Ongoing projects

Journalism Award “Nikola Mladenov” - For Best Investigative Story of the Year

Duration: 2011 -

Donor: МИМ

Description:

Is StatuetkaMacedonian Institute for Media, starting from 2001 every year is giving awards for the Best Investigative Story of the Year. This traditional award is most prestigious award in the Macedonian media community.

RESILIENCE: Civil society action to reaffirm media freedom and counter disinformation and hateful propaganda in Western Balkans and Turkey

Duration: 2018 – 2021

Donor: European Union

The three-year project is coordinated by the South East European Network for Professionalization of Media (SEENPM), a network of media development organizations in Central and South East Europe, and implemented in partnership with: Albanian Media Institute in Tirana, Foundation ‘Mediacentar’ in Sarajevo, Kosovo 2.0 in Pristina, Montenegro Media Institute in Podgorica, Macedonian Institute for Media in Skopje, Novi Sad School of Journalism in Novi Sad, Peace Institute in Ljubljana, and Bianet in Istanbul.

The project is implemented in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia and Turkey.

The project’s (2020 – 2023) primary focus is on:

  • strengthening capacities of media CSOs and grassroot organisations through networking and cooperation regionally to improve understanding of disinformation and hateful propaganda models of media and communication in the Western Balkans and Turkey (WBT);
  • the ability of media and civil society to respond to and debunk false information, particularly online;
  • building the resilience of citizens against disinformation through the promotion of joint solution involving media professionals and other stakeholders.

Updates on project activities, outputs and products will be featured on the websites and social media channels of the partner organisations, including the SEENPM websites www.seenpm.org and www.cimusee.org.

What will the project do?

  • Research reports
    • An analysis ofpolitical-economic basis of hate, disinformation and propaganda models of media and communication;
    • Analysis of hate and disinformation narratives;
    • Research (based on opinion polls) on media trust and media-gender issues;

  • Countering hate, disinformation and propaganda
    • Production of 6 TV shows informed by the research findings and aimed at raising the awareness among media audiences of key media freedom and freedom of expression issues;
    • Regional workshop for creative teams to learn from EU experts and peers and apply fresh creative solutions to national countering narrative campaigns;
    • Disinformation countering campaign to run on social media in all seven target countries;
    • Editors’ forum (titled “Editors for Trust”) to underline the potential power that editors hold in restoring media trust, and to exchange experiences on approaches to developing sustainable business models that promote quality, trusted journalism as a means of countering disinformation;
    • Study visits to EU countries for editors from the region;
    • Production of cross-border stories using constructive journalism approach.

  • Promoting of media and information literacy (MIL) in small towns and rural areas
    • Sub-granting scheme aimed at capacity building of grassroots organisations to engage in the promotion of MIL in small towns and rural areas that may be particularly vulnerable to disinformation and propaganda.
  • Advocacy
    • Preparing overview on regulatory and self-regulatory framework in beneficiary and selected EU countries to serve as a basis for advocacy activities;
    • National advocacy activities, with findings and good practices identified in the previous activity presented to national stakeholders invited to public debates in each beneficiary country and supported by guest speakers from the region or EU member states;
    • Conclusions from public debates and analytical activities will be summarised in country specific set of recommendations and distributed broadly.

USAID’s Media Literacy Project YouThink

USAID’s Media Literacy Project YouThink is a five-year program that works with youth to help them navigate and shape an information ecosystem that informs and engages rather than divides and polarizes. The project is implemented by IREX, the Macedonian Institute for Media, the Institute of Communication Studies and the Youth Educational Forum in partnership with the Ministry of Education and Science, and the Bureau for Development of Education. The work focuses on utilizing a mix of local and international expertise to catalyze systemic change throughout the school system at the primary, secondary, and university levels, as well as non-formal education.

Building on IREX's Learn to Discern approach to media and information literacy skill-building, YouThink works with local partners to catalyze systemic change throughout the school system at the primary, secondary, and university levels. The program also provides opportunities to learn, grow, and contribute to national efforts through nonformal learning, youth clubs, online courses, and tailored training for young media professionals.

YouThink’s diverse activity tracks work together, integrating young people’s voice for input and leadership, to foster society-wide awareness of media literacy through youth-led campaigns. The tracks also support youth as they demand and produce high-quality, appealing news content that meets their needs and interests.

PROGRAM GOALS

  • Equip young people in North Macedonia with the critical thinking and information engagement skills and awareness that they need to build resilience to mis- and disinformation, hate speech, conspiracy theories, and other forms of manipulation.
  • Integrate critical information consumption skills and media literacy competencies in all primary and secondary schools nation-wide, and enhance opportunities for media literacy education at Universities, particularly those training future journalists and future teachers.
  • Ensure that over 43,000 young people are part of integrated curricula that focuses on media literacy and builds critical thinking skills among youth and additional 35,000 through non-formal skill-building and online learning.
  • Contribute to increasing the quality and relevance of news and information developed by and for youth.

ACTIVITIES 

Unique media literacy content for and informed by youth:  YouThink launched an intensive resource review and adaptation process to develop a tailored training and resource development approach for media literacy and critical consumption of information, informed by in-depth research into target audiences.

Setting up a vibrant youth advisory board: The “Learn to Discern” (locally called: URA Advisory Board) will comprise of young people representing diverse groups who will participate in the co-design, co-leading, and decision-making processes for an array of activities across YouThink objectives, including training, grant competitions, recruitment, and outreach efforts.

Integrating critical information engagement in schools: YouThink partners with the Ministry of Education and Science, and the Bureau for Development of Education to integrate media literacy and critical thinking skills’ acquisition into curricula and teacher resources. YouThink will work with primary, secondary, and higher education institutions, including pre- and in-service teacher training institutions.

Nonformal education: YouThink works with a national network of youth clubs and other networks to promote training, online courses, and blended learning opportunities, including competitions, master classes, and professional networking.

Media content developed by and for youth: YouThink will amplify youth voices through opportunities to produce high-quality, appealing media content and reach audiences through digital short film festivals and competitions. Participants will receive training on media literacy, data literacy, and more to strengthen young journalists and media professionals.

Our Media: A civil society action to generate media literacy and activism, counter polarisation and promote dialogue (2023-2025)

The primary focus of the three-year project Our Media is on strengthening the capacities of CSOs, media professionals, young activists and citizens to improve their understanding of trends and challenges regarding media freedom and media integrity as well as media development and sustainability in the Western Balkans and Turkey.

Our Media is being implemented with the financial support of the European Union, in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia and Turkey, by partner organizations SEENPM, Albanian Media Institute, Mediacentar Sarajevo, Press Council of Kosovo, Montenegrin Media Institute, Macedonian Institute for Media, Novi Sad School of Journalism, Peace Institute and Bianet.

Read more