# GFMD MediaDev coordination and information sharing Resources on coordination and information-sharing efforts facilitated by or involving the Global Forum for Media Development (GFMD). ## What? Responding to requests from members, partners, and donors the Secretariat of GFMD carries out several activities to support information sharing and coordination of media development and journalism support organisations in different regions. These include: {% hint style="success" %} Acting as a line of communication between national-level communication efforts and the international media support and donor community. {% endhint %} {% hint style="success" %} Mapping out a list of organisations’ needs, capacities and competencies. {% endhint %} {% hint style="success" %} Advising donors on how and where their emergency funding can be best allocated. {% endhint %} {% hint style="success" %} Hosting information-sharing meetings. {% endhint %} {% hint style="success" %} Curating an extensive list of organisations providing emergency funding to journalists and media as well as crisis and emergency resources. {% endhint %} ## Where? {% content-ref url="/spaces/vUk2bAgWClatWsb5WGlC/pages/EJGbltCQaz0voC82UgPT" %} [Lebanon Coordination 2024](https://lebanon-coordination.gfmd.info) {% endcontent-ref %} {% content-ref url="/pages/kUTIY0O8AG16SeSs3YBI" %} [Palestine (2023-2024)](/countries/palestine) {% endcontent-ref %} {% content-ref url="/spaces/vUk2bAgWClatWsb5WGlC/pages/-MNdNay9s7-tmK4WXSGu" %} [Lebanon Coordination (2020-22)](https://lebanon-coordination.gfmd.info/2020-22) {% endcontent-ref %} {% content-ref url="/pages/Abj9DgnZc5x0cSgODolz" %} [Ukraine (2022-2024)](/countries/ukraine) {% endcontent-ref %} {% content-ref url="/pages/-MYeIut\_eciOB\_ezvfgh" %} [Sudan (2020-2024)](/countries/sudan) {% endcontent-ref %} {% content-ref url="/pages/-MYeOQog3FdXLCddK\_wh" %} [Yemen (2016)](/countries/yemen) {% endcontent-ref %} {% content-ref url="/pages/-MYeJBsjt8SJsSqdhuSr" %} [Syria (2013-16)](/countries/sudan-coordination-2020) {% endcontent-ref %} ## How? {% content-ref url="/pages/SDTtqhf0C6qnaSOCIoj8" %} ["Coordinating media assistance & journalism support"](/report/coordinating-media-assistance-and-journalism-support) {% endcontent-ref %} [GFMD IMPACT](https://impact.gfmd.info) in cooperation with the Samir Kassir Foundation’s SKeyes Centre for Media and Cultural Freedom and the International Media Support (IMS) commissioned a study that analysed the scope and focus of media assistance coordination efforts, highlighting common pitfalls as well as best practice models. {% hint style="success" %} The policy brief that presents a set of major findings and recommendations for practical steps that could be used to orchestrate future coordination initiatives, including in conflict and emergencies can be accessed [here](https://gfmd.info/briefings/coordinating-media-assistance-journalism-support). {% endhint %} {% hint style="success" %} The full report is available [here](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1SXCDFckkWpLspejBA49ecYGHoE8baHdNEfz2tnzsWX4/edit?usp=sharing). {% endhint %} ## Why? The need for coordination and information sharing within the media development industry is widely recognised – particularly in the wake of conflict or crisis. Common wisdom holds that **it plays an essential role in avoiding duplication or contradictions between programmes funded by different donors and offers a unique opportunity to explore synergies between complementary strands of work**. Stakeholders suggest that coordination can also help to harmonise or combine efforts to assess the needs of beneficiaries and to evaluate the impact of programming across a wide portfolio of projects. Ideally, then, coordination should involve donors, implementing agencies and local organisations - recipients of the assistance, thereby ensuring that the development community can make optimum use of available resources by determining priority areas and apportioning spheres of interest and responsibility. Dedicated coordination and information sharing also enables media development actors to address diverse needs within any given media ecosystem and, therefore, ensure that the impact of any one project is not undermined or blunted by endemic weaknesses in the operating environment. While there have been numerous attempts to coordinate project-based activities on a national as well as a regional level, these initiatives have generally struggled to maintain stakeholder buy-in over a sustained period. Furthermore, the level of donor participation in groups convened by implementing agencies has been underwhelming and, in at least one country, donors