Liberia Media Development (LMD) Program

COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT AID-669-A-15-00003

Narrative Report Annual Report Year Five Year Five, Quarter Four Report: July 1 – September 30, 2020

Submitted on October 30, 2020

Administrative Contact for Internews: Technical Contact for Internews: (authorized to contract on behalf of the organization)

Dylan Gray Lien Bach Senior Director, Grants and Contracts LMD Chief of Party Internews Network Internews Network P.O. Box 4448 19th Street/Beach Side Arcata, CA 95518 Payne Avenue Phone: +1-707-826-2030 Monrovia, Liberia Fax: +1-707-826-2136 Phone: +231 886 900 000 E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected]

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List of Acronyms AL-L Accountability Lab, Liberia AM&EP Activity Monitoring & Evaluation Plan ALICOR Association of Liberian Community Radios AO Agreement Officer AOR Agreement Officer's Representative CEMESP Center for Media Studies and Peace-building CENTAL Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia CLEAR Citizens of Liberia Engaged to Advanced Electoral Reform CMF Community Media Forums COP Chief of Party CRA Community Radio Advisor CRS Community Radio Station CSO Civil Society Organization DCOP Deputy Chief of Party DQA Data Quality Assessment ECOWAS Economic Community of West African States FeJAL Female Journalists Association of Liberia FOI Freedom of Information GoL Government of Liberia GPFA Gbowee Peace Foundation Africa HR Human Resources ICT Information and Communication Technology IIC Independent Information Commission INGO International Non-Government Organization LACC Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission LAVI Liberia Accountability and Voice Initiative LBS Liberia Broadcasting System LMBMA Liberia Media Budget Monitoring for Accountability LMC Liberia Media Center LMD Liberia Media Development Program LMDI Liberia Media for Democratic Initiatives LPAC Legal Professional Development & Anti-Corruption Activity LRA Liberia Revenue Authority LSP Legislative Support Project LTA Liberia Telecommunications Authority LVL Local Voices Liberia M&E Monitoring and Evaluation MRC Media Resource Center MSI Media Sustainability Index NMC National Media Council NEC National Elections Commission NGO Non-Governmental Organization PUL Press Union of Liberia

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ToT Training of Trainers UNMIL United Nations Mission in Liberia USAID United States Agency for International Development YMA Youth Media Action

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Table of Contents List of Acronyms ...... 2 Table of Contents ...... 4 SECTION 1: Executive Summary ...... 6 1. Program Overview ...... 6 2. Implementation Overview ...... 6 SECTION 2: Progress Report on Administrative Activities ...... 12 SECTION 3: Progress on Implementation of Activities ...... 15 Objective One: Increased sustainability of media houses ...... 15 Activity 1.1 Facilitate deeper audience data analysis ...... 15 Activity 1.2 Conduct periodic market research ...... 15 Activity 1.3 Provide business management training and work with media outlets to develop alternative revenue streams ...... 15 Activity 1.4 Provide expert assistance to the UNMIL Radio Transition ...... 16 Activity 1.5 Build strong, effective media outlets and associations ...... 17 Activity 1.6 Mapping of radio including Community Radio Stations ...... 18 A new radio mapping will be done in the next quarter...... 19 Activity 1.7 Provide for equipment grants and maintenance ...... 19 Objective Two: A plurality of voices is represented in Liberian media ...... 21 Activity 2.1 Host Community Media Forums ...... 21 Activity 2.2 Improve engagement with participatory radio formats via SMS platforms ..... 22 Activity 2.3 Enhance the coverage of rural issues at the national level ...... 22 As detailed in Activity 3.5, LVL published 48 editions of its “Around the Country” bulletins between May and end of September. The updates were published on the LVL website, posted on its Facebook page and shared directly to over 500 social media users on a regular basis...... 22 Activity 2.4 Support young citizen journalists ...... 23 Activity 2.5 Sensitized editors and journalists on gender issues ...... 24 Activity 2.6 Create a mentorship program for Women journalists ...... 25 Activity 2.7 Conduct media monitoring of targeted media outlets ...... 25 Objective Three: Professionalism of the media is improved ...... 26 Activity 3.1 Develop Tailored Training Strategies for Core, Targeted Media Outlets ...... 26 Activity 3.2 Create a network of Media Resource Center ...... 30 Activity 3.3 Train and provide on-going technical assistance to media professionals ...... 31 Activity 3.4 Manage a small subgrants pool to increase the quality and diversity of coverage ...... 31 Activity 3.5 Support sharing of content between community radio stations ...... 31 Activity 3.6 Use new technologies to innovate new media content and enhance inclusion 33 Activity 3.7 Promote and Improve the Code of Journalism Ethics and Media Complaints Committee ...... 34 Activity 3.8 Expand awards for media excellence ...... 35 Activity 3.9 Support retention in the journalism field ...... 35 Objective Four: Strengthened normative-legal environment for a freer media ...... 36 Activity 4.1 Ensure key associations are able to resolve industry issues and effectively engage in advocacy and collective action ...... 36

