You Say You Want a Revolution... Then What? The Challenges of Media Training in Post-Qaddafi : A First-Person Essay

By Carolyn Robinson

February 28, 2013 The Center for International Media Assistance (CIMA), at the National Endowment for Democracy, works to strengthen the support, raise the visibility, and improve the effectiveness of independent media development throughout the world. The Center provides information, builds networks, conducts research, and highlights the indispensable role independent media play in the creation and development of sustainable democracies. An important aspect of CIMA’s work is to research ways to attract additional U.S. private sector interest in and support for international media development. The Center was one of the of the main nongovernmental organizers of World Press Freedom Day 2011 in Washington, DC.

CIMA convenes working groups, discussions, and panels on a variety of topics in the field of media development and assistance. The center also issues reports and recommendations based on working group discussions and other investigations. These reports aim to provide policymakers, as well as donors and practitioners, with ideas for bolstering the effectiveness of media assistance.

Marguerite H. Sullivan Senior Director

Center for International Media Assistance National Endowment for Democracy 1025 F Street, N.W., 8th Floor Washington, DC 20004

Phone: (202) 378-9700 Fax: (202) 378-9407 Email: [email protected] URL: http://cima.ned.org

Design and Layout by Valerie Popper

Photos by Carolyn Robinson Special Report: Media Training in Post- Revolution Libya 3 #Libya cima.ned.org cima.ned.org

received a Jefferson Fellowship, a Freedom Forum Fellowship Forum Fellowship a Freedom Fellowship, a Jefferson received work for Knightand four International Journalism Fellowships training After and Lebanon. Indonesia, journalists in East Timor, returning al-Jazeera’s joined in States she to 2008, the United a daily talk service producing show, English in Washington, programs, a and producing news live serving for editor as copy the was she documentary In boom. 2012, the North on oil Dakota Carolyn Robinson began her journalism her began career with CNN Robinson Carolyn in Headline for broadcasts news live producing inAtlanta 1987, unit and producing news medical to CNN’s moving before News years 20 the last of most spent She years. five for show weekly its East, first and theinMiddle Asia a Chinese at producer as senior she where CNN and then in East affiliate Timor, Kong, in Hong the Internewswas country the becoming head of director before has She Nations. the United by established station television local

ABC-TV affiliate in Cleveland. She is based in Wooster, Ohio. Ohio. based in is Wooster, She affiliate inABC-TV Cleveland. Libya Program Internews, Director running for Libya USAID-funded two journalism training projects consumer reports the for investigative produced she recently, and . Most in

Carolyn Robinson Carolyn About the Author About Special Report: Media Training in Post- Revolution Libya 4 cima.ned.org Summary Recommendations 27 Short Term orLong Term? 24 andChallengesObstacles 7 TheAssignment Preface About theAuthor Table ofContents 28 5 #Libya 6 3 Special Report: Media Training in Post- Revolution Libya 5 #Libya cima.ned.org cima.ned.org

Marguerite H. Sullivan Marguerite Senior Director Center for Assistance Media International environments. CIMA is grateful to the author for her insights on this topic. We hope that this hope We environments. CIMA this on insights topic. her grateful is for to the author report international will an assistance important efforts. become media for reference The usefulness of this report comes not so much from what can and should be done for for be done can from and should The what usefulness this much so report of not comes to structure in how but training today, in post-conflict Libya in chaotic development media early days after the revolution, and how her team came up with novel approaches to overcome the to overcome approaches team her with up novel came and how after days early the revolution, circumstancesspecial the ground. on faced they encountered by media development professionals around the world. This first-person by around essay the world. professionals development media encountered by the unusual obstacles journalist of a veteran some trainer, and media outlines Robinson, Carolyn Internews in grants for the very in faced in managing Libya she USAID/OTI two and challenges Training in post-Qaddafi Libya presented a unique set of problems in to the usual addition ones problems in of a unique set presented Training post-Qaddafi Libya Preface Special Report: Media Training in Post- Revolution Libya 6 cima.ned.org satellite TV newsstation,al-Ahrar, whichbroadcasts fromQatar. and Libya Alhurra TV inBenghazi. Additionally wewereable toincludeahighlywatchedLibya The TV contentanalysisincludedLibya TV, Libya Wataniya TV, andal-Aseema TV in Tripoli Sawt Tarabulus in Tripoli andal-ManaraFM,BenghaziLibya Alhurra AM inBenghazi. news programmingin Tripoli andBenghazi. The radiocontentanalysis includedLibyaFMand We createdafoundationalbaselinecontentanalysisofmajor TV andradiooutletsproviding election coverage,withanadditionalworkshopin Tripoli onsocialissuesreporting. ing topicsincludedbasicjournalismskills,media management, TV andradioproduction, We ultimatelyhostedfiveopentrainingsin Tripoli andfourinBenghazi. Inbothcities,thetrain other areasinthecountry, includingZintaninthewest,ObarisouthandDernaeast. open toallmediainbothBenghaziand Tripoli, aswellforjournalistsfrommediacentersin Internews wasalsorequestedtoprovideoneortwotrainingsthatranforupaweekandwere any realchanceofsustainability. to thechaosinthissectorandlarge numberofconstantlychangingoutlets,fewthemwith broadcast newsprograms.Itwasdecidednottofocusonembeddingtrainersinprintmediadue ters basedwithinLibya. All theotherbroadcastoutletswerestate-run,state-funded,ordidnot At thetimeoftrainings,therewerenootherprivate TV orradionewsstationswithheadquar Alhurra TV inBenghazi,al-ManaraRadioFMBenghaziandal-Aseema TV in Tripoli. five trainers at all three of , locally-based news broadcast stations in the country: Libya independent mediapartnersin Tripoli, andoneortwoinBenghazi.Ultimatelyweembeddedatotalof Under thetermsofgrant,Internewswastaskedtoprovideembeddedtrainingswiththreefour took placeoveratwo-monthspaninMarchand April. ganized fiveembeddedtrainings,nineopenworkshops,andtwocontentanalyses,mostofwhich turbulent mediascene,andahighlyuncertainsecuritysituation.Despitethesechallenges,weor from Gaza,andmyself,an American, facedashorttimeframe,externaloperationaldelays,very small fieldteamoffour, includingourtwoLibyanassistants, residentjournalismadviser I spentfourmonthsasprogramdirectorforInternewsinLibya,fromJanuarytoMay2012.Our after Qaddafi’s death. the conflict inMay-June2011, followed byasecondfact-finding missioninOctober 2011 shortly The programsprangoutofanInternewsmediaassessmentmissioninLibyaduringtheheight goodwill, strongcredibility, andconsiderabletrustwithitslocalpartners. quickly tomakefundsavailableforthisproject. This speedystartenabledInternewstogenerate USAID anditsOfficeof Transition Initiatives(OTI),alongwithanimplementing partner, moved became oneofthefirstinternationalmediadevelopmentgroupsto Following thedeathofLibyanleaderMoammarQaddafiinrevolution201 The Assignment #Libya fer assistanceinLibya. 1, Internews - - - Special Report: Media Training in Post- Revolution Libya 7 #Libya cima.ned.org cima.ned.org

