GFMD RELEASES STUDY ON DONOR ASSISTANCE TO MEDIA DEVELOPMENT

In a January 2019 study commissioned by GFMD, our members emphasised that although donor understanding of the sector has improved in recent years – including a shift away from the instrumentalisation of media to achieve other development goals – there is still a concern that funding for the field remains constrained by limited human capacity and low levels of media-specific expertise within donor agencies. Most journalism support and media development organisations (79%) operate on short funding cycles of up to two years. Short-term funding cycles and increasing administrative burdens often make these organisations less effective, trapping them in a cycle of perpetual fundraising for and reporting on small, short-term grants. Thus, longer-term funding is not only important for the sustainability of organisations, but also for achieving strategic and project goals as well as demonstrating impact.

These are just some of the findings of the two-month study that was informed by a literature review of related research, an analysis of survey responses from GFMD members, one-on-one interviews with selected members, and additional conversations with stakeholders in the field. Recipient Perceptions of Media Development Assistance: A GFMD Study forms the foundation upon which we construct GFMD’s advocacy on donor assistance and aid effectiveness. The aim of the study is to understand the perceptions of donor policies and procedures within the journalism support and media development community. Read the report from the study here.

Based on the study, and in collaboration with our Steering Committee, we also drafted a joint statement on behalf of GFMD members that will be presented at the “Confronting the Crisis in Independent Media: Strategic Approaches for International Donors” meeting of donors, in Paris on 31 January and 1 February 2019. Read the statement here.