dima Dabbous.

The report highlights the new challenges facing broadcasting in the region, where a digital

revolution had coincided with a political revolution”. It builds on the findings of the previous

MedMedia report (2015) by tracking the legal changes and reforms that occurred between

early 2015 and early 2018, providing a critical overview of public service broadcasting and

the new regulatory reforms introduced since early 2015.

The paper supported a dedicated discussion on the the impact of the Arab Spring and

performance of the public broadcasting sector in the Southern Mediterranean region and the

extent to which the wheels that were set in motion in 2011 have resulted in an improved and

more democratic public broadcasting sector in these countries. See above the main findings of

the study.

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White Paper on Media Development in the Southern Mediterranean Region:

Challenges, Priorities and Solutions

Produced by Aida Kaisy, this paper aims to reflect the challenges faced by the media

development community active in the Southern Mediterranean region5 when implementing

donor-funded projects. It argues that the weakness in communication and coordination

between the donors and implementer communities is having an impact on the effectiveness of

the media development actions. It argues that establishing robust mechanisms for coordination

and collaboration is crucial for work to maintain its impact and relevance.

Born out of a series of initiatives and meetings that brought together many of the

implementing agencies active in the region, the paper summarizes the key findings from these

meetings, looking at the priorities, as well as the practices and processes, which dominate this

particular region and sector.

Speaking on behalf of the GFMD, Biljana Tatomir, advisor for media assistance in Syria and

MENA region, highlighted the positive contribution MedMedia played in hosting debates and

offering tools to coordinate action among donors and implementing agencies in the region.

The Closing Conference also outlined sustainability strategies for the programme and

highlighted ongoing EU-supported media actions including Net-Med Youth, D-Jil, and the

Open Media Hub, which aim respectively to strengthen young people’s participation in the

media and public debate and promote networking and on-the-job training of media

professionals across the European neighbourhood.

Concrete measures to support public service broadcasting in the short and medium terms were

the focus of two working groups of the Closing Conference which discussed and reported in

plenary the new challenges that lie ahead for the transformation of state broadcasters into

public service broadcasters.

The first focus group tried to identify new areas of reform in the Legislative and regulatory

frameworks (1); the second, what could be done by the Public Service Broadcasters

themselves (2).

Legislative and Regulatory Framework (Focus Group 1)

This group was chaired by Sarah Bouchetob, MedMedia Senior Networking &

Communications Manager. Rachid Khechana, Director of the Maghreb Center for Studies on

Libya, acted as Rapporteur for this working group, which aimed to identify new issues and

areas of legal reform in the media sector. The discussion emphasized the importance of:

5 The term Southern Mediterranean region refers to a region which includes the following countries: Algeria,

Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Occupied Palestinian Territories, Syria and Tunisia.

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Pursuing efforts to support public media, and in particular public service broadcasting

through the enforcement of law and the adoption of new legislation by national

authorities where relevant.

In some countries, including Lebanon, promoting partnerships between the public and

the private media sectors to enhance the ability of both to respond to audiences needs

and public services values.

Strengthen cooperation and partnerships at national level between broadcasters,

journalists’ unions, universities and the private sector to promote PSB and quality

journalism.

Strengthening public broadcasters’ independence from political and financial powers

through the implementation of existing regulation and the adoption of new legislation

when relevant.

Public Service Broadcasters’ role (Focus group 2).

The rapporteur of the second group was ASBU Academy Coordinator, Ridha Najar.

This discussion, chaired by IREX Europe Director, Mike de Villiers, was an opportunity to

discuss future actions to ensure the passage of government media to the public media. The

meeting was kicked off with the presentation of Bayan Tall, media consultant at the Jordan

Media Institute (JMI), about the results of MedMedia's latest peer-to-peer exchanges and the

best practices in public service broadcasting. She presented the universal principles of public

broadcasting, namely: universality, independence, excellence, diversity, responsibility and

innovation.

She also addressed:

• The importance of redefining the concepts of public service, government media and

private media in order to avoid conceptual confusion.

• The need to rebuild trust between the media and the public while identifying their

expectations and needs.

• The elaboration and implementation of clear public audio-visual strategies, in

particular on: editorial policy, good governance, regulatory and self-regulatory

mechanisms through ethical standards and codes of conduct.

Regarding the first point, the discussions highlighted the reluctance of young people to watch

the public media, while we know that more than 65% of the Arab population is composed of

young people under 25 years old. Thus, the challenge is to regain their trust and develop and

produce content that interests them while promoting and projecting a positive image of them.

As for the educational role of the public media, the observation remains negative. Indeed,

programs for education in the public service are limited by the lack of innovation and

creativity. Consequently, it becomes necessary to integrate new learning techniques and new

formats into the broadcast content.

Participants also stressed the need to review the relationship between public media and the

key players such as citizens, legislator, regulatory authorities, the state, political parties,

religious communities, etc.

1/8/2014 to 6/9/2018

19

As stated below in point 2.2.6., the Arab State Broadcasting Union (ASBU) has become an

important beneficiary of the MedMedia project and one which offers significant potential for

multiplier effects across the MENA broadcast sector. ASBU also became a partner of

MedMedia whose closing session were held at its headquarter in Tunis.

ASBU is a key partner in the MedMedia project. But also, it is a major player in the Arab

media landscape.

According to ASBU Academy Coordinator, Ridha Najar, ASBU has many missions, such as:

• Exchange and daily sharing of information as well as radio and television products.

• Organization of regional and international seminars.

• Strengthening the professional capacities of media actors (its training centre in Syria

has worked well since its creation in 1982 but given the current circumstances, a new

regional training center was created in Tunis in 2017).

• Dissemination of public service values, respect for professional standards and good

governance.

• Collaboration between different member countries.

The problem of switching from a state service to a public service was paramount and crucial

in the activities and reflections of the ASBU for years, but the intervention of the ASBU

remains limited at the national level and depends mainly on national political will and

regulatory authorities.

ASBU has already published in Arabic four documents (three articles and one book) on Public

Broadcasting.

2.2.3. Regional networking for media schools

The 2nd

and 3rd

of May 2018 was organized in Amman the 5th

and final networking event for

media schools from MENA region. Organized by the Jordan Media Institute and Blanquerna

School of Communications and International Relations this last event gathered some of the

most relevant higher education institutions in the field of media and communications, active

members of the network of universities that the MedMedia has aid to develop.

The meeting was key to analyse the different possibilities for further funding that will ensure

the continuation of network activities. In this regard, it was highly important to review the

recent application for Erasmus+ funding that the members of the network have done just some

months before the meeting. During the conference in Amman has been analysed how to

improve this application and use this expertise for next funding opportunities at a national and

regional level. Furthermore, the meeting established also a common research agenda for

network institutions, addressing one of the main shortcomings of HEIs in the region. The

different partnerships among network members have been studied and has been discussed also

the basis for a MOU between JMI and Blanquerna in order to continue enhancing cooperation

in the region and among MENA and EU higher education institutions.

1/8/2014 to 6/9/2018

20

2.2.4. Combating hate speech

On 2 May, on the eve of World Press Freedom Day 2018, MedMedia launched a regional

publication on hate speech in the media. Covering seven countries across the Southern

Mediterranean (Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Palestine, and Tunisia), the report

looks at media practices and regulations’ effectiveness in tackling hate and racism in the

media.

The report was authored by a team of experts including Toby Mendel, Executive Director of

the Center for Law and Democracy, Nahla Momani, Human Rights and Freedom of

Expression Expert in Jordan, Bassam Eweidah, Director of the Media faculty at Birzeit

University in Palestine, and MedMedia Senior key expert Sarah Bouchetob.

Building on a series of discussions supported by MedMedia on this issue, including a regional

meeting organized in Tunis last August, it highlights various alarming trends including

extremism, media coverage of terrorism, the unethical reporting of migration, the incitement

to hate in live broadcasting and the growing virulence of politicians’ speech on television and

social media.

The publication also outlines international standards and key recommendations for better

practice directions in this area and aims to alert media policy makers, journalists, and

politicians as to what elements they should consider when regulating, reporting or speaking to

the media. To read the Report on Addressing Hate Speech and Racism in the Media in the

Southern Mediterranean Region in English and Arabic, click here

2.2.5. Regional networking for policy-makers

A regional “Policy Makers Forum on Public Service Broadcasting” was organized during

MedMedia’s closing conference in Tunisia on 8/9 May 2018. The forum, which kicked-off the

conference and a round of events organised in the country on Europe Days, was co-hosted by

the Tunisian government, the Syndicat national des journalistes tunisiens (SNJT) and the Arab

States Broadcasting Union (ASBU). Organised in Tunis’ Citée de la Culture on 8 May, it

brought together some 60 participants in its opening and 25 delegates from public media,

journalists’ unions, national human rights institutions and media regulatory authorities, in a

subsequent debate on the future of public service broadcasting in the region.

In a nascent platform, the meeting highlighted the need for an authentic and professional voice

to lead the discussions on media reform in the region. Public service broadcasting, as stressed

by MedMedia’s Team Leader during the event, had been at the heart of the programme since

its launch and its cooperation with key media stakeholders. The meeting reaffirmed the vital

role public service media must play in shaping the democratic future of the region and the

importance to face the obstacles that undermine its ability to perform.

Moderating the debates, Néji Bghouri, President of the Tunisian journalists’ union (Syndicat

national des journalists tunisiens - SNJT), insisted on the importance of strong political

commitments and concrete structural reform measures, to enable reform of public media in

the region.

1/8/2014 to 6/9/2018

21

Participants recommended to convene the Policy Makers Forum on a regular basis, involving

other actors including government representatives and parliamentarians, to ensure a

meaningful process of sustainable media development capable of creating fostering

environment of independent and professional journalism.

2.2.6. Regional networking for public broadcasters

Capacity-building for the Arab States Broadcasting Union (ASBU)

In November 2016, a MedMedia expert visited the ASBU headquarters in Tunis to analyse

existing training programmes and methodologies with senior ASBU staff. The mission helped

to shape a proposal for delivering “blended learning” programmes through the new ASBU

Training Academy. Blended learning is a combination of online and face-to-face training

which enables working journalists to balance training needs with the demands of a full-time

job. It was agreed that providing this kind of programme to ASBU members could play a key

role in establishing the Academy’s reputation as an innovative training provider capable of

providing bespoke courses to public broadcasters across a wide geographical area.

As a result, ASBU Training Academy Coordinator, Ridha Najar, asked MedMedia to help

develop two pilot courses which could showcase new methodologies and test out key

assumptions with a “live audience”. The themes chosen for the training were Mobile

Journalism and Radio Podcasting, reflecting ASBU’s commitment to promoting new digital

technologies and responding to the latest industry trends.

After a two-month preparation phase, the face-to-face element of the Mobile Journalism

course was held in late April whilst the Podcasting training was delivered in mid-May.

Three new training workshops were held during the 8th semester of the project (October and

November 2017).

The following phase of the MedMedia consultancy programme for ASBU focused on creating

an online learning platform which can act as a conduit for training materials for beneficiaries

across the region.

A call for tenders has been launched for the recruitment of a sub-contractor and Media

Training Station (MTS), an UK based company, won the bid. MTS delivered the online

platform and a series of training sessions during the first semester of 2018.

A pilot course including all content, case studies, exercises and assignments.

Face-to-face training for ASBU staff in administering the system.

Face-to-face training for ASBU trainers in delivering and managing online learning.

Final version of a web-based (online) learning platform for ASBU’s exclusive use.

ASBU has become an important beneficiary of the MedMedia project and one which offers

significant potential for multiplier effects across the MENA broadcast sector. The initiative

1/8/2014 to 6/9/2018

22

enjoys exceptionally strong support from the senior management team at ASBU, particularly

from Director General, Abdelrahim Suleiman.

ASBU headquarter in Tunis hosted Day 2 of MedMedia closing conference on the 9th

of May

2018.

2.2.7. Gender equality

MedMedia pursued its work on gender equality and women’s representation in the media, by

expanding its regional initiative, Khabirat*, to Algeria and Lebanon. Through an awareness

raising campaign and a series of online platforms showcasing women experts’ profiles, the

initiative aims to increase the participation of women as experts and influencers in news

programming, and to encourage editorial teams to engage with them and give them more

space and access to bigger audiences.

The initiative was launched last year in Morocco, Tunisia, Palestine and Jordan and on

International Women’s Day this year, in Algeria and Lebanon through two national events.

Held in Algiers on 7 May, with the support of the EU Delegation and local partners El Watan,

DK news and the Human Development Network (HDN), the first explored ways to strengthen

women’s voice in Algerian media. The event brought together 30 participants including

experts, rights defenders and media representatives, and underscored the importance of

empowering women at work and investing in media training and curriculum development.

The same issues were at the heart of the second event, held in Beirut on Monday 12 March,

with the support of the EU Delegation, the Information Ministry, the Lebanese Association of

Women Researchers (Bahithat) and the Lebanese journalists’ union. The meeting gathered

some 20 participants and recommended stronger engagement by media outlets on the issue.

*Visit Khabirat

2.3. Component Three: Overview of the media sector 2.3.1. Online engagement

Following a fairly quiet period in the end of last year and in January this year, during which

the programme’s extension was formulated, the volume of activities and posts on social media

steadily increased in subsequent months. MedMedia’s Twitter platform continued to gather

following, reaching over 2200 followers in early May, from 1400 followers in the last period.

The audience continued to include diverse groups of followers, mostly based in the region and

with a clear majority of male followers (83%).

After several periods of expansion, the Facebook following remained stable, decreasing

slightly from 13,000 to 12,850 in the last period, with new organic followers compensating

those who unfollowed. Engagement was consistent with previous reporting periods, with

peaks of activity in the wake of posts related to key events, high-profile visits and

MedMedia’s publications.

1/8/2014 to 6/9/2018

23

Source: MedMedia Twitter Analytics 07/06/2018

1/8/2014 to 6/9/2018

24

2.3.2. Sustainability actions

2.3.2.1. Special Rapporteur on Media Freedoms

In November last year, MedMedia launched a new round of events to increase regional and

international support for the initiative to establish a Special Mechanism for Media Freedom in

the Arab World. This started with a series of high profile visits in Tunis led by MedMedia

experts Monir Zaarour and Rachid Khechana, which strengthened the engagement in favour of

the initiative of the Arab States Broadcasting Union (ASBU), the Arab Institute for Human

Rights (AIHR) and the Arab League Educational, Culture and Sciences Organisation

(ALESCO).

In December, a month later, MedMedia organized an experts’ meeting on the margins of the

Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe’s (OSCE) conference against impunity.

The meeting which gathered experts from the region, as well as representatives of the OSCE,

the UNESCO, and the Office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights (OHCHR) in

Tunisia, mobilised further support for the regional initiative, and discussed approaches and

models for a press freedom report in the Arab World, to be developed in the context of the

initiative in 2018.

Later that month, a series of meetings were organized in Paris to introduce the Declaration on

Media Freedom in the Arab World by UNESCO member states. The meetings gathered

support from Tunisia and Libya Ambassadors and Permanent Delegates at the UNESCO. A

technical meeting with the UNESCO discussed ideas on how to gather support for the

Declaration in major upcoming events, including around World Press Freedom Day 2018.

A wide coalition comprising national, regional and international bodies had already backed

the initiative and six states in the region signed the Declaration for Media Freedom in the

Arab World (Palestine, Tunisia, Jordan, Morocco, Sudan and Mauritania).

o Mission to the Arab Network of National Human Rights Institutions (AHNNRI),

in Doha, 27/30 March on the Special Mechanism.

During the meetings held in March in Doha, ANNHRI Director Mr. Jamal Sultani and

its legal advisor Ghufar al Ali were briefed on the initiative’s latest updates and the

various dynamics and priorities at play in the region. The discussion on the possibility

for the network to host the mechanism, was laid-out by MedMedia’s key experts

Monir Zaarour and Rachid Khechana.

Based on the OSCE Vienna meeting recommendations, MedMedia deployed Ammar

al-Dwaik, Director General of the Palestinian Independent Commission for Human

Rights (ICHR) and Executive Committee member of ANNHRI, to develop a technical

proposal on AHNNRI’s potential role in the context of the initiative. The proposal

included modalities of the mechanism, the mandate, the selection of the rapporteur and

the hosting of his/her office. This was discussed during the ANNHRI’s executive

meeting in Amman in May. Following that meeting, ANNHRI asked Monir Zaarour,

MedMedia non-key expert and IFJ Director of Policy and Programmes in the Arab

World for a detailed paper explaining why media stakeholders in the region

recommended that ANNHRI establishes the regional Special mechanism to be able to

take an informed decision during its meeting in November 2018. Stakeholders

1/8/2014 to 6/9/2018

25

exchanged different drafts of the paper. The final version of the document will be

included in the agenda of the ANNHRI annual meeting scheduled end of September

2018 in Cairo. Monir Zaarour has been invited to the meeting to present the proposal

before they take a decision about. This document needs to remain privet for the

moment.

Meanwhile, there is ongoing coordination with key ANNHRI members, (national

human rights commissions in Morocco, Tunisia, Jordan and Palestine), who have

already pledged support for the initiative and for establishing the regional mechanism.

At the same time, the proposal to establish a Special mechanism mandated by the

countries who signed the Declaration on Media Freedom in the Arab World (six so far

including Palestine, Tunisia, Jordan, Sudan, Morocco and Mauritania) remains on the

table, in line with recommendations from the open consultation and subsequent

meetings. The decision on whether/when to contact national governments will depend

on the decision ANNHRI’s will take during its upcoming meeting (November 2018).

World Press Freedom Day 2018: MedMedia event held in Accra Ghana (1-3

May) on Declaration Explanatory Note and regional Press Freedom report

methodology.

On 1-3 May, MedMedia organised a meeting in the context of UNESCO World Press

Freedom Day celebrations, held in Accra, Ghana, this year. Meeting on 1 May, a group

of international experts and delegates from the region finalised the methodology for a

regional press freedom report and the explanatory Note to the Declaration of Media

Freedom in the Arab World.

Developed in the context of the initiative to establish a Special Mechanism for Media

Freedom in the Arab World, these papers were discussed at the OSCE Vienna meeting

in November last year, which had recommended:

i. The report should primarily address national governments and

should not be confrontational nor overcritical.

ii. The report, at this stage of the initiative should include three parts:

a part examining specific incidents and cases of violations, another

considering specific themes/areas of reform and a third including

recommendations. The methodology could be reviewed/expanded,

when the mechanism is established.

iii. The report should avoid replicating existing national/regional or

international reports. Instead, it will benefit from these reports and

research.

iv. The report will seek to harmonize its methodology and expand on

the UNESCO’s World Trends in Freedom of Expression and

Media Development in the Arab region. (for more details, cf.

activity report).

Moderating the discussions, Monir Zaarour, IFJ Arab World-Middle East Director and

MedMedia expert, updated participants on the latest developments of the regional

1/8/2014 to 6/9/2018

26

initiative. Designed to support the production of a qualitative report that can advance

press freedom and independent journalism in the region, the methodology was drafted

by experts from the region in consultation with journalists’ groups, national human

rights institutions and regional and international organizations.

Mehdi Benchelah, Senior Project Officer at UNESCO’s Division for Freedom of

Expression and Media Support and Younes Mjahed, General Secretary of the Syndicat

national de la presse marocaine (SNPM) and IFJ Senior Vice-President, offered insight

on how the report could benefit from relevant research including UNESCO’s ‘World

Trends in Freedom of Expression and Media Development’ and other national and

regional reports produced by journalists’ groups and human rights organizations.

The debate highlighted the need for a collaborative and qualitative review that can use

extensive available data to analyse major obstacles facing press freedom in the region

and advise governments and key media stakeholders on how they can improve it. The

report can also help state and non-state actors in their reporting to regional and

international human rights mechanisms.

The document, which should be published every year in December, will include a

thematic analysis of issues selected from among the sixteen principles of the regional

Declaration and highlight key press freedom cases which arise during the year.

The meeting also reviewed the Explanatory note to the Declaration’s key principles.

Toby Mendel, Director of the Center for Law and Democracy and Ammar Dwaik,

ICHR Director, presented the key principles of the Declaration and how the unique

process of its adoption makes it one of the strongest existing regional charters. The

Explanatory note itself will be a valuable contribution to press freedom in the region

as it will provide governments, judges and media practitioners with clear

understanding of the regional Declaration and how it is rooted in international

conventions. Both documents were finalised during MedMedia’s final conference,

held in Tunis on 8-9 May.

On 3 May, the UNESCO conference adopted the Accra Declaration, a series 80

recommendations, including the creation, “where they do not already exist, of official

regional bodies and mechanisms that work to promote and protect the right to

freedom of expression”.

1/8/2014 to 6/9/2018

27

Tunis meetings with ASBU and ALECSO on the Special Mechanism

(April/May).

As part of efforts to mobilise international and regional organisations for the initiative,

a new round of meetings was launched in the end of last year. In November,

MedMedia experts Monir Zaarour – the initiative’s coordinator - and Rachid

Khechana had met Abdel Baset Ben Hassan, President of the Arab Institute of Human

Rights (AIHR) and Abderrahim Sleiman, Director general of the Arab States

Broadcasting Union (ASBU).

Both leaders confirmed their commitment to the initiative’s goals, laying out possible

ways to take it forward. Led by MedMedia experts Rachid Khechana and Néji

Bghouri, further meetings and consultations were held in Tunis in April/May this year

with the ASBU and the Arab League Educational, Culture and Sciences Organisation

(ALESCO).

As a result of these consultations, the initiative to establish the regional mechanism

and its regional Declaration on media freedom were put in the agenda of the ASBU’s

executive council. In a decision taken on 30 April, ASBU’s executive council

mandated its General secretary to liaise with members (national broadcasters in the

Arab World) and follow-up on their support of the Declaration for media freedom in

the Arab World, and to formulate remarks and annotations on the document, in order

to resubmit it at the next executive meeting for a formal decision.

This decision constitutes a key and positive milestone in the adoption of the

Declaration by the regional body. It is also worth noting the Declaration has been

signed by broadcasters in six countries across the region.