we heard the mantra, “We have money,” expressed by everyone from station owners to volunteer from owners to volunteer station everyone by expressed money,” have the heard mantra,we “We difficult was this sometimes. bravado journalists, to tell or fact whether was but opposition figure Mohamed Nabbous, who was assassinated by government forces a few months months a few forces government assassinated was by who figure Nabbous, opposition Mohamed Al-Manara radio in investors. Benghazi Libyan to overseas the station His sold family later later. expatriates against the Qaddafi working and over, Libyan Over by in regime. London founded was had been, or where their money came from–not uncommon questions in post-revolutionary Libya. Libya. from–not came in theirhad uncommon money been, post-revolutionary questions where or the current TV tell, had could started and as al-Aseema owners far as we example, in , For Alhurra still maintained who Libya bases there. in Libyans TV Benghazi established were was by There were problems determining our owned partner problems who There were exactly and what stations, broadcast their connections affiliations to what the Qaddafi or be, and might agendas their political regime one of the most turbulent media the most journalistic I had landscapes encountered of years of inone a dozen around the world. development networks using the same names, Libya TV or Libya Radio. The words “Libya” or “Alhurra” “Alhurra” or “Libya” The words Radio. TV Libya or the same using names, Libya networks withother often met media. We different appeared number of an in overwhelming the names of puzzle, jigsaw media evolving rapidly Libya’s of international to fill NGOs holes more in a few Just to complicate things, many media outlets had the same or similar names. For example, it it example, had similar the same or things, For names. outlets media many to complicate Just realized actually there were we separate two state broadcast before so a confusing or was week system was still operating, but its channels had splintered into several semi-autonomous outlets outlets semi-autonomous had into channels several splintered still its was system operating, but still definingthat were structure their management purpose and mission in free the new Libya. a few months after Qaddafi’s death, there were hundreds of new print publications along with along print hundreds new publications death, there were of after months Qaddafi’s a few in and also Benghazi but in centered radio Tripoli and TV private mostly stations, several The state towns broadcasting throughout the and country. smaller , city, the third-largest Before the revolution, all print and broadcast media in Libya were under state control, including including under state control, were all print in media and broadcast Libya the revolution, Before arrived the time By we just cities. in TV with branches several the and national radio network weekly at newsstands, but with costs of publication usually exceeding income, sustainability income, usually was exceeding publication with costs of but newsstands, at weekly mark. question a big always the chief dilemma we faced throughout our projects in Libya. New private radio popped stations private New in Libya. throughout our dilemma faced projects we the chief TV new for proposals many flowers. Entrepreneurs pitched like quick-blooming and vanished up appearing titles new of with dozens after the revolution, overdrive on Printstations. went media Shifting Media Landscape to train That in environment? changing media was a constantly How journalists outlets local at coordinate donor efforts. which made training,which needs, media difficult; and measuring assessing content media local finding partners; the local right with security contending visa concerns and ever-changing funders; reporting operating and tryingrequirements; in economy; a cash-only to multiple to Our four-month project faced a host of challenges: a constantly shifting a constantly landscape, media challenges: of a host faced project Our four-month Obstacles and Challenges Special Report: Media Training in Post- Revolution Libya 8 cima.ned.org year’s selection making time, of workshop difficult. participants profession. It was impossible judge to how a would in many of bejournalists trainees still our income levels, many “volunteers” were having second thoughts about newly their chosen for less the exciting adrenalin well ofas assignments diminished diminished journalism, daily as could advance rebel the cause news by spreading about uprising. the Now, post-revolution, with what seen experience had power the no journalism of media could do afree how and much it “Volunteers” other professions from migrated often had revolution. the during with Hundreds organization. on any one particular training of impact the measure our to it hard made rate very scene, turnover high resulting the and loyalties Libya’s in it. to shifting commitment These overall alsothe to contributed flux media what “freelancers,” we is, mightthat they joined term or without left organization an much its situation until was clearer.reluctant contracts issue to permanent “Volunteers” were mostly budget, needs, revenue senior management,its schedule staffing or program streams, was and not becausemedia the organizationhad yet or established defined occurred often This contract. absence the mean ofnecessarily merely asalary–it indicated absence the staff of apermanent of definition the that we “volunteer,”visited, until learned Libyans as word, the used did not out.we sort “Volunteers” to had numberat media organizationwe every great seemedbein to was a“volunteer”Who who and was aprofessional issue was another difficult This journalist? in 1931. Libyan fighterOmar Muchtar, asalion.killed Italians He by the was depicted often by agiant handwiththe new revolutionary flagonitssleeve. isold To theleft throughout Libya therevolution. after This painting showsbeing squeezed Qaddafi MoammarQaddafi,illegalduringhisGraffiti regime,mocking covered walls #Libya Special Report: Media Training in Post- Revolution Libya 9 #Libya cima.ned.org cima.ned.org

Finding qualified and available trainers was more of a challenge trainers a challenge of qualified more was Finding and available In March and April, with elections then scheduled for June and rapidly and rapidly June for then scheduled In and April, March with elections Fresh emotional perspectives from recent revolutionary fighting prevented fighting prevented from revolutionary perspectives recent emotional Fresh opposed to a theoretical discussion of the media. of discussion to a theoretical opposed and broadcast. to editors publish actual for The training content provide would for newsfor outlets. the learning meant curve election necessarily was The steep fast-approaching and all involved. imperfect for Learning useful, a practical, is and stimulating the job training on method, as Many reporters with little or no knowledge of journalism already working were of reportersMany knowledge no or with little ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● with a short-term project like ours. Internews has a large network of excellent trainers, often it so excellent like of ours. Internewswith a short-term network has a large project journalists need to seek out and develop stories on their own as well as having them assigned. as them having assigned. their on as stories own well journalists and develop out to need seek Recruiting trainers quickly: session at every training at to find story makes a good Journalismsession and how what it. in on the the the topic–from dubious Qaddafi a “story”–however to be assigned had waiting days meant information ministry, and writing party based on it that There line. very was awareness little thousands of internally displaced families driven from their homes because one of their relatives their relatives internally of familiesthousands driven of one from because displaced their homes important was that one it least at found to focus beenhad We part supposedly the regime. of Bias and old habits: habits: old Bias and journalistmany trainees from had anything saying been part who the those critical about of of the fate or abuses rebel into alleged looking for appetite there no was example, struggle. For interviewing skills; ethics; freedom of choice and expression; the role of media in media transparent of the role and expression; choice interviewing freedom of ethics; skills; during, and after before, the elections. in coverage approaches and different elections; local stories on TV, radio, and in print media. We emphasized learning about elections at our at learning emphasized elections and in about radio, print media. We TV, on stories local April al-Manara at radio in of Benghazi, most our trainer trainingsembedded For as well. parties; political process; the election of understanding the main elements to of improve worked This was preceded by two days of discussion on various election topics by Libyan officials officials Libyan by topics various election on discussion of This days two preceded by was and international journalists 20 experts. in resulted participated, a variety About which of Urgent election needs: election Urgent targeted and print broadcast production of days several to give decided we approaching, training reporting and Benghazi and open to organizations. all media election in on Tripoli both We faced many challenges in setting up the trainings. What follows is a brief description of each each of in description setting a brief is challenges the trainings. many up faced What follows We of them. trainers balked at the idea of giving a brief intro giving Intrainers a brief to journalism stories. of doing and immediately the idea at balked reasons to several the post-conflict provided right, but in were they situation Libya I felt theory, These included: wisdom. conventional override We decided to start decided briskly on the from beginning on at with there, an emphasis We and move guidance the and trainers. under direct stories the close mentored supervision of producing Some Where do you startWhere you trainees do when to need learn everything journalism in about tofairly order perfect solution. no There’s thehorizon? on looming election reportand accurately a complex on Training Special Report: Media Training in Post- Revolution Libya 10 cima.ned.org trainer’s or day but her spend to evenings not him in-house, require nor would much it require webulletin, felt could weekly ageneral would session. the this occur in arrangement fill This fieldthe daily. station’s the discuss than Rather overall newscast the output evening every after focused discussion on agiven topic, journalism accompany then and aselected in journalist followed meetings, morning the I suggested during they that work by ahalf-hour trainees with newsroomsBenghazi workflow. faced daily questions the into on how merge to training their schedules: Embedded oftold was Libyan because of nature this traditional the society. assigned been producer to had positionswho wishes, their she wantedagainst bereporters to was were male most and askedreporters producers were why female. trainer two women our When For fewer and working reporters. as journalists, example, as still TV, at Libya Alhurra the all male, were there female as nowhereone-third two-thirds to many Libyan as near women men as numberofequal women practice, we men. and In considered it asuccess when ratio the reached of news were organizations or sometimes when puzzled amused we on an insisted inviting Those who not do are favored usually receive to Managers developmental opportunities. training women at home remain often not are and widely professional pursue encouragedto careers. of considering general the conservative was significant Libyan nature This society. Libyan possible, as approximatelytrainings and of one-third most workshop were participants women. female We participants. close invited as numberof equal an to men women and open our to ratios: Gender Tripoli,in included that older this many from group. target Tripoli in plus media management Benghazi, and session one trainings electionthree training positions, their in although considered younger usually unredeemable. them We journalists held selected older retrain to who media.Many worked remained staff had previous the in state-run demographic. Most ayear lessof had than work However, journalists. as we also wanted try to spread:Age occurred. onsite at stations, gunfights the and However, disarray. charge of great in wasabundance was also in There an ministry the official and mandate, was not approvals our in at broadcasters. state were needed for training State limitations: media it. practice to someevaluation participants, of from whom marks spoke English well enjoyed and chance the We found aLibyan who man could simultaneously, translate received high her and trainings Libya, presented in that few but difficulties visa sheKingdom, acountry did not . speak electionwho in specializes issues. She was able travel to United the almost immediately from For example, whenon notice, short we we needed atrainer located aformer BBC reporter local is always language preferable; however, sometimes other factorsoutweigh advantage. this someone who easily the communicate trainers, choosing can in with equallyqualified between choices:Language schedules of what and kind was needed. visa how fast they could ofwas just get amatter determining Libya, to which dependedboth on their Most trainees were in their twenties, which reflected Libya’s twenties, were their which Most in reflected trainees large youth Our program objectives program we Our that numberof equal mandated seek an male and #Libya Most of our trainers spoke fluent Arabic, spoke but Most one fluent of did not. faced trainers our When Trainers embedded for amonth-long Tripoli with April assignment in and We atbroadcasters. First, state it did not in-house attempt training

