Media Development

Dans un studio de la radio Gafsa, radio régionale tunisienne ayant bénéficié d’un appui de la Fondation Hirondelle, le 16 juin 2015 © Fondation Hirondelle / Gwenn Dubourthoumieu Fondation Hirondelle creates or supports independent, public service media and contributes to their sustainable development in complex situations. We provide expertise, advice and training to the staff of our media and/ or partner organizations – journalists, technicians, managers and administrators. We create or support revenue generating structures and activities that help make these media outlets more sustainable. These media development activities are our second strategic focus. Our expertise in this field is based on more than 20 years of experience in creating, developing, and supporting media in war or post-conflict areas, humanitarian crisis contexts or countries in democratic transition.

By supporting public and private media in such contexts, helping them to structure, train their staff and strengthen their independence, Fondation Hirondelle allows them to better fulfill their public information and social roles. If the media is better equipped to fulfill their mission on a long-term basis, then they will help make the right to information a reality for the population that they address.

Principles

Creating new media outlets if the context, the urgency of the situation or the requirements of editorial independence mean existing structures cannot be relied on
Supporting independent, private or community media, based on values, charters and shared professional codes for the production of quality, non-partisan information that serves the public
Supporting public media if the government on which they depend respects their editorial independence and/or as part of transforming them into public service media
Transferring responsibilities from international experts to qualified national teams
Recognition of the experience and skills acquired by our national staff and managers
Continuous training within our media and partners, allowing us to ensure the quality of information, the transfer of responsibility, and the integration of youth
Special attention given to women, young people and marginalized communities when recruiting our teams
In-depth analysis of the local legal, political, and social context in preparation for creating locally registered structures
Development of income-generating activities and funding models for our media or partners, in compliance with charters guaranteeing strict respect for editorial independence

Activities

Media creation

Creation of radio stations in crisis zones
Creation of production studios and news agencies
Creation of websites with news and information
Creation of multimedia information programs

Support for independent media

Development and implementation of training (see below)
Mentoring and training for managers
Auditing across all sectors: editorial, management, technical
Defining, commissioning and analyzing audience surveys
Conducting focus groups
Analysis of positioning and competition in the sector
Re-definition of identity, image, and mandate
Development/ updating of charters and codes
Implementation/ overhaul of internal and external communication processes
Production of new sound/ visual identity
Identification of potential partners
Advice on legal statute and governance of the media outlet
Fundraising support
Development of income-generating activities
Analysis of the advertising market

Training

Basics of radio, TV and Web journalism
Conducting interviews
Hosting and moderating debates
Magazine, radio and TV production
Publishing on the internet and social networks
Coverage of elections
Specialized journalism: justice, economy, parliament, environment, etc.
Journalistic reporting with images
Presenting news and programs for radio and TV
TV and radio broadcasting
TV and radio production
Creating a TV/ radio studio
Radio techniques (FM broadcasting, studio construction, installation and maintenance)
TV techniques (studio construction, installation and maintenance)
Infographics
Photo direction
Creation and management of websites
Community management
Media management (strategy, financial management, human resources, etc.)