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Activity 4.2 Media and public information related policies and legislation ...... 38 Activity 4.3 Defend journalists’ rights and explore a possible media defense fund ...... 38 Activity 4.4 Build demand for media reform ...... 40 Objective Five: Strengthened Information Commission ...... 40 Activity 5.1 Build the capacity of the Information Commission so that it can enforce, oversee, and monitor the implementation of Liberia’s FOI Act ...... 40 Activity 5.2 Mentor Information Officers to more effectively interact with colleagues in their ministries to improve response to FOI requests ...... 40 Activity 5.3 Promote public demand for Freedom of Information ...... 41 Activity 5.4 Ensure media professionals know how to file and follow up on FOI requests . 41 SECTION 4: Activities in the Next Quarter (October - December 2020) ...... 42 SECTION 5: Monitoring and Evaluation ...... 43 ANNEXES ...... 43 Annex 1 – Indicator Performance Tracking Table for LMD Program (FY 2020) ...... 44 Annex 2 – GeoPoll Final Report ...... 51

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SECTION 1: Executive Summary 1. Program Overview The Liberia Media Development (LMD) program enables, equips, and empowers local media in Liberia to access the tools and knowledge that will increase their sustainability, incorporate a plurality of voices in their media products, and improve their professional standards. The work of LMD enhances democracy-building through improved access to information and forums for dialogue between citizens, community leaders, and government. This includes supporting local media and citizens to advocate for and achieve an enabling media regulatory environment. The program also supports the Independent Information Commission (IIC) and government public information actors to understand their responsibilities under the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act and to use their Government allocated resources to respond transparently to information requests from citizens and media institutions. LMD activities are all designed with the effect of creating well-informed citizens who are better able to engage in governance and democracy-building, make decisions, and take effective action on issues that affect their daily lives. The LMD program approach focuses on innovation and local ownership and incorporates cross-cutting themes pertinent to the USAID Mission in Liberia, including the promotion of gender mainstreaming, youth empowerment, enhanced rural voices, and improved services to marginalized or underserved communities. 2. Implementation Overview This report details activities implemented by Internews during LMD Year Five, October 1, 2019 to September 30, 2020. Below are key achievements: Objective 1: Increased sustainability of media houses • This year, GeoPoll submitted its final report summarizing the deliverables from Year 1 through Year 5, see Annex 2. In all the five years partnering with LMD, GeoPoll has conducted bi-annual national media consumption surveys; media market forums, and annual M&E surveys. The final media market forum, which was scheduled for April 2020, was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. • Due to COVID-19, the LMC mentors were not able to go to the field during the past half year for media business training but did mentoring via phone and were available to answer queries from radio partners when they could. • This year, UNMIL Radio, now ECOWAS Radio, played a pivotal role in broadcasting jingles, dramas, and radio programs aimed at raising awareness on COVID-19. LMD partnered with ECOWAS radio to host weekly radio talk shows with experts and government officials from the IMS and Risk Communication Pillars to discuss the COVID- 19 work and interact with the audience. • As the LMD program winds down, more opportunities are being created for partners to take on leadership roles. With the LMD Responsible Health Reporting Fellowship, LVL, LMC and FeJAL played such roles in mentoring 33 (26 male, 7 female) health reporting fellows; FeJAL mentored seven female fellows, while LMC and Local Voices mentored 12 and 14 fellows each (all male), respectively.