Special Report: Media Training in Post- Revolution Libya 11 #Libya cima.ned.org cima.ned.org

We often confronted cultural a different norm. During We a training in We often had to adjust training often had to adjust minute the last the situation. at to suit plans We Embedded trainersEmbedded often struggledwith shifting up to keep needs their at Each negotiation with station owners and managers who hosted embedded embedded hosted owners and with managers station who negotiation Each One factor in One factor particular a with organizations media in made working Libya off as planned. It wasn’t until the participants arrived that we discovered no one had brought had brought one until no the participants arrived discovered that we wasn’t asplanned. It off Need for flexibility:Need for start not did in March late the workshop radio training example, a multi-format portion of For around while an office was quickly outfitted anaround quickly was office a training was while to become coffee more room, with the staff as trainings planned. A discussion less and voilà–both or aheadbrewed, more went later. for saved was scheduling event calendars using for of the value about at the same time, something that should have been obvious days ahead of time. Yet almost no no almost time. Yet ahead days of been obvious have the same time,at something that should one–participant milled organizer–was or the ensuing particularly People about confusion. upset Cultural differences: the same venue at arrived had been scheduled we March, to find that workshop another out training costs, both because they could and to get them more involved in the training programs.training involved them more and to get could they because costs, both a trainerOtherwise, with of the staff, agree out perhaps might to editor have work a manager or be truly not sure to make but the training engaged nonchalance, or well. goes politeness equipment or defray production costs. Some, in fact, hired Some, costs. trainers production defray or directly through or equipment independent a legally contacts of and fixers net the safety international and paid without salaries, although organizations media to to share ask the larger decided consequently contract. We enforceable Sharing costs: to provide our offers and rebuffed money had amounts of access to large Most unique experience. year or pay back 5000 dinars, about US $4000. This was a princely sum, and some consequently 5000 dinars, $4000. This back sum, US consequently a princely pay was or andyear some about refused training. was more skeptical of the value of embedding trainers and vacillated about the station’s plans plans embedding trainers the station’s of about the and value vacillated of skeptical more was the staff had asked that to management discovered She stay. month-long during the trainer’s one stating for a document the station to be trained,sign wanted that if they for had they to work training to begin immediately, but that meant our resident journalism adviser had our to that step meant resident intraining but to do to begin immediately, the pre-arranged Alhurrathis radio trainer in-house before arrive. Libya could TV in Benghazi Making deals: agreedtrainers to use our TV trainers in Al-Aseema different. was Tripoli and moved in-house Al-Manara Radio in Benghazi the wanted also to this make happen away. right decisively trainer found a way to weave this project into her day in addition to her ongoing work with the work ongoing in to into day her her addition this project to weave trainer a way found newsroom staff. program, the management at Libya Alhurra our trainer Libya program, at to have preferred the management in it Benghazi decided had journalism Our no all. at who experience agency a planned hires news with new for work media organizations. Al-Aseema TV asked us specifically for management training management TV us specifically for asked the Al-Aseema organizations. media at interested in more was getting March by help but with thembeginning in February, our work of training a newsroom for the design In April, after had negotiated with problems. we take a valuable staff member out of the daily mix for classroom sessions. sessions. classroom the daily mix for of staff out member take a valuable Changing goals: reporters who were not covering daily news to produce special reports special various programs. The to produce for daily news covering reportersnot were who In every that product. the is training to thisbenefit with new the station approach provides also rather than just outlet, the news material for usable kind some of training, back strived to give we additional work for participants. Another plan we discussed was to work with a small team of with small team a of discussed to was work participants. we Another plan for work additional Special Report: Media Training in Post- Revolution Libya 12 cima.ned.org participation in future trainings, as trainees became aware became we that took participation trainees seriously. as trainings, future participation in workshopwhy did a“confirmed” not participant show effect the up. had often of This enhancing compare resultsat to the end. with the Webeginning also conducted aphone learn to survey We get to especially a sample strived, for of embedded the trainings, journalist’s the work at the before leftusually but premises, the rarely achieved trainees a100 percent participation rate. Evaluation: and Monitoring “I don’t trainers, the Ijust want certificate,” the left. want and learn, to said told and man senior come heto The was journalist avery four all days get to certificate. the My colleaguewanted acertificate. told he was welcome him but would learn and attend to have workshop said man One he could order get to only in come acertificate. for two days, but he still media development four-day entire the attend to they group had NGO explained her to training for most, but not of all, aworkshop receive to Acolleague qualify acertificate? another from who showed arose. often atrainee Does dramas up Certificate attended. reason trainees entire Certificates: would show much up as late, two hours as but day. all once around stuck they there usually Libya, in was Since we quite commodity aflexible this. liked time foundparticipants people that 9:30 from hours a.m.expanded 3:30 to training p.m., including Most lunch breaks. two and short of could that well as material bepresented, for produce to time stories. as participants We keep to sessionsadvised 10 from short, a.m.-2 p.m., but severely this amount the limited workshops: Structuring concept.the weak Arabic,appreciation“deadline”–a word avery to translationin leading no has direct of that long application past our occurred addition,without this In them. achance screen us to giving worked clinic. adental in He invited was several rejected. participant Another people attend to outlets. Some applicants whatsoever, qualifications no had journalistic including one who man out exactly what figure to some ofdifficult especially did, them when they worked for multiple participants: Selecting just seeing invitation the who into than process, rather would showmore structure up. come to again right away, many and of did. them We put to work to learned local the with partner didn’t participants show wouldconfirmed team the up on day the of simply training, the call few advance, days in they would whether or not attend, to other they agree plans. had several If Libyain by recent the perhaps just intensified revolution. a invited journalists partner our If did notfast team process. need see the for Their weeks of advance acommon habit preparation, of experience. For example, together putting seemedbea to aworkshop local our with partner did not was alack there This mean of ahuge talent, local and local rather partners. staff lack civil few has war build established to upon. institutions We develop to also had capacity the of devastated by been has of that decades dictatorship months and of Acountry brutal journalists. capacity: Partner we end, the so in did too, regardless of issues. audio quality using onlymobile been their requested.had They recorders, as phones for interviews, recording Above all else, trainings had to end with a certificate. This was sometimes the This Above end acertificate. to with had else, all trainings #Libya Even thoughit project was not in stated objectives, just more wethan trained Identifying potential trainees was sometimes achallenge potential it trainees as Identifying was The length of the training day was also delicate. we of length The were training the At first, We followed evaluation an with of work, survey our each training Special Report: Media Training in Post- Revolution Libya 13

