International projects
Transformation processes in Central Asia, democratization in Latin America, conflicts in the Middle East, Africa and Asia. Different situations require different solutions.
Our support can target a local university that offers basic courses in journalism, an NGO that defends the rights of journalists and freedom of expression, editorial staff that strive to improve editorial routines, or a media institute that systematically attempts to improve journalism.
To help building national capacity is the key to a long-term sustainable media development. Together we develop journalism.
Building Media Institutions
Independent media institutions are important for the development of journalism and a free press. National media institutes provide meeting places for journalists where they can research, produce and file stories. The institutes arrange training for journalists, promote self-regulation and advocate a free and responsible media.
Over the years, Fojo has assisted the establishment of media institutes in several countries. Today, Fojo cooperates with the media institutes that we have been involved in establishing. The partnership continues.
Media in Conflict Areas
Media in conflict areas face particular challenges. Editors are often appointed on political merits and reporters that try to publish balanced and impartial journalism are discouraged, or even killed, by the conflicting parties.
In Palestine, Fojo has supported the Media Development Centre at the Birzeit University from the start in 1996. Since then, more than 1,100 journalists have received training. Despite political difficulties, the institute has managed to establish itself as an independent institution.
In Sri Lanka Fojo has assisted in setting up two media institutes: The national, independent Sri Lanka Press Institute (SLPI) and the Media Resource and Training Centre (MRTC), attached to the University of Jaffna.
The situation for journalists in Sri Lanka is extremely difficult. Threats and violence against journalist are frequent. Improved laws for freedom of expression and defending the minumum rights that exist today is our key issue. Fojo supports journalists in Sri Lanka together with Article 19, Reporters without borders, IFJ, IMS, with fundings from Sida, Norad, Danida and other actors.
Supporting Underground Media
Underground media plays an important role in the process towards establishing democracy in countries where open and independent media institutions are not allowed. Fojo supports underground and independent media in order to build up a high quality of journalism, to enhance the capacity of media and to promote openness and democracy.
Once democracy takes roots, underground journalists are often able to go back to normal life, establishing strong democratic media institutions.
Safety for Journalists
Every year, around 50 journalists worldwide are killed when trying to fulfil their mission. Many more are threatened to silence or dismissed from their jobs.
In Sri Lanka, Fojo supports an emergency fund to assist journalists that are in acute danger. Through the fund, journalists have been trained on how to act when confronted with threats. The fund is also used to assist journalists that need to leave the country when threatened to life. Several Sri Lankan journalists are still alive today as a result of the fund.
Different needs - different training approaches
Part of Fojo’s mandate is to professionalise journalism through training and together with our partners we offer a number of training approaches, adapted to different needs.
• In-house training affects all levels of the media house – the entire editorial staff is involved in a process of change.
• Mid-career training aims at further developing the skills, attitudes and knowledge of working journalists from different newsrooms.
• International training programmes brings together journalists from several countries to a dynamic learning process that develops into long-lasting networks.
• Entry-level journalism training gives hands on training in journalism blended with an academic understanding of the media.