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• Other LMD partners shifted their workplans to respond to the COVID-19 outbreak. LMC produced mini-dramas and jingles on social distancing messages approved by the MOH/NPHIL. Local Voices published rural stories around COVID-19 produced by reporters participating in the Responsible Health Reporting fellowship. YMCA revised its work plan to the pandemic through working with local citizens, members of the community, and young people in Ganta and surrounding villages to promote awareness in the community on COVID-19. ALICOR continued to ensure LMD partner community radio stations remain on air for regular broadcasts, especially amid the pandemic. • The LMD program provided support to the Press Union of Liberia (PUL) for holding its 56th anniversary in September in Tubmanburg, Bomi County. The three-day event included journalists, media workers and people in media development work that had traveled from across the country to attend the event, which ended with a parade in the street of Tubmanburg, and an indoor program held at the Bomi Multi-Purpose Hall. • This year, the LMD program mapped out the entire landscape to ensure new media outlets, including radio stations. • The Association of Liberia Community Radios (ALICOR), LMC, and LMDI continued to conduct and complete technical interventions at LMD partner stations in their respective counties and regions. These interventions kept LMD partner community radio stations on the air for regular broadcast amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The repairs included various repairs such as fixing transmitters and accessories, installation of cooling fans, power supplies, microphones, cables, etc. and provided training for radio-based technicians of the radio partners. • Following a successful installation at Radio Jorwah in Bong County earlier this year, Radio Harleyngee in Lofa County became the second community radio station in Liberia to benefit from the LMD program solar power installation initiative. The Publishers Association of Liberia (PAL) also benefited from technical and equipment support from the LMD program. LMD donated eight Dell desk computers to newsrooms in Monrovia through PAL. Objective 2: A plurality of voices is represented in Liberia media • During the pandemic, LMD’s partners, ALICOR, LMC, LMDI, YMCA, Gbowee Peace Foundation Africa (GPFA), utilized the media, mainly community radio stations, to produce and broadcast jingles and dramas on COVID-19 prevention messages in all 15 counties. They also conducted outreach activities such as social mobilization and public awareness outreach to prepare communities to combat the spread of the virus. LMD partners conducted social media campaigns on its social media sites using COVID-19 infographics and sensitized the community about the importance of adhering to health protocols as well as provided illustrations on how to use safety materials appropriately. LMD partners used local radio stations to amplify other critical public health information from the Liberian Government. The outreach activities were rolled out through: a) a door- to-door campaign to educate and encourage community members to uphold preventive measures set out by the Government, and b) a public outreach awareness campaign that utilized radio.

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• In Quarter 4, under stringent health and public safety precautions, the Press Union of Liberia (PUL) held two community media forums (CMFs) in Bomi as part of the events marking the 56th anniversary of the PUL. The first CMF was held as the prestigious Edward Wilmot Blyden Forum, that brought together three of the five senatorial candidates in the county into a direct triangular media-politicians-citizens engagement forum about governance issues that covered health, education, agriculture and social services. The second forum on Essence of Independent Journalism was an opportunity for citizens and civil society actors to discuss that local media in Bomi would help them set the agenda for public discussion and help them make informed decision during elections rather than amplify political rhetoric. • During the pandemic, LMD partnered with 30 community radio stations across the country; and two national radio stations in Monrovia, i.e., ELBC and ECOWAS, to host weekly radio talk shows on COVID-19. The talk shows were to amplify the government messages and share information on COVID-19. This was used as a platform for the general public to discuss with expert guests from the Government, MOH, NPHIL, and IMS on the pandemic. People across the country called in or used SMSs to engage in radio conversations. Even with the increase in the cost of communication services, the public still used phone calls, and SMSs to engage the media. The new price floor regulation by the Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA) had reduced the talk value of $1 from ‘unlimited’ to just between 45-60 minutes, but kept SMSs unlimited for the same amount of money as well as the number of days credit validity. • Enhancing coverage of rural issues at the national level continued to be a vital component of the LMD program this year. Under the LMD Responsible Health Reporting Fellowship, LVL alone published 55 stories on its website, at least 45 of which were on rural issues in the context of COVID-19. Many of these publications were re-published by media outlets in Monrovia. LVL also produced 48 editions of its “Around the Country COVID-19 bulletins” – a collection of credible news items from its network of reporters across Liberia. The public used such news and information in the bulletins to engage and participate in conversations held on radio talk shows. • Earlier this year LMD partner, Youth Media Action, launched an online COVID-19 awareness activity to support the fight against the pandemic. YMA encouraged students, its main target group, to do selfie videos that provided education and advice on COVID- 19. YMA published several videos recorded by students in and out of Liberia on its Facebook page. • Between June and September, FeJAL remained actively engaged with news editors, news directors and managers from 15 media institutions, including 10 outlets that are regularly being monitored by the LMC. During this period, FeJAL conducted four Editors’ Forums – three via Zoom and one in-person, with regular participation of about 15 persons each time. • FeJAL is also one of three LMD partners contracted to mentor fellows in the LMD Responsible Health Reporting Fellowship, specifically in charge of mentoring seven of the 33 fellows. The seven fellows were all women journalists, and mostly with Monrovia- based media outlets. FeJAL worked with the women journalists to develop story ideas, identify sources for reporting, and helped with editing.