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material was viewable by satellite in , satellite by material viewable was was based. Their our coders job where were a scale on and rate it to listen to all the content structure, accuracy, objectivity, relevancy, for visuals sound, for and either language quality, TV or Live radio. for TV technical or proficiency media allow now and websites radio satellites on high staff turnover. More than once we made than we once high staff More turnover. arrangements manager to collect with a broadcast program material to find only longer no was he week. there the following their because to monitor easier TV were stations media meant measurement about as easy as nailing a was wall. to a jellyfish to measure a free country’s country’s a free measure to media performance at its very newly Libya’s But beginning. and ever-shifting liberated It was a rare opportunity a rare It was journalists to assist us in coding the content analysis. When you have grant money to spend, you to spend, grant you money have Whenjournalists you us in analysis. to assist coding thecontent required more time and human resources than we had. We did include al-Ahrar, a popular a popular al-Ahrar, include did required time more and human resources had. than We we training of the idea and hiring explored also local We Libya. TV based outside channel Libyan We also considered analyzing more stations, both inside and outside the country, not mentioned mentioned not the country, and outside inside both stations, analyzing more considered also We in the grant. in TV to research In wanted Misrata, and radio particular, outlets we the third- have this far would but to the and south, Sabha, drive from Tripoli, hours’ a few city, largest programs to the coders, but when nothing worked, we sent the audio files the flash audio on sent we drives by nothingprograms worked, when to the coders, but mail to Jordan. express This ranged from al-Manara FM providing us with multiple weeks of archived news material, news archived of weeks This from ranged us with al-Manara multiple FM providing us to from drop the survey it FM, forcing as this Libya bulletins two to only from Tripoli’s tried sending the radio various online of methods We significant a statistically sample. not was We contacted all the news radio stations in Tripoli and Benghazi and made arrangements radio in stations contacted all Tripoli the to news We than to cooperate more others. able radio were stations their and gather bulletins.record Some had online streaming capabilities, and this required considerable hands-on logistical challenges challenges had hands-on online streaming and this logistical required capabilities, considerable staff. our local for content analyses to be conducted easily from afar, but at the time of our projects, only the TV only our the projects, time at of but from afar, easily to be conducted analyses content this. Radio station as material doing to no Jordan and had sent were tostations be hand-gathered the person in charge at existing media organizations was a challenge, especially considering the considering especially existing organizations a challenge, media the at was person in charge wasn’t much more stable, but at least it had fewer outlets to track down. Still this wasn’t simple. simple. to track Still this down. outlets wasn’t had fewer it least at but stable, more much wasn’t planning to investors build overseas of Rumors Radio started stations weekly. down and shut up Finding unexpectedly. changed stations broadcast of frequent. Names TVwere new channels We concluded print media was too chaotic to yield good research, with hundreds of new research, with hundreds new good of to yield print too was chaotic media concluded We media Broadcast sustainability. a handful only long-term which of had hope of publications performance at its very beginning. But Libya’s newly liberated and ever-shifting media meant meant media liberated and ever-shifting newly performance very its beginning. at Libya’s But as easy as to nailing a wall. measurement about was jellyfish a We conducted a baseline content analysis as in requested broadcast thegrant, analysis key at looking content a baseline conducted We a rare was opportunity and Benghazi. It in Tripoli both media outlets to measure a free country’s Measuring Media Local Content Special Report: Media Training in Post- Revolution Libya 14 cima.ned.org visit 15 times visitors, or what 20 you assessment” and international “needs understand to begin by for backgroundcritical itself, information your it’s report–and not. But multiply your one much like seem of imposition an you with for for amedia talk organizationto provide hour to an Tripoli in on arrival It “assessment set that to in. I was warned may not fatigue” was beginning such Libya. as country apost-conflict in reality,need. In assessment needs missions many encounter layers can of complexity, particularly send straightforward: someone outIt meet to pretty what local seems they find media and owners Assessing Needs Media project the with of deliverables, flexibility importance given Libya’s ever-changing environment. sessions.for involved all that manager, program moreAs training Iwas grateful the understood best for dedicated second the to evaluation, and monitoring assessment earmarked funds with would surveys be pre-and-posttraining standard we that discussion agreed funders, with After results. training accurately reflected before would broadcast, asecond content not first the as analysis have done manner same the in manager’s preferences, editorial owner’s an political changes technical real-time and dictates, Since goes many factorsbesideswhat on air, actually areporter’s including a influence skill reporters. individual targeted analysis wasstation designed output measure while to training the content And station the content individuals we the ensure cameto from trained. analyzed had stage of development, it were difficult moving making journalists and organizations between at stations. the Additionally, ofmidst embedded training Libya’s with media at ahighlyfluid while we the were in still assessment would occur second sothe that trainers, delays visa significant for slipped had timeline due to beadjusted. to Our had this It soon apparent became that programs. embedded training of impact the our ascertain at them end repeat the and to of project, the beginning the assessments at TV and radio We hoped complete had to the Jordan. basedin coders fallto back on experienced of available forced time, us combined shortage the with costsinvolved, extra the people. But happens, often as possible, benefit to local want spend to it locally if #Libya into amuseum. CoastBarbary againstmarauding pirates andlater was converted of many demonstrations. The usedto hadbeen defend castle the The seventh RedCastle century isnear Triopli’s Martyr’s Square, site Special Report: Media Training in Post- Revolution Libya 15 #Libya cima.ned.org cima.ned.org

