Ethiopian Media Professionalism Program (EMP)

Program Overview

The Ethiopian Media Professionalism Program (EMP) is designed to support the professionalism of journalists and media outlet managers. Small grants will be made available to enable journalists to use new skills to pursue reporting projects, and to support managers to launch initiatives that apply their business strategies. A challenge grant will enable an Ethiopian innovator to develop a technology-based response to providing citizens with needed news and information. The program is supported by a grant to IREX from the US Department of State's Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor.

Key Goals and Objectives

EMP will provide extended professional training to a core group of journalists, and support them in increasing the quality and diversity of the news and information they deliver. It also seeks to strengthen selected media outlets through management and business development mentoring and support to projects that bolster their organizational and market viability. Additionally, the program will assist journalists in raising their legal literacy, and support an Ethiopian innovator to develop an initiative exploring how new media technology can improve information access.

PROJECT ACTIVITIES

• Sequenced journalism workshops designed to improve quality, quantity, and diversity of news

• Tailored media management workshops to improve financial viability and editorial professionalism of selected media outlets

• Support to raising journalists’ legal literacy

• Design and launch of an initiative that uses new media technologies to expand information sources

IREX Media Work in Africa

In Africa, IREX conducts the annual Media Sustainability Index (MSI) for Sub-Saharan and Northern Africa, a process built on partnerships with key African media development organizations and involving hundreds of media professionals across the continent. IREX also implements short- and long-term country-level programs.

Program Contact: For more information about EMP or other IREX media initiatives e-mail media@irex.org.