JHR is delighted to announce the launch of a new three year program in South Sudan. The project is being undertaken with the financial support from the Government of Canada provided through Global Affairs Canada.
Building off the success of the pilot program, funded by the United Nations Democracy Fund, our program – and the JHR team – is expanding. We are excited to introduce Carolyn Thompson, of the Windsor Star, previously a data journalism trainer with Citi FM in Ghana, and 2015-2016 Gordon N. Fisher/JHR Fellow Mustapha Dumbuya as JHR International Trainers, based in Juba. Carolyn and Mustapha will be joining In-country Program Manager, Grant McDonald, who helped with the success of the pilot project.
Grant McDonald, In-country Program Manager, South Sudan (right) pose for a photo in front of Bakhitha Radio in Juba, South Sudan.
JHR’s programming in South Sudan focuses on providing an enabling environment in which quality human rights journalism can thrive. JHR will work with sector leaders, media partners and government officials to establish a Media Authority. The program will provide sensitization training for officials on how to work with the press and build strong, open channels of communication – both formal and informal – between authorities and the media. And as per JHR’s classic programming, the program will provide on-the-job field training for journalists.
The goal is to stabilize what is currently a dangerous and volatile situation for journalists – and, in doing so, empower journalists to produce higher quality solutions-oriented journalism on human rights issues. Stay tuned!