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Objective 3: Professionalism of the media is improved • The program achieved a total of 812 training days this year. The main training theme for this year was health journalism, which was conducted online. Thirty-three (33) local journalists (26M, 7F) were recruited from across the country and benefited from health reporting training. The training package for the fellowship contains four lessons and several assignments that included: 1) COVID-19 Overview for Liberian journalists, 2) The Role of Journalists During Humanitarian Crises, 3) Misinformation, Fake News, and Rumors Response, and 4) Reporting Safety and Ethics. Quarter four saw additional refresher training for health fellows, and technical training for technicians and managers of Harleyngee radio station. • Remote mentoring sessions were rolled out by journalism trainers from the Liberia Media Center (LMC), Local Voices Liberia (LVL), and the Female Journalists Association of Liberia (FeJAL). The fellowship ran three cycles of story production. In total, 60 stories were published or broadcast. Most of the stories were posted on the LVL website alone. Some fellows published their stories on their outlets’ websites and Facebook pages. Stories produced by fellows covered diverse health issues, ranging from fake news and misinformation about COVID-19 to the challenges pregnant women face in accessing healthcare services. Since the beginning of the fellowship program, LMD created a chatroom for the fellows to exchange information on COVID-19. Fellows were making use of what they learned from the training program to exchange with other fellows and trainers in the Facebook chatroom, moderated with remote technical support by Arwen Kidd, Internews Media Advisor. By the end of the fellowship program, LMD produced its health reporting sourcebook. as a component of the Health Journalism Training Manual – A Reporter’s Guide and contains names, contact, and other relevant details of health experts that local journalists can use as ready and credible sources for reporting on health issues in Liberia. In the pandemic, the sourcebook was an essential tool for local journalists to report on health issues. • In September, 20 local reporters were recruited for the LMD 2020 Elections Reporting fellowship from online, print and broadcast media. Although training for election reporting fellows is planned for next quarter, plans are far advanced including the development of the training guide for media trainers directly involved with journalism training and mentoring activities. The guide includes eleven thoroughly selected topics that are essential for accurate and objective election reporting. The training will strengthen Liberian media capacity and empower journalists to effectively monitor and report on the December 2020 elections and referendum, and produce fact-based objective reports. • Ganta MRC: The Regional Media Resource Center in Ganta was turned over to LMD partner, Young Media Christian Association (YMCA). This is to ensure continuity and sustainability beyond LMD funding. The takeover followed the development of an Exit Strategy by YMCA, which laid out plans, roles and responsibilities. The Center experienced a downward trend, especially in terms of public usage due to the COVID-19

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restrictions placed on public gathering and closure of schools as students are the most frequent users of the facility. • The 30 LMD supported community radio partners provided support on COVID-19 social behavioral change communication activities. Regularly, the LMD program team distributed re-packaged content on COVID-19 from the regular press briefings by the Ministry of Health and the National Public Health Institute of Liberia to the radio network for rebroadcast. The aim was to amplify the Government of Liberia’s communication and information sharing around COVID-19 beyond the population of Monrovia. In Quarter 4, the Program distributed content about the disbursement of stipends to 12th grade students sitting the West African Secondary School Certificate Examination (WASSCE). The content was repeatedly aired on 30 partner stations across Liberia aimed at correcting misinformation pertaining the disbursement of the funds. Also, the Program distributed three radio dramas on COVID-19 prevention. The radio dramas provided critical information needed for students, school administrations, and parents on approaches needed to prevent COVID-19 and create a safe learning environment for kids. In September, the program distributed the Voter Roll Update (VRU) schedule for broadcast on the 30 partner community radio stations. The exercise was to ensure eligible voters with missing card problems and first-time voters to have access to timely information on areas to easily go and obtain new voting cards as part of the nationwide VRU process. The USAID globally funded INSPIRES activity supported the broadcast of two public service announcements (PSA) intended to mobilize citizens and residents towards receiving the stimulus food provided by government to reduce hardship associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. The PSAs were aired on some of the most listened-to stations in Monrovia, including state-owned ELBC, OK FM, Fabric FM, Capital FM, Prime FM and Spoon FM. • Monrovia Radio Talks-shows on COVID19: the LMD program also partnered with ELBC and ECOWAS Radio to host a weekly radio talk show on COVID-19. This activity was carried out in partnership with the Risk Communication Pillar of the Incident Management Team for the COVID-19 response. LMD coordinated the weekly talk shows, while the Risk Communications Pillar identified public health experts and other specialists to appear on these shows. There was post-production of the shows and they were further distributed to 30 LMD partner community stations spread across the country. • LVL “Around the Country” COVID-19 Bulletins: This year, LVL produced 48 editions of the bulletin of credible news from its network of reporters across Liberia. LVL reporters gathered and provided situational reports on COVID-19 from their communities. Each edition features at least five counties. The updates are published at least four times a week since April. The updates became useful sources of trusted local content for some media outlets, including radio stations in Monrovia – allowing a two-way sharing of information on rural content. Local Voices also reported that between May and August 2020, its web presence significantly increased – thanks to the numerous content it published on its website and

