Project
Media self-regulation and the path to inclusive journalism: A landmark international training programme comes to a close
After seven years of facilitating a Swedish-funded effort to empower independent media, NIRAS reflects on our journey contributing to a media landscape of reliable and professional journalism
November 22, 2024
- SDG: #4, #5, #16, #17
- SECTORS: Development Consulting
- DONOR: Sida
- CLIENT: Sida
- CONTRACT VALUE: 140 000 000 (SEK)
- DURATION: 12/2017-12/2024
- Participating countries: 25 in Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, Latin America & MENA region
Since the 1980s, Sweden’s International Training Programme (ITP) initiative, funded by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), has brought together experts across various fields to address critical global challenges. Managed by NIRAS and implemented alongside partners International Media Support (IMS), FOJO Media Institute/Linnaeus University, and Global Reporting Sweden AB, a recent ITP – Media Development in a Democratic Framework (ITP Media) – has focused on building capacity for media self-regulation to strengthen freedom of expression, pluralism, and diversity in the media landscape while improving the quality of journalism.
Through ITP Media, organisations and professionals alike have gained tools and skills to promote media freedom, strengthen their institutional frameworks, and foster an environment conducive to responsible journalism. Launched at the end of 2017, the programme now concludes its years-long journey, leaving a legacy of over 600 empowered participants (journalists, bloggers, media owners, university lecturers, lawyers, parliamentarians, government authorities, NGO representatives, etc.) and a stronger foundation for sustainable, ethical journalism worldwide.
“A self-regulatory framework provides the ultimate guarantee for freedom of expression and media freedom.”
Jeanette Gustafsdotter, former Swedish Minister of Culture
Strengthening media independence. What is media self-regulation and why does it matter?
The media sector has been transformed over the past decades by digitalisation, the rise of social media, and the dominance of large online platforms that now serve as primary information sources. Artificial intelligence is only the latest in a long line of disruptors to the landscape. These changes pose unique challenges: traditional media are financially struggling, ethical standards are inconsistent across platforms, and news is increasingly filtered by different and sometimes questionable interests. In this evolving landscape, the need for independent, reliable, inclusive, and ethical journalism is more essential than ever.
ITP Media has tried to address these challenges by fostering discussions around media self-regulation, which is seen as a crucial approach for preserving freedom of expression and promoting accountability within the sector. Some examples of media self-regulation include ethics codes and editorial guidelines; media ombudsman; press councils; fact checking; media literacy and public engagement; and privacy and content moderation standards.
By supporting systems that empower media professionals to self-regulate, the programme aimed to avoid excessive state intervention while protecting the participating media actors’ own personal and legal safety. As a non-legislative approach, self-regulation offers flexibility, enables ethical standards to evolve, and builds public trust through responsible reporting and engagement with diverse communities. This in turn creates a resilient media network that promotes inclusive media governance frameworks across countries and regions and – in the longer term – contributes to the development and protection of democratic and inclusive societies.
609
participants
25
countries
23
programmes (+3 alumni meetings)
A global impact: fostering change within countries and across regions
ITP Media was implemented in 25 countries across five regions, spanning Eastern and Southern Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East/North Africa (MENA). The intensive, year-long training programme worked to enable professionals from diverse fields across media, government, academia, the judiciary, and civil society to establish and uphold media standards and build critical networks. In addition to webinars and study visits to Sweden and countries in the region (or Brussels for later cohorts), part of the curricula involved helping participants jointly identify areas of improvement in their respective countries and drive and implement desired change initiatives. National facilitators helped tailored learning to the cultural and political realities of participating countries. This adaptable approach has allowed ITP Media alumni to create lasting networks and forge new alliances. Of the 23 programmes, the last two (ITP Media Georgia and ITP Media Armenia, Moldova and Ukraine) also contained a component that focused on facilitating a faster and smoother EU integration process, with regards to media law.
The programme’s impact has been notable across regions:
- Formal initiatives: ITP Media participants have spearheaded the formation of self-regulatory bodies, such as a new Media Council in the Philippines and an alliance for self-regulation in Colombia. Legislative reforms, like the Freedom of Information Act in Zimbabwe and new electronic communication laws in Ukraine, are a testament to the programme's influence.