Informal discussions also took place with the ALECSO, in the run up and on the

margins of their annual meeting held in Tunis on 6/7 May. Although the issue could

not be formally discussed during the meeting, positive feedback was garnered from

various key delegations, including the Moroccan and Libyan, at the ALECSO.

Meeting in Cairo with the League of Arab States (LAS), on the Special

Mechanism and the Declaration for Media Freedom in the Arab World

A final consultation was organized in Cairo on 30 May, with the support of

MedMedia. A joint delegation of the Federation of Arab Journalists (FAJ) and the

International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) visited the League of Arab States (LAS) in

Cairo, requesting its support for the Declaration on Media Freedom in the Arab World.

The LAS General Secretary, Mr. Ahmed Aboul Gheit, and the Assistant General

Secretary and Head of the Media and Communication sector at the LAS, Dr. Haifa

Abu-Ghazaleh, welcomed the joint delegation led by FAJ President Mr. Moaid Al-

Lami, and IFJ Senior vice-president, Younes Mjahed and MedMedia expert Monir

Zaarour.

1/8/2014 to 6/9/2018

28

The delegation underlined the need to enable the flourishing of a professional and

independent Arab journalism, capable of assuming its positive role in the political,

economic and social development in the Arab world. It also stressed the importance to

support and invest in an Arab Mechanism to protect media freedom and serve the

public interest.

The LAS General Secretary praised the initiative and the constructive dialogue it

opened. He also pledged to support further discussions. He listed the "Declaration of

Media Freedom in the Arab World" on the meeting agenda of the Council of Arab

Ministers of Information and Communications scheduled in the autumn 2018. This is

the first step in the official LAS. If the meeting supports the Declaration, it will

recommend its adoption to the LAS summit which will be organized in March 2019.

3. Results and Activities

3.1. Results

During the last semester of the project, MedMedia produced a brochure on the achievements

of the project. The brochure is online.

When referring to the final updated log-frame matrix, the following table shows that it is also

possible to comment the level of achievement of the results on the basis of the value of the

indicators and the activities implemented during the reporting period.

1/8/2014 to 6/9/2018

Results Under Component One

Objectively

Verifiable

Indicators

Comments

Sources of Verification Assumptions

Result 1

Relevant structural, institutional and legal reforms in the media sector are identified and supported; key trends are captured with a view to stimulating debate

Assessment reports establish baseline indicators against which progress can be measured

Expectations that the media sector would see quick and profound changes in the aftermath of the Arab spring were largely unfounded. As a result, the programme was reviewed to adapt to a different pace of sectoral reform and redefined under thematic packages and activities, adapted to the new context.

Five assessment reports

Follow-up events and social media interaction

Interim and monitoring reports

The situation in the partner countries does not change so dramatically that the reports become obsolete or outdated

Result 2

The knowledge base of decision-makers and media leaders is enhanced

Research findings shape dialogue at follow-up events and inform decision-making

MedMedia enhanced the knowledge base of decision makers and supported the development of some 20 publications on a thematic or country-by-country basis, including 5 regional assessment reports. These publications were used as supporting documents for meetings and consultations of key media stakeholders, to inform decision makers and support media reform. The publications covered a wide range of issues, including sensitive ones such as hate speech and racism in the media, in which media leaders successfully engaged during events and throughout mid or long-term work packages of activities.

Five assessment reports

Follow-up events and social media interaction

Media leaders and policy-makers are willing to engage, even over sensitive topics

Result 3

Policy-makers gain an insight into alternative approaches and effective legislative models

Lessons learned through the P2P programme have a direct impact on legal drafting processes and negotiations with other stakeholders

In Egypt, MedMedia supported the Legislation

Committee of Press and Media (LCPM) through a six-

month P2P exchange programme with the former

President of the Moroccan regulatory body, the Haute

autorité de la communication audiovisuelle (HACA).

LCPM was tasked by the Prime Minister to develop

draft laws which underpin the articles of the new

constitution related to press and media. The aim of the

exchange was to discuss the draft law which was being

developed for the new Egyptian regulatory body with a

view to bringing it in line with international standards.

P2P questionnaires, progress reports and presentation of results

Policy documents and actions plans

Key stakeholders find the experience of other partner countries relevant

Political consensus can be achieved

1/8/2014 to 6/9/2018

The Moroccan peer’s experience was particularly

interesting for the LCPM because he was the first

president of the HACA, an institution which was created

after the abolition of the state monopoly on radio and

television broadcasting and the implementation of the

Audio-Visual Communication Law aimed at

modernising the public sector and promoting the

creation of private broadcasters. The discussion

examined how comparable challenges had been met

and overcome in the Moroccan context, as well as at

assessing the type of mandate and statutory powers

which would be best suited to Egypt’s institutional

context. The exchanges covered a wide range of topics

including:

The specification of audio-visual

communication services for public and private

broadcasters;

The investigation procedure for licence and

authorisation requests;

The structure and timeframes for frequency

acquisition;

And the conditions and mechanisms for

complaint handling and out-of-court dispute

settlements.

During his consultancy, the former president of HACA

also asked to review the draft code for audio-visual

communication through the prism of the Moroccan

experience and that of countries in the region which

have a similar operating environment to Egypt.

In Israel, MedMedia provided P2P continued support

throughout the project to the Ministry of Communication

and the two regulatory bodies which work under its

aegis: The Council for Cable TV and Satellite

Broadcasting (CCSB) and the Second Authority for

Television and Radio (SATR), which regulate the

1/8/2014 to 6/9/2018

content of Israel’s paid-for and free-to-air television

respectively. The goal was to help reform what the

Israeli stakeholders described themselves as the

country’s “outdated and overly rigid” audio-visual

regulatory framework. MedMedia’s support has

comprised study visits to counterparts from seven EU

member states as well as a 12-month P2P exchange

with the former president of the Catalan Audio-visual

Council (CAC). The study visits covered a range of

countries or territories which boasted diverse models

and systems, while the P2P mentoring helped the

CCSB and the SATR to develop a road-map for

introducing regulatory changes on issues which are key

to proposed reforms of the regulatory framework in

Israel. Four priority areas were identified: Media

literacy; Product placement. Regulation in relation to

on-demand and online content and services; And the

development of legal provisions for production quotas

in national languages by the public service and

commercial broadcasters. Feedback from the

beneficiaries was extremely positive and resulted in

concrete initiatives such as public hearings and draft

amendments to the current regulation. These include,

among others:

The introduction of a new interpretation grid for

classification rules in the field of product

placement very similar to that of the Catalan

regulator. This approach was considered to be

more effective and relevant than the model

envisaged in the first draft.

An added obligation for PBSs to produce original

productions aimed specifically at teenagers.

Steps taken to promote an approach combining

co-and self-regulatory instruments vis-à-vis

protecting minors, including a project aimed at

1/8/2014 to 6/9/2018

creating a forum involving regulators,

broadcasters, academics and child protection

NGOs. The Forum which will be tasked with

drafting an ethical code could subsequently

operate as an advisory body. In addition, the

CCSB published the findings of two public

hearings, one to create a national prize for

children’s programmes and one to offer

sponsorships for media literacy content.

In Lebanon, MedMedia helped the Ministry of

Information to organise two P2P national conferences

in Beirut with a view to reviewing the draft audio-

visual law which will be submitted to the Parliament

elected in May 2018 as well as discussing other key

issues related to the reform of the country’s

regulatory framework. Each conference brought

together around 50 participants from the Parliament,

media outlets and universities as well as leading civil

society and media development organisations. They

were joined by MedMedia experts, including

representatives of Italy and Croatia’s regulatory

bodies, and the European Platform for Regulatory

Authorities (EPRA). These events covered a range of

topics: the transition from analogue to Digital

Terrestrial Television (DTT), which the International

Telecommunication Union (ITU) has scheduled for

2020; the protection of minors in a converged media

environment; legislation aimed at combating gender

stereotypes in audio-visual programming; and

political pluralism in broadcast media. The latter issue

is particularly important in Lebanon where the

sectarian polarisation of the political debate and the

funding of television channels by rival countries in the

region increase the risk of media-driven incitement to

hatred and violence. During the conferences,

1/8/2014 to 6/9/2018

Lebanon’s regulatory framework in the fields of

political pluralism, protection of minors and gender

equality promotion were compared with the EU

Acquis Communautaire for the audiovisual sector and

potential areas of improvement and approximation to

EU best practices were identified. The participants

came out with a set of recommendations outlining

how Lebanon’s audiovisual regulation in these

domains should be reformed. The recommendations

were submitted to the Ministry of Information with a

view to conducting advocacy efforts with

Parliamentary and governmental stakeholders for

them to understand how they could bring these

regulations in line with good practices and

international standards.

In Palestine, MedMedia has supported P2P activities

which were aimed at supporting the Media

Development Center (MDC) at Birzeit University in its

efforts to enhance existing media legislation and

conduct related research through the “task force to

develop the National Media Strategy (NMS)”. This

platform, which the MDC leads, comprises around 80

organisations representing the public authorities, the

media, leading universities and civil society

organisations which operate in both the West Bank

and the Gaza Strip. It is aimed at building a legal

framework conducive to freedom of expression and

pluralism for Palestine as well as regulating media

training and developing training curricula in line with

the needs of the media industry. The final outputs of

the NMS, which was launched in 2012, were

delivered during a conference held on February 2017

under the patronage of Palestine’s Prime Minister,

and in cooperation with the Palestine Journalists’

Syndicate. As part of its support, MedMedia

1/8/2014 to 6/9/2018

mobilised two Senior Media Experts:

One Jordanian expert reviewed and proposed

amendments to several proposals of draft media

laws developed by Birzeit University legal

experts, including the draft audio-visual law and

the law defining the statute and powers of the

High Council for Media (HCM), an independent

regulatory body. During his second visit to

Palestine, the expert was asked to examine the

1995 Press and Publications Law. He came up

with a set of recommendations for bringing the

law closer in line with international standards,

particularly with regard to regulations for

licensing newspapers and ensuring editorial

independence. He also helped review the draft

law on the Press Complaint Commission, a new

mechanism to deal with citizens’ complaints on

media content. The proposed amendments and

recommendations were submitted to the

members of the NMS’s Legal Reform

Committee in the West Bank and via

videoconference with their colleagues in the

Gaza Strip for comments and feedback.

A European communication expert helped to

develop an advocacy action plan designed to

raise awareness of the different components of

the NMS among government officials, media

stakeholders and the wider public, so that all

stakeholders can be aware of their role and

responsibilities. The consultancy took the form

of a workshop bringing together the nine

members of the team appointed by the NMS to

design the campaign and supervise its

implementation. The action plan which resulted

1/8/2014 to 6/9/2018

from this activity was presented and agreed on

by the organisations participating in the NMS.

As a result, the MDC advocacy team was better

equipped to develop effectively the media

reform campaign which started to run in early

2018 for a total of 18 months.

Result 4

Regulators apply tried and tested techniques drawn from the experience of counterparts on both shores of the Mediterranean but adapted to meet local needs

Regulators adopt new methodologies, approaches

Decisions and interventions made by regulators reflect international best practice

In Tunisia, MedMedia provided sustained P2P support

to the Haute autorité indépendante de la

communication audiovisuelle (HAICA). In the first half of

2015, under the mentorship of Marc Janssen, formerly

head of Belgium’s CSA, HAICA’s President, Nouri

Lajmi, developed a strategy for communicating the

body’s activities to the general public, the media and

political stakeholders. The pressures exerted at the

time on HAICA by government authorities and private

media demonstrated that the concept of independent

regulation remained poorly understood in Tunisia and

made the work of this P2P relationship particularly

important. The exchange resulted in the development of

internal policies aimed at applying HAICA’s principles of

transparency and accountability to practice as well as

addressing the need to articulate its role and operating

procedures. In 2016, Marc Janssen conducted a

second P2P consultancy visit to help HAICA develop a

draft Directive on Commercial Communications in the

Audio-visual Media. The directive wad aimed at putting

an end to the uncontrolled use of product placement. In

the following month, Nouri Lajmi travelled to Nuremberg

for the 42nd meeting of the European Platform

Regulatory Authorities (EPRA), where he attended a

working group meeting dedicated to audio-visual

commercial communication. These exchanges pointed

towards a lack of capacity at HAICA to conduct

research among consumers of media platforms

services. Data collection and research are key

P2P questionnaires, progress reports and presentation of results

Published decisions made by regulatory bodies

Regulators in the partner countries enjoy a viable mandate and have the resources to operate effectively

1/8/2014 to 6/9/2018

components of the regulation policy-making process.

They provide a thorough, robust and up-to-date

understanding of consumers’ attitudes and help to

develop evidence-based broadcasting standards. For

this reason, MedMedia organised a study-visit to

London for HAICA board members in May 2017 with a

view to gaining an insight into the British regulator’s

research programme. In parallel and following a visit to

Tunis by the Senior Peer-to-Peer Media Expert in

November 2016, Bruno Montariol, attaché for Media,

Culture, Elections and Democratic Transition

Cooperation at the EU Delegation to Tunisia, proposed

widening the scope of the EU-funded bilateral project

(PAMT - Programme d’appui aux médias en Tunisie) in

order to include HAICA’s most immediate capacity

building needs. It was also agreed that MedMedia

would facilitate this process by asking Marc Janssen to

produce two reports, which would be used as the basis

for operational support channelled through the bilateral

project. The first report established the terms and

conditions necessary for the creation of a research

department at HAICA, whilst the second presented

different methods for regulating audience metrics and

rating services, using country-based case studies. The

final versions of the reports were approved by HAICA’s

Executive Board in April 2017 and submitted

immediately afterwards to the EU Delegation. In May

2018, the Senior Peer-to-Peer Media Expert was

informed by Bruno Montariol that a Twinning contract

for HAICA will be putted to tender by the end of 2018.

In Lebanon, the national conferences which MedMedia

helped the Ministry of Information to organise were also

aimed at highlighting the pivotal role of the Country’s

regulatory body Conseil national de l’audiovisuel (CNA)

in the new legislative environment established by the

1/8/2014 to 6/9/2018

draft audio-visual law. The law is aimed at transforming

the CNA, which is currently a consultative institution

operating under the aegis of the Ministry of Information,

into an independent body with full decision-making

powers for broadcast regulation and licensing. In order

to help this transition to operate MedMedia established

a 12-month P2P exchange programme with

representatives of the Italian regulator Autorità per le

Garanzie nelle Comunicazioni (AGCOM). The

programme covered a wide range of regulatory issues

and resulted in the signature of a Memorandum of

Understanding between the two institutions. It was also

aimed at supporting the establishment of a state-of-the-

art monitoring operation in Beirut which will allow the

CNA to compile data on media content based on ‘hard’

evidence and to act as a catalyst for self-regulation and

professional development. Francesco Sciacchitano, a

legal expert for the AGCOM, helped develop a proposal

for long-term support from the EU which could enable

the CNA to purchase a monitoring tool and acquire the

related technical skills.

Result 5

Media schools develop improved curricula which better reflect the needs of the industry and introduce more practice-based modules

A significant increase in the proportion of academic hours devoted to practical exercises

An increase in guest lecturers and work placements

In Egypt, the Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT)

helped Misr University of Science and Technology

(MUST) create an online publication for students

dedicated to the coverage of local news in October the

Sixth City, a Cairo suburb. This initiative was first

mooted by Dr Michael Foley, from DIT, who conducted

a P2P consultancy to MUST in March 2015 with the aim

of providing an insight into the various methods which

can be used to ensure that students gain practical

experience during their studies. It was developed

further by two MUST professors who visited DIT in

November 2015 to examine how online publication ran

by students and teachers work in practice. The website

(www.6octobercity.must.edu.eg) was launched in early

P2P questionnaires, progress reports and presentation of results

Curriculum documents and lesson schedules

Media outlets are committed to supporting the education sector

Resources allow for an increase in practical sessions

1/8/2014 to 6/9/2018

2017 and has been integrated into MUST’s existing

credits system. It is now helping reform the faculty’s

teaching methodologies by giving journalism students

the chance to apply theory to practice in an authentic

newsroom environment, thereby improving their

employment prospects after graduation. This P2P

initiative has made a lasting impression on many

participants in the Amman’s networking event for media

schools which MedMedia organised in May 2017.

Following this event, the Chairperson of the Department

of Mass Media and Communication of Balamand

University in Lebanon contacted the Senior Peer-to-

Peer Media Expert to discuss the possibility of

establishing a P2P relationship with Michael Foley and

the project was successfully replicated for this

institution during the following months.

In Palestine, the director of Moroccan Institut supérieur

de l'information et de la communication (ISIC) provided

P2P support to the Institute of Modern Media (IMM), al-

Quds University to help this institution develop a BA in

media management as none of the Palestinian

educational establishments currently offer this

curriculum.

In Algeria, the director of the Ecole supérieure de journalisme-Pro (ESJ-Pro) in France, drew up a project proposal capturing all the ideas which had been discussed with the École nationale supérieure de journalisme et des sciences de l’information (ENSJSJ) during their P2P exchanges. The document which included a range of recommendations for introducing more practice-based sessions into the ENSJSI’s journalism curriculum, was successfully submitted to the EU Delegation to Algeria and put out to tender through the EC framework contract procedure in 2017. Initially, this P2P relationship was established to help reform ENSJSI’s largely theoretical journalism curricula

1/8/2014 to 6/9/2018

over the period of the MedMedia Project. After his first visit to Algiers, however, Mr Califano reported that a comprehensive overhaul of the curricula would have little chance of success because of the radical changes it would require in terms of administrative procedures and human resources. He argued that a series of modest reforms aimed at securing quick wins would be more effective in the short to medium terms. He advocated successfully implementing a number of smaller initiatives which could generate concrete and immediate results and which would have the potential to change the mind-set of the academic body by demonstrating their value on a practical level. The first such project was implemented in November 2015 during the 20th International Book Fair of Algiers. A group of students produced a “school diary” under the supervision of teachers from ENSJSI and the ESJ-Pro with funding from the French Embassy. Their reports were subsequently published by Algerian media outlets, including high-circulation newspapers such as El Watan and El Khabar. The second project was also funded by the French Embassy and took place in December 2016 when a group of eight young graduates from the ENSJSI travelled to Montpellier to participate in a two-week workshop organised by the ESJ-Pro. They gained an insight into the latest trends in multimedia journalism through promoting teaching methodologies firmly focused on professional practice. The workshop was divided into four thematic training modules, comprising web writing; multimedia report production; mobile journalism; and news monitoring and investigation on the Internet. Reports produced by the students during the workshop were offered to select Algerian online media outlets for publication

Result 6

Broadcasters review programming schedules with a view to introducing formats and themes which respond to

Strategies are introduced for improving schedules in line with recommendations

MedMedia implemented two regional P2P exchange

programmes for PSBs in partnership with COPEAM.

The first one was aimed at improving women’s

representation on screen and in programming team,

whilst the second one focused on developing internal

training policies and resources at broadcasters. These

Internal strategy documents at media outlets and related institutions

Editorial planning documents and internal memos at beneficiary

Political support for media reform remains consistent during and after the project

State media have a commitment to public service programming and

1/8/2014 to 6/9/2018

their public service mandate and to audience needs

Operational guidelines are introduced to improve ethical standards and reflect new policies

programmes targeted individuals who have direct

responsibility for shaping reform processes. They

worked with peer mentors selected from EU member

states as well as other Southern Mediterranean

countries to identify the main weaknesses and priorities

in their respective media outlets, then to develop proper

internal policies and strategies aimed at addressing

them. The recipient peers were encouraged to propose

well-defined, feasible and measurable objectives, and

the exchanges resulted in concrete operational results,

the impact of which significantly exceeded expectations

for many of the participating broadcasters. Most

notably, specific provisions on gender equality

(covering both media content and HR management)

were included in the ethical code of Tunisia’s Radio

nationale (RNT) and Morocco’s Société nationale de

radiodiffusion et de télévision (SNRT), while the group

management of Algeria’s EPTV accepted a proposal to

introduce an anti-sexism clause in all contracts signed

with external production companies. At the same time,

the group’s legal department developed provisions on

sexual harassment which were integrated into internal

regulations and collective agreements as well as

specific guidelines for senior management. Related

achievements of these regional P2P programmes are

fully described in two visibility documents which are

among the materials attached to this report. These

documents, which were compiled by COPEAM and the

Senior Peer-to-Peer Media Expert, were disseminated

among major organisations and regional networks

engaged in improving in-house training capacities

within broadcasters.

organisations recognise its value

Result 7

The P2P programme establishes long-

Exchanges of knowhow and experience

In 2016, the Senior Peer-to-Peer Media Expert

launched a two-year initiative aimed at facilitating

continued exchanges of knowhow and experience

Institutional documents and websites

The experience of counterparts is relevant and

1/8/2014 to 6/9/2018

term institutional links which are maintained beyond the end of grant funding

continue after January 2018

Beneficiaries seek funding to support further exchanges

beyond the project cycle. More specifically, the goal

was to enhance the capacities of the partner institutions

which participated in the P2P programme to benefit

from EU neighborhood programme with a view to

improving their abilities to raise sustained technical

support for consolidating the outcomes of the

exchanges initiated by MedMedia, as well as for

keeping the reform momentum and/or adopting more

ambitious agenda in this regard. It was also aimed at

helping the EU delegations in partner countries to

develop consistent country-based strategies in order to

support reforms of the media sector or to enrich current

bilateral programmes funding large-scale technical

support in the areas covered by the P2P programme.

Related achievements of this initiative are fully

described in the relevant section of this report (3.2.1.

Sustainability of the action)

As a result of their P2P exchanges with European

counterparts, Lebanon’s regulatory body Conseil

national de l’audiovisuel (CNA) and Israel’s Council for

Cable TV and Satellite Broadcasting (CCSB) signed a

Memorandum of Understanding with the Italian

regulator AGCOM and the Catalan Audio-visual Council

(CAC) respectively. Both agreement pave the way for

closer cooperation and exchange of experience

between these institutions.

