We changed the face of journalism in Sudan – improving the quality of reporting and instilling new confidence into the profession.
A team of five trainers and a project director from the foundation ensured the success of the programme which reached 700 working journalists from print, radio, TV and online in Khartoum and outlying parts of the country.
The number was achieved by taking “the long view” – consolidating training with selected groups of journalists over a prolonged period and enabling them to pass their skills to colleagues.
A vital part of the teaching was “training of trainers” which ensures a lasting legacy after the four-year programme drew to a close in early 2017.
Sudan’s media has a long history of framing and contributing to the political and social landscape of the country. But the national media climate has become highly restrictive under the current government, with media houses forced to resort to self-censorship to avoid punitive measures against those perceived as stepping out of line.
The effectiveness of the programme was put to the test by an external evaluation. A team of researchers was led by international media development expert, Susan Abbott.
They used a mix of key informant interviews, content analysis and a survey of programme participants to arrive at their findings.
Susan Abbott said Thomson Foundation’s beneficiaries and partners were all eager to share their experiences and insights on how they benefited from the training programme.
“As a specialist in media development programme evaluation, I’m very impressed at how organised and information-savvy the foundation is. The records, management and open communication provided the best ingredients for a fruitful working partnership. It was a pleasure to work with the team.”
Amani Abulgazim was one of the first group of TV trainees in 2013. She excelled in training and was open to learning new approaches, both editorially and technically.
Amani was selected by the international trainers to join the “training of trainers” scheme, where she would have the opportunity to develop more skills and learn how to pass them on to colleagues. “She has the sense of social justice which all news journalists should aspire to,” said Diana Muir, who headed the TV training. “She has a good understanding of television techniques and is keen to try new approaches.”
I have learned to do my job better to a set of international standards.
Amani was promoted to head of training at Blue Nile TV as a direct result of the training she had received on the project, and soon was organising courses for camera operators and the youth and sports departments.
Now she is waiting for a restructure which may see her go back to programme making in a promoted post. “She could be very influential as she has a lot of gravitas and is respected. She is the person most likely to pass on the values we have tried to promote,” added Diana.
“I have gained confidence and I’m now brave, so I have become close to the issues and concerns of society. I have also learned to do my job better to a set of international standards,” said Amani.
The media capacity building project ran for four years from 2012 and was delivered in partnership with the British Council. It was funded by the British Foreign & Commonwealth Office.