and implementers have formed separate coordination bodies which work in parallel and are connected only through a shared mailing list. These have rarely facilitated an open and constructive dialogue between donors, implementing agencies, and local partners with a view to determining strategic priorities. Common obstacles to effective coordination include widespread competition between implementing agencies which is driven primarily by mechanisms used by donors to disburse funding. These market forces mean that agencies are often unwilling or unable to share the information which might give their rivals a competitive advantage. Moreover, the donor-implementer-recipient relationship remains top-down and is shaped by shifting programmatic priorities that may reflect political imperatives or ephemeral themes rather than actual needs. Also, the sometimes chaotic nature of the media development landscape can prove disorientating for beneficiaries, particularly those seeking sustained and consistent support. # "Coordinating media assistance & journalism support" The report presents a set of recommendations for practical steps that could be used to orchestrate future coordination initiatives, including in conflict and emergency situations. In the context of the process to ["Renew the principles for effective media assistance"](https://impact.gfmd.info/activities-services/mediadev-principles) GFMD IMPACT has produced a report on [*"Coordinating Media Assistance and Journalism Support Efforts"*](https://gfmd.info/briefings/coordinating-media-assistance-journalism-support) which analyses the scope and focus of media assistance coordination efforts (in Lebanon, Syria, Ukraine and in a few other cases), highlighting common pitfalls as well as best practice. ## How to access the report {% hint style="success" %} **​**[**Summary of the key finding and recommendations**](https://gfmd.info/briefings/coordinating-media-assistance-journalism-support) **(4 pages)** {% endhint %} {% hint style="success" %} **​**[**The full report**](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1SXCDFckkWpLspejBA49ecYGHoE8baHdNEfz2tnzsWX4/edit?usp=sharing) **(40 pages)** {% endhint %} For more information contact the [GFMD IMPACT help desk](https://impact.gfmd.info/activities-services/help-desk). ## **The study and methodology** **About the report:** [*Coordinating Media Assistance and Journalism Support Efforts*](https://gfmd.info/briefings/coordinating-media-assistance-journalism-support), was produced by GFMD IMPACT, in cooperation with the Samir Kassir Foundation’s SKeyes Centre for Media and Cultural Freedom, and with support and in cooperation with the International Media Support (IMS). This study was conducted as part of an effort inviting media development and journalism support organisations, both international and local, to coordinate recovery and assistance efforts in Lebanon. **Methodology:** The report is based on desk research and a series of interviews that were conducted in June 2022 with key stakeholders who have participated in coordination groups over the last five years. It was authored by Aida Al-Kaisy and Michael Randall. The findings and recommendations were refined and discussed during a [consultation process](https://impact.gfmd.info/activities-services/mediadev-principles/coordination#consultation-process) between September and November 2022. ## Consultation process **Sept. 2022** - The draft report was also shared with the GFMD IMPACT Advisory Board and the GFMD Executive Committee.**Oct. 3, 2022** - GFMD members were invited to contribute to the process in an email to the members list on 3 October and via the [GFMD newsletter](https://mailchi.mp/gfmd.info/mediadev-insider-impact-1) on 18 October. It was also been featured on the engagement opportunities section of the GFMD [website](https://gfmd.info/engagements/consultation-coordinating-media-assistance-journalism-support/) and in meetings of the GFMD convened Ukraine information-sharing group.**Oct. 5, 2022** - At the ACOS Alliance annual meeting in New York Nick Benequista (CIMA) presented the findings and recommendations for discussion during a session on 'Preparing for the next crisis.**Oct. 19, 2022** - This meeting brought together participants from the ACOS Alliance meeting to finalise the report's recommendations. ## Promoting the report's findings and recommendations **Nov. 21, 2022** - OECD DAC GovNet, Paris.**Nov. 23, 2022** - One-day Sahafa Med seminar on ["Challenges and perspectives for media support programs"](https://impact.gfmd.info/meetings/challenges-perspectives-media-support-sahafa-med) in the North Africa and the Levant as part of the European Journalism Symposium in Brussels.