The representatives of the nine Southern

Mediterranean’s public broadcasters which participated

in the regional P2P programme aimed at improving

gender-based programming became members of the

Copeam gender equality commission. This commission

held a meeting at least once a year during the Copeam

Annual Conference and conduct continued monitoring

and sharing of experience activities, including through

Reports produced by mentors and beneficiaries

Proposals for follow-up funds

culturally appropriate

Benefits are apparent for both mentors and recipients

1/8/2014 to 6/9/2018

dedicated social platforms.

The final workshop of the regional P2P programme on

internal training policies at public broadcasters was

held in Tunis’s ASBU Training Academy with a view to

devising effective ways in which this institution could

supplement and enhance in-house training offered by

the national broadcasters. On this occasion, the

representatives of the participating broadcasters were

introduced to the capacity building programme

implemented by MedMedia to help ASBU develop

“blended learning” programmes which can play a key

role in establishing the Training Academy’s reputation

as an innovative training center capable of providing

bespoke courses to PBSs across the MENA region.

They were also given an insight into how MedMedia

helped the Academy develop a pool of professional

trainers and create an online learning platform which

will serve as a central resource for training materials.

During the ensuing discussion, the participants agreed

that ASBU has a pivotal role to play in the field of

continuous training across the region while expressing

their wish to be more closely involved than before in the

development of the training programmes and curricula.

In March 2015, the conference held in Rabat to launch

of P2P programme for media schools also explored

strategies for creating an institutional framework which

might allow media schools from both sides of the

Mediterranean to meet and interact on a regular basis.

This meeting lay down the foundations for the Media’s

initiative which was aimed at facilitating the creation of

a sustained regional network for media schools (see

below, comments for Result 16)

Result A mechanism is Regular MedMedia published a White Paper on cooperation Minutes of regional Donors and implementing

1/8/2014 to 6/9/2018

8 established to facilitate cooperation between organisations implementing donor-funded projects in support of the Southern Mediterranean media

moderated meetings of regional players with a view to sharing experience

Follow-up actions aimed at deepening partnerships

between donors and agencies implementing media development projects.

Expert Aida Al-Kaisy presented the document at MedMedia closing conference on the 9

th of May 2018 in

Tunis.

Global Forum for Media Development (GFMD) advisor for media assistance in Syria and MENA region, Biljana Tatomir, attended the conference and commented the study. (See above pages 11 and 12).

The idea for this white paper was born out of a series of meeting that were held by a group of media development actors working across the Southern Mediterranean region.

The first consultation was held in Brussels in June 2016, followed by a further meeting in Jakarta at the Global Forum for Media Development (GFMD) World Forum in September 2016. These were followed by a meeting at the Arab Reporters for Investigative Journalism (ARIJ) annual conference in December 2016. A final meeting in Rome in April 2017 debated the first draft of this paper.

meetings and action points

Partnership agreements between key stakeholders

agencies recognise the problems associated with increased competition and duplication of efforts

Result 9

Both donor and agency strategies are modified to reflect feedback from counterparts and beneficiaries

Issues raised during regional meetings are used to shape methodologies and inform priorities

Work in progress. Proposals submitted by implementing agencies

Interim reports

Donor programme documents

Stakeholders have the flexibility to make the necessary modifications within a reasonably short timeframe

Result 10

There is a marked reduction in duplication of efforts and an increase in synergies between projects

Donors and implementing agencies agree to shift the focus of specific project activities in order to accommodate other work

Agencies pool

There is a serious awareness on the part of different stakeholders and a real will to increase synergies between projects.

Inception and interim reports submitted by agencies in the partner countries

Feedback from beneficiaries

Third-party reports on the media development sector

Efforts to avoid duplication and explore synergies do not have a negative financial impact on implementing agencies

Mechanisms for sharing experience are sustainable

1/8/2014 to 6/9/2018

resources, where appropriate

Under Component Two

Objectively

Verifiable

Indicators

Comments Sources of Verification Assumptions

Result 11

The level of dialogue between relevant decision-makers and media practitioners is improved at national level, creating an enabling environment for greater independence, freedom and pluralism of media in the partner countries

Stakeholders meet at national events and engage in an open discussion of key problems and areas of political deadlock

These discussions are continued outside the framework of formal meetings

National events were organised in Algeria and Palestine to assess stakeholders’ adherence to the recommendations of assessment reports and develop national road-maps for media reform in the project’s timeframe. But the changes in the political climate in the region (1) and the review of the programme under thematic strands (2) changed the project’s focus from a national perspective to a thematic one, focused regional networks (broadcasters, regulators, journalists’ unions, media schools, policy makers…), which proved a far more effective approach. National consultations were also conducted on the Special mechanism for media freedom in the Arab World and for the drafting of its regional Declaration.

Minutes of national networking meetings hosted by the MedMedia project

Reports from stakeholder groups on progress achieved

Reports/minutes from follow-up events

Stakeholders can find common ground and have a commitment to improving media freedoms

Activities are not derailed by political or sectarian divisions within the stakeholder groups

Result 12

Key political obstacles are overcome as campaigns pushing for positive change intensify

Decision-makers concede political ground where necessary and harness drivers for change

Forums for dialogue are actively exploited

Soon after MedMedia’s launch, it became clear that the pace of progress in the reform processes would be slower than initially foreseen. However, by supporting the Initiative to establish a Special Mechanism for Media Freedom in the Arab World, MedMedia played a central role in building momentum for media reforms in the region. Based on joint efforts by journalists’ unions, human rights institutions, media, civil society groups and international bodies defending free media and quality journalism, the initiative recognises the crucial role Arab intergovernmental organisations play and calls on them to commit to media freedom through the establishment of an intergovernmental structure. It resulted in the development of a Technical proposal detailing the mandate of the Mechanism (1), a basis of ongoing discussions and consultations with regional intergovernmental bodies. The Declaration for Media Freedom in the Arab World (2) which sets out 16 key

Press reports on progress in the reform processes

Resolutions disseminated by key stakeholders

Policy documents

Media reform processes are not overshadowed by other concerns (e.g. security)

There is a high level of consistency within the stakeholder groups

1/8/2014 to 6/9/2018

principles to achieve the highest international standards of media freedom, protect and enhance journalists’ rights. As of April 2018, the Declaration has been signed in six states in the region - Palestine, Tunisia, Jordan, Sudan, Morocco and Mauritania – by media communities, a wide range of key media stakeholders, human rights’ institutions, heads of state and government officials.

Result 13

A National Partnership for Change is established in at least seven of the nine partner countries. This partnership acts as a catalyst for the reform process in the longer term

Concrete recommendations are made and properly disseminated

Action plans are endorsed by key stakeholders

Cf. supra comments Result 11 Policy documents published by the stakeholder groups

Reports published by supporting organisations and international agencies

Consensus can be reached with all four stakeholder groups

The project enjoys sufficient credibility for outputs to have wide resonance

Result 14

Mechanisms are put in place (or existing mechanisms are supported) to uphold ethical and professional standards with the media sector, thereby building public trust and creating a public service ethos in the ENP South region

Regulatory and self-regulatory mechanisms are established and operate according to agreed parameters

Media outlets introduce internal guidelines which mirror these processes

The number of self-regulation or regulation bodies has increased since 2011 but they are not all really independent. In Morocco, along with Lebanon and Jordan, is one of the first Arab countries to introduce laws to liberalize the broadcasting sector and create a regulatory authority for its regulation, the Haute Autorité de la Communication Audiovisuelle (the HACA). “Compared to other Arab countries, Morocco is quite advanced and comprehensive with respect to the promotion of the values of public service broadcasting and the introduction of institutional and legal frameworks to guarantee them. Morocco is the first Arab country to enshrine, both in its constitution and in the various national laws, the duty of the highest regulatory authority (the HACA) to guarantee and protect pluralism in the media. Moreover, various decrees and related decisions have been promulgated in the last decade or so in order to detail and enhance the public service mission of the public operators. The

Operating frameworks for regulatory bodies and media associations

Results of decisions made by regulatory bodies

Ethical codes and guidelines at media outlets

Reform processes are completed in at least some of the ENP countries during the project lifecycle

Media outputs abide by decisions made by statutory bodies or professional associations

1/8/2014 to 6/9/2018

importance of the HACA was such that the Tunisian regulatory authority for broadcasting (both public and private), the HAICA, was modelled in many respects on its Moroccan counterpart, and soon after its introduction it started cooperating with the HACA in order to learn from the latter’s older, relatively more established experience in the field.” (Dima Dabbous) In Tunisia, a Press Council (self-regulation body) has been created and HAICA (regulation bodies) has been able to open a research center with the help of the EU.

Result 15

Public service media in the Southern Mediterranean facilitate dialogue around key reforms and social issues, acting as an interface between citizens, civil society and governments.

Programmes are introduced or enhanced with a view to increasing inclusion and participation

There is a resulting improvement in market ratings and audience figures

The one-year regional P2P exchange programme on

training policy and resources at PSBs had a particular

focus on ways in which internal training strategies can

address the digital transition. It helped, therefore, the

ten participating PSBs to prepare for embracing the

opportunities offered by social media and using these

networks as a means of enhancing public participation

and facilitating dialogue beyond the confines of

traditional programming. Notable instances include the

professional synergies established by Morocco 2M’s

between the editorial teams of the group’s TV, radio

and web-based operations with a view to facilitating

improved cross-media production and increased

presence on the social networks, as well as the

introduction by Radio Liban of a direct streaming

system to broadcast programmes on the Internet which

now publishes teasers for upcoming broadcasts on

Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

The regional P2P exchange programme on gender

equality also resulted in the introduction of

programming aimed at combating gender stereotypes

and enhancing public participation. Tunisia’s public

radio RNT, for instance, established a gender equality

coordination network, which includes one focal point in

each of the nine regional stations. Their role is to raise

Programmes and programme schedules produced by key media

Market research produced by local agencies

Tracking of media outputs undertaken by the project

Audiences – and particularly representatives from vulnerable or marginalised groups – are prepared to take an active role in democratic processes

1/8/2014 to 6/9/2018

awareness of gender-related issues amongst local

journalists and the wider population, including through

the production of talk-shows. The first of these debates

focused on “women in decision-making positions” and

was broadcast on Radio Sfax in March 2016.

In Algeria, P2P workshops were organised to support

the concerted efforts at all levels in the Etablissement

public de télévision (EPTV) to compete with large

satellite channels and Algeria’s emerging privately

owned broadcasters whilst continuing to make progress

towards a full transition to public service broadcasting.

This programme mobilised six senior experts from

Belgium, France and Tunisia. It was agreed with the

beneficiary that a significant proportion of these events

would take the form of training sessions for managing

editors and senior journalists, including the evening

news presenters, at EPTV’s television network. The

first one focused on issues around editorial

independence, pluralism in news coverage and access

to public media for political parties and civil society.

Content analysis of the Algerian private media,

including newspapers and broadcasters, highlighted

that EPTV could potentially deliver more independent

coverage of national events without incurring political

risk. The participants also conducted a critical review of

several political and social debates broadcast on the

EPTV channels over the previous months which

showed that the experts who were invited to express

their point of view were often the same and that these

individuals generally supported any actions taken by

the government or the administration. Therefore, the

participants were asked to compile a list of experts from

the academic and civil society sectors who were

generally thought to be more independently minded. By

diversifying their pool of experts, the news teams

1/8/2014 to 6/9/2018

should be able to introduce greater pluralism into

EPTV’s news programmes. Another workshop, held in

March 2017, targeted at EPTV’s in-house and external

producers and was aimed at identifying areas for

improvement in EPTV’s production policies as well as

increasing awareness and understanding about what is

required of a PSB in terms of programming and

content. The participants were given insights into the

Belgian PSB’s values and standards governing the

work of producers with a view to devising on ways in

which EPTV’s guidelines could be reviewed in order to

better take the public’s needs and expectations into

account, in particular regarding diversity of news and

programming. They were also introduced to a range of

programme formats which Narrative, a French

production company which specialises in new media,

had co-produced with France Télévision in order to

promote education, cultural diversity and social

inclusion. The ensuing discussion focused on reviewing

the various stages of a typical co-production process

between an independent producer and a PSB. This

approach served to highlight the value of collaborative

working methods, which are essential to developing

programmes aimed at fulfilling public service mandates.

Result 16

Regional or sub-regional connections are developed in key sectors of the media landscape (journalism associations, media schools, line ministries, local authorities, regulators, telecommunications

Key stakeholders learn from comparable experience and develop more coherent policies/strategies at regional level

Materials are actively exchanged and

A strategy relying on synergies and cooperation with

long-established regional networks was fostered

throughout the project. This helped to secure the buy-in

from key stakeholders and multiply the impact of their

actions or joint-initiatives. Regional events were held

with each of the key stakeholders and networks

identified as partners, including broadcasters,

journalists’ unions, regulators, media schools and policy

makers, resulting in successful capacity-building or

reform initiatives at the national and regional levels.

Around 40% of the peer mentors mobilised for the P2P programme were experts from the Southern

Minutes of national and regional networking events

Action plans drawn up by key stakeholders

Policy documents, journalism curricula, ethical codes, operating guidelines

Beneficiaries see the value of learning from comparable experience and are willing to share information on a regional level

Networks developed through the project are maintained after the end of grant funding

1/8/2014 to 6/9/2018

providers etc.) key challenges identified

Mediterranean. They helped beneficiary institutions to learn from comparable experience and to test ideas and know-how which had demonstrated their effectiveness to overcome similar challenges. Furthermore, one of the innovations of MedMedia’s P2P programme was to combine individual exchanges with sectoral meetings of peers from the same stakeholder group. This mechanism was aimed at facilitating the mutual learning process among the different partner institutions and establishing the foundations for a community of practice across the region. This approach proved to be particularly effective during the two regional P2P programmes for PSBs implemented in partnership with Copeam and which allowed multilateral exchanges between representatives of participating broadcasters. Each workshop (three workshops/programme) combined plenary sessions, where issue on the agenda were discussed with all the participants, with sub-group meetings chaired by the peer mentors. The latter included working sessions in group of three recipient peers which were made up according to country circumstances and demand, and face-to-face meetings with the peer mentor to define concrete steps to be taken to achieve the objectives defined by the recipient peers for the programme. The needs of each recipient peer were, therefore, collectively discussed so that everyone could benefit from the ideas and experiences of individuals. These discussions were also used to validate the first approaches proposed by the peer mentors in order to solve the problems of their recipient peers.

MedMedia nurtured a group of media schools and

universities from the region to support better media

education. This initiative gathered 35 delegates from

Jordan, Palestine, Lebanon, Egypt, Tunisia, Algeria and

Morocco as well as experts from Spain, France, Ireland

and the United Kingdom. They joined forces to support

the development of a sustainable network aimed at

encouraging professional partnerships and to continue

1/8/2014 to 6/9/2018

sharing best practices. Future opportunities for

partnerships and collaboration were discussed as well

as an initiative aimed at promoting student and teacher

exchanges which was developed as a proposal for the

2018 Erasmus+ programme.

The proposal for funding was submitted last February

and results were to be published in September 2018.

Result 17

Stronger links are forged between media practitioners in the ENP South Region and supporting networks in the EU, thereby improving the flow of experience and building greater confidence within the Arab media industry

Action plans are formulated as a result of P2P and experience exchange activities

Activities delivered in partnership with existing networks enjoy high impact and positive feedback

MedMedia provided multi-layered support through P2P

exchanges with experts selected from both private and

public organisations within the EU as well as other

Southern Mediterranean countries. Twenty-seven

partner institutions including regulatory bodies and

institutions tasked with drafting proposals for media

regulation, as well as public service broadcasters and

media schools, benefited from the programme. As part

of it, MedMedia organised: Forty-five (45) ad-hoc

mentoring for twenty-three (23) partner institutions;

Fourteen (14) study visits and study tours for eleven

(11) partner institutions which mobilised thirty-two (32)

counterpart institutions from eleven (11) EU member

states and three (3) Southern Mediterranean countries;

Two (2) one-year regional exchange programmes which

involved all the PSBs; Four (4) regional meetings of

peers and three (3) national conferences for support to

regulatory reforms. The exchanges were based from

priorities expressed by the partner institutions

themselves, including during the assessments which

were conducted in the partner countries during the

project Inception Phase. In order to legislate for local

ownership of the outputs, the partners were asked to

propose objectives which can yield concrete operational

results in the form of practical changes and innovations.

Likewise, the experts were required to present ideas in

the form of workable solutions (i.e. solutions relevant to

the specific situation of beneficiaries). Thanks to the

Action plans produced by P2P beneficiaries

Networking platforms and the MedMedia Portal

Reports produced by existing networks (EBU, COPEAM, ASBU etc.)

Beneficiaries in the Arab world feel that EU experience is relevant to their situation

Approaches and strategies promoted by the project are viable and appropriate in the ENP South context

1/8/2014 to 6/9/2018

P2P activities, action plans including concrete solutions

to perceived problems on an institutional level were

implemented and a constant flow of sharing of

experience and best practices was delivered over the

project cycle. As highlighted in MedMedia Mid-term

Evaluation report, “the P2P component has provided a

useful service to beneficiaries (…) In several countries,

the P2P collaboration has contributed to building

institutional capacity that will be sustainable in the

short-term perspective” and “media organisations have

generally been satisfied with the quality of the

assistance they have received.”

As highlighted above, (Result 6), the two regional P2P exchange programmes for PSBs implemented in partnership with COPEAM enjoyed very high stakeholder buy-in and resulted in concrete operational results, the impact of which significantly exceeded expectations for many of the participating broadcasters. These initiatives also proved to have strong potential for multiplier effects. Following the programme on gender equality, MedMedia provided additional support to Algeria’s public television EPTV by facilitating the participation of two senior experts in a workshop focusing on gender stereotypes in broadcast content which was organised for around 40 members of staff. This two-day event resulted in the adoption of a set of recommendations which called for gender equality issues to be integrated into internal regulations and collective agreements. The success of this initiative prompted the Algerian public radio ENRS to organise a workshop on the same issue. Held in March 2016, the event brought together around 70 employees from the radio stations network and the national press agency, Algérie Presse Service (ASP).

Under Component Three

Objectively

Verifiable

Indicators

Objectively Verifiable Indicators Sources of Verification Assumptions

1/8/2014 to 6/9/2018

Result 18

Knowledge management activities and sector-focused reportage help to shape decision-making processes amongst stakeholder groups, including the media development community

Take-up for materials channelled through the MedMedia Portal is high

Beneficiaries actively exchange ideas and experience through related platforms

MedMedia enhanced the knowledge base of decision makers and their access to key resources online. It supported the development of 20 publications assessing the situation of the media sector in the Southern Mediterranean, on a thematic or country-by-country basis; it featured on its portal a Digital library (1), drawing some 360 key documents in Arabic, English and French, easily accessible and searchable and a knowledge-sharing portal (2) disseminating capacity-building resources and facilitating an exchange of experience between key beneficiaries and coordination within the media development community.

Traffic statistics for the MedMedia Portal and related social media pages

Discussion forums set up on these platforms

Tracking of media reform processes on the Portal

Media reform processes in the region are successful in breaking deadlocks

Specific initiatives come to fruition over the project lifecycle, thereby demonstrating that change is possible

Result 19

Through online discussions and interaction, assumptions are challenged and lessons learned are shared

Forum users engage in constructive dialogue and comment actively on the experience of other countries

Online discussion forums on social media platforms and the MedMedia Portal

Reports from moderators and experts

Stakeholders are prepared to exchange ideas and opinions on the Internet

Forums are not derailed by outside interest groups

Result 20

The MedMedia Portal accrues at least 2,000 unique visits per week whilst the project’s social media channels attract 15,000 likes on Facebook and 500 Twitter followers by the end date

A steady rise in activity on the MedMedia Portal

Sustained interest in the outputs of social media platforms

In its last period, MedMedia’s portal accrued over 20,000 unique visitors, in sharp increase from the previous period (14,000), whilst its social media channels attracted 13,000 likes on Facebook and over 2,100 followers on Twitter.

Facebook, Twitter and Google analytics

Front-end activity on the Portal and social media

The MedMedia Portal maintains a unique profile and continues to offer services which meet genuine needs within the stakeholder groups

Result 21

The Media Advisory Group becomes a recognised feature of the regional media landscape, feeding into the decision-making

Regular meetings are held across the project lifecycle

Meetings are attended by representatives

In May 2014, key media networks and intergovernmental organisations including the IFJ, the FAJ, the UNESCO, the ASBU, the COPEAM, and the EBU launched a Media Advisory Group (MAG) to strengthen engagement with key stakeholders and act as multipliers of MedMedia reform initiatives. Although the MAG was only punctually convened in the following

Minutes of MAG meetings

Reports published on the MedMedia Portal

References to MAG outputs outside the project’s immediate

MAG recommendations are properly disseminated and feedback is encouraged from the wider media community

MAG can remain active

1/8/2014 to 6/9/2018

processes of regional networks and facilitating an exchange of ideas

from key networks and target groups

years, its establishment contributed in the improvement of the programme, with major regional and international networks giving their advice and insights on regarding the project’s its key actions. The MAG remains a natural consultative group to convene in the context of future large programmes and relevant joint actions.

sphere of influence after January 2018

Result 22

A Special Rapporteur for Press Freedoms in the Arab World is established and accepted by key stakeholders

The position is ratified by the Arab League and terms of reference are published

A suitable candidate is identified and starts work

The Rapporteur’s recommendations are given wide currency in the region

The establishment of a Special Mechanism for Media Freedom in the Arab World is a long-term campaign which has already yielded successes through the buy-in of dozens of national, regional and international organisations and the signature of its founding charter, the Declaration for Media Freedom in the Arab World by six States in the region. The Declaration is now considered the key regional document to improve protection of journalists, independent journalism and media freedom and have been quoted as such in UN documents for its upcoming global meeting on 2nd November for the International Day to End Impunity. Buy-in of media communities, journalists and government is paving the way for the definition of the mandate and the reform of key regulations to allow its hosting by a regional intergovernmental body (cf. supra section 2.3.2.1.1 Mobilising regional networks/ delegation visit to League of Arab States).