recommendations for our trainer who would follow on. This suited everyone involved. We had the We involved. This on. everyone suited follow our trainerrecommendations for would who The Danish nonprofit media development group International Support had (IMS) Media a trainer development media The Danish nonprofit final Alhurra. Alhurra already convinced at working in Libya us adapt the to IMS We let trainer’s difference he was seeking. He wanted a trainer wanted He seeking. was difference he to first a and then present the operation observe a offered we soon, a trainer have available training. in-house didn’t As we a month-long, for plan different approach. such, he expressed disappointment with the various offerings of training of with the various offerings disappointment expressed from he the internationalsuch, the kind make too short, and in that not time of were did his At opinion, most community. donor them with what we were empowered to provide? One of the challenges I encountered was I encountered was the challenges One of to provide? empowered were we them with what futuredistinguishing example, of between visions For needs. greatness present-day and pressing and as role, his organization’s for vision Alhurra had Libya a long-range the TV/FM head of As soon as we began our program in January, we faced an overwhelming need for media media for need an faced overwhelming our began we program as inAs we soon January, demands to sort competing urgent and match assistance out in all areas. How Where to begin? and credibility in delivering on promises, al-Aseema TV agreed al-Aseema promises, to partner on and credibility in delivering with us future on makingtrainings. a move, before the land Rather than of getting spending weeks the to lay know and receiver. training in right can giver both jumping benefit with a short basic workshop assessment that could only come from spending an extended period inside the station. We from We spending the come station. period an only inside extended that could assessment training our both speed Impressed by valuable week. a short but to deliver able were also journalism training. in-depth a thorough, Whenneeds our trainer received we submitted his report later, a week of al-Aseema TV, I mentioned that we could provide a trainer immediately for one week. He He week. a trainer one for provide immediately could that we I mentioned TV, al-Aseema of through come to here have people many So it! do “Let’s saying, slammed his the desk hand on a short basic began we later, days A few with.” to work going the first we’re one talk, and you’re in Benghazi. He was ready, willing, and able to remain in Libya to work with us. Shortly after with Shortly us. to work to remain in willing, Libya and able ready, in was Benghazi. He duringthis first with manager encounter, the general my “needs assessment” conversation How does one accurately determine an organization’s goals given these circumstances? A given goals determine accurately one does an organization’s How an experienced I met our hotel, At answer. us with a good provided events series of serendipitous freelance trainer had finished from just organization media Sudan who with a local working world for decades, where most local leaders have no experience or familiarity or experience no with the leaders operating have local most decades, where for world international procedures NGOs. of document. In the meantime, local media owners may have become suspicious of the entire grant- of suspicious become have owners may media Indocument. the meantime, local to the off making This been true closed process. especially is that have in countries as Libya such and acted upon, it may be irrelevant. Libya’s media was so fluid so was media and turbulent that a typical Libya’s be irrelevant. may and acted it upon, After that, after a month publication. only perhaps of life shelf had a reliable assessment useful as as to a historical it make only the much ground so on had often changed conditions But weeks and months may go by without follow-up or contact, nothing andsometimes or further follow-up without by go may and months weeks But and new unresolved, continue discussed may that were problems Meanwhile, happens all. at surface. the timeones report By a needs assessment hasbeen written, headquarters, discussed at mostly the same questions. The meeting often ends with the vague same questions. assurances that mostly from the visitor soon. this outlet media something to to do help group hopes his her or means from a local media owner’s point of view. He or she patiently repeats the same answers to patiently she or He view. of point means owner’s media from a local Special Report: Media Training in Post- Revolution Libya 16 cima.ned.org training needs, but needs, requests. also visa operational with our issues such handling as training not just for grant, for entire our throughout us relationship This newour partner. was fruitful we could move so quickly, we and were delighted have to work avenue and for with trainer our beneficial workshop just afew one center. at days their later, first appreciated They very the that quick conversation, out plans beamutually British to the Imade and consultant for what turned Yet for before aweek on enough out. boardand funds a of ran In visa his atrainer training Ihad negotiating did not enjoy channel. the within widespread support when we fallen had apart discoveredTV generalwhom the with that manager we been had took place for atenuous work afew to commitment one after hours Libya of with trainers our sessions afew in conversation days. training mentioned This center was hoping their that start to each other’salso wanted support to work. Icalled one When of plans, he about them dinner Tripoli. amedia create centerworking to in local with journalists We enjoyed and socializing creatively week Libya, possible. as in my Imet first two who British consultants were During becomes local matching your trick with The needs capacities organizational quickly as and produced months before agood so Ihad of stopped, stack local fighting the contacts. done had extensiveInternews research on earlier visits Libya, to including thorough report avery isof abig equation. the part local co-trainers finding and journalists, train to It acommunity takes Finding andDeveloping Partners Relationships environments. conflict major in post- is that especially something metropolitan freshly centers, common in training each with other,communicate both formally informally, and order prevent to in of saturation workshops. open members our media to development international that It is important groups best we of could do wascontact Libya media to associations other parts in invite and their on well coast the as Misrata in Sabha south. as the in The exploring from us opportunities prevented funds limited and difficulties, transportation concerns, cities.its two main Security focused on Tripoli grant Our but is, Benghazi, and of there much course, more Libya to than university itself other media development alert was to needs. significant their to groups give some them could that jobs needed skills help elsewhere. find them we All could do for the facilities. We sessions might since this decided training open include to our in students the nohad provisions for grant large the our amount of in equipment neededdo to upgrade studio the not last without working students the at university’s the studio. radio It wasn’t we and operating, which provide, weIts needed practicalcould training, but students certainly results would the University’s met Benghazi with Benghazi resident in adviser journalism department. journalism whose managers and owners did not needs match what we could give them? For example, our Libya in did we was small. was huge. What tell grant need for The training Our journalism promises. out training our carrying in we were both fast trustworthy and development we and by organization work the showed continuing it started; had media the owner aduplicative creating in own; we our study fostered media goodwill another international with benefit of well-done working afresh, from money and without assessment” “needs time spending #Libya

Special Report: Media Training in Post- Revolution Libya 17 #Libya cima.ned.org cima.ned.org

In building new partnerships, Western mores and Middle Eastern partnerships,In and new Middle building mores cultures Western clash. sometimes cultureWestern dictates meetings with an on-time arrival that in and agenda hand, and sessions new government’s own lack of clarity about what should be cast a long shadow over over shadow a long be cast state should media what clarity about of lack own government’s new our information-gathering process. surrounding the two new separate state broadcasters. Apparently the intention was to split the surrounding to was split the intention separate new the state two Apparently broadcasters. sports, news, and entertainment into separate channels for networks old programs, the four but on a highly unstable revenue stream state from the air on official the station with to keep news revenue highly unstable a on state another At stations. other at worked also who reporter, a “volunteer” one had just It sources. the confusion learned about we more named outlets), similarly several of FM (one radio Libya outright violence at the stations. Sawt Tarabulus, a state-funded temporarily housed radio station Tarabulus, Sawt the stations. at outright violence in a rundown planetarium, carried the uncertainties. despite on The man depended in charge early, formative stages, not after decades of operation, so we reached out to state-run out reached we so after operation, media not stages, decades of formative early, shifting constantly staff Senior were members at still was in too soon Libya. it But regularly. often created turbulence even or all the state decisions organizations, and external political On one hand, throughout much of the world, state TV is often dogmatic, pedantic, and leaden. pedantic, state and leaden. TV often dogmatic, is the world, of hand,On one throughoutmuch be in these would it be made, if a difference could an was infant I felt state. Libya On the other, Our their invite journalists grant to that embed we stipulated to our not open training but workshops broadcasters thing official our a good the trainers new since This their at stations. probably was beginning from just the ruins out were to sort the Qaddafi themselves of empire. media duration of the projects. duration of organizations partnerships seek with state broadcasters. international Many development media Not only were our assistants paid a fair market rate, but we also chose people who were excited excited were who people chose also we but rate, a fair our market assistants paid were only Not with us throughout the glad to stick were journalism.to learn They consequently about more takes on a heightened urgency, since everyone is looking more or less simultaneously through a simultaneously less or more looking is everyone since urgency, takes a heightened on staff A high candidates. turnover local begin to rate realize when of limited can result their pool lucky. were and startskyrocketing We and benefits. value the pay best shifting in of search jobs It is far easier to form partnerships with both local and foreign NGOs when other international other to when form partnerships NGOs far is easier It and foreign with local both qualified staff that for is the local search groups aremedia The still downside getting up. set in a culturally appropriate manner and then engage the very capable local director to help resolve resolve directorin local a culturally to help manner appropriate the very capable and then engage with histhe issue staff. a strenuous protest, I was handed a stack of newly printed certificates, had newly taken it a big handed a stack I was of but protest, a strenuous strategy My became brainstorming more consultants, who fuss with expat them quickly. to get understood concerns to address my and frustrations. discussed the problem how intuitively We get workshop certificates printed. Just before the ceremony, the certificates were not ready, even even the certificates ready, not were certificates the ceremony, workshop printed.get before Just phrase toI came dread–had After problem”–a “no though the promise before. been made weeks quickness, drive, and big dreams– had never done this kind of work before. We had long had long We before. dreams– this work kind done and big drive, quickness, of had never every training and most before session, and assigningmeetings plans responsibilities discussing the staff to supposed was example, For always. in not the end, but very well them out came of under new rules, the question often arises–how much and how far to push local, untried, local, far to push rules,under oftenand arises–how how new the question much had an enthusiastic we example, For untested carry partners NGO goals? you project to out help who–despite their overall volunteers young of mostly consisted partner which local in Tripoli, However, in a post-revolutionary landscape like Libya, where everythingwhere operating or like Libya, new landscape is in a post-revolutionary However, Special Report: Media Training in Post- Revolution Libya 18 cima.ned.org Credible news about events west south,and the come to east, hard in by. was very going on outside major the where metropolitan at areas, least major the news did get covered. event. or sports It know to what was more was difficult aparty from celebratory gunfire actually out what was going was not on. always This what was many sounded afight times like as easy events,significant but for neighborhood Iwould hotel askthe often disturbances, owner find to U.S. The thrived. embassy was a goodrumors often of source for information bigger, the more Without strong credible and news word-of-mouth organizations, second-hand and reports seriousness the location and day or of night. determine My to incident. an problem trying became explosions and Weapons could were random and gunfire of beheard at everywhere, hours all crowds scan to when for walking carefully signsimportant of trouble. stay to out and of way. their surroundings disputes As could out it break withoutwas warning, effort waskeep to were aware government. the and other of with My security my main money,men needing typically jobs, fights existed. aplace and Their whatever in power structure wereMilitias not always former revolutionaries. they were Often young, or bored, unemployed celebration. wedding sing to clap. and started group the It was a attack, colleagues and about imminent friends an alert of down Iwatched my town, Just to Iwas parade ready as street. another noisy guns with group But place everyday oneattack. in part life went was taking attack the chaos. onthe amid While Tripoli ashow in of force for about hour, an they if were as sky the whistling across about to responded next the jets day by zoom to over two dispatching fighter metropolitan around and several and wounded. was others killed, government The guard security One on afternoon. all hour or two, nearby with neighborhood explosions and joining fray. the militias went Gunfire minister’s prime the attacked They officeover for demands pay. went fighting on The for an weaponry. Tripoliinto anti-aircraft with dozens anearby of armed townin from pickup trucks problem. the to contributed has For example, early in May, about members drove militia 200 lackThe of former revolutionaries with astrong government come to its and terms inability to on manyimpact of activities daily project and our plans. asignificant had naturally concerns prominently by members everywhere.Security militia revolutionaries for continue power. struggle to displayed is still Heavy weaponry proudly and Libya in fighting didThe not fall end the of with Tripoli Many deathof the former and Qaddafi. ConcernsSecurity amount of distrust. all-business Western direct, The approach relations is looked partners. with upon acertain with of dozens is Socializing akey of keeping journalists. part their trained good that program at Tripoli, al-Aseemathis in TV but patience our paid off along-term with media development For partnerships. example, successful creating we many slow, had like meetings meandering long-lasting resulting and of in relationships kind the trust necessary are that nurture can hosts about of life, discourse loves, type Still,this disappointments,difficulties. and families, your with planthen spend to whatchatting inappropriately might bean to seem long first time wait to patientlyinstead, and indefinitelyfor and time, your appointment, despite aconfirmed get point. the right to But world. navigating habits these in Arab the cause friction can Expect, #Libya

