Voices for Change for Independent Media in Libya

At a crucial juncture in Libya’s peace process and as the world fights the Covid-19 pandemic, access to balanced, factual and independent information is more important than ever. Twelve Libyan outlets have now participated in a comprehensive training and mentorship programme to improve reporting standards, produce high-quality audio-visual reports and create an independent and reliable network to set new standards in Libya’s fragmented media landscape. IWPR’s Voices for Change programme is supported by the European Union to help independent journalists in Libya improve journalism ethics and public access to information.

‘’In times when information plays a crucial role for the unity and peaceful co-existence of our societies, we hope that initiatives like Voices for Change will help Libyan people regain trust in media outlets, and be in a better position to identify quality, objective and reliable media content,’’ said Sandra Goffin, head of operations at the EU delegation to Libya.

As part of this work, Voices for Change supported a partner network of Libyan outlets to produce balanced and relevant reporting on the Covid-19 pandemic, providing factual and objective information to communities across the country.

“IWPR has provided Radio Nass FM with a series of much needed trainings on how to professionally produce content including on the technical aspects of news stories as well as the management of our social media pages,” said a Radio Nass FM representative. He added that “through our partnerships with IWPR, not only did the quality and audience reach and engagement of our content increase, but also the capacity of the production and management teams improved, a matter which we all witness in our day-to-day work.” 

Another programme participant from Fezzan, Libya said, “Our participation in the IWPR project has contributed to the team’s capacity and paved the way to the production of more and better  content, thanks to the opportunity to work with regional and international media professionals; we can now reach a broader and more diversified audience.” 

The trainee added that “the project contributed to providing members of our community with a great opportunity to voice their opinions on social matters that they were previously unable to”. 

“Continued support for the professionalisation and sustainability of Libya’s journalists is essential for the country’s evolution towards a more democratic state,” said Seth Meixner, IWPR’s middle east and north Africa director. “Voices for Change not only raises the standards of Libya’s media sector, but it also provides much-needed credibility to Libyan journalists within their communities. The pivot towards Covid-related content was especially important for communities often without any source of correct information about the disease.”

Voices for Change is part of Media in Libya – Stability through Reconciliation, a broader EU-funded project in support of press and media development in Libya (mediainlibya.com).

Press contact: Seth Meixner, IWPR MENA regional director