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Facebook pages covering COVID-19. At least 75 stories were published by LVL during the period, mostly covering COVID-19 and other interesting rural issues. This content significantly enhanced LVL online presence. • On September 29, the Press Union of Liberia (PUL) conducted a session on the Elections Coverage Guide for Liberian Journalists. The session was part of several other sessions ran at the 56th Anniversary of the PUL, held in Tubmanburg. The Guide was developed by the PUL with support from the LMD program and has been updated almost every election year. At the same event, the LMD Journalism Quality & Reporting Adviser, moderated a key session on the ‘Essence of True Independent Journalism During Elections.’ The session was designed to find underlying reasons and suggesting solutions for Liberian journalists to stay truly independent during critical times like elections. Objective 4: Strengthened normative-legal enabling environment for freer media • On September 4, the LMD program hosted a media stakeholder meeting to discuss the final engagement strategy with the Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA) regarding government of Liberia’s new regulation on FM frequency management. The meeting was organized and facilitated by PUL and brought together participants, including, managers and owners of radio stations. CEMESP and ALICOR also participated. In September, PUL submitted an official communication to the LTA summarizing suggestions derived from the meeting regarding payment plan and fee charges. • The PUL Media Alert office continued to track attacks against media. This quarter, PUL tracked at least five attacks against journalists and two lawsuits against journalists. Objective 5: Strengthened Information Commission • Earlier this year, LMD held conversations with the Independent Information Commission (IIC) and other partners, especially the Center for Media Studies and Peacebuilding (CEMESP), to review, streamline and identify targeted activities around Freedom of Information (FOI). The Freedom of Information the most relevant in generating optimum impact in the promotion of access to public information. However, the COVID-19 pandemic prevented this activity to happen. During the pandemic, the Liberian Government mandated non-essential staff to work from home as part of an effort to curtail public gatherings amid COVID-19. IIC and Public Information Officers (PIOs) fell into this category of civil servants and therefore no activities were undertaken under this objective in Quarter 4. • FOI sessions were however mainstreamed in all LMD’s journalism trainings on trafficking in persons. The FOI training sessions directly benefited 35 practicing and student journalists: 20 press club members (11M, 9F) in Nimba mentored by YMA, ten women journalists mentored by FeJAL, and five (4M, 1F) LMC staff.

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SECTION 2: Progress Report on Administrative Activities Administration Cost extension: By the end of this quarter, LMD received an approval from USAID, for the cost extension of the project that will run until the end of March 2021. Under the LMD cost extension, Internews would support debates for candidates, organized community media forums on the national referendum, provide capacity-building support for the Liberian media, manage an election fellowship program for at least 20 Liberian journalists from print, broadcast and online news media and conduct regional training for elections reporters around the country. Acquaintance Meeting with National Elections Commission On September 18, LMD Chief of Party, Lien Bach, and Deputy Chief of Party, Jefferson Massah, held an acquaintance meeting with the Board of Commissioners of the National Election Commission (NEC) of Liberia. The meeting was intended for Internews to shed light on planned activities to support the Liberian media for the upcoming December special senatorial election and national referendum. The meeting was with all seven commissioners of NEC was the beginning of LMD’s collaboration with the electoral body in Liberia on activities that will strengthen the Liberian media to ensure the country remains on its democratic trajectory while tackling the upsurge of the COVID-19 pandemic. NEC Chairperson, Davidetta Browne Lansanah, appreciated Internews for the partners and support towards supporting strengthened media during election.

LMD’s Lien Bach and Jeff Massah standing in picture after meeting with NEC Board of Commissioners COVID-19 Response Activity: This year, the LMD activities were shifted to address the COVID- 19 pandemic in line with the revised Year 5 workplan as well as the cost extension workplan that was approved by USAID in August 2020. The