**Nov. 24-25, 2022** - UNESCO IPDC council meeting, Paris. ## **Next steps** **Q4 2022 & Q1 2023 -** GFMD IMPACT will continue to promote best practices for coordinating media assistance and journalism support efforts through the following multi-stakeholder initiatives: * The [Media Freedom Cohort of the Summit for Democracy](https://summit4democracy.org/democracy-cohorts/) (GFMD is leading track three on “Bolstering Independent and Diverse Media”) * The [Media Freedom Coalition](https://mediafreedomcoalition.org/)'s Media Development Working Group in order to inform the MFC's efforts to support coordination among the diplomatic networks of member states. The report will also be included in the diplomatic toolkit being developed by the MFC. * The OECD DAC GovNet process to ["Renew the principles for effective media assistance"](https://impact.gfmd.info/activities-services/mediadev-principles) **Q1 2023 -** The coordination report will inform [national consultations on media viability/sustainability in Lebanon, Tunisia and Namibia](https://impact.gfmd.info/meetings/unesco-national-consultations-media-viability) organised by GFMD IMPACT and UNESCO will between October 2022 and February 2023. # Palestine (2023-2024) ## Activities GFMD facilitated a coordination meeting between its members actively supporting journalists and media in Palestine responding to the Israel-Gaza war with the Journalists in Distress network and donors seeking to better support affected journalists, media, and support organisations. The meeting centred on assessing the impact of the war on journalism, media support, and information integrity. Its goal was to identify current needs, available support mechanisms, and crisis responses in the MENA region. ## Outcomes Below are some of the outcomes and initiatives that resulted from GFMD´s coordination and information-sharing activities to support Palestinian media and journalists in 2023. {% hint style="success" %} **Coordination with emergency response mechanisms:** GFMD members ARIJ and the Samir Kassir Foundation (SKF) participated in an online meeting of the Journalists in Distress (JiD) network. The purpose was to brief international actors on the situation and share how organisations in the region were responding to the emergency. G: Palestine Center for Development and Media Freedoms (MADA) was introduced by the GFMD to the JiD network. This facilitated MADA's involvement in referring and verifying cases related to journalists in distress. {% endhint %} {% hint style="success" %} **New crowdfunding campaign:** ARIJ launched a crowdfunding campaign with a target of $100,000 to provide direct emergency assistance to individual Palestinian journalists. By the end of December 2023, ARIJ successfully assisted around 100 Palestinian journalists in the Gaza Strip. The campaign page is accessible [here](https://donorbox.org/the-coverage-must-continue-support-gaza-s-journalists). {% endhint %} {% hint style="success" %} **Partnerships with global organisations:** ARIJ was introduced to Avaaz, a global campaigning organisation, by GFMD. This collaboration allowed ARIJ to brief Avaaz on the situation in Palestine, enabling them to benefit from Avaaz's[ crowdfunding campaign](https://secure.avaaz.org/campaign/en/end_this_siege_now_loc_rb_mova/). {% endhint %} {% hint style="success" %} **Palestinian Media Emergency Coalition for Gaza Journalists and their Organisations:** In March 2024, the Palestinian Media development organisations started actively forming a coordination coalition consisting of media development NGOs that are working in both the West Bank and Gaza Strip. The primary objective of this coalition is to coordinate the rapid support for Palestinian journalists reporting from the ground as lifesaving support that enables them to continue their coverage. The coalition is open to all local Palestinian media development organisations. {% endhint %} {% hint style="success" %} **Shared resources:** Dedicated email lists for the [MENA region](https://gfmd.groups.io/g/MENA) and [Palestine](https://gfmd.groups.io/g/PALESTINE) were used by GFMD to facilitate information sharing and joint action. This included compiling a [spreadsheet ](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1T46BJ1WxXxR3ofdzsCAJUH1qJ-J7zLP8UdDmYRhgZ_g/edit?usp=sharing)of social media accounts of trustworthy independent news organisations in Palestine and neighbouring countries. This list was shared with META’s policy team for inclusion in their "Cross Check" scheme and with TikTok. {% endhint %} # Ukraine (2022-2024) Visit the GFMD Ukraine coordination page here: {% embed