Project
Sudan Journalist Needs Assessment/ Fellowship for Critical Voices-Sudan Emergency Response
General Information
Location: Sudan, with significant efforts focused in Khartoum and substantial outreach activities extending to journalists in Darfur, Gezira, and the River Nile states.
Date: Launched in July 2023
Project Rationale:
Sudanese journalists currently face extraordinary challenges amidst ongoing conflicts and social unrest, impacting their ability to work safely and effectively. Supported by UNESCO and facilitated by Media in Cooperation and Transition (MiCT), this project is dedicated to bolstering the media sector's resilience. It provides journalists with essential tools and support to maintain high journalistic standards and integrity.
Beneficiaries:
The project initially engages approximately 213 journalists during the needs assessment phase. Following this, it reallocates resources to support over 80 journalists with shelter, relocation assistance, health services (including mental health), legal aid, and financial support. This comprehensive support system significantly impacts a broad network of media professionals throughout Sudan, encompassing a diverse range of media outlets from local community radios to major national newspapers. Highlighting personal stories, and , share their experiences and challenges in navigating the complexities of conflict and journalism in Sudan.
Overall Objective:
The overarching goal of this project is to methodically identify the pressing needs and threats faced by Sudanese journalists and to implement strategic interventions that ensure their safety, professional growth, and continued effectiveness in their vital role as informers within society.
Partners:
The collaboration with UNESCO, Media in Cooperation and Transition (MiCT), and local entities like the Sudanese Journalists Syndicate (SJS), which is a syndicate that was elected in 2022 to act as a body that represents journalists, defend their rights, train them on the journalism profession and guarantee their safety, Sudanese Journalists Network (SJN) an organisation that advocates for freedom of expression and the freedom of the press, and national partners such as Al Adwaa, an independent non-profit organisation based in Sudan that strives to empower Sudanese journalists and media makers through their diverse array of projects, focusing on their growth, development, and capacity-building. Al Adwaa’s projects are tailored to fortify journalistic proficiency, bolster media practices, and ultimately cultivate a balanced, unbiased journalism culture in Sudan.
Implementation Strategy:
- Survey Utilization via WhatsApp: Leveraging a WhatsApp chatbot to facilitate the survey, capitalizing on its popularity among Sudanese journalists for easy access and maintaining anonymity.
- Real-time Data Collection: Utilizing the WhatsApp platform for immediate data gathering to quickly address the identified challenges.
- Targeted Communication: Designing messages and surveys to be clear and concise, mindful of the participants' time and safety with managed reminders through the same platform.
- Multi-Language Support: Providing the survey in Arabic to ensure accessibility and comprehension among the target demographic.
- Security and Anonymity: Maintaining high standards of data security and protecting respondent anonymity in a sensitive political context.
- Partnerships with Local Entities: Working with local journalism organizations such as the Sudanese Journalists Syndicate and Sudanese Journalists Network to tailor survey content to real-world conditions.
- Scalability and Flexibility: Designing the strategy to be adaptable, allowing for modifications based on continuous feedback and the evolving situation in the region.
Project Contact:
Media in Cooperation and Transition (MiCT)
Brunnenstrasse 9, 10119 Berlin, Germany
Phone: +49 (0)30 4849 3020
Email: info@mict-international.org