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days after the fall of the regime. We encountered them when picking up a trainer at at them when picking up a trainer encountered We after the fall of the regime. days the airport. Airport International in the early Tripoli the security at provided militia group The show of force. force. of show armed men. Fortunately, they pulled over to regroup, giving us time enough to run to regroup, over into pulled they armed Fortunately, men. into the air in mostly a stormed they shooting the airport it, before our trainer for and leave fell apart in late March. Unfortunately, we were drawn directly into the dispute when we went went drawn were we directly when into we the dispute apart Unfortunately, fell in March. late of a trainer surrounded up convoy a large the airport. at ourselves to pick by found we Suddenly five or with four with packed anti-aircraft and each loaded weaponry, militia vehicles, 50 about first several months, the Zintan militia was in charge of security at Tripoli’s main airport. This first security the Zintan months, of militia in was Tripoli’s several charge at army to be a temporary a national meant was or of the fix lack vacuum by caused to the power the airport of to hand control to the government back negotiations But functioning force. police seemed to know who was fighting whom or why. fighting or was who to seemed know whom running was who was A constant the question For the international airports day. given any on demanded her passport and questioned her at length before releasing her. Another colleague was was Another colleague her. releasing length at before passportdemanded her her and questioned gunfire one no of although in driving ancaught night exchange into Tripoli, one the back road on use local taxis, although I encountered no problems with them. A colleague from media another with them. A colleague taxis, problems I encountered no use local although in western traveling while militia a checkpoint at by stopped was organization development armed affiliated where station not men and taken with the police government to a nearby Libya The precarious transportation security the already compounded sizeable situation difficulties. staff to international groups forbade Some aid often appeared unexpectedly. Militia checkpoints

Special Report: Media Training in Post- Revolution Libya 20 cima.ned.org and uncertain process. uncertain and such Tunisia,visa-friendly as countries submit along, to than Jordan, and rather , tortuous, endthe of visa-free or only from project, the we was when short, trainers began time seeking on could media law not when get trainer another Palestinian Towards training avisa. a planned but resident Palestinian cancel Benghazi, to to later our had adviser bring managed to journalism problem were aparticular for passports Palestinian no that reasons one could explain us. We to problems solve as them. loyalists whosince Qaddafi placeswith these could were filled potentially still causemany as weeks. We tell to seekers visa stay to away also learned local their Libyan from embassies, aprocess could that another several take passport, the in get to stamped visa the Khartoum in approved been once had visa the Libya. in theygo past, to the also had Libyan the to In embassy were sign. to astonished Both they that could ofhim Sudanese trainers simply our boardaplane official,the who also worked for there asecond took letter and visa job the another ministry, in would was broken they impasse proceed without The down when him. tracked media center staff absent official’s desk for a week, waiting besigned. to No onewhere knew official the was nor production at Free the Media Sudanese trainer.approved His our Center with sat on letter an visa much dominated of sessionVisa March upset and plans our uncertainties for on radio atraining what method mightcompare besuccessful. notes determine to out process. going the was Colleagues by NGOs various would actually through from find to were enforced rules opposed as being just only guidelines. The effectiveknow when certain way world, of definition no with conflict coordinated policy, changed often. It rules to was hard ofOne biggest the problems post- this we Libyan In faced was getting for visas trainers. our RequirementsChanging Visa revolution. the because ofrefreshingly, U.S. American, an as for was my status support opposition the during alone, street the even of but thoughall fraction crowds the atiny plus, men. wereAnother Arab moments.up at unexpected Iwas unveiled never an badly as treated Western on woman walking projectthe general happinesswas The popped infectious and at period. overthrow the of Qaddafi issues,Still, regardless euphoria the of of security revolution the was apositive factor throughout later rescinded. Despite loss the of al-Aseema its camera, put whole the online. story being able was havea new to election This was that affiliations. religious, rule or ethnic tribal, by seized registration was roughed camera protestersupset up his and about political not parties of voter covering when start al-Aseemathe an cameraman incidentAnother TV occurred remained. long term session. It training short continued next the day, but questions about working at station the media development international resulted. Another group, Deutsche Welle, cancel to had its had someone fighting and let to compound refused generalthe the into manager morning that Libya hotel. our near TV Apparently state-run the around was heavygunfire there afternoon weFor were journalists to training. example, was threats the concern one security Another #Libya

Special Report: Media Training in Post- Revolution Libya 21 #Libya says it says Libyan Libyan cima.ned.org cima.ned.org

