Russian Federation
Democracy and the free media in Russia emerged strongly in the 1990s, but today the situation is much different. The Russian journalists are working in a deteriorating media environment. Russia has become one of the most dangerous countries in the world for a working journalist.
Fojo has implemented journalist training programs in Russia since 1995, in cooperation with local partners. The seminars have been designed for journalists in print, web and broadcast media. Seminars have covered a wide range of subjects such as investigative reporting, journalistic ethics, political reporting. Fojo projects have been of great significance for more than 1 500 Russian journalists and have been identified by Sida as an effective contribution to reform in cooperation with Russia.
During the period 2008 – 2010, Fojo worked mostly with training programs for journalists in four republics of the Russian Caucasus – Chechnya, Dagestan, Ingushetia and North Ossetia (Alania). This project began in 2008 in cooperation with the Russian Union of Journalists and shall continue until the end of 2011. The main objective of Fojo training programs is to increase professionalism among journalists from the Russian Caucasus and to strengthen the role of the media in the reconciliation process in a post conflict period of this region.
In October 2010 Fojo launched a new project in Russia “Supporting Sustainable Development of Independent Media in Russia” in cooperation with the “Alliance of Independent Regional Press” and “Foundation for Independent Radio Broadcasting (FNR)”.
The project is 2 years long and is designed as a comprehensive input for the development of independent media houses/radio stations and, at the same time, as in-depth capacity building of Fojo´s Russian partners with a strong focus on New Media competence. It includes preparation of models and business development concepts with European and domestic expertise, journalist and leadership training, web development support, etc. The program has a strong emphasis on the opportunities new technology brings in terms of production development and increased freedom of speech.
The overall impact of the program is formulated as “sustainable and independent media in Russia providing citizens with accurate, unbiased, diversified quality information.
Fojo’s programs in the Russian Federation are financed by The Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida).
Partners:
The Union of Journalists of the Russian Federation (RUJ) ( www.ruj.ru) is the largest organization for professional journalists. A national NGO uniting more than 50 000 media workers from print and broadcast companies as well as freelances, the Union’s headquarter is in Moscow and the organization has regional branches in all Russian regions. The union has programs for the education of journalists, legal support, creative contest, campaigns etc. Partners are UNESCO, International Federation of Journalists (Union is member of IFJ), UNDP, International Labour Organisation, EU e tc.
The alliance of Independent Regional Publishers (AIRP) (www.anri.org.ru) was created in 2003. Today it includes NP “Alliance of Independent Regional Publishers” (AIRP) that presently unites 49 independent regional publications (108 media units, both daily and weekly) and the Fund of Regional Press Support (FRPS) that works with social and grant programs and donations for raising the quality of journalism, media and freedom of the press in Russia. The alliance of Independent Regional Press aims at uniting independent regional publishers in order to strongly impact the media market in Russia, and efficiently interact with each other.
The Foundation for Independent Radio Broadcasting (the FNR) (www.fnr.ru) is Russian non-profit organisations, aimed at development of quality and independent radio broadcasting, which serve the interests of civil society. FNR is the only Russian NGO, producing its own radio programmes on regular base. Its purpose, shared with independent radio journalists internationally, is to promote the understanding and dialogue through the widening use of radio and new media. The FNR broadcasts on the network of more than 100 regional radio stations.