url="" %} ## 2023 In 2023, GFMD´s information-sharing efforts in Ukraine have moved from crisis response to focusing on key thematic areas resulting in briefing documents for donors on emergency energy equipment and psychosocial support for journalists. GFMD organised nine information-sharing meetings focused on Ukraine. These sessions brought together a total of 203 participants and delved into crucial topics, including securing long-term financial support for Ukrainian media and journalists. This involved the production of a [briefing](https://gfmd.info/briefings/long-term-support-ukrainian-media/) and comprehensive [white paper](https://gfmd.info/briefings/long-term-support-ukrainian-media/) appealing to donors and stakeholders in advocating for long-term financial support for Ukrainian media. Additionally, the meetings addressed key areas such as an energy equipment briefing and collaborative efforts on the [Tech and Journalism Crisis and Emergency Mechanism](https://gfmd.info/tech-and-journalism-mechanism/) (T\&JM). The discussions encompassed a presentation of the mechanism, its goals, and anticipated outcomes during the RE:Cover conference in Krakow in November. Furthermore, there was an introduction to the coalition of Ukrainian organisations coordinated by the Lviv Media Forum. This coalition plays a pivotal role in processing, vetting, and analysing cases escalated through the T\&JM. The meetings also involved a thorough examination of collaborative plans for the upcoming year, focusing on policy development, advocacy strategies, and learning initiatives. ## 2022 In 2022, our information-sharing meetings have moved from crisis response to focusing on key thematic areas resulting in briefing documents for donors on emergency energy equipment and psychosocial support for journalists. We continue to receive overwhelmingly positive feedback and anecdotal evidence of impact. According to our feedback surveys, 90% of participants believe that GFMD's overall information-sharing activities on Ukraine are useful and effective. Most participants noted that information-sharing meetings helped them to identify gaps, avoid duplication, and foster collaboration. We responded to numerous requests from partners and donors to carry out several activities in support of media organisations and journalists in Ukraine and the wider region, including: * Mapping out the needs, capacities and competencies of 100+ organisations. * Sharing information via our dedicated mailing list with 400+ individuals working for Ukrainian and international media support organisations, as well as donors and funders. * Organising 17 meetings attended by an average of 35 participants. * Curating an extensive list of organisations providing emergency funding to journalists and media as well as crisis and emergency resources. * Creating a dedicated resource centre for Ukrainian journalists and media organisations, those who remain in Ukraine and those who have been forced to leave the country. It contains an extensive curated list of emergency funding, tools resources and assistance opportunities in both English and Ukrainian and a mapping sheet providing an overview of needs and competencies that implementing agencies and donors alike have warmly welcomed. All of the information gathered has been fed into a ChatBot run by our colleagues at The Fix. * Together with the International Journalism Festival in Perugia, we launched the Perugia Declaration for Ukraine, which was signed by over 200 organisations. * A list of media organisations from Ukraine and the region supported by our members and partners has been shared with the major tech companies. GFMD received a certificate of appreciation from NUJU for solidarity and significant assistance to Ukrainian journalists during the war for its information-sharing meetings on support to media/journalists in Ukraine and the region. ## 2021
# Sudan (2020-2024) A summary of GFMD's role in facilitating coordination meeting for those involved in international media to Sudan. ## 2023 In light of the ongoing crisis in Sudan, GFMD initiated a series of information-sharing and coordination meetings for media and media development actors inside and outside of the country. Using the experiences and lessons learned from our Lebanese and Ukrainian coordination efforts, the GFMD Secretariat facilitated four meetings for affected members and partners across the region and created a dedicated [coordination group](https://groups.io/g/gfmdsudan) bringing together GFMD members active in Sudan, representatives of the [Journalists in Distress network (JiD)](https://www.journalistsindistress.org/), the Sudanese Journalists