- Informal initiatives: Many regions have introduced media ethics in journalism curricula and conducted training on responsible media for emerging journalists. Projects like Vietnam’s youth Media Club and Lebanon’s media self-regulation videos exemplify the innovative ways in which ITP alumni are contributing to media reform.
Change Initiatives
At the start of the programme, each participant, in close cooperation with colleagues and supervisors, identifies a project that can contribute to the achievement of the programme’s objective and necessary long-term change process on a national level. Based on this idea, Change Initiatives evolve as the participants are provided with new knowledge, networks, and experiences during the programme. The participants work together in country teams, supported throughout the programme by a National Facilitator, assisted by international experts (Thematic Mentors), a Programme Director and a Programme Manager, as well as administrative staff.
Participants:
- 129 from Africa (5 cohorts)
- 118 from Latin America (5 cohorts),
- 89 from Asia 89 participants (4 cohorts),
- 186 from Eastern Europe (6 cohorts)
- 73 from MENA (3 cohorts)
“Institutional results surpassed anticipated outcomes and are a clear testament to the programme’s effectiveness,” says Head of Programme Joakim Anger from NIRAS. “The ITP served as a catalyst for advocacy, policy formulation, and legal reforms regarding media self-regulation, and its influence often extended to decision-makers such as parliamentarians, chief editors and school department heads. It has in many cases contributed to the cultivation of responsible and ethical journalism. More importantly, the ITP Media network has created a platform for dialogue between stakeholders, built on mutual respect and trust. Both the participants and everyone involved in the programme foresee a continued collaboration among national teams, improved regional cooperation, and enhanced understanding among diverse viewpoints that will reduce polarisation.”
This word cloud reflects participants’ summary of the ITP experience. Networking stands out and was confirmed in a survey, where almost 100% of participants said they are in regular contact with other participants from their own country (+80% were in regular contact with participants from the region)
Key factors driving the programme success
ITP Media evolved in response to the needs of its participants, and this adaptability was key to its success. Four primary elements emerged as essential to the programme’s enduring impact:
- Trust and networking: Participants consistently highlighted the value of cross-sector networking and trust-building as critical to sustaining dialogue and collaboration.
- Ownership and commitment: The bottom-up structure of the ITP encouraged participants to take ownership of change initiatives, driven by a shared motivation to improve the media landscape.
- Flexibility: With dedicated facilitators in each country, the programme tailored its approach to fit local challenges, enabling real-world applications that led to impactful results.
- Informal coalitions: The relationships formed during ITP sessions have given rise to collaborative networks that continue to drive meaningful change, often organically and independent of formal structures.
The ITP Media Team at NIRAS
- Joakim Anger, Head of Programme
- Khalil Ansara, Programme Manager MENA
- Marie Neeser, Programme Manager Africa and Asia
- Silvia Montano Palomino, Programme Manager Latin America and Eastern Europe
- Sofia Tetradze, Programme Manager Georgia
- Helena Cederberg, Financial Controller
- Karin Höglund, Programme Coordinator and Programme Manager Eastern Europe
ITP Media faced significant challenges, from political upheavals and conflicts in some countries to the global COVID-19 pandemic. However, these obstacles also created new opportunities, including virtual engagement and more extensive networking across regions. The programme’s resilience and adaptability have not only kept it relevant but further underscored the urgency of media self-regulation in a democratic framework.
As it comes to a close in December, ITP Media’s legacy is clear: a strengthened global media network capable of upholding democratic values through self-regulation and ethical journalism even as new challenges emerge in the digital era. The programme’s alumni are now recognised as thought leaders and advocates for responsible media practices within their countries. With the backing of a robust network, these professionals will continue to shape media policies and contribute to free, independent journalism long into the future.
ITP Media Reference Book
How to make change happen - a guide
ITP Media Final Report 2023
ITP Media Final report - Armenia, Moldova, Ukraine 2024
ITP Media Final Report - Georgia 2024
