Eight points of impact in Sudan

05/06/2017

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.

Thomson Foundation training provided journalists and media managers with improved skills, giving them greater confidence to write high-quality news.

The improved quality in reporting, especially using multiple and diverse sources and balanced stories, minimised self-censorship and created more confidence that stories would not be censored by editors or the government.

The great impact of the training has been the introduction of a new reporting style that highlights issues of public interest not previously reported or discussed.

All of the journalists trained, regardless of media outlet, now address audience needs as the main objective of their reporting.

98% said the training has given them tangible benefits, and 80% say it has helped their career development.

The Training of Trainers (ToT) has provided an amplifier effect, leading to more than 200 additional journalists benefiting from the foundation's training.

The Training of Trainers (ToT) has provided an amplifier effect, leading to more than 200 additional journalists benefiting from the foundation's training.

Content analysis shows that 87% of stories by trainees were trending toward internationally accepted levels, giving the Sudanese public access to high-quality local news about social topics. By comparison, a control group struggled with accuracy and impartiality.

A case in point: Growing influence of Amani Abulgazim, one of the first to receive training in Sudan

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 Abulgazim, TV trainee, Sudan Media Capacity Building project 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.

Helen Scott Editorial Associate

About: Helen is an experienced trainer, consultant and project manager with a background in programme making and management. She led the five year media capacity building project in Sudan.

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