after revolution. a cash-only the was economy Libya the English-language magazine The is Money.” “Time headline: all with its Arabic hands rapidly. Even the local bonded cash courier who brought us thousands of dollars in dollars cash us thousands of brought courier cash who bonded the local Even hands rapidly. keeping track of all my expenditures, and there were no discrepancies, but they did not think not did they but expenditures, discrepancies, no all my track and there were keeping of every transaction. of necessary was a record This me extrait meant cultural also to give habit changing were cash amounts of times large during assistant when pressure my on workshop busy Not only was Libya a cash-only economy when I arrived, it was also a society where receipts receipts I arrived, where society a when also was it economy a cash-only Libya was only Not my as on unnecessary only seen not mistrust. lobbying were of some as almost took sign a but It personnel were Hotel charges. and other meals my for receipts to provide part hotel my to get transactions regularly. Working solely with cash also requires also with cash constant counting to sure make solely Working transactions regularly. our flow cash daily and counted our logged reserves twice a week. We amounts tally properly. foreign currency, using the black market becomes far more desirable than bank official desirable rates. far more becomes market the black using currency, foreign trust could contacts we with local these to handle working This underlined of the necessity , such as Sudan. such States, United amounts of and with large currency, into local to need be changed dollars course, Of U.S. not to keep large amounts in my hotel safe, I also needed to time cash deliveries to arrive when to needed time I also deliveries cash safe, amounts hotel in large to my keep not or the Benghazi hotel, for charges as monthly such to to make vendors, payments had large we an easy banking with the to in trainersfees countries enjoy relationship lived not that did who per transaction. This meant we needed to transfer a minimum of $17,000 each time, which time, each which per transaction. to needed transfer This a minimum we meant $17,000 of in services. to other order But equivalent roughly 3 percent, approximately of to a fee out worked deliveries through trusteddeliveries to Libya. traveling colleagues flat a $500 on courier cash service of a bonded was fee that worked option good other The only organizations facing the same cash predicament. arranged international other we Like NGOs, supply. the cash replenishing was hurdle The next our sub-grant from an officially registered company, but this was not enough to allow us to to allow enough this not was but our sub-grant company, registered from an officially in cash finally a small reserve to keep of just open our separate own decided bank We account. internationals other as many did with various foreign regularly, it and replenish safe hotel my easy, clear, or quick process for a four- for process quick or clear, easy, through in Libya operating legally were We country. program inmonth a post-revolutionary partner A in option. or a bank a viable was entity has registered to be formally foreign an to open a bank not is account, which A cash-only environment presents challenges. challenges. presents environment cash-only A storing with a trusted in cash safe a Neither The cash-only environment began to change The environment to cash-only change began as financial our project of the end at in May institutions strengthened. out until I left the country four months later. until the countryout I left later. months four accept it. would inAlmost business Libya no When I arrived in Libya in January 2012, I When in I arrived January in Libya 2012, take it card credit and didn’t my away put A Cash Economy A Cash Special Report: Media Training in Post- Revolution Libya 22 cima.ned.org informal donor coordination talks could happen with a variety of could donor avariety with both local happen informal coordination international and talks Media Center’s Tripoli, in villa or other get-togethers where hosted often brunches its staff where media on developments. state update an and were at Free the trainings, opportunities Other participation. Among issues the we complicated the tackled: plans situation, visa our for election business could which place amoreenvironment, take in greatly relaxed, encouraged fun embassy, Danish the old the in alunch to at cityso media coordination that meeting arestaurant of media development international agencies, and organizations including Deutsche Welle and business pleasure, with EU the mix representative to attempt an Iinvited and severalIn leaders intentions of involved. all avoidto overlap duplication and of effort. Yet elusive, goal remain this can despite best the project adozen many as as with or similar with so organizations objectives, it’s want to natural need forThe donor faced are and coordination is obvious. anew you in country When arrive Donor Coordination Efforts when multiple partners. are there is magnified funding agrant in parties monitor to of value interests the The all ofstreams. at manager headquarters astrong program two identical projects, reporting one two separate Tripoli each in requiring Benghazi, and created that bureaucratic split grant the in Adding complexity the to artificial case was an our in was each reviewed.by update time the changes program onsignificant ground the inevitably that were there partners all so long among approve to finalize and immediately, but even so, process the took Budget almost begin to had modifications intensity. added on an takes this month grant, conditions.changing However, afour- in regularly account for to beupdated to project, any grant in budget the As needed whenadvice necessary. forWe headquarters consulted our with precedence?implementer take or funder the documentation. Should desiresof the the would aproposed with plan of befine one action, party but other the needed more and details It burden. abit became once when or twice confusing aheavyadministrative created this and ,We implementerto, well an and as own internal report to our as both afunder had to MultipleFundersReporting grudgingly. and puzzled However,people they trusted. we he that insisted sign areceipt for which us, he somewhat did, they that only and respective worked notour handled those offices head him, things, with did not askfor or offer areceipt, us or even requestID, an of all which astonished us. He said #Libya talk mostly totalk mostly eachother, it and when Western partners media that occur effect can chamber preventagencies helped theecho development organizations and media Interactions between relaxed atmosphere. chance to ina express theirneeds also gave local figures media a

Special Report: Media Training in Post- Revolution Libya 23 #Libya cima.ned.org cima.ned.org

election aspects that others were not covering. aspects not that others were election In the case of Libya, everyone had some component of election training on offer, since the first since training election offer, on of component had some everyone Libya, In the of case groups that other to local out reached we overlap, avoid To away. months only were elections with, used training different working specialized on not and focused were NGOs approaches, But naturally, each NGO also has a need for autonomy, since project staff usually arrive project since with autonomy, has for also a need NGO each naturally, But aredeliverables. deliverables but room, their funders. by wiggle set agendas be some There may Sharing project information and reports is vital. For example, we developed excellent working working excellent developed we example, information and reportsSharing project For vital. is and advanced to our project helpful opennesstremendously was with IMS, whose relationships all shared. that we Libya for goals development media the larger media partners talk mostly to each other, and it also gave local media figures media local to express chance a partners gave media also and it other, talk to each mostly atmosphere. their needs in a relaxed partners. These interactions helped prevent the echo chamber effect that can occur when Western that can occur Western effect when chamber thepartners. echo prevent These interactions helped Special Report: Media Training in Post- Revolution Libya 24 cima.ned.org money bespent to well, has quickly, at sometimes and all once. concept does not This necessarily Closeout: close-out the process.during on project impact the also and interpret activities is invaluable, threads accounting especially is lessthere room who for monitor can multiple error. associate Astrong program at headquarters Communication: we for budgetrealize no had time drawn-out discussions. was due amonth later. site The project visitthe of through halfway helped key our funder them quick project succession. report becausefinal the We report could quarter not produce afirst Administration: before vote the finished to then. grant because our longer-term objectives. We could not continue provide to workshops election reporting rightup plans meet to more involved, come to uptraining with workingmore local with time partners get so to we avisa, media lawPalestinian cancelled trainer workshop. the We could not spend Setbacks: NGOs who sometimes ableother international are pay to more for most the experienced ones. world the with locals who unfamiliar of are aid development. It competition also means with moving and quickly too alienateis difficult, can staff Finding environments. qualified conflict but not always post- feasible traumatized in Staff: is so short. because time projects at quickshort-term grab to solutions play, in turbulence but is atendency there with so with much political future, distant the It than easier was far focus to term on near the of all tackle Libya’s gaps. journalism yawning how no matter large, program, individual could no and was needed, appreciated. media organizations So much training partner our something was decidedly urgency the and of fuzzy, accomplishing project the meant quick action, Urgency: long-term and Key projects: short-term between differences we lefttime had accomplish to it. eye acritical on what we quicklyto do to weigh and were turn planning how against that much sliding projects midway our operational dueproblems, visa indicators through to started we had coupled little room very with for delays running, ground When or external. or glitches, internal urgency achieving to goals is agreater there astronger and With hit need to the grant, ashort TermLong Term?Short or Training quickly local staff is necessary, Having small, focused goals Libya, was valuable where post-conflict future the in This time period–the last two months of most the challenging period–the agrant–is because the time This There is almost no time to turn setbacks We around. could turn to is almost no not There time wait for arespected #Libya Administration tasks are more burdensome, with required reports coming in in coming more reports are burdensome, required with tasks Administration Communicating with headquarters is more crucial in a short-term project ashort-term is in more as crucial headquarters with Communicating

goals and a stronger need astrongergoals and need greater to achieving urgency grant,With there isa ashort internal orexternal. room fordelaysorglitches, little coupled withvery to hittheground running,

Special Report: Media Training in Post- Revolution Libya 25 #Libya cima.ned.org cima.ned.org