Feedback from the Arab League and policy documents

Documents relating to the selection process

Recommendations and communiques made by the Rapporteur

Press reports

Consensus on the role and mandate of the Rapporteur can be secured

The work of Rapporteurs in Africa and Europe shapes and informs the role in the MENA region

The post is sustainable

Result 23

Long-term links are forged with key strategic partners, thereby ensuring the sustainability of key project outputs and the continuation of networking activities

Agreements are signed with partners to take ownership of various project outputs

The Portal continues to be updated and visited

A networking strategy is agreed with journalism unions and

Long-term links have been forged between the EU, consortium partners and key strategic partners, and among the key partners themselves. Sustainability strategies have also been formulated and partnerships secured to ensure the viability of specific components of the programme beyond the MedMedia project life-cycle (cf. section 3.2.1 sustainability of the action).

Signed agreements with partners

Networking strategy document and follow-up agreements

Third-party analysis of the media sector

Funding can be identified and secured for specific outputs

Methodologies pioneered by the project remain relevant and viable

The values of networking are recognised and endorsed by a range of key stakeholders

1/8/2014 to 6/9/2018

syndicates

Result 24

A legacy strategy for the MedMedia Portal is implemented

The software and IP for the Portal are transferred to a regional partner or partners

The partner(s) put(s) resources in place to support the Portal and maintain momentum

A legacy strategy for the MedMedia Portal has been formulated, with agreements by recipient organisations to take over specific parts of the website (cf. section 3.2.1 sustainability of the action).

Partnership agreement(s) with the recipient organisation(s)

Publicity and policy documents relating to the future activities of the Portal

Funding can be identified to cover hosting and management costs

Content continues to be relevant to stakeholders across the region

48

3.2. Activities 3.2.1. Sustainability of the action

The initiative to establish a Special Mechanism for Media Freedom in the Arab

World

The initiative was launched by the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), a MedMedia

consortium partner, in early 2014. It benefited from the programme’s support since its early

stages and has since garnered the backing of dozens of national, regional and international

organisations, in the region and beyond. Its founding charter has been endorsed in six

countries. The world journalism community and media development organizations

recommended its support during the World Press Freedom Day on 3rd

May held in Accra.

Under the IFJ’s leadership and based on a consultative and inclusive approach, the initiative

will continue to expand to other countries in the Arab region.

The Digital library:

MedMedia website features a Digital library, a one-stop shop for individuals and

organisations working in or supporting the reform or development of the media sector. The

library draws over 360 key documents on media in the region, in Arabic, English and French,

and includes a search engine which filters materials by country, type, theme and language,

making them easily aaccessible. The IFJ, who managed the development of the digital library,

pledged to support its expansion and committed to keep it alive and expand it in the region

and beyond. It proposes hereby to take over its management and ensure its long-term

sustainability.6

Khabirat:

The awareness raising campaign on women representation in the media, was proposed and

implemented by the IFJ on behalf of MedMedia. Its national Arabic-language online

directories are supported by national partners who committed to promoting the campaign and

updating the national online platforms. Following internal consultations and legal process, the

EC approved the transfer of the websites to national partnerships. Their management,

however, proved difficult with local partners’ limited resources and fundraising opportunities.

The IFJ committed to further coordinate the initiative and the network of platforms at the

regional level and support national partners in their fundraising efforts to expand the

campaigns, which aim to creating more space for women in the media as influencers and

actors for change and fairer societies.

3.2.2. Peer-to-peer (P2P) exchanges

A number of P2P relationships have contributed to identifying and formulating areas of

endeavour which require sustained long-term support. For this reason, the Senior Peer-to-Peer

Media Expert travelled to most partner countries from mid-2016 to meet with the EU

delegations. During these trips, he held meetings with partner institutions with a view to

establishing priority areas of action among the needs evidenced by the P2P activities. Each

visit concluded with a meeting at the local EU delegation in order to evaluate the potential of

6 See Annex 4: Sustainability strategy for the MedMedia portal’s Digital Library (letter to EU Programme

Manager Klara Srbova, 15 July 2018.

49

EU neighbourhood programmes to respond to these priorities. Regional networks from both

sides of the Mediterranean, as well as other EU-funded programmes were also mobilised to

ensure the sustainability of the P2P activities’ outcomes and the continuation of the

exchanges beyond the project cycle, in particular for the public service broadcasters (PBSs)

which participated in the regional P2P exchanges programmes implemented in partnership

with COPEAM.

Algeria

In the spring of 2016, the Senior Peer-to-Peer Media Expert helped the Établissement public

de télévision algérienne (EPTV) to develop a comprehensive training and capacity-building

plan for editorial and administrative staff. The plan includes the recommendations formulated

during the two-year P2P exchanges between EPTV’s editorial management and Alain

Chabod, former editor-in-chief of the news programme on France 3, and which focused on

issues around editorial independence, pluralism in news coverage and access to public media

for political parties and civil society.

The Senior Peer-to-Peer Media Expert also assisted the Entreprise nationale de radiodiffusion

sonore (ENRS) in drafting a project proposal aimed at increasing media literacy amongst

young Algerians through innovative radio drama. At the same time, Benoit Califano, Director

of the École supérieure de journalisme-Pro (ESJ-Pro) in France, drew up a concept note

capturing all the ideas which had been discussed and accepted by the director of the École

nationale supérieure de journalisme et des sciences de l’information (ENSJSI) during their

P2P exchanges. The document developed by Mr Califano includes a range of

recommendations for introducing more practice-based sessions into the ENSJSI’s largely

theoretical journalism curriculum and for helping this institution to better respond to the latest

industry trends - particularly with regard to digital technologies and media convergence.

The three project proposals were submitted to the EU Delegation, which had funding for the

media sector under the 2016 SPRIN programme, via the National Director of Algeria’s

Ministry of Trade in the framework of the Programme d'Appui à la mise en œuvre de l'Accord

d'Association Algérie-Union Européenne (UGP P3A). Two of these proposals have been

approved by the UPG P3A, including those for the ENRS and the ENSJSI.

Israel

The Senior Peer-to-Peer Media Expert engaged with the EU Delegation in Tel Aviv with a

view to exploring ways of consolidating and deepening the three-year P2P exchanges

programme for Israel’s regulator Council for Cable TV and Satellite Broadcasting (CCSB)

which was aimed at facilitating the ongoing efforts of this institution to reform what its

representatives described as the country’s “outdated and overly rigid” audio-visual regulatory

framework. The discussion centred on the Twinning Contract which the Delegation is

preparing for Israel’s Ministry of Communication under the aegis of which the CCSB

operates. This initiative will be aimed at providing a firm basis for Israel to align its regulatory

50

practices in the fields of electronic communications and audio-visual media to EU legislation

and international best practice. The Senior Peer-to-Peer Media Expert communicated to the

EU Delegation the outputs of the P2P relationships between the CCSB and the seven

European counterparts which participated in these exchanges, as well as the priority areas of

action established by the Israeli regulator as a result of the programme.

Lebanon

As part of the P2P multi-layered support aimed at helping Lebanon’s Conseil national de

l’audiovisuel (CNA) to operate its transformation into an independent body with full decision-

making powers for broadcast regulation and licensing, MedMedia supported the establishment

of a state-of-the-art monitoring operation in Beirut. These monitoring capacities could allow

the CNA to compile data on media content based on ‘hard’ evidence and to act as a catalyst

for self-regulation and professional development. In 2015, Francesco Sciacchitano, a legal

expert for the Italian regulator AGCOM, helped develop a proposal for long-term support

from the EU which will enable the CNA to purchase a monitoring tool and acquire the related

technical skills. In addition, a delegation from the CNA took part in a study visit to Rome with

a view to gaining an insight into the Italian regulator’s experience in this field. The trip

included a meeting with representatives of the software company, Almawave, which has

developed fully automated speech-to-text and video-to-text recognition software which would

be well adapted to the needs of the CNA. It enables operators to monitor dozens of TV and

radio channels on terrestrial and satellite frequencies at the same time, while maintaining a

low level of operational and HR-related costs.

The initial results of the initiative were very promising, particularly in the light of the meeting

held by Mr Sciacchitano in June 2015 with the EU Delegation in Beirut and the Project

Administration Officer (PAO) during which both agreed in principle to support a Twinning

request for the CNA. Nevertheless, this strand of the strategy suffered from the ambiguous –

and, in some cases, ambivalent – attitudes of the CNA. The concept note for the Twinning

application was prepared in October 2015 but has yet to be passed on to the PAO. The

explanations provided by the CNA have always been both unclear and unconvincing.

Subsequent attempts by the Senior Peer-to-Peer Media Expert to reconnect with the EU

Delegation and the new PAO failed to resolve the situation. It was, therefore, agreed in late

2017 that the CNA president would contact the Delegation directly through the official

channel of the Ministry of Information with a view to organising a meeting with the PAO and

presenting the concept note.

However, MedMedia efforts to ensure sustainably of the P2P institutional links developed by

the CNA and the AGCOM throughout the project were crowned with success with the

signature of a Memorandum of Understanding between the two institutions in September

2017, which paves the way for closer cooperation and exchange of experience.

51

Morocco

In December 2016, the Senior Peer-to-Peer Media Expert travelled to Rabat to meet with two

Moroccan partner institutions which had previously participated in the P2P programme: the

Institut supérieur de l’information et de communication (ISIC) and the Société nationale de

radio et télévision (SNRT). Before his departure, he was told by the EU Delegation to

Morocco that preparations were under way for a project targeted at the Ministry of Culture,

the Centre cinématographique marocain (CCM) and the ISIC. This initiative is aimed at

building their skills in the fields of institutional communication and audio-visual production

with a view to improving the way Morocco’s heritage is promoted and the country’s cultural

sector is managed. In November 2016, an organisational and technical assessment was

conducted within the three institutions in order to identify the capacity-building needs and to

define priorities for future action. The preliminary findings of the report showed that the

outcomes of the P2P exchanges between the ISIC and Fiona Barton, a member of the FOJO

Media Institute in Sweden, made a significant contribution to this process.

This P2P mentoring programme was established in 2015 to help the ISIC adapt the content of

training courses to rapidly evolving digital technologies. Mrs Barton conducted a survey (in

the form of a questionnaire and discussion) amongst the teachers in order to get a better idea

of their concerns regarding the use of new information and communication technologies

(ICT). The results of the survey indicated that most of the respondents had little understanding

of ICT, but were concerned about losing credibility with their students. Consequently, they

tended to hide behind theoretical teaching, leading to a marked lack of progress in this area.

To resolve this issue, Fiona Barton proposed several lines of inquiry which were approved by

the ISIC. During his discussion with the director of the ISIC, the Senior Peer-to-Peer Media

Expert discovered that most of these recommendations had been included in the needs

assessment for the Twinning project. The information was shared with the contact person for

Twinning and TAIEX at the EU Delegation, Fulvio Bianconi, who described the situation as a

“model of complementary” between national and regional programmes. Mr Bianconi also

suggested that the Senior Peer-to-Peer Media Expert should review the draft Twinning fiche

with a view to ensuring that all the outcomes of the P2P support to the ISIC were taken into

consideration.

The Twinning contract was put to tender in late 2017 and is now implemented by a

consortium leading by the French Ministry of Culture and including AGCPM, the Italian

audio-visual regulator.

During his visit to Rabat, the Senior Peer-to-Peer Media Expert also met with the individual

responsible for the gender equality commission at the SNRT, Amina Gharib. Mrs Gharib

participated in the P2P regional programme on gender equality during which she developed a

charter for gender equality covering both media content and HR management and established

an ad-hoc committee to monitor its implementation across all the group's channels and

stations. Other key initiatives conducted under her supervision included an awareness

52

workshop for senior executives and journalists which focused on gender stereotypes in media

content and an assessment of recruitment and career development which was conducted by the

HR department with the aim of taking corrective measures and improving equal opportunities

for women and men employees.

During their meeting, Amina Gharib and the Senior Peer-to-Peer Media Expert explored

avenues for future activities. The discussion focused on the opportunities offered by the EU’s

current technical assistance programme which focuses on implementing the government's

Action Plan for gender equality in Morocco. This programme includes a range of activities

aimed at helping key stakeholders from the media sector to combat gender stereotyping and

sexism on screen and in the press. Following this meeting, Amina Gharib was introduced to

Paula Ferdandes who drives the process at the EU Delegation. Mrs Ferdandes expressed a

strong interest in working with Amina to explore the practicalities of replicating the SNRT’s

gender equality strategy at other Moroccan media institutions. Finally, Paula Ferdandes was

invited to and participated in the official ceremony organised by the SNRT on January 18,

2017 in order to launch the charter for gender equality which was developed by Amina Gharib

with the support of MedMedia’s P2P programme.

Tunisia

Over a period of several months, the Senior Peer-to-Peer Media Expert worked with Bruno

Montariol, attaché for Media, Culture, Elections and Democratic Transition Cooperation at

the EU Delegation to Tunisia, to identify ways of continuing to support the Haute autorité

indépendante de la communication audiovisuelle (HAICA). The country’s regulatory body is

in the midst of a restructuring process and MedMedia is the only EU-funded initiative which

has provided this institution with support so far. Although the capacity-building needs of

HAICA remain substantial, regulation is an area which is only partially covered by the EU-

funded bilateral project (Programme d’appui aux médias en Tunisie - PAMT) which was at

the beginning of 2017. This is due, in large part, to the fact that HAICA was established as a

transitional body in the aftermath of the Jasmin Revolution. The 2014 Constitution provides

for the creation of an Instance de communication audio-visual (ICA), a new regulatory body

endowed with constitutional status. There was, therefore, some uncertainty within the EU

Delegation as to whether this new body would be created ex nihilo or built on the foundations

of HAICA – particularly since a timetable for establishing the ICA has yet to be announced.

In November 2016, the Senior Peer-to-Peer Media Expert travelled to Tunis with a view to

clarifying this issue and considering the implications of various scenarios. He first met with

Nouri Lajmi, the president of the HAICA. Mr Lajmi confirmed that the ICA will inherit the

premises and equipment currently belonging to HAICA, including the state-of-the-art

monitoring operation which was established in 2013 with support from the United Nations

Development Programme (UNDP). The same scenario will apply to human resources. The

technical and administrative staff, most of whom are public servants on attachment to the

HAICA, will be kept on. Only the board members will be replaced.

53

The second part of the meeting with Mr Lajmi was aimed at identifying the priority areas of

action for HAICA which could benefit from EU funding. These comprised:

The creation of an in-house research department which will provide

HAICA with a thorough, robust and up-to-date understanding of

Tunisian consumers’ attitudes and help to develop evidence-based

broadcasting standards.

Access to an independent and reliable audience measurement system

with a view to introducing audience metrics as policy criteria for existing

legislation, thereby regulating competition between broadcasters.

Following this discussion at HAICA, the Senior Peer-to-Peer Media Expert met Bruno

Montariol at the EU Delegation. The clarifications provided by Mr Lajmi with regard to the

legal context for transitioning to the new regulatory body opened up new opportunities. In

particular, Bruno Montariol proposed extending the scope of the bilateral project in order to

cover the two priority needs highlighted by Nouri Lajmi. It was also agreed that MedMedia

would facilitate this process by including regulatory research and audience measurement

among the topics to be discussed during HAICA’s study visit to France and UK in March

2017, as well as by asking Marc Janssen, former president of Belgium’s Conseil supérieur de

l’audiovisuel (CSA), who acted as MedMedia’s peer mentor for HAICA in 2015, to produce

two reports, which would be used as the basis for operational support channelled through the

bilateral project. The first report would establish the terms and conditions necessary for the

creation of a research department at HAICA, whilst the second would present different

methods for regulating audience metrics and rating services, using country-based case studies.

The final versions of the reports were approved by HAICA’s Executive Board in April 2017

and submitted immediately afterwards to the EU Delegation by the Senior Peer-to-Peer Media

Expert. In May 2018, the Senior Peer-to-Peer Media Expert was informed by Bruno Montariol

that the Twining contract will be putted to tender by the end of 2018.

Regional P2P exchange programme for public service broadcasters

The Senior Peer-to-Peer Media Expert drafted a concept not for an EU-funded project

proposal aimed at consolidating and deepening the outcomes of the ten-month regional P2P

programme on gender equality for public service broadcasters (PSBs) which was implemented

in 2015-2016 in partnership with COPEAM. The document was communicated to

MedMedia’s EC Task Manager Heinke Veit in September 2016. In parallel, the Senior Peer-

to-Peer Media Expert put representatives of the PSBs which participated in the programme in

contact with the staffs in charge of gender equality programmes and initiatives at EU

Delegations in partner countries. This was done, in particular, in Morocco, Algeria, Jordan

and Palestine.

54

Significant efforts were also deployed to ensure the sustainability of the outcomes of the

regional P2P programme on internal training policies and strategies at PBSs. These efforts can

be summarized as follow:

During the mid-term workshop of the programme, which was held in

May 2017 during the COPEAM Annual Conference in Beirut, the

Team Leader of the EU-funded OPEN Media Hub (OMH) project,

Dominique Thierry, moderated a session which was aimed at

presenting the training opportunities offered by the OMH and at

discussing the ways in which this project could address some of the

capacity-building needs identified during the P2P exchanges. As a

result of this initiative, editorial staffs of Radio Liban participated in

training sessions on mobile journalism which were delivered by the

OMH two months later in Beirut. Other participating broadcasters,

including Télé-Liban, the PBC and ENRS, engaged discussions with

Dominique Thierry to benefit from similar training support.

During the final workshop which was held in November 2-3 at the

headquarters of the Arab States Broadcasting Union (ASBU) in Tunis,

ASBU’s Head of Training and Director of Engineering provided the

participating PSBs an insight into the key features and services of the

MENOS online learning system, while MedMedia’s Team Leader

presented the interim results of the capacity-building programme

developed by MedMedia in collaboration with the academy’s staff. The

ensuing discussion focused on effective ways in which ASBU could

supplement and enhance in-house training offered by the national

broadcasters. The participants agreed that ASBU has a pivotal role to

play in the field of continuous training across the region while

expressing their wish to be more closely involved than before in the

development of the training programmes and curricula.

In May 2018, Dr Sasha Scott from the European Broadcasting Union

(EBU) contacted and engaged with the Senior Peer-to-Peer Media

Expert. Mr Scott is managing a strategic initiative at the EBU,

supporting its members and associates across Europe and the MENA

region to react strategically to the changing media landscape,

specifically in respect of digital reorganisation. He was particularly

interested in MedMedia’s P2P programme on internal training policies,

which had a focus on devising effective strategies addressing the digital

transition. Sasha Scott said that Southern Mediterranean PSBs are

unfortunately underrepresented in the EBU activity and expressed the

wish to increase contact with the representatives of the PSBs which

participated in the MedMedia P2P programme with a view to

discussing ways in which their media group could join the EBU

initiative. The contact was established by the Senior Peer-to-Peer

55

Media Expert within the following days. Most PBSs’ representatives

were prompted to react and expressed the greatest interest in discussing

potential collaboration with Sasha Scott, which they seen as a mean to

consolidate and develop further what they’ve achieved through

MedMedia’s P2P programme.

4. Cross-cutting issues The MedMedia programme helped raise awareness on a number of cross-cutting issues

including human rights, democracy and good governance, through its action on media reform

and regulation and the establishment of a Special mechanism for media freedom in the Arab

World. It enhanced these principles by consulting and closely involving in the action a wide

range of national and regional stakeholders including governments, human rights

commissions, journalists’ unions, broadcasters, etc.

The programme also offered a strong thematic programme on gender equality, combining P2P

exchange of expertise and advocacy, to enhance women journalists’ role in the workplace,

their image in the media, and reduce the huge gap existing between media coverage of men

and women as experts and influencers and actors of change in society.

As part of the networking component, a network of national online directories was established

to highlight women profiles and act as a basis of an ongoing discussion on equality and

media’s responsibility in publishing and broadcasting gender fairly. Debates around these

issues have raised a number of social and economic challenges, such as positive

discrimination and women in business and in politics.

As part of the networking component, a series of debates were organised to discuss hate

speech in the media and develop a report on the issue. These offered the opportunity to

address with key stakeholders from across the region, including broadcasters, journalists’

leaders, regulators, academics, media managers and human rights institutions, highly sensitive

issues on human rights reporting, the social impact on society related to covering extremism,

and the importance human rights education and reporting.

Other cross-cutting issues such as journalists’ safety and the fight against impunity are at the

heart of the initiative to establish a Special Mechanism for Media Freedom in the Arab World

and its regional Declaration, which was signed by six countries in the region and hundreds of

media professionals and national, regional and global organisations dedicated to upholding

media freedom. Its signature by governments and other national authorities implies a

commitment by these parties to the universal principles provided in the charter.

As part of the P2P activity, MedMedia implemented a one-year regional exchange programme

for PSBs which was aimed at improving women representation on screen and within

programming team.

As part of the regional P2P programme on internal training policies and strategies at PSBs,

new programming schedule which include the use of social media and other web channels

have been developed by several participating companies with a view to reaching a younger

audience and to giving young people a stronger public voice.

56

Child protection in a converging media environment was at the agenda of most P2P

exchanges for regulators and a major topic of two national conferences organised to support

the reform of the regulatory framework in Lebanon and Israel respectively.

All the P2P exchange relationships established for Southern Mediterranean’s media schools

were aimed at helping these institutions to reform their largely theoretical curricula and

teaching methodologies by giving journalism students the chance to apply theory to practice in

an authentic newsroom environment, thereby improving their employment prospects after

graduation.

5. Monitoring & Evaluation

There has been ongoing monitoring of the activities throughout the programme. Eight interim

reports have been submitted in the course of the programme including team assessments,

feedback and recommendations from participants on the different work packages.

Consultative meetings or online consultations on specific components such as the peer-to-peer

programme and the initiative to establish a Special Mechanism for media freedom in the Arab

World have ensured that feedback and proposals from key stakeholders are considered and

taken on board.

A wide-ranging mid-term evaluation was also commissioned by the European commission to

review and steer the programme in its second phase, to strengthen coordination, local buy-in

and visibility.

