IWPR’s international trainers have been working closely with journalists and news organisations in the cities of Tripoli, Misrata and Benghazi. In addition, trainers provide hands-on mentoring to media outlets in other locations like Yefren in the Western Mountains, the southern city of Sabha, and smaller cities like Zliten in order to reach a broader cross-section of journalists and encourage reporting on issues that are largely ignored by the mainstream media.
In June 2012, IWPR began working with Libyan TV and radio stations to coach newsroom journalists and editors ahead of the historic July 7 election. The work focused on rapidly improving the content produced by newsrooms, through daily editorial meetings, story budgeting, hands-on reporting training and critiques of stories after broadcast.
IWPR is committed to forging strong partnerships with organisations and individuals in Libya.
Activity Outline
- Training: IWPR trainers work in Libyan TV and radio newsrooms in both former state media and private outlets. This includes media that emerged during the revolution as little more than YouTube feeds or sporadic radio transmissions in cities like Misrata and Benghazi, but have since become important sources of information for their communities. IWPR is addressing both the basics of journalism and technical and editing skills.
- Publishing: As IWPR engages local media outlets it is developing a network of journalists in key locations around the country to promote a wider range of stories in the mainstream press. Media coverage is still mainly limited to major cities, leaving a large number of communities without a voice or access to information from other parts of the country.
- Supporting the Media: IWPR is partnering with a variety of state and private media outlets, providing expertise to newsroom reporters and editors. IWPR is also engaging with media groups and associations, including the Free Media Centre, the Libyan Association for Free Media, both in Tripoli, and the National Media Union in Misrata.
(Source: Institute for War and Peace Reporting)