In contrast, a long-term grant is able to develop projects in more depth, in with more projects to develop In grant contrast, a long-term able is Burnout is a constant threat in any project, even more so with short-term so as the more ones Burnout a constant is even threat in project, any sitting area that could be used as a workspace and business meetings. My assistant and I had assistant My meetings. and business sitting be used area as a workspace that could As it turned out, al-Batra Hotel was key to getting our project off the ground quickly. The time the ground off quickly. to getting turned our key was As project it Hotel al-Batra out, frame too short was to justify with a al-Batra, suite setting I had a large At a formal office. up to be, and my driver took me instead to a small, new hotel in the center of town. It was so new, new, so was It town. in of the center instead driver me took hotel and my to to be, new a small, months four out I checked in guest. I expected the a short almost only fact, Although stay, I was the project. of the end at later long–a harbinger of problems to come. to come. problems of harbinger long–a “confirmed” a miscommunication, turned my of because hotel arrival not Upon out in Tripoli, an already tight schedule. With this in With mind, an the day me already Internews schedule. tight started for a visa application The visa turned process a month to be nearly out 2011. 22, December on the grant approved was very carefully, perhaps excessively so at times. at so excessively perhaps very carefully, magnify Delays of the urgency getting was quickly. up set a short-term project of The challenge Administrative and financial controls are spread out over a longer time frame, a longer makingAdministrative and financial them over are spread out controls also is the finish project better a long-term worse, or for line for But to handle. easier somewhat start farther are in can weighed as result than various a slow options off which a short-term one, Scope of work: Scope of There enough is easily. more that can withstand delays schedule a measured implementation conditions. local and in accordance with organically evolving to unfold vision a project time for fitness membership for the last half of the project, and despite the cost, it was well worth it as a worth it well was it the cost, and despite the project, half the of last fitness for membership stress-reliever. reliable up everywhere. Gym contracts at the large hotels ran about US$200 a month and were usually andwere a month US$200 ran everywhere. Gymup about contracts hotels the large at a month-to-month I finally desperation, Out of negotiated longer. or months six for possible only myself, but I stuck out like a sore thumb as an unveiled, unescorted Western woman when 97 97 when unescorted thumb as woman like an a sore unveiled, I stuck out Western but myself, experience, relaxing or an this so enjoyable not was male, the street on were people of percent been re-established and trash services yet piled had was not pick-up garbage since especially bandwidth meant that streaming movies was difficult even if they were available for foreign foreign for available that streaming were difficult if meant was they bandwidth even movies walking enough the street on safe sitting I was distribution. or in During a restaurant by the day, a country where alcohol is forbidden. The Qaddafi theatres, movie regime had forbidden. discouraged is most a country alcohol where returnedmuseums, yet and cultural had and they not I arrived. there when were events, Since disturbancesmore in Internet usually was the streets better Low it indoors. night, stay at to just problem when living in when an insecure living in quarters, my countryproblem safe I was there but like Libya. restaurants local at meeting in colleagues besides after work diversions for options real no were Stress: with Internet endless can become Work and very intense. is activities focused toneed complete a big also is boredom counter-intuitively, connectivity and Somewhat time differences. zone local partners so that they work on our projects at the same time that we need to complete them, to the need complete same time at partners that we ourlocal on projects work that they so merging our needs with theirneeds. a project, the goals evolve, and you take as long as you need to achieve them. For international them. For to need achieve as you take as long and you evolve, the goals a project, meeting that on timelines, insist NGOs rushing deadlines, to hit and adhering can be to schedules partners. to is synchronize to local with The artinternational incomprehensible development of fit in with prevailing local sensibilities. With local Libyan organizations, if you have money for for money have organizations, if you Libyan local With fit sensibilities. in local with prevailing Special Report: Media Training in Post- Revolution Libya 26 cima.ned.org was usually packed.was usually We were offered no long-termpay to had and rates, monthly charges cash. in was only the place adependable townwith in business center good and facilities, which meant it weBy contrast, weren’t huge, The Benghazi. so in lucky accommodations old with Tibesti Hotel joined me, much delight the to of owner. the place,meeting other and media NGOs, including Doha the Deutsche-Welle, and Centre soon large of amounts in cash pay to billbringing was our not necessary. hotel The amedia became so that bank were international his not general use,payment owner the accepted in through I was allowed large the use to hotel kitchen cook to store and my own meals. Since credit cards he could long stay to as background encourage who to us possible. wanted as do to everything owner was atechnologyThe ayoung with Canadian-Libyan English-speaking entrepreneur US$50 lessto than own office. huge our overhead the savings total–a from of running business the center, in free paying only for monthly faxes. up added officeexpensesusually Our reliable as wireless Libya. Internet in anywhere as We for could hotel the use printer and scanner #Libya Special Report: Media Training in Post- Revolution Libya 27 #Libya cima.ned.org cima.ned.org

grant closeout process is an extremely valuable member of the team. of member valuable an is process extremely grant closeout various time zones respond, consider holding a global Skype meeting a global with the holding various time respond, consider zones time and of a lot everyone This it. can save of the end an at issue resolving of goal hassle. A process. the closeout manager a specialized to navigate in-house Designate the program headquarters manager at overseeing on especially can focus who Simplify monitoring and evaluation. Only very basic M&E can reasonably be can reasonably M&E Only very basic monitoring and evaluation. Simplify in short-term grants.accomplished e-mail streams to resolve Streamline Instead back-and-forth communications. of as program weeks staff in even take or might days which questions, complex training program. Most media organizations will welcome freetraining trainers organizations may media will program. but welcome Most arrive. they them once ignore just essentially the administrationReduce burden. Short-term grants administrative a light need the better. load–the simpler one that should be emulated again and again. The group approach cut down on on down cut again and again. be emulated The group approach that should one a strong, managers media endure meetings that and showed local the repetitive coordinated the part will on the international to assist community. of positive, training for to asking media pay partner programs. local appropriate Ask Consider the to stations share program on This costs. serious focus can to a more lead interruption in the day of a local media manager, but they can become very can they become but interruption manager, media a local in of the day annoying and frustrating International end. the receiving on can those NGOs for Internews multi-nonprofit part was a large, betterdo example, of than this. For after shortly Qaddafi killed.was 2011, in October late to Libya mission assessment international and coordination media of example This effective an was extremely a few days giving basic journalism training giving basic days serves This two a few approach onsite. immediate training,goals–one, the opportunity to provide to give and two, a for this trust Doing builds the way assessment. onsite and paves and goodwill closer, futurefor trainings, serves or as a determining future off to cut point assistance, seem like a harmless meetings may assessment Needs be. as the may case Use a journalism trainer who can help with assessment missions and also spend spend and also missions a journalism with assessment trainerUse can help who

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Syria. Here are a few useful lessons we gleaned from our experiences in Libya that might apply apply that might from gleaned our in experiences we useful Libya . are lessons a few Here countriesto other as well. needs without being overly ambitious. Our team was small but acted quickly when lucky breaks lucky Our when acted team quickly small but was ambitious. overly being needs without considering training media when comes of in this in The value Libya example ourcame way. be the in case will as someday what such situations, post-revolutionary to other handle how In general, a speedy, lean startlean and addressed Our clear manageable was servedIn agenda a speedy, us general, well. Recommendations Recommendations Special Report: Media Training in Post- Revolution Libya 28 cima.ned.org developers pay can that off handsomely for long the in all run. agendas, reward the is astrong relationship media international and local between journalists of of real needs own predetermined instead our addressing local in journalists flexibility results on paper, producenecessarily dazzling but when coupled are these and speed with development and may of environments not smallsteps training post-conflict first in The population? human should we atraumatized expect from metaphor for whole the country. can’t birds the If even together group post revolution, how much shooting and air. the into Whatever cause, the it seemedbea to gunfire constant the all from fast, random swoops always and seemed excited. were probably poor creatures The shell-shocked separately around making fashion. together any organized just They in flew flock birds these outside usual as my hotel windows. It on me over dawned that several months, never Ihad seen I thought about one Tripoli day in this Iwatched of as swallows hundreds wildly around zooming Perhaps confusionturbulence. and only the are common denominators including Tunisia challenges. individual Timor, its East and own fresh, brings each and country Libya example is aunique Ihave transition. in of nations, worked acountry other post-conflict in Summary #Libya Advisory Council for the Center for International Media Assistance

Esther Dyson Caroline Little

Stephen Fuzesi, Jr. Richard Lugar

William A. Galston Eric Newton/

Suzanne Garment Amy Starlight Lawrence

Mark Helmke William Orme

Ellen Hume Dale Peskin

Jerry Hyman Adam Clayton Powell III

Alex S. Jones Monroe E. Price

Shanthi Kalathil Adam Schiff

Susan King Kurt Wimmer

Craig LaMay Richard Winfield Center for International Media Assistance National Endowment for Democracy 1025 F Street, N.W., Suite 800 Washington, DC 20004

Phone: (202) 378-9700 Fax: (202) 378-9407 Email: [email protected] URL: http://cima.ned.org