In regard to the initiative to establish a Special Mechanism for Media Freedom in the Arab

World, it provides: “The Arab Declaration on Media Freedoms mentions public service

media, private media and regulatory bodies as key actors whose independence should be

upheld. It also deals with access to information and specifies the important issues regarding

journalists’ security, employment conditions and membership of journalist unions. According

to MM, the declaration seems already to prove itself to be a useful tool in Palestine, where

journalists reportedly have invoked it and have avoided imprisonment. (….) the Arab

Declaration on Media Freedom will be the most significant and impactful MedMedia activity

if all signatures are obtained and the media organisations collaborate closely on the

explanatory documents to ensure a joint reform strategy.

To date, the regional declaration has been signed in by hundreds of journalists, media

organisations – including public broadcasters – regulators, journalists and heads of State and

state officials in six countries across the region: Palestine, Tunisia, Jordan, Sudan, Morocco,

and Mauritania, with ongoing plans to organise national signing events in Libya, Yemen, Iraq,

etc.

It is worth noting that the initiative has also obtained backing through public statements and

joint-initiatives from a number of global organisations, including the UNESCO, the LAS, the

ANNHRI, the OHCHR, the FAJ, the ASBU, etc.

Feedback received from the P2P exchange programme’s beneficiaries were collected during

Skype/phone debriefing meeting held by the Senior P2P Media Expert. As highlighted in

MedMedia Mid-term Evaluation report, “the P2P component has provided a useful service to

beneficiaries (…) In several countries, the P2P collaboration has contributed to building

institutional capacity that will be sustainable in the short-term perspective” and “media

57

organisations have generally been satisfied with the quality of the assistance they have

received.

58

6. List of produced materials

Publication title Languages Copies/dissemination Assessment of media development in Tunisia English Produced for online

dissemination (press release,

social media and digital library)

Assessment of Media Development in Jordan English Produced for online

dissemination (press release,

social media and digital library)

Assessment of Media Development in Jordan English Produced for online

dissemination (press release,

social media and digital library)

MedMedia Assessment report on Media Legislation

in Tunisia

English Produced for online

dissemination (press release,

social media and digital library)

MedMedia Assessment report on Legislation in

Palestine

English Produced for online

dissemination (press release,

social media and digital library)

MedMedia Assessment on Media Legislation in

Morocco

English Produced for online

dissemination (press release,

social media and digital library)

Assessment report on Media Legislation in Libya English Produced for online

dissemination (press release,

social media and digital library)

MedMedia Assessment on Media Legislation in

Jordan

English Produced for online

dissemination (press release,

social media and digital library)

Assessment report on media Legislation in Israel English Produced for online

dissemination (press release,

social media and digital library)

Assessment of Media Legislation in Egypt English Produced for online

dissemination (press release,

social media and digital library)

Assessment of Media Legislation in Algeria English Produced for online

dissemination (press release,

social media and digital library)

Assessment of Media Legislation in the Southern

Mediterranean

English Produced for online

dissemination (press release,

social media and digital library)

Assessment of Media Regulation in the Southern

Mediterranean

English Produced for online

dissemination (press release,

social media and digital library)

Assessment of Public Service Broadcasting in the

Southern Mediterranean Region

http://www.med-media.eu/wp-

content/uploads/2015/08/MedMedia-PSB-report.pdf

English Produce on line

Addressing Hate Speech and Racism in the media in

the Southern Mediterranean: a review of formal and

informal regulatory approaches.

English

Arabic

Produced online and printed in

Tunisia (120 copies)

Report on Journalists’ unions in the Southern

Mediterranean

English

Arabic

Produced online and printed in

Tunisia (120 copies)

Reforming the Broadcasting Sector in the Southern

59

Mediterranean: a Critical Overview

http://www.med-media.eu/library/reforming-the-

broadcasting-sector-in-the-southern-mediterranean-a-

critical-overview/

MedMedia brochure key results

http://www.med-media.eu/library/medmedia-key-

results-_-brochure-english/

http://www.med-media.eu/library/medmedia-key-

results-brochure-version-francaise/

English

French

Produced online

7. Visibility

A comprehensive strategy on communications was commissioned by the programme in 2017,

to ensure better communications and stronger visibility. The Senior Networking and

Communications Manager, the Key experts’ team and the wider MedMedia team deployed

significant efforts to share, inform and involve key stakeholders, partners and delegations of

the European unions in the Southern neighbourhood in the action.

MedMedia’s events, particularly regional and high-profile meeting benefited from wide local

coverage, thanks to strong partnerships with local stakeholders and timely communications.

In addition to this, selections of news items in the print and online press, on television or on

social media were listed in interim reports. MedMedia’s online platforms offered its activities

excellent visibility throughout the action (cf. Supra social media).

MedMedia also produced a brochure which highlights the programme’s key results and

achievements, under thematic or cross-cutting strands (cf. supra). This brochure will enhance

the programme’s visibility and ensure its long-lasting legacy.

Below is a selection of recent news articles and social media posts on Med Media’s activities

during the extended period:

60

7.1. Communications, media coverage and testimonials for MedMedia activities in the last period (Jan-June 2018)

7.1.1. Khabirat conferences around International Women’s Day 2018 (7-12 March 2018)

International Women’s Day: EU funded project MedMedia Holds Debates in Algiers and Beirut on Women’s Say in the Media: http://www.med-media.eu/event/international-

women-day-eu-funded-project-medmedia-holds-debates-algiers-beirut-womens-say-media/ (FR//AR)

Khabirat Lebanon: https://lebanon.khabirat.org/;

https://twitter.com/KhabiratLebanon?lang=en

NNA Lebanon: http://nna-leb.gov.lb/ar/show-news/332915/

Lebanon 24: http://www.lebanon24.com/articles/1520862815530356000/

El Moustaqbal: https://almustaqbal.com/article/2027774/

Triopliscope: https://bit.ly/2LGwbFe

EU Neighbors: https://www.euneighbours.eu/ar/south/stay-informed/news/brnamj-mydan-

bdm-alathad-alawrwby-yqd-nqshat-fy-aljzayr-alasmt-wbyrwt-hwl

El Watan: https://www.dzairnews.com/articles/elwatan-lancement-de-la-plateforme-khabirat-

el-djazair-pour-une-meilleure-visibilite-des-expertes

Echaab : https://bit.ly/2LLILCu

Khabirat el Djazair: https://twitter.com/Khabirat_DZ ; https://bit.ly/2K9vL4Q

Reporters DZ: http://www.reporters.dz/index.php/culture/item/86489-lancement-de-la-

plateforme-khabirat-org

DK news: https://bit.ly/2vlyK4I

Euro-méditerranée blogspot: http://euro-mediterranee.blogspot.com/2018/03/medmedia-

organise-des-rencontres-alger.html

MedMedia Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/pg/MedMedianetwork/photos/?tab=album&album_id=158924006

7861868

MedMedia /Khabirat Twitter

https://twitter.com/MedmediaNetwork/status/970988915476885504

https://twitter.com/Khabirat_DZ/status/971327330084950016

https://twitter.com/Khabirat_DZ/status/971311234367873024

https://twitter.com/Khabirat_DZ/status/971311234367873024

https://twitter.com/Khabirat_DZ/status/971321910905769985

https://twitter.com/Khabirat_DZ/status/971319362811498496

https://twitter.com/EUinLebanon/status/973148775849095170

https://twitter.com/MedmediaNetwork/status/973148236331528192

7.1.2. Peer-to-Peer Workshop in Tunis (April 23 and 24, 2018)

MedMedia organise son dernier atelier pair-à-pair pour les radiodiffuseurs à Tunis : http://www.med-media.eu/fr/event/medmedia-organise-son-dernier-atelier-pair-pair-pour-les-

radiodiffuseurs-tunis/ (EN//AR)

EU Neighbors : https://www.euneighbours.eu/fr/south/stay-informed/news/medmedia-

organise-son-dernier-atelier-pair-pair-pour-les-radiodiffuseurs

MedMedia Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/pg/MedMedianetwork/photos/?tab=album&album_id=163968984

9483556

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MedmediaNetwork/status/988345904775225345

https://twitter.com/JocelynGrange/status/988419149159219201

https://twitter.com/MedmediaNetwork/status/989115187428057088

61

7.1.3 MedMedia Publishes Report on Hate Speech to Mark World Press Freedom Day

MedMedia press release: http://www.med-media.eu/event/medmedia-publishes-report-

hate-speech-mark-world-press-freedom-day/ (FR//AR) EU Neighbors: https://www.euneighbours.eu/en/south/stay-informed/news/medmedia-

publishes-report-hate-speech-mark-world-press-freedom-day (+AR/FR)

https://twitter.com/MedmediaNetwork/status/991702405644513281

7.1.4 World Press Freedom Day: Joint meeting in Accra adopts background document to Declaration for media freedom in the Arab World and methodology for a regional press freedom review

WPFD joint meeting finalises key documents to promote media freedom in the Arab World:

http://www.ifj.org/nc/es/news-single-view/backpid/1/article/wpfd-joint-meeting-finalises-key-

documents-to-promote-media-freedom-in-the-arab-world/

UNESCO

https://en.unesco.org/sites/default/files/wpfd2018_agenda_a4_web_28042018.pdf

https://en.unesco.org/world-press-freedom-day-2018/pre-and-post-wpfd-events-accra

Twitter/Facebook

https://twitter.com/MedmediaNetwork/status/990167415798620163

https://twitter.com/MedmediaNetwork/status/991657840099151874

https://www.facebook.com/pg/MedMedianetwork/photos/?tab=album&album_id=165237753

4881454

7.1.5 MedMedia Closing events: Policy Makers Forum on Public Service Broadcasting and Conference on MedMedia results and the future of media reform in the Southern Mediterranean

MedMedia Closing Conference Reaffirms the Central Role of Public Service Media in

the Southern Mediterranean’s Democratic Future:

http://www.med-media.eu/event/medmedia-closing-conference-reaffirms-central-role-public-

service-media-southern-mediterraneans-democratic-future/ (AR//FR)

TAP: https://www.tap.info.tn/en/Portal-Politics/10163017-closing-of-medmedia

Web manager: https://www.webmanagercenter.com/2018/05/09/419692/cloture-du-

programme-medmedia-a-tunis-des-projets-adaptes-pour-des-resultats-concrets/

http://www.webmanagercenter.com/2018/05/08/419639/cloture-du-programme-medmedia-a-

tunis-les-medias-publics-ont-besoin-de-mesures-concretes/

Business news: http://www.businessnews.com.tn/iyed-dahmani--les-medias-prives-dessinent-

lebaue-dune-carte-politique-de-la-region,520,79893,3

Nessma TV: https://www.nessma.tv/fr/article/la-tunisie-celebre-le-61e-anniversaire-de-l-ue-

2204

https://blogs.mediapart.fr/rym-nouicer

https://www.facebook.com/MedMedianetwork/photos/a.579254455527106.1073741833.5547

42707978281/1652383928214148/?type=3&theaterhttps://www.facebook.com/pg/MedMedia

network/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1665050520280822

https://www.facebook.com/EUTunisie/videos/2199741766710519/

https://www.facebook.com/pg/EUTunisie/photos/?tab=album&album_id=2196891583662204

https://www.facebook.com/EUTunisie/photos/a.439444542740259.102263.10924751909329

8/2195825207102175/?type=3&theater

https://www.facebook.com/EUTunisie/photos/a.439444542740259.102263.10924751909329

8/2195825207102175/?type=3&theater

62

https://www.facebook.com/EUTunisie/photos/a.439444542740259.102263.10924751909329

8/2195825207102175/?type=3&theater

https://twitter.com/MedmediaNetwork/status/993816486698520577

https://twitter.com/MedmediaNetwork/status/993818908011442176

https://twitter.com/MedmediaNetwork/status/996754003550752768

https://twitter.com/medmedianetwork?lang=fr

https://twitter.com/MedmediaNetwork/status/992345519858028545

https://twitter.com/UNESCO_Maghreb/status/993872375635742727

https://twitter.com/DHivet/status/993868676515364864

https://twitter.com/MedmediaNetwork/status/993885989193048069

https://twitter.com/MedmediaNetwork/status/994151587613433858

https://twitter.com/MedmediaNetwork/status/994159194881261568

https://twitter.com/MedmediaNetwork/status/996397500201422848

https://twitter.com/MedmediaNetwork/status/996754003550752768

7.1.6. Testimonials by MedMedia Experts

MedMedia Non-Key Expert, Aida Al-Kaisy, presenting in English the impact of the project on the

reform of public service broadcasters in the region

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYnQnJqVLS0

MedMedia Non-Key Expert, Catherine Joppart, presenting in French the impact of the project on the

reform of public service broadcasters in the region

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uxDuq-MTanQ

MedMedia Non-Key Expert, Dima Dabbous, presenting in Arabic the impact of the project on the

reform of public service broadcasters in the region

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=896yeif70Ho

Rita Noujaim from Lebanon is one of participants of MedMedia Peer to Peer activities. She is

representing Lebanon Radio in the workshop (23th and 24

th of April 2018)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QPiazk_i2AE&t=6s

Mr Mohamed Lasaad Dahech is one of the participants of MedMedia Peer to Peer Activities (23th and

24th of April 2018)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iI4Bcap8o1M

Bayan Al Tal, one of the peer mentors of MedMedia Project is introducing different activities of the

project 23) عورشملل ةفلتخملا ةطشنألا نع ثدحتت ناديم عورشم تاريبخ ىدحأ لتلا نايبth and 24

th of

April 2018)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32WtI04vp3Y

7.1.7. Testimonials by young journalists and bloggers

EN version: https://youtu.be/IY62L7FOn4k

FR version: https://youtu.be/jXo5j-X1EnY

AR version: https://youtu.be/VZu6HWxwHvA

https://www.facebook.com/MedMedianetwork/photos/a.579254455527106.1073741833.5547

42707978281/1664991733620034/?type=3&theater

https://twitter.com/MedmediaNetwork/status/996379263380148225

https://www.facebook.com/euneighbours/videos/10155957049539912/

https://www.facebook.com/euneighbours/videos/10155957064269912/

https://www.facebook.com/euneighbours/videos/10155957080164912/

63

Recommendations

Although the media reform in the Southern Mediterranean region has not been at the

desired pace over the last five years, the European Union should continue to support

efforts dedicated to this reform.

The transformation of state-owned broadcasters into public service media is primarily

a matter of national responsibility, but regional organisations can play a major role in

raising awareness of the values of public service media and the EU should continue to

support them.

Donors including EU need to place more emphasis on coordination between

themselves and implementers and to be more realistic about what is achievable in the

short to medium term while, at the same time, implementing agencies need to be more

measured in what they propose. Regional coordination efforts can further strengthen

coordination efforts at the national level.

Donors and implementing agencies should continue their sustained effort to help

public service broadcasters managing the digital transition which is one of the key

challenges currently being faced by these media. In order to compete in a fast-paced,

digitized and multichannel world, broadcasters need to prioritise not only

technological change but also the editorial and cultural transformation required by the

digital environment. Convergence with new media can serve to increase audience

participation and demonstrate the value of constructive dialogue, as well as to reach a

younger audience and to give young people a stronger public voice. Mobile and digital

platforms have also the potential to increase market share and commercial revenue,

which can help public service media to reduce their dependence on state budget and

enhance their capacities to better compete with pan-Arab broadcasters and the rapidly

emerging commercial sector.

The peer-to-peer programme, which represented MedMedia's main tool for applying

theory to practice, has proved to be particularly well-suited for responding to the needs

and constraints of policy-makers, regulators, and media leaders. Supportive without

being intrusive, the peer-to-peer exchanges have been one of the the most cost-

effective missions in expenditure terms, and arguably, those which delivered the most

concrete results. This technical assistance system, which can be used equally in

support or independently of any national or regional framework, should be included in

any EU large-scale project aiming at supporting key stakeholders involved in media

sector reform across the region.

As proven in other parts of the world, regional cooperation frameworks and

mechanisms designed to advance press freedom and independent journalism play

major roles in strengthening national and regional progressive endeavors. The EC can

play an important role in advancing the cause of freedom of expression and press

freedom by maintaining its support to initiatives led by national and regional

actors such as the initiative to establish a 'Mechanism for Media Freedom in the Arab

World' and the 'Policymakers Forum for Media Reform'.

64

Journalists' unions carry legal and representative mandates for media reform. The

few ground-breaking media reforms in countries in the region have been secured with

the leadership and the support of professional journalists’ unions. The EC is advised to

develop dedicated programmes that strengthen the capacities of journalists’ unions,

key media stakeholders in the region.

65

Annex 1: Closing Conference Programme

Closing conference

Cooperation and Media Public Service Values

in the Southern Mediterranean region Tunis 8-9 May 2018

Programme

8 May (day 1): POLICY MAKERS FORUM ON PUBLIC SERVICE BROADCASING IN THE SOUTHERN

MEDITERRANEAN

Venue : Cité de la culture, Omar Khleifi meeting room.

09:30 am Opening: Embracing Public Service Values

Introduction/hosting: Néji Bghouri, SNJT President

Speakers:

Réal Barnabé, MedMedia Team Leader

Iyed Dahmani, spokesperson and Minister in charge of the relations with the

Parliament

Patrice Bergamini, Ambassador of the European Union in Tunisia

Andrea Cairola, UNESCO Representative

Anne Reevell, BBC Media Action Country Director

Younes Mjahed, IFJ Senior Vice-President

11:00 am Coffee break

11:30 am

Policymakers dialogue on empowering PSBs and

sustainable media reform

Roundtable discussion

Presentation: Monir Zaarour, IFJ Middle East-Arab

World Director of Policy & Programmes &

MedMedia expert.

Moderator: Younes Mjahed

Focus groups on the

assessment of the

reform of the media in

the Southern

Mediterranean region

Facilitator: Sarah

Daly/ Jocelyn

Grange

1:00 pm Break

01:30 pm Embracing a mission statement for public service media

Roundtable discussion

Presentation: Neji Bghouri

03.00 pm Lunch

66

04:00 pm City of Culture Tour

06:00 pm Networking Cocktail*

“Dear guests, you are free to leave just after the networking event, precisely at 7 pm, the

bus will be waiting for you on the parking of the city to take you to the hotel”

08:00 pm Cultural Event: Engaged Concert to Honor of Rym el Banna and Khmayes Arfaoui

09:30 pm

10:00 pm

Return to the hotel

Dinner at Ramada Plaza

9 May (day 2): OPPORTUNITIES FOR MEDIA REFORM IN THE SOUTHERN MEDITERRANEAN.

Venue: Headquarter of Arab States Broadcasting Union (ASBU)

08:30 am Welcome of the participants

09:00 am Opening session

Hosting: Réal Barnabé, MedMedia Team Leader

Bassil Zoobi, ASBU Technology and Development Director

Summary of MedMedia’s key results and achievements by Réal Barnabé and key

experts Jocelyn Grange and Sarah Bouchetob

Presentation of other current and upcoming EU-funded projects to support

freedom of expression and media sector reforms in the Southern Mediterranean

region:

o Dominique Thierry (Thomson Foundation - Open Media Hub, Team

Leader)

o Andrea Cairola, Net Med Youth

o Nancy Demichelli, CFI – D-Jil

o Deutsche Welle - Empowering Youth in the Middle East: Young Voices

Speak up, and Media Makes them Heard)

Moderator: Catherine Joppart

10:30 am Session 1: Updated study on the assessment of Public Service Broadcasting in the

Southern Mediterranean

Presentation: Dima Dabbous, Assistant Dean, Phoenicia University, Beirut, Lebanon

Presentation of the outcomes of the latest MedMedia's peer-to-peer workshop

exchanges on public service broadcasting best practices by Bayan Tal, Media

Adviser for the Jordan Media Institute (JMI)

Roundtable, Discussions

Moderator: Jocelyn Grange

11:45 am Coffee break

67

12.00 pm Session 2: Assessing what could realistically be done to reform broadcasters in the

short to medium term

Discussion Group 1: Legislative and regulatory framework

Moderator: Sarah Boutchetob

Rapporteur: Rachid Khechana

Discussion Group 2: Public service broadcasters

Moderator: Mike de Villiers, IREX Europe

Rapporteur: Ridha Najar

01.30 pm Lunch

02.30 pm Reports of the Groups discussions

Rachid Khechana

Ridha Najar

03.00 pm

4:00 pm

Supporting the reform of the media sector what role for donors and implementing

agencies?

Presentation of the outcomes of the regional coordination initiative: Aida Al-Kaisy

Biljana Tatomir, Global Forum for Media Development advisor for media assistance

in Syria and MENA region

Moderator: Yasar Dura

Coffee Break

04.20 pm

Plenary session: What way forward? What role for ASBU and its members?

Reporting on the outcomes of the Policy Makers Forum on Public Service

Broadcaster in Southern Mediterranean – Neji Bghouri

Yasar Ridha, ASBU Academy Coordinator

Moderator: Monir Zaarour

05.20 pm Closing session (plenary) and final conclusions (recommendations)

Moderator: Réal Barnabé

68

Annex 2: White Paper on Media Development in the Southern Mediterranean Region

Media Development in the

Southern Mediterranean Region:

Challenges, Priorities and Solutions

By Aida Al-Kaisy

69

CONTENTS

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

BACKGROUND TO THIS PAPER

METHODOLOGY

1. OVERVIEW OF THE MEDIA LANDSCAPE IN THE SOUTHERN MEDITERRANEAN REGION

1.1. Structures and ownership

1.1.1. National broadcasters

1.1.2. Independent and digital platforms

1.2. Legislation

1.3. Education, curriculum and training

1.4. Gender and diversity

1.5. Journalists’ Social and Professional Rights

1.6. Safety and Security for Journalists

2. THE MEDIA DEVELOPMENT SECTOR IN THE SOUTHERN MEDITERRANEAN REGION

2.1. The donor community

2.2. Local media NGOs and international agencies

3. THEMATIC PRIORITIES

3.1. Freedom of expression

3.2. Digital rights and internet governance

3.3. Supporting independent innovative content and business models

3.4. Quality accountable journalism

3.5. Media monitoring versus media literacy

3.6. Qualitative research

3.7. Networks and coordination

4. PRACTICE

4.1. Types of activity

4.1.1. Conferences and round-tables

4.1.2. Training workshops

4.1.3. Onsite consultancy and on-the-job training

4.1.4. Online learning

4.1.5. Co-production

4.1.6. Peer-to-peer mentoring

4.1.7. Study tours

4.1.8. Social media engagement

4.2. Partnerships

4.3. Relationships with donors

70

4.4. Expectation management

4.4.1. Logframes

4.4.2. Reporting

4.5. Monitoring and evaluation

4.5.1. Quantitative surveys

4.5.2. Focus groups

4.5.3. Questionnaires

4.5.4. Direct interviews

4.5.5. Social media metrics

4.6. Covering costs

4.7. Implementation issues

4.7.1. Needs assessment

4.7.2. Selection of local beneficiaries

4.7.3. Relationships with beneficiary organisations

4.7.4. Selection of experts

4.7.5. Development of materials and programming formats

4.7.6. Sustainability

4.8. Duty of care

5. PROCESS

5.1. Funding mechanisms

5.1.1. Service contracts

5.1.2. Calls for proposals

5.1.3. Framework contracts

5.2. Transparency

5.3. Visibility

5.4. Timeframes

5.5. Project proposals

5.6. Interaction between donors and implementing agencies

5.7. Bureaucracy

6. POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS AND ACTIONS

71

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Since the Arab Uprisings in 2011, a number of different political and sectoral challenges

have emerged across the media in the Middle East and North Africa. Whilst many of

these differ from country to country, there have also been some familiar trends and

patterns. In some countries, there has been a strong drive towards local ownership of

media reform and development, while in others this has been rendered impossible due

to the systematic targeting of media actors by both state and non-state players alike.