Syndicate, international agencies, including UNESCO and UNHCR, and representatives from a media freedom-focused group consisting of members of the diplomatic community. In addition, GFMD attended Canal France International - CFI´s Sudan Coordination Conference in Paris in October 2023, where participants expressed interest in GFMD facilitating a scenario planning process, leading to a white paper on support to independent Sudanese journalism and media both inside and outside the country. This proposal has been incorporated into CFI’s coordination meeting in Kampala in April. ## 2020 In early 2020, a group of media development donors requested that GFMD organise a meeting to discuss the coordination of media development in Sudan. A meeting was held on **2 April 2020 and** a report was shared with all participants after the meeting. The meeting covered the following subjects: * Political situation * Political economy and the media sector * Legislative agenda * Media landscape * Needs assessments * Media development coordination and mechanisms * Mechanisms to bring in local actors * Follow-up actions {% hint style="info" %} If you would like to request access to the meeting report, participant lists and background reading, please do so by emailing **** {% endhint %} # Yemen (2016) The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and GFMD co-organised a public solidarity meeting for Yemeni media in Brussels that was attended by various members, partners, and government officials. Furthermore, a consultation co-organised by UNESCO, IFJ, and GFMD in collaboration with international organisations and Yemeni stakeholders took place in 2016 in Jordan, which produced an [action plan](http://www.unesco.org/new/en/member-states/single-view/news/supporting_yemeni_media_in_promoting_peace_and_dialogue/) for journalists in Yemen. {% embed url="" %} # Syria (2013-16) An overview of GFMD's role in facilitating coordination of media assistance to Syrian media between 2013 and 2016. In 2013, GFMD launched an international coordination meeting on media development efforts in Syria in collaboration with three of our members: * International Media Support (IMS) * Free Press Unlimited (FPU) * International Research & Exchanges Board (IREX) The first working conference identified gaps and needs in support of media in Syria. The efforts around Syria led to the production of a GFMD White Paper for Syrian Media Assistance in June 2016. {% file src="/files/-MYe\_3S1y7Av7bnxHJGC" %} ## Syria media landscape survey Several international organisations combined efforts around audience research that led to a [media landscape survey in 2016](https://www.mei.edu/publications/syrias-new-media-landscape). {% embed url="" %} ### **Summary** > The Syrian Civil War has shaken the country’s media landscape and provided space for the nascent emergence of an independent Syrian media. Syria’s media culture is undergoing significant transformation from a top-down, state-run industry, to a diverse arena populated by competing viewpoints and driven by communities. > > This paper maps the changes in Syrian media since the beginning of the uprising in 2011, and explores the constraints facing independent media moving forward. Stronger mechanisms to support independent media in Syria are needed—such as additional and consistent funding, industry associations, and ease of travel—to develop a more open media culture in Syria, and foster a democratic and pluralistic post-conflict society. > > **Key Findings** > > * Since 2011, the Syrian conflict has led to the creation of a robust and diverse independent media culture within the country, with at least 196 outlets currently operating across political lines > * Lack of access to Internet and electricity in rebel-held areas has seen a focus on traditional forms of media, such as radio and newspapers > * Foreign governments and NGOs have provided funding and trained Syrian journalists to increase the quality of reporting > * Independent media remains heavily dependent on foreign aid as the war has prevented new outlets from establishing business models and revenue streams > * Guarantees for press freedom should be included in any political negotiations to ensure independent media survives in a post-war Syria {% hint style="info" %} [**Read the full Policy Paper here.**](http://www.mei.edu/sites/default/files/publications/PP9_Issa_Syrianmedia_web_0.pdf) {% endhint %} ## **Cooperation** Cooperation at the level of individual members of the group resulted in the coordinated emergency support efforts of the Syria Response Group and several joint media development initiatives. ## Other resources {% embed url="" %}