These challenges are also influencing what is funded and how projects are being

formulated. Donor strategies are moving away from traditional media development

towards strategic communications. At the same time, local actors are playing a very

minimal role in assessing and evaluating both the needs of the region and media

development projects.

This landscape, which has seen a proliferation of media development initiatives,

demonstrates the need for improved harmonisation between the three main groups of

stakeholders in this sector: donors, international and local agencies. More importantly,

project-level coordination has limited value without strategic coordination within the

donor community. While a number of national coordination efforts in the region have

demonstrated some success, they tend to focus more on what needs to be done at a

country level, rather than on exploring trans-national synergies or developing strategic

approaches.

This paper aims to reflect the challenges faced by the media development community

active in the Southern Mediterranean region7 when implementing donor-funded

projects. It argues that the weakness in communication and coordination between the

donor and implementer communities is having an impact on the resonance of

interventions and capacity-building. It argues that establishing robust mechanisms for

coordination and collaboration is crucial for work to maintain its impact and relevance.

Born out of a series of initiatives and meetings that brought together many of the

implementing agencies active in the region, the paper summarises the key findings from

these meetings, looking at the priorities, as well as the practices and processes, which

dominate this particular region and sector.

Part 1 provides a very brief overview of the key elements that comprise the media

landscape in the Southern Mediterranean region, examining the issues and challenges

that underpin the sector.

Part 2 gives some background information on the donor community that is active in the

region, with data on how funding is broken down and awarded in the media

development sector.

7 The term Southern Mediterranean region refers to a region which includes the following countries: Algeria,

Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Occupied Palestinian Territories, Syria and Tunisia.

72

Part 3 outlines the key priorities for the media development community in the

Southern Mediterranean. It draws on the findings of the regional coordination group as

well as a series of national focus groups which were conducted by the author. It finds

that, while many of the themes are global priorities, the Southern Mediterranean

region faces it own set of challenges which could be addressed more resolutely through

inclusivity and collaboration between all stakeholders. It recognises that some activities

are already taking places in these areas and examines some of the work undertaken by

local implementers in each thematic priority.

Part 4 describes the main practices that are currently funded by the donor community

in the region, offering insight from the coordination group regarding what is performing

well and where there might be scope for improvement. It also looks at the practices

that surround the media development community’s implementation of projects, from

reporting through to monitoring and evaluation. It looks specifically at the relationships

between local implementers and their international counterparts, arguing that a closer

engagement with local agencies will provide projects with the required insight and

nuance.

Part 5 summarises the processes that accompany media development projects, from

start to completion, exploring the challenges that implementers face which could be

addressed through stronger communication mechanisms with the donor community. It

looks at issues of transparency, visibility and bureaucracy and summarises the

coordination group’s feedback on these processes. As with Part 4, it suggests that the

positive developments in these areas have been driven by greater engagement

between all stakeholders.

Part 6 concludes with a number of recommendations for policy makers, focusing mainly

on the mechanisms required for better coordination between donors and

implementers.

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BACKGROUND TO THIS PAPER

The idea for this white paper was born out of a series of meeting that were held by a

group of media development actors working across the Southern Mediterranean

region. 8 This group formed at the start of 2016 in response to the growing

recognition of the importance of better communication and coordination among

those who are stakeholders in delivering projects across the region. While a number

of successful coordination projects continue to work on a national level, it was felt

that there was a role for a regional group to consider cross-cutting issues and the

value of synchronised efforts.

The purpose of this white paper is therefore to provide a mechanism to improve

communication between the media development stakeholders who are active in this

region, notably between donors and implementers. It aims to provide a springboard

for further discussions and the development of ideas between these key stakeholder

groups. It will provide insight into the key priorities of the media development

community in the region, as well as the challenges, with a view to improving the

practices and processes for project funding, design and implementation so that

projects are delivered more successfully. It aims to:

Deliver an overview of the media landscape in this region, with a particular focus on

areas of concern highlighted by the regional coordination group

Present an analysis of number of key focus areas, arrived at with the consensus of

the regional coordination group, for both the donor and international communities

to push forward in order to ensure more relevant and targeted projects for the

region

Examine the challenges facing some of the main processes and practices of the

media development community, with a view to providing alternative solutions

where possible

Propose a number of policy recommendations and next steps for key stakeholders in

the region.

The regional coordination group’s efforts included a series of meetings in 2016, in

partnership with international coordination groups such as the Global Forum for

Media Development (GFMD) and Communication for Development (C4D), as well as

the development of an online mapping tool for media development projects. The

group identified a number of key areas that, with greater focus and support, would

enable a stronger more independent and professional media environment, which in

turn would provide an important contribution to pluralism and sustainable

development.

8 A full list of organisations who participated in the regional coordination group meetings is available as an

appendix to this paper.

74

One of the regional coordination group’s aims was to address the challenges arising

from the lack of communication and coordination across the media sector in the

Southern Mediterranean Region with a view to forging stronger relationships

between the different stakeholder groups, donors, international and local

implementing agencies .9 It develops a network of support for international and local

implementers. This network was enacted through various forms of activities,

bringing stakeholders together in order to share experience and ideas, as well as

developing additional resources and partnerships. The group’s intention was that

this networking cycle will help to further shape reform processes, design more

collaborative projects and establish a more coherent strategy for the media

development community in the region. The group’s ultimate aim was to coordinate

and communicate with the donor community, alongside the implementing agencies,

international and local, that had already been brought together.

9 The key stakeholder groups referred to in this paper include the donor community, international implementing

agencies also referred to by some as intermediary agencies and local implementing agencies also referred to at

times as beneficiaries. This paper will remain consistent with the phraseology, donors, international implementers

and local implementers. Where the term beneficiary is used, it refers to the media, communities and individuals

on whom a project will ultimately impact.

75

METHODOLOGY

This report is based on upon a series of discussions and brainstorming sessions

that took place in a series of four meetings held by the regional coordination

group.

The first consultation was held in Brussels in June 2016, followed by a further

meeting in Jakarta at the Global Forum for Media Development (GFMD) World

Forum in September 2016. These were followed by a meeting at the Arab

Reporters for Investigative Journalism (ARIJ) annual conference in December

2016. A final meeting in Rome in April 2017 debated the first draft of this paper.

The purpose of these meetings was to discuss the mechanics of better

coordination between key stakeholders, as well as identify future strategic

priorities for the media development community. The Appendix to this paper lists

the organisations who attended and participated in the regional coordination

meetings on a regular basis.

The initial meeting in Brussels established the group, which then began to define

the parameters of coordination as well as addressing its benefits and weaknesses.

A follow up meeting held at the Global Forum for Media Development conference

in Jakarta saw the group examine some of the key issues that the region.

Key findings from Brussels and Jakarta were:

Media development and reform strategies should be informed by the

experience of national partners, local implementing agencies and civil society

organisations (CSOs)

International implementing agencies need to be more accountable to their

local counterparts in addition to their donors; they can fundamentally act to

bridge the gap between donors and local implementers

Developing national media development strategies across the region will help

identify regional priorities as well as define donor agendas going forward.

Developing national strategies would see international agencies working more

closely with local partners, developing long-term ideas together, as well as

building stronger relations with local donors. This will eventually help the media

development community shift away from an over reliance on funding by larger

donor consortium projects, sub-granting, and the current situation where

development funding is largely determined by changing donor agendas.

The meetings also emphasized the importance of on-going communication

between key stakeholders and, when possible, regular group meetings.

76

Developing regional coordination efforts and links between local and international

agencies would ultimately improve the communication of key priorities to the

donor community.

At the ARIJ annual conference in Jordan, the group considered ways in which a

regional coordination strategy might support and enhance media development

efforts across the region. It was agreed at the session that the production of a

white paper would be an effective means of communicating these issues with the

wider media development and donor communities. An initial draft of this white

paper was presented at a final coordination meeting held in Rome in April 2017

for feedback and comment.

The MedMedia project then undertook a series of focus group discussions and

interviews with local/national implementers in Lebanon, Tunisia and Jordan in

June 2017. The purpose of these meetings was to ensure that the key issues and

challenges faced by those working on the ground in the Southern Mediterranean

region were represented fully in the analysis and recommendations of this paper.

It was discussed in the coordination group meeting that the priorities of local

actors might at times be different to those of the international community,

including international implementers. This paper hopes to be the first in a series

of mechanisms that will begin to channel the voices of local implementers.

The final version of this report was then drafted with feedback from selected

members of the coordination group as well as input and comment from the

GFMD.

77

7. OVERVIEW OF THE MEDIA LANDSCAPE IN THE SOUTHERN MEDITERRANEAN REGION

The following section aims to give an overview of the media landscape in the Southern

Mediterranean region, concentrating particularly on areas that were highlighted by the

regional coordination group as focus points. This section is by no means a

comprehensive study of the media milieu but serves to provide a platform from which

to understand how the key issues have been identified by the group as well as give

some context for the policy recommendations. It reflects the group’s discussions as well

as the focus areas for media development and assistance projects in the region as a

whole.

7.1. Structures and ownership

The media landscape in the region has seen some limited changes in the last few

years, in particular since the 2011 Arab Uprisings. Legislation to develop more

independent public broadcasters as well as a more pluralistic media scene has

been issued in most countries, although unfortunately it still struggles to fully

deliver a much-needed transformation. While some of these changes have been

progressive, the problematic nature of partisan media outlets, where media

owners are utilising media platforms to deliver politicised and often divisive

narratives, continues to dominate many countries in the region. As a result, the

media landscape is often a source of tension and discord, rather than contributing

towards greater social cohesion.10 The increase in internet penetration rates in

the region has resulted in an increase in the consumption of online and social

media and greater access to diverse content, which is sometimes unprofessional

and divisive. It was discussed in the regional coordination group meetings that

institutionally-focused media development efforts tend therefore to focus on two

camps: the national broadcaster and smaller independent media, mainly digital

platforms.

7.1.1. National broadcasters

There has been a focus on developing state-funded broadcasters into more

independent entities with public service remits, either through the introduction of

new legislation, developing governance structures, editorial guidelines and codes

of conduct, training and capacity building of journalists and media professionals,

or through content production. Television still plays an important role amongst

Arab audiences and representing their diversities has been emphasised by

development projects, placing an onus on building trust amongst media

consumers. Some of this reform has had impact, although in general success has

been piecemeal. National broadcasters remain reliant on state funding and

10

See UNDP Media & Social Cohesion Manual for the MENA region 2017

78

government grants as well as a greater political will for reform from official

institutions and those in government.11 Consequently, government-controlled

media continues to be a fundamental provider of news and information at a

national level in many countries.12 There is scope to consider how media

development initiatives might support the many journalists who work within

these organisations in producing high quality, accurate ,and professional

journalism.

7.1.2. Independent and digital platforms

There has been a growth in independently-funded media outlets that are beginning

to challenge the mainstream narratives. These outlets are developing a new style of

journalism for the region that tackles corruption, calls governments and businesses

into account, and begins to address controversial issues such as sexuality, religion

and ethnicity.13 These new media outlets tend to live on digital platforms whose use

of innovative techniques and social media see them successfully reaching out to new

young audiences. However, in a region where commercial and advertising

opportunities are limited, they are looking for ways outside of donor funding to keep

themselves sustainable.

There has been a recent shift in support of what has been termed ‘hyper local’

media that deals with community issues.14 These media are exploring new business

models as a means to develop longer-term, sustainable independent media

platforms. This is an important development, as advancing new business models for

both public service institutions and smaller independent platforms remains

imperative for the development of a free independent media scene in the Southern

Mediterranean region.

7.2. Legislation

The region’s media legislation landscape is problematically multifarious. A raft of

recently-passed media laws at national levels remains constrained by a mix of

decades-old legislation that cuts across them. Thus although, theoretically, new

legislation seemingly provides greater opportunity for media freedom to develop,

the region continues to be one of the least progressive in the world. While freedom

11

For further reading, see the MedMedia ‘Assessment of Public Service Broadcasting in the Southern

Mediterranean Region’ available at: http://www.med-media.eu/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/MedMedia-PSB-

report.pdf 12

See Toby Mendel’s ‘Assessment of Media Regulation in the Southern Mediterranean Region commissioned by

the MedMedia project available at: http://www.med-media.eu/wp-

content/uploads/2015/05/MEDMEDIA_REGULATION_COLLECTED_02_FINAL.pdf 13

Some examples of these types of platforms include 7iber.com, inkyfada.com, madamasr.com and

raseef22.com. 14

Welad Al Balad and Egypt Media Development Programme are two examples from the region of this growing

global trend.

79

of expression is now enshrined in the constitutions of several of the countries in the

region, this is often undermined by a lack of transparency and fairness in the

legislative system. Many of the legal reforms that have been instigated are

conventional attempts at media democratisation that have failed to consider existing

legal frameworks as well as sometimes ineffective judicial systems that are

undermined by political pressure and, in some cases, corrupt practices. 15 Further

legislative work and reform is imperative in order to create enabling circumstances

within which the media can perform. There was an urgent call from some members

of the coordination group to focus on legislative reform to support independent

media regulators, access to information, protection of sources, and transparency of

media ownership.

The regional coordination group discussions focused on freedom of expression and

digital rights with regards to media legislation. While there have been some strides

made in terms of freedom of expression in the region constitutionally, how this plays

out in practice is still problematic. On the one hand, governments are cracking down

on public criticism and dissent and have turned to nebulous legal systems as a means

of accusing and criminalising journalists in the name of security and anti-terrorism.

On the other, the threat from violent and radical organisations provides official

bodies with what they see as further justification for stifling of free speech and

independent journalism. As a result, the practice of self-censorship and even the

outright avoidance of what might be considered sensitive topics is also growing. The

huge growth in usage of digital and social media since the Arab Uprisings has

brought about a further constraint on freedom of expression, with the increased

muzzling of journalists and activists online.16 In some cases official institutions and

governments are known to be hijacking social media platforms and conversations for

their own political purposes, through the use of trolls and paid-for content. There is

a real need to build on some of the already existing efforts by CSOs and advocacy

groups to facilitate discussions and build an environment where digital rights can be

promoted.

7.3. Education, curriculum and training

While the last few years has seen a number of different projects in the region aimed

at transforming news media and journalism, the teaching of journalism has been

largely disregarded, with just a few examples of projects focused on improving the

quality of teaching media studies. If journalism is to play an important role in the

15

For further reading, see MedMedia’s ‘Assessment of Media Legislation in the Southern Mediterranean’

available here at: http://www.med-media.eu/library/assessment-of-media-legislation-in-the-southern-

mediterranean/ 16

See Open Society Foundations reports on Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon and Morocco as part of their Mapping

Digital Media project for further information. The reports can be found at:

https://www.opensocietyfoundations.org/termsearch/9222?f[0]=field_taxonomy_free_tags%3A4386&f[3]=type

%3Awork_product&ct=work_product%2Cevent%2Cblog_entry&at=work_product&processed=1

80

coming years, aiding in the development and construction of democratic practice in

the region, more support needs to be given to further and higher education

institutions aiming to transform the existing conditions and ultimately improve the

quality of journalism in the region. Greater consideration needs also to be given to

the lack of employment opportunities for graduates of media programmes in the

region.

While the number of journalism programmes offered across the region has increased

dramatically over the last few years, particularly in response to increasing

recognition of the important role that the media can play in political processes, the

quality of these programmes is still lacking. In the main, academic journalism

programmes are highly theoretical and lack any proper connection with practice. The

absence of teaching on new media, a shortcoming which is exacerbated by the

conservative nature of many academic staff, reflects the need to modify curricula to

address the rapid social transformation seen by the industry. There is also a lack of

focus on teaching media literacy, an issue that concerns future journalists and their

understanding of how their audiences will interact with news media, as well as

applied ethics/ethical decision-making. 17

In spite of prevailing differences among many countries, higher education

institutions across the region are in agreement that there are common regional

challenges.18 What is lacking is an effective means of communication, expertise and

knowledge sharing among institutions across the region. Exchanges, both for

students and academics, can contribute to and facilitate better coordination

amongst education establishments, which will allow them to consider a region-wide

accreditation system. Opportunities to develop joint research at a regional level

could also be explored.

7.4. Gender and diversity

Significant efforts and resources have been deployed to enhance gender equality in

the media sector across the region, in recent years. While some progress has been

achieved, particularly at institutional and media company levels and there has been

an increase of the number of women journalists in the region, little progress has

17

For further reading on journalism education in the MENA region, see the 2017 paper ‘An examination of

curricula in Middle Eastern journalism schools in light of suggested model curricula’ available here at:

//www.abacademies.org/articles/An-examination-of-curricula-in-middle-eastern-journalism-schools-in-light-of-

suggested-model-curricula-1939-4691-21-1-104.pdf 18

It is also however worth bearing in mind some of the particular challenges that are faced on a national level. In

the North African countries, for example, one of the biggest challenges that the education sector faces is the

complexity surrounding languages, with many students lacking the confidence in either Arabic and French. This

particular challenge could also begin to be addressed through the shared experience and knowledge in the

affected countries.

81

been noted in terms of the representation of women in programming and media

content.

Political turmoil and conflicts, the media’s financial crisis, as well as die-hard

traditions have greatly hampered progress towards fairer working conditions,

gender-sensitive and diverse programming, and the promotion of women and

minorities as key actors in society. More recent efforts have focused on promoting

gender equality policy within media organizations and bringing management and

journalists’ leaders into this debate, in a bid to address key issues such as the pay

gap, the glass ceiling, and women’s voice and contribution in the media as sources of

opinion and expertise.

The depth of salary gaps - with the vast majority of journalists working without

contracts and women and minorities being affected even harder by economic

hardships in the sector - is difficult to assess. Salaries and working conditions in the

media as whole see many journalists, including men, abandon journalism for more

secure careers, often leaving their more poorly paid female colleagues behind. Much

remains to be done to address these issues, coordinate efforts, and ensure

sustainability of the actions beyond the end of the programmes that supported their

development.

7.5. Journalists’ Social and Professional Rights

There is still work to be done to address both the social and professional rights of

journalists. A lack of security with contracts and unsafe and poor working conditions

often mean that journalists are at times unable to exercise strong professional

independence and high ethical standards. In the case of the newly flourishing digital

media space, many journalists work without contracts, with low pay and long-term

temporary internships defining their working conditions. Without a greater

emphasis on employment rights, young entry-level journalists can often find

themselves exploited, working on minimum wage in dangerous conditions. Low

salaries, contract insecurity, and lack of editorial independence make journalists and

the sector more easily susceptible to corruption and intimidation by unethical

politicians and powerful elites. 19

There are further implications for journalists and journalism as media try to find new

resources and develop new financial models and platforms. The coordination group

19

For further reading on support for professional rights of journalists, see MedMedia’s recent report ‘Journalists’

unions in the Southern Mediterranean region: State of play and perspectives’ available here: http://www.med-

media.eu/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Journalists-Unions-Report-13_12_17-Final.pdf

82

discussed the need for a more holistic approach, involving all stakeholders in this

issue, in order to ensure that ethical and quality journalism is not sacrificed in the

search for a sustainable economic media model.

7.6. Safety and Security for Journalists

Journalists remain vulnerable and are victim to an increasing number of safety and

security challenges when reporting and working in the Southern Mediterranean

region. Not only are they operating in a landscape where war and physical conflict

are prevalent, on-going attacks on freedom of expression have taken on different

forms with online harassment and attacks on social media leading to further threats

on personal safety. While violent actions are of course common and numerous in

conflict situations, journalistic work can also be challenged in other ways, with

censorship, kidnapping and detention on the rise in the region.

There is a need to extend first aid and hostile environment training to all journalists,

freelancers and otherwise, as well as fixers, translators, photographers and camera

operators. There are some evolving issues of safety that also need to be addressed.

Digital/cyber security, source, data and whistle-blower protection are all global

issues that are affecting the work of media professionals in the Southern

Mediterranean region. The prevalence of impunity is one that also need to be

tackled in order to improve the working conditions of the media community. 20

The coordination group recognised that safety training is a costly operation. A need

to consider the organisational aspects of safety training and develop the

infrastructure in order that it can become self-sustainable and protect local

organisations was identified as key.

20

For a more in-depth analysis, see Cottle, Simon (2016). Reporting Dangerously. Palgrave MacMillan: London.

83

8. THE MEDIA DEVELOPMENT SECTOR IN THE SOUTHERN MEDITTERANEAN REGION

(This section will appear as boxes of information in the actual report rather than as a section)

8.1. The donor community21

The main donors for media development in the region are the EU, USAID, the US

State Department, the UK’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the United

Nations, with smaller grants being contributed by France, Germany, Denmark,

Sweden, Norway and Holland. Donors are also beginning to play a fundamental

role in the negotiation process with governments, using their political leverage to

address some of the wider issues of media freedoms and reform in the region. 22

The European Union funds regional and bilateral programmes in the MENA region.

Regional initiatives include the EU MedMedia (2014-2018)23

and the Open Media Hub

(2015-2019)24. Over the period between 2000 -2010, BBC Media Action (BBC MA) was the

single largest recipient of EU funds, followed by UK-based Internews Europe (IE) and the

International Federation of Journalists (IFJ)25

. However, more recently, the distribution of

EU funding has become more even across the international implementers, with agencies

such as Deutsche Welle Akademie(DWA) and Canal France International(CFI) coming to

the fore.

The Department for International Development (DFID) is the UK Government’s main

foreign aid agency. It supports the media sector in the MENA region mainly through its

focus on supporting political reform by working with governments, civil society, and the

media. Its main partners include BBC Media Action, the Electoral Reform International

Services (ERIS), the Media Diversity Institute (MDI) and the Thomson Reuters Foundation.

For the US Government, media projects are generally commissioned by local embassies,

through its development agency USAID and/or by the US Department of State/Middle

East Partnership Initiative (MEPI). The major US implementing partners are the

International Centre for Journalists (ICFJ), the International Research and Exchanges

Board (IREX) and US-based Internews Network (IN).

Smaller funding mechanisms such as the US-funded National Endowment for Democracy

(NED) and the European Endowment for Democracy (EED) have made significant

contributions to the core running costs of media development organisations, rather than

focusing exclusively on project-orientated funds. Other bilateral actors have made

concerted and sustained efforts to drive media reforms in the region, such as the Swiss

21

The Centre for international Media Assistance (CIMA) have commissioned a series of donor profiles, based on a standardized survey, to better explain how public and private donors are supporting freedom of expression and independent media. See http://www.cima.ned.org/donor-profiles/ 22

The group agreed that this could indeed be further increased and leveraged in particular through the European

Commission. 23

http://www.med-media.eu/ 24

https://openmediahub.com/ 25

‘Mapping EU Media Support’, the European Commission 2012 available at https://ec.europa.eu/europeaid/sites/devco/files/study-mapping-eu-media-support-2000-2010_en_3.pdf

84

Development Agency in Tunisia, the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA) in

Palestine and the Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA) in Jordan. The

Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD) are also starting to play an

important role in funding media development and assistance projects in the region, as are

the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the French Agency for Development (AFD).

A recent study published by the Centre for International Media Assistance (CIMA)

shows that media support is evolving. While projects supporting access to

information, freedom of information, and Internet freedom still remain

important, other topics such as Information and Communications Technologies

for Development (ICT4D), technology for transparency, and open government

data, may now require greater assistance. Many organizations working for and

with experience in the media development field are exploring these as new

avenues for interventions. Media development funders therefore need to take

these types of initiatives into consideration, rather than view them solely as anti-

corruption or pro-transparency initiatives. Aid directed at media development,

according to the study, remains steady, yet there are signs that priorities may

change in the near future to support new information ecosystems.26

8.2. Local media NGOs and international agencies

The past ten years - with the Arab Uprisings, attempts at democratisation,

liberalisation and technological advances - have seen a dramatic growth in the

number of media NGOs now operating in this region, both locally-based and

international. They play a number of roles in the region that range from advocacy,

awareness-raising, capacity-building, institutional development and building, legal

and structural reform, to changes in public policy, monitoring and evaluation. A

full list and description of local and international media NGOs who have been

involved in this project is available in the appendix at the end of this report.

26

Further information can be found here: https://www.cima.ned.org/what-is-media-development/

85

9. THEMATIC PRIORITIES

The regional coordination group identified a number of focus areas for both the donor and

international communities to push forward in order to ensure more relevant and targeted

projects for the region. While they are not exclusive, the areas highlighted below reflect the

main priorities for the region and could act as springboards for further discussions about

targeting media development projects.

9.1. Freedom of expression

The shrinking space for freedom of expression has been acknowledged by the

coordination group. This was seen as a global issue which is now having huge

resonance in the Southern Mediterranean region. It was claimed by some that

without a strategy for tackling this issue on a national and regional basis, media

development projects would struggle to resonate and have traction. There is,

therefore, a role for media development actors to play in response to this

shrinking space. The importance of recognising the interdependence between

media development and violations of freedom of expression was paramount for

all members of the coordination group. For local agencies, the imperative was for

the media development community to support independent mechanisms

emerging from civil society, that protect freedom of expression and, in turn, build

the capacity of human rights defenders. In addition to national efforts, the

international implementers also stressed the importance of a regional focus on

freedom of expression - from legislative measures and reform through to self-

censorship, safety and security amongst journalists – and the priority was to

develop a set of standards which would guarantee the right to freedom of

expression in the region.

9.2. Digital rights and internet governance

The protection of human rights in the digital space was seen as another priority

for the region. A recent report published by the Electronic Frontier Foundation

(EFF) covering Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and Tunisia explored how the threat of

terrorism has been used to crack down on internet freedoms and various forms of

online speech, through the use of anti-terror and anti-cybercrime laws

legislation.27 Restrictive laws and legislation have been used repeatedly to target

bloggers as well as online journalists. A lack of net neutrality, which prevents

equal access to free internet, has seen a further rise in politicised websites and

ownership. The group were all keen to see a shift in the narrative - the way in

which online communication is considered in the region - and a deeper

27

The EFF report called The Crime of Speech: How Arab Governments Use the Law to Silence Expression Online is available at https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2016/04/crime-speech

86

consideration of how a nuanced approach to developing internet policies in the

region can better support digital rights. There was a call for more awareness of

Internet policy and its relationship to media development by media development

practitioners and donors. A recent report produced by CIMA stressed the need

for consideration of how digital convergence will impact on all types of media and

the environment in which they function. 28

Box out: SMEX, a registered Lebanese NGO that conducts research, consulting, and campaigning on digital rights in the MENA region, has created the Arab Digital Rights Datasets, an open, online library of law, case law, and draft that affects digital rights in the Arab region. Currently, the Datasets bring together more than 453 legal resources--including constitutions, penal codes, media laws, etc.-- from 22 countries in the region. In 2018, the Datasets will expand to become global, including legal resources from Latin America, Africa, and South and Southeast Asia.

9.3. Supporting independent innovative content and business models

The coordination group agreed that a top priority for the region was to encourage and

enable content creation rather than focusing efforts on supporting

content providers as currently tends to be more common practice. The group discussed

the importance of creating an ecosystem which was more accepting of innovation, not

only with regard to content, but also business models. Innovative content has the

scope to give voices to people and groups that are not being heard as well issues that are

not being discussed, all of which would ultimately go towards supporting better

governance and independent infrastructures over time.

There was also an over-riding concern with the lack of enthusiasm from some donors to

support content or platforms which make money. The development of sustainable

business models is key therefor and there was a consensus that the human rights,

legislative and economic environments needed to be addressed in order to allow for

independent content and organisations to become less reliant on donor and international

support.

Box out: Egypt-based Welad El Balad have developed a set of approaches and best-

practice models which are unique to the region. Launched in 2011 with a handful

of hyper-local community news services across the country, Welad El Balad (WEB)

now employs 120 journalists in 10 newsrooms, spanning multiple platforms and

serving a key market need. It has blazed a trail for alternative income-generation

models including providing localised SMS services and training university students

on a revenue-sharing basis. WEB has pioneered hyper-local content aimed at

keeping communities abreast of the sometimes-bewildering changes in Egypt’s

political, social and economic environment whilst holding local authorities to

account. For example, its publications forced the local government in Beni Suef to

deal with a major refuse problem after a sustained campaign; it also exposed

28

The CIMA report can be downloaded here at https://www.cima.ned.org/publication/media-development-

digital-age-five-ways-engage-internet-governance/

87

government negligence in draining waste water in several villages around Fayoum

and promoted an official response. WEB uses multiple formats to explain complex

issues such as constitutional amendments and minimum wage laws to local

populations.

9.4. Quality accountable journalism

Within a global context where journalism and free speech are coming increasingly under

threat, there is an urgent need for a regional drive to defend the fundamental principles

and attributes that allow high quality and professionalism journalism to thrive. There was

a call from the group to defend the basics of journalism, focusing on developing a

profession with better education, training, good governance and employment rights.

A number of independent news platforms in the MENA region are developing offerings of

innovative high-quality content, as well as models of good governance that could be

further supported and emulated. There are a growing number of examples of

professional, accountable journalism in a region often seen as lacking in these respects.

There is greater opportunity to support these platforms in developing the capacity to

produce professional journalism across the region. 29

9.5. Media monitoring versus media literacy

The need for better and further education of citizens on how to engage with and

understand the narratives of the media through targeted media literacy projects

was identified as a key issue by the international members of the coordination

group. It was felt that a media-literate audience would encourage greater

professionalism in the media community, as well allow for more innovation. An

understanding of media literacy and trends in the region will also contribute to

journalists acquiring a better understanding of their audiences.

Local implementers particularly stressed the importance of media monitoring in

order to deliver a similar result. Monitoring content can range from identifying

racism, hate speech, political and religious bias to monitoring sectorial coverage in

certain topics. Media monitoring gives indicators as to what is working and could

provide further monitoring and evaluation evidence for donors over time.

Box out: SKeyes Media in Lebanon has produced a lot of work in this area, with a

mission to monitor violations against freedom of the press and culture in various

fields. They produce regular monthly reports monitoring such violations across the

Levant – Lebanon, Jordan, Syria and OPT. 30

29

See footnote 7. 30

A link to these and other SKeyes reports can be found here: http://www.skeyesmedia.org/en/Reports

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Box Out: In May 2016 the Jordan Media Institute (JMI) in partnership with UNESCO

launched the Media and Information Literacy (MIL) project – a component of the EU-

funded and UNESCO-implemented Support to Media Project in Jordan. The program aims

to contribute to capacity building of national educational institutions in MIL and

transferring skills to new generations, in addition to spreading awareness and knowledge

among decision makers, opinion leaders and society.31

9.6. Qualitative research

The group felt that there was a lack of access to reliable unbiased research and data on

media and its consumption. The lack of audience research, which gives insight into impact

rather than just reach, was seen by some in the group as the reason for funding going

towards targeting the development of more traditional media platforms, rather than the

growing number of alternative sources of independent news and content available across

the region. The lack of an understanding of how journalists perceive themselves, as well

as how they perceive their audiences, was also seen as a barrier. Who are the journalists?

Where do they work? How do they view themselves and their roles? What are their

motivations and agendas? How do they define and see the possibility for independent

journalism in their country?

Shortening the gap between practitioners and their audiences is something that

should be addressed. To this end, the group agreed that a piece of qualitative

research that would involve interviews with media practitioners across the region,

on journalistic practice and audiences would prove beneficial to all stakeholders in

the region.

9.7. Networks and coordination

Overwhelmingly, the group emphasised the importance of better coordination between

stakeholders and the formation of partnerships and sharing of experience and expertise.

A collective media voice was seen to be essential in order to contribute to and influence

certain agendas where the media community was currently unheard, such as access to

information and freedom of expression. It was also felt that a united media development

voice for the region could ensure that the main narratives of the sector were reflective of

its beneficiaries rather than it financiers. Political and economic agendas have seen the

development narrative moved away from the language of inequality, social justice and

human rights towards less rights-based themes, such as countering-violent

extremism(CVE) something the group felt needed to be addressed. There was a call for

31 At a later stage, the project will introduce media and information literacy concepts into

educational institutions’ curricula. In cooperation with the Ministry of Education, Jordanian

universities and Jordan Education Initiative, JMI will train teachers on MIL skills and transfer the

knowledge to students in grades 7-9 in a number of schools. The institute will cooperate with

experts and researchers to develop MIL curriculum for teachers based on the one developed by

UNESCO in 2011. Read more at http://www.unesco.org/new/en/amman/about-this-office/single-

view/news/jordan_media_institute_and_unesco_launch_media_and_informati/

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the practices of the donor community to further support better coordination with a

greater emphasis on transparency and collaboration.

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10. PRACTICE

Overall, positive results and trends were noted in the practice of a number of countries, particularly

those where the Arab Spring has served to trigger reforms in the media sector and stimulate political

dialogue around media freedoms. The approaches that have shown positive results are the ones that

donors and implementing agencies have developed together with local partners with long-term

perspectives based on sound understanding of the local media landscape.

According to the group, the sector that receives the greatest attention is capacity building. There is a

need for ongoing training support and major improvements have been observed. Peer-to-peer

initiatives managed to engage senior media professionals and build strong working relations across

the region, and different training formats such as in-house training and individual coaching have

been on the rise. Yet, this comes at the expense of root-and-branch professionalization of the media

because capacity building is still planned on a short-term basis, with donors’ objectives focusing on

the number of participants rather than on the long-term engagement of a small and strong group of

professionals. There is also a concern that donors’ thematic priorities, such as counter violence

extremism (CVE), often mean that agencies repackage ideas to reflect these topics, even if they are

not matching the local media’s priority needs.

10.1. Types of activity

10.1.1. Conferences and round-tables

Conferences and round tables have registered positive results when they offer a

participative setting where all participants have the opportunity to express themselves

(providing translation is key in this region) and when they provide follow-up activities. The

coordination group has praised the conferences organised by the EU MedMedia in Brussels,

Jakarta and Rome as they gave participants the opportunity to meet on a regular basis. Oral

communication and face-to-face meetings remain crucial elements of a fruitful coordination

mechanism. In order to maximize the positive results of these gatherings, participants should

be encouraged to continue their exchange online, and the benefits of online networking and

communications platforms continue to become increasingly evident.

10.1.2. Training workshops

Training workshops work well if, as mentioned above, they are planned on a medium

to long-term basis and when they offer practical and onsite training. There are some

issues with the selection of candidates, with some members of the group suggesting

that recipients of training are often the same people, particularly in certain countries

or regions. Members of the group also highlighted the need to train media

professionals with their own equipment and in their own environment to ensure

maximum impact of the workshops. The group were also keen to express the

importance of integrating media ethics training into sector-orientated workshops,

such as those looking at elections, business and finance, arts and culture, security

etc. It was also argued that thematic priorities, such as gender, minorities, and the

environment should be embedded within long-term professional training

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programmes that focus on developing the editorial and technical skills essential to

managers, journalists and technical staff in the digital age.

10.1.3. Onsite consultancy and on-the-job training

For all media organisations represented in the coordination group, onsite consultancy and

on-the-job training is a must. To make it work, the consultant should be a practitioner, i.e. a

journalist and a good trainer. The owner of the media house and the top management

should be involved in the training and should agree and support the outcome of the training.

A concern is that media owners and top managers are not always involved in the process of

training development, which may be jeopardizing the capacity-building efforts. There was

also a call from some for a greater focus on training senior management, as the majority of

editorial decisions in the region often stem from the top. Also, with longer-term projects in

particular, it is worth considering that high staff turn-over in media organisations as well as

changes in editorial strategy often result in efforts being hampered.

10.1.4. Online learning

Online learning is not so popular in the region, where media professionals still prefer

to meet the trainer personally and learn in a group. Nonetheless, it is being used by

the Arab Reporters for Investigative Journalism (ARIJ) to provide introductory

sessions before participants begin face-to-face training. This methodology is

effective once a series of training sessions have been organised face-to-face. It is

then proposed as follow-up distance work to continue and support the trainee. The

factors that are needed to make it work are the proximity between the trainee and

the trainer, the methodology and the content of the course. The trainees need to be

dedicated, independent and self-motivated.

10.1.5. Co-production

Co-production is very much appreciated by local media houses. Training and co-production

go hand-in-hand. It bridges the gap between theory and practice and usually ends with a

media product that can be published or broadcasted. The main risk however is that the level

of production does not meet the requirement of the media house. This could be improved

by offering medium-term training with various training modules that allow the lead trainer

to better understand the strengths and weaknesses of the young production team and to act

accordingly.

10.1.6. Peer-to-peer mentoring

Peer-to-peer mentoring allows media professionals from the same background and

with the same level of proficiency to meet and exchange experience and best

practices. It has proven to be very efficient in attracting reluctant senior media

professionals to capacity building initiatives, when they have refused to join a

training session that they believe is not needed. Senior media staff and media

owners prefer to meet and discuss instead of being trained. The peer-to-peer setting

is therefore ideal as it offers a more official and exclusive approach. The challenge to

this media development practice is to find the matching couple. Its success lies in the

choice of the participants and in their level of seniority and their willingness to share

insight of their trade.

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10.1.7. Study tours

Study tours have been widely used in the media development sector. It enables participants

to discover another work environment, a different media landscape, and to compare it to

their own. The main criticism has been its cost-effectiveness. While the participants are

invited to compare and to share, they are also encouraged to change and to apply in their

own work environment what they have seen elsewhere. But is this always possible?

Participants coming from a country where freedom of expression is tightly controlled will

not be able to do much, even with a lot of encouragement. Therefore, participants and

destinations should be chosen wisely and with the study tours’ final objective in mind.

10.1.8. Social media engagement

Social media engagement is slowly emerging in the new information ecosystem of the

region. Digital technologies are part of everyday life and most media outlets are using them

to increase their audience. The key to make social engagement work is to connect it to a

popular media production, or any event, that triggers people’s interest and to offer a

monitored platform to host feedback and comments.

10.2. Partnerships

The growth in projects which call for partnerships and consortium is evident in the region. As this

practice becomes more prolific, a number of issues need to be taken into consideration as some

partnerships continue to be more successful than others. The question of how partnerships and

consortia are formed, and whether agencies are performing due diligence tests when it comes to

forming partnerships needs to be addressed. More thought and consideration as to the ingredients

of a successful partnership is essential to ensuring that projects and their beneficiaries are well

executed and catered for. There is also the question of whether international agencies are involving

local organisations enough when it comes to project design and division of labour as well as

budgetary allocations. It is clear that there is some work to be done in developing some mechanisms

and services which could improve partner selection.

10.3. Relationships with donors

The group discussed this particular practice at length and very different accounts of relationships

with donors were evident across the group. There was concern that there was a lack of standards

concerning the ‘correct’ relationship between donor and implementing agencies, how relationships

should be formed and maintained and ultimately how this might impact on funding allocations and

project implementation. The question of how much oversight donor organisations should have on

projects on the ground is also something that was discussed by group. It was felt that there needed

to be greater reflection on the problems of politically-motivated interference from donor

organisations.

The group also expressed frustrations around the high turnover of task managers within donor

organisations, particularly the European Commission. The concern was that this resulted in less

engagement in projects and their activities combined with an unrealistic expectation of deliverables

and outputs. There was also a sense that there tended to be a disconnect between HQ and local

representations (e.g. between Brussels and the EU Delegations) and that this also was problematic in

particular in relation to the sustainability and relevance of projects on a wider scale. Some members

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of the group suggested that there was a lack of donor transparency, with contracts sometimes being

awarded without any open call for proposals.

10.4. Expectation management

There has been a growing disenchantment with media development projects amongst some

donor organisations. A lack of available funding and increased competition has produced

claims that implementing agencies are over-promising and under-delivering in order to win

project grants. This can produce donor hesitation and even apathy towards the sector. The

group discussed the importance of ensuring that a ‘reality check’ about what is actually

deliverable in specific cases is enforced. There may be some value in the development of a

handbook that would outline ‘realistic objectives and results for media development

projects’.

10.4.1. Logframes

There is some question around the use of logframes for donor reporting when it

comes to media development projects in particular. The criteria used to evaluate

these projects differ greatly from those used to assess the more tangible results of

development projects that involve building bridges or improving sanitation systems,

for example. There needs to be greater recognition of the limitations of using a

common core set of metrics across what are in fact highly diverse development

sectors. In the case of media development, impact is hard to measure because it

takes place over time. Logframes need to be able to record more modest gains.

There was also a concern that there was more favourable support for organisations

who were better at communicating project methodology than at delivering the

outcomes of the projects themselves.

10.4.2. Reporting

The case of donor reporting is a similar one. Reports tend to follow the same style and

reporting cycles regardless of project activities and results. There is very little opportunity

for report findings to reflect lessons learned and lead to a realignment of activities during

the project reporting cycle rather than at the very end, as is the norm. Similarly, with regards

to inception reports, agencies should be encouraged to consider ‘rewriting the script’,

particularly in cases where the operating environment has changed significantly since the

proposal was written. There was also a consensus across the group that a greater emphasis

on sharing donor reports across the media development community, as well as more and

better feedback from donors on the reports, could result in greater project synergies and

collaborations as well ultimately more targeted relevant and unique projects. Once again, a

more systematic approach to donor reporting needs to be considered, one that reflects the

nuances of media development work specifically.

10.5. Monitoring and evaluation

Developing more effective tools for monitoring and evaluation (M&E) of media development

projects is a key area for further exploration and something that was discussed by the group at

length. There was a general push for donor to rethink M&E practices and what they hope to achieve

from them. It was agreed that there was a huge gap of knowledge in this area, as well as a number

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of practices that were not necessarily efficient means of assessing the success of projects. The

question of whether monitoring and evaluation should be carried out by the implementing agencies

themselves or by independent evaluators was also raised and it was suggested that there needs to

be some work done examining the merits and disadvantages of both. The question of how

independent evaluation is organised and managed was also an issue with some suggestion that

independence of external evaluation was sometimes questionable. A key issue, however, is that the

cost of M&E needs to be included in overall project budget allocations in order to ensure that the

correct tools are utilised in order to generate the right data. A number of tools for M&E are scoped

out in further detail below.

10.5.1. Quantitative surveys

M&E tends to rely heavily on quantitative surveys for the assessment of projects, yet poor

understanding of the necessities to produce reliable and useful data prevails. Quantitative

research requires very specific and often large sample sizes in order to make surveys

scientifically valid. This requires funding that is often not accounted for in overall project

funding, resulting in data sets that are often inadequate. Further work is needed into the

development of a network/database of qualified agents and subcontractors to carry out

surveys in the region. Attention should be given to supporting local agencies in developing

the skills and expertise needed to conduct quantitative research in their countries/regions of

location. Online surveys and new media also offer an alternative mode of collecting data

that could be further utilised. Greater consideration should also be given to supporting data

extraction and research undertaken in areas where the security of both researcher and

participant is an issue.

10.5.2. Focus groups

Focus group research is growing in popularity in the region, as they offer a more qualitative

response to a project’s outputs and impact. Focus group research works when specific

groups and audiences need to be targeted and can give a deeper insight into group

perceptions and opinions. They also provide an opportunity to identify behaviour change

and provide concrete solutions. They give groups a sense of ownership in a project than

through other research means and can be used at the start of project in order to plan

activities and identify needs. Focus group research can measure impact on a specific rather

than wider scale, but, as with quantitative surveys, how and how they will be undertaken

needs to be carefully thought through.

10.5.3. Questionnaires

Another tool that might assist more effective M&E processes is questionnaires. They are a

fairly economical way of reaching a large number of people with the data pulled being

relatively simple to analyse. They can be used not only to evaluate reach, but also to explore

attitudes to sensitive topics that respondents may feel uncomfortable vocalising in a focus

group or interview.

10.5.4. Direct interviews

Direct interviews can be undertaken with stakeholders and direct and indirect

beneficiaries of projects. They should be conducted in a professional and ethical

manner and documented accordingly. Face-to-face interviews tend to provide more

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accurate information as well as allow the interviewer to control and tailor the

interview throughout according to the responses. Direct interviews can be costly and

time-consuming, however, which needs to be taken into account when considered

as an M&E tool.

10.5.5. Social media metrics

While is a relatively new area for M&E, social media is employed much more widely as a cost-

effective means of evaluation. Best practice in evaluating the impact of social media-based

interventions is yet to be laid out and is an area that requires further work and collaboration. A

deeper understanding of how to interpret data - such YouTube views versus retweets and

Facebook likes - as well as engagement with content will lead ultimately to a further

appreciation of how then to respond to findings.

10.6. Covering costs

All development agencies share frustrations around covering their running costs,

particularly at headquarters. Core funding is increasingly harder to come by and for

grassroots local agencies sustainability is a huge issue, regardless of covering the costs of

administrative functions and reporting outputs. There is pressure on international agencies

to devolve operations to the target regions, but this creates significant problems for

business development and business continuity as well as on-going policy development and

research. There needs to be more realism, from all parties, about the costs of implementing

projects, but there also needs to be more transparency about how the roles of individuals

are charged to project budgets. While some well-funded agencies have a tendency to

establish new systems and departments to ensure compliance, these operations are often

not sustainable in the long term as project grants will never cover cost of running such

systems. There was some discussion around the possibility of including percentage-based

unrestricted costs in project financials and a call for deeper engagement and conversation

with the donor community on this issue.

10.7. Implementation issues

The group discussed issues that affected project implementation at length and the following

areas were highlighted as in need of further examination.

10.7.1. Needs assessment

There was a sense that while the benefits of needs assessments are recognised across the

media development community, their effectiveness was questionable. There appear to be

no standardised guidelines for best practice in this field, nor are the results of assessments

seen to be used effectively in implementation. It was felt that further scope should be given

to the voices of local implementing agencies who, it was suggested, did not feel as though

they were being adequately heard. They could provide feedback on the conclusions and

recommendations of needs assessments and be interviewed up front.

10.7.2. Selection of local beneficiaries

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The criteria used to choose beneficiaries also came under some scrutiny as, once again, it

appeared that there was a perception of unfair selection processes. In the case of training

and capacity-building, there was widespread concern that the same beneficiaries were being

targeted for trainings. The term ‘workshop tourism’ has been coined to describe the current

state of affairs in many capacity-building exercises. A more systematic approach needs to be

developed across the board.

10.7.3. Relationships with beneficiary organisations

Similarly, there was concern about how relationships between implementing

agencies and beneficiaries were formed and whether or not implementing agencies

tend to be less demanding in setting targets and negotiating implementation plans

with their beneficiaries. A call for more detailed break-down of tasks and activities

and roadmaps for project completion was called for on both sides, in order to ensure

that the right partnerships were developed and nurtured.

10.7.4. Selection of experts

An exploration of the mechanisms and platforms for selecting experts needs to be

undertaken. There was a sense that experts who lack language skills and regional

expertise are often chosen based on their profile and reputation in their home

country, rather than the right qualifications. Criteria differ from project to project

and even country by country. There was some talk about the important role that a

platform which would allow implementers to access experts, and coordinate with

their counterparts on their experiences with different experts, could play in ensuring

the right expertise is deployed in the field.

10.7.5. Development of materials and programming formats

There has been some work on and progress in developing training materials, media systems

and programming formats in the region. However, much of this work still sees the region

trying to adapt Western models to a context which is quite unique. More work should be

done to ensure that training materials are culturally and sectorally appropriate. There is also

the issue of how to avoid duplication in this field and encourage proper dissemination and

knowledge-sharing among international and local implementers.

10.7.6. Sustainability

Project sustainability was one the chief concerns of the coordination group. What

happens to organisations, individuals and processes that are supported and developed

through a project after the project reaches the end of its life cycle? Many expensive co-

productions, websites and institutional structures fail because they cannot be sustained

financially after the end of grant funding. There was a call for sustainability to be built

into project design as programming, websites and organisations which can no longer

financially support themselves continue to close down, yet new projects are started

nonetheless.

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10.8. Duty of care

In the context of the current climate in the region, there was a call for agencies and donors to have

more robust Duty of Care policies. A more strategic approach to risk management needs to be

considered. Should Do No Harm principles be applied in some cases? This should incorporate duty of

care to those working in the field, as well as to beneficiaries of projects. Is sufficient protection

offered to consultants, for example? Do agencies expose beneficiaries to risk in their eagerness to

achieve what might be considered to be impossible goals?

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11. PROCESS

The coordination group expressed a number of on-going frustrations linked to the processes

and procedures which are associated with the application and implementation of donor-

funded projects. The paragraphs below set out the main findings and discussions held in the

coordination group meetings. They are also largely informed by the focus group meetings

and interviews held with local agencies at a national level in Jordan, Lebanon and Tunisia.

11.1. Funding mechanisms

There was an overwhelming agreement that existing processes and mechanisms for

allocating funding are flawed. They are seen to increase competition between actors, pitting

agencies against one another, thereby undermining effective collaboration and

coordination. The opinion was that the sector has become dominated by large

consultancies, many of whom do not specialize in media development, who corner the

market because they have the track record and resources to apply for large grants as well as

appear cost-effective and offer ‘value-for-money’.

Local organisations feel particularly disadvantaged and disenfranchised. They often have

less capacity for proposal writing, with smaller sizes and budgets meaning lesser ability to

invest time and capacity-building in developing new business skills and projects. A lack of

input and knowledge from the field sees money sometimes supporting irregular practices

and institutions.

11.1.1. Service contracts

The consensus was that donors should refrain from taking the same approach to

media development as they do to technical services, particularly in relation to service

contracts. The structures and details of service contracts do not suit the delivery of

media development projects. For example, the need to sign up exclusive partners

and experts in competitive tenders is counter-productive for media development

projects which are shaped over the course of the project and by its on-going

outcomes. There is a perception that tenders are overly politicized and awarded

accordingly. For many, service contracts represent a very significant workload which

is not always commensurate with the potential returns and there is a tendency to

bid for them based on prestige rather than on the relevance of the activities

themselves.

11.1.2. Calls for proposals

These are the most common form of funding mechanism and there were many questions

from the group as whether this mechanism was conducive to achieving the best results.

Many implementers, particularly those working at the local level, expressed concern that

they often do not hear about these calls until it is too late to apply. The questions of how

they are promoted and then administrated as well as the selection and eligibility criteria

were all considered potentially too restrictive to include the entire community. A clearer

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application process and greater engagement with potential applicants and local

implementers was also called for.

11.1.3. Framework contracts

Fewer framework contracts are issued to the media development sector. When they are,

however, they tend to be issued for the delivery of specific services and are subject to the

procurement guidelines and procedures of the donor organisation. The group was

concerned that they favoured international implementing agencies, with little access for

local partners at any stage of the process.

11.2. Transparency

The issue of transparency around funding of projects was raised with one participant at the

coordination event in Rome stating that ‘for an industry which promotes transparency, it is

very opaque’. There is very little information about the results of calls for proposals and

tenders as well as very little feedback as to why proposals have or have not been selected

and how they could have been improved. There was also considered to be a lack of clarity

around the importance of donor ‘priorities’, i.e. when donors state that proposals which

address a specific theme will be ‘prioritised’, and if a project doesn’t reflect all the priorities,

whether or not it would stand a chance of being funded. There was unanimous agreement

that briefing sessions and clarification processes are very useful and a call for a greater and

more frequent engagement between donors and implementers on the process of allocating

funding.

11.3. Visibility

For donors, there appears to be very little agreement on the issue of the appropriate amount of

donor visibility as not all donors to produce clear visibility guidelines. There was a call for donor

policy on this issue to be more joined-up and intuitive. Visibility requirements were considered to

sometimes be counter-productive, particularly in a context where donor involvement might be seen

as an external intervention. However, it was also recognised that some implementing agencies place

more emphasis on their own self-promotion rather than acknowledging the source of funding or the

input of their partners and that this also needed to be addressed. In countries where the media and

CSOs that receive foreign aid are under threat, donor visibility should not be seen as a priority.

Greater industry standardisation of visibility rules could be a solution.

11.4. Timeframes

Again, the question of sustainability and lack of continuity was broached with regards to

processes. Much funding was seen to be too short-term, leading to a lack of stability. There

is a major disconnect between donor expectations and reasonable timeframes which needs

to be tackled through greater cooperation and communication, before funding calls and

project design are decided. The achievement of goals and demonstrable progress are not

always recognised when it comes to re-funding or extending projects and there is a view

that some donors are inconsistent, with shifting priorities and areas of interest.

11.5. Project proposals

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Due to time and funding constraints, it was noted by the group that proposals are often

written in haste and without proper needs assessments. Too many proposals are ‘re-

hashed’ versions of projects which have been implemented in other countries or regions

and are therefore much less relevant and impactful. There is a sense that proposals are

treated as contracts which some donors are reluctant to renegotiate, even when there is

strong evidence for revising the proposed implementation strategy during the course of the

project. The format and requirements of some application forms are also seen to encourage

agencies to overpromise and to present formulaic approaches in order to win project

funding.

There is a convincing argument for offering agencies seed funding in order to develop ideas

and ensure that they reflect real needs and priorities. While this is becoming a trend

amongst some of the smaller digitally-focused foundations, larger foundations and

governmental donors are yet to see the merits of this approach.

11.6. Interaction between donors and implementing agencies

There is often not enough contact or engagement between the two sectors, particularly

those implementing agencies who are working directly on the ground at a local level in

country. This has created a sense that donors are unapproachable, and that funding

programmes are non-negotiable. It was also voiced that there is pressure on implementing

agencies to present positive, upbeat reports which gloss over problems or failures in order

to satisfy donor demands. There was also seen to be too much emphasis on the ‘numbers

game’, e.g. the number of individuals trained, number of workshops, number of website

views etc.

A mechanism for on-going communication between donors and implementers needs to be

established. This could take the form of face-to-face meetings or a virtual/online hub for

interaction. It was hoped that this report might go some way to initiating these processes, in

the very least for the Southern Mediterranean region, although it was assumed that this

issue was a global one.

11.7. Bureaucracy

It will come as no surprise that the group found that bureaucratic overheads tend to be very heavy

in this sector. Some examples of this include lengthy approval processes, complex procurement

arrangements, overly detailed reports, and endless form-filling. Implementing agencies felt that they

often spent more time dealing with bureaucracy than delivering project activities and ensuring that

targets are met. For local agencies, the lack of internal capacity to deal with some bureaucratic

processes saw them on the back foot when it came to project delivery. While it is accepted that it is

important to keep accurate records and to document due process, it was felt that bureaucracy is

often taken to extremes – both internally as well as externally – and that this needed to be

addressed across the industry.

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12. POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS AND ACTIONS

Fundamentally, this paper argues that the dialogue between donors and implementers needs to be

more honest and that both sides need to be prepared to respond to changing circumstances. Better

articulation and clarity of core values as well as more realistic expectations of what can be achieved

are critical for proper assessment, implementation, and longer-term relationship building. The

findings from the regional coordination meetings and their subsequent analysis in this paper have

generated the following policy recommendations for stakeholders:

1. Donors need to place more emphasis on coordination between themselves and implementers.

This would support more strategic thinking with both the donor and implementing communities

involved. This paper has demonstrated that the voices of local organisations across the board need

to be more widely heard, so that projects have better resonance on the ground. A number of

mechanisms for improving coordination need to be explored, such as conferences, surveys,

workshops and online tools.

2. The balance between donors’ thematic priorities and beneficiaries’ actual needs should be

redressed. By the same token, there is a need for an urgent reality check about what media

development can achieve and, in particular, on the value of CVE. There needs to be greater

recognition that quality and independent journalism must be supported for itself, rather than its use

to convey messages of the donors.

3. Donors need to be more realistic about what is achievable in the short to medium term while, at

the same time, implementing agencies need to be more measured in what they propose. They must

resist the temptation to overpromise in the hope of gaining an edge over the competition. There is a

need for more realistic expectations of what can be achieved in prescribed timeframes. However,

there is also a growing concern for the lack of sustainability of media development projects and

donors should support projects for 2-3 years if not longer, where possible. Donors needs to be more

flexible in their approach to reporting and the implementation of projects.

4.. There should be a better understanding of which project activities are effective and which are

not. In the Southern Mediterranean region, there is an over-reliance on conferences and very few

targeted consultancies, for example. Contextual needs assessments combined with robust

monitoring and evaluation practices, that include the input of beneficiaries and local agencies, are

vital to achieving better results.

6. The perceived desire of Southern Mediterranean countries to learn from one another is not

supported by evidence, yet there are still too many projects which attempt to promote culturally-

inappropriate or unsustainable solutions ‘imported’ from the US or Western Europe. The region

needs to find a balance that will support the development of professional and independent media

that can contribute in the specific context within which they operate.

7. Regional coordination efforts can further strengthen coordination efforts at the national level.

There is, therefore, a role for networking groups such as the Global Forum for Media Development

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in supporting further coordination processes on both a regional and national level. Knowledge

management and the sharing of best practice, as well as regular communication, can help to

eliminate numerous problems, from inefficient duplication of efforts to debilitating competition

between implementers.

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APPENDIX

List of organisations who attend some if not all of the Southern Mediterranean regional

coordination meetings.

7iber

Arab Reporters for Investigative Journalism (ARIJ)

BBC Media Action

Birzeit University Media Development Centre

Canal France International (CFI)

CAPJC

Centre for International Media Assistance (CIMA)

Communication for Development (C4D)

COPEAM

Creative Media Solutions

Deutsche Welle Akademie (DWA)

Ethical Journalism Network (EJN)

Egypt Media Development Programme

European Broadcasting Union (EBU)

Free Press Unlimited (FPU)

Global Forum for Media Development (GFMD)

Gulf Centre for Human Rights

Hirondelle Foundation

International Media Support (IMS)

Internews

Inkyfada

IREX Europe

Jordan Media Institute (JMI)

Ma’an Network

Palestinian Centre for Development & Media Freedoms (MADA)

Maghreb Media Forum

Maharat Foundation

Media Association for Peace (MAP)

Media Diversity Institute (MDI)

Reporters Sans Frontier (RSF)

Rory Peck Trust

Search for Common Ground

SKeyes Media

SMEX

Thomson Reuters Foundation

UNESCO

Welad Al Balad

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Annex 3: Special Mechanism for Media Freedom in the Arab World: Methodology

Report on press freedom in the Arab World in 2018

Methodology

May 2018

Table Introduction (p102) Methodology (p103) Conclusions (p105) Annex 1: Declaration for media freedom in the Arab World Annex 2: Technical proposal Annex 3: Background document

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Introduction Gathering in a regional conference in 2016…, key media stakeholders from the region have recommended the development of a regional press freedom report, in the context of the initiative to establish a Special Mechanism for Media Freedom in the Arab World. The report, as envisaged, is a policy document and a tool for media reform. Based on a solution-driven approach, it should highlight key challenges to media freedom in the Arab World, focusing on key themes from the principles from the Declaration on media freedom in the Arab World. In the end of 2017, the Declaration had been endorsed by hundreds of organisations across the Arab World, including journalists’ unions, human rights commissions and non-governmental organisations, public and private media outlets, civil society organisations, etc. It has also been signed by government and officials in five states, Palestine, Tunisia, Jordan, Sudan and Morocco. Based on key stakeholders’ recommendation, MedMedia, an-EU funded programme that supports the initiative, organised a technical experts’ meeting, to devise a methodology. This meeting was organized in Vienna on 11 December 2017, and gathered representatives from the OSCE, the UNESCO, the OHCHR, the IFJ, ANNHRI, Palestine’s ICHR, and Morocco’s SNPM. It recommended:

i. The report would primary directed at national governments, aiming to address existing challenges and advise on future reform. . ii. The report, at this stage of the initiative should include three parts: a part examining specific incidents and cases of violations of journalists rights which has wider relevance/impact to the country of the regino, another considering specific themes/areas of reform and a third including recommendations. The methodology could be reviewed/expanded, when the mechanism is established. iii. The report should avoid replicating existing national/regional or international reports. Instead, it will benefit from these reports and research. iv. The report will especially seek to build on the work and research of UNESCO report; World Trends in Freedom of Expression and Media Development, the work and research in the Arab region.

The experts mobilized to develop the methodology are Monir Zaarour and Iyadh Ben Achour. A brief overview on the main existing reports will help understand the methodology provisionally adopted for this report. The OSCE mandate of the Representative on Freedom of the Media is currently the only intergovernmental media freedom institution32. The biannual report issued by the OSCE Representative gives therefore a good example in the context of the development of

32

OSCE Representative Report 9 November 2017- LINK

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this methodology. It presents on a country by country basis, recent developments and violations to media freedom in the covered countries. It also highlights the missions and steps taken by the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the media, to uphold principles and address violations in the region. A Special Mechanism for Media Freedom in the Arab World would be the second existing mechanism dedicated to media freedom, but the report, as envisaged in the proposals and discussions so far, would be different in terms of periodicity (yearly) and approach, focusing mainly on key thematic areas of reform. The UNESCO develops various reports on media. Its Media Development Indicators (MDI) follow a comprehensive methodology and research and indepth analysis of the media sector in the target county. a wide range of issues – infrastructural, technical, etc. The MDI are produced on had hoc basis and ‘aimed at enabling the assessment of media landscapes at national level.’ UNESCO produced 20 MDIs globaly five of them for countries in the region. UNESCO publishes another report titled World Trends in freedom of expression and media development, which focuses on four key areas: media freedom, independence, safety and pluralism/diversity. Its methodology was presented in Vienna and it was recommended that the regional report should highlight synergies between it and the proposed report on media freedom in the Arab World. It is worth mentioning that the OHCHR Universal Periodic Reviews (UPR) follow different models, but usually include a small section on methodology and consultation, where explanations are given on how the report was built, why, and who was consulted or contributed to reviewing the report. At the national level, most journalists’ unions produce annual reports on the state of press freedom in their countries. The reports also included documentation of case by case of attacks on journalists and violations of their rights. These reports will be valuable resources for the regional report. At the regional level, there is a press freedom report produced by the Federation of Arab Journalists, which relies mainly on the journalist’s unions and their national reports for its production. Finally, there are the reports produced by national and international press freedom organizations which also include various data and research and will be very useful for the regional report.

Methodology The main focus issues of the report will be based on the principles of the Declaration on media freedom in the Arab World. Stakeholders discussing and recommending the development of the report suggested key topical themes are selected from the Declaration and analysed in the regional report with the view of offering solutions. The Declaration includes 16 key principles listed below

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Part I: General Principles Principle 1: Scope and Nature of the Right to Freedom of Expression Principle 2: The Right to Information Principle 3: Safety Principle 4: Awareness

Part II: Restrictions on Content Principle 5: Criminal Measures Principle 6: Protecting Reputations Principle 7: Protecting Privacy Principle 8: Hate Speech and Intolerance

Part III: Regulation of the Means of Communication Principle 9: Roles of Different Actors Principle 10: Journalists Principle 11: Public Media Principle 12: Regulation of the Print Media Principle 13: Regulation of Broadcasters Principle 14: Regulation of the Internet Principle 15: Complaints and Self-Regulation Principle 16: Equality Proposed methodology for the 2018 report: The following methodology is proposed for the first report on media freedom in the Arab world, to be developed in the context of the initiative to establish a special mechanism for media freedom in the Arab World. This methodology will be reviewed for future reports, in particular when the mechanism itself is established.

1- The first report should be published in December 2018/January 2019. With no mechanism yet established, the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), who initiated and currently implements the initiative, will assume the editorial responsibility and it will commission a small team of researchers to help in production of the report. 2- A series of key trending issues to explore in the report will be selected following an exchange between the IFJ, the UNESCO and the leading author. 3- The researchers and lead author develop the regional report, covering the selected themes in all or a selection of countries in the Arab World.

a. The report will include an introduction, an executive summary, a thematic section, a section on specific incidents and cases of violations and a series of solution-driven recommendations (Vienna experts’ meeting recommendations). b. The report should primarily address national governments, with a solution driven approach and concrete proposals.

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c. The report should avoid confrontational tone and rankings which are questionable and bias d. The report should avoid replicating existing national/regional or international reports. Instead, it will benefit from these reports and research. e. The editorial team will seek to harmonize the report’s findings with and expand on the UNESCO’s World Trends in Freedom of Expression and Media Development in the Arab region.

4. The draft of the report will be shared with a number of partner organizations from the region before it is published in December 2018/January 2019.

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Annex 4: Sustainability strategy for the MedMedia portal’s Digital Library (letter to EU Programme Manager Klara Srbova, 15 July 2018)

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Name of the contact person for the Action: ……………………………………………

Signature: ………………………………Location: ……………………………………

Date report due: ……………………..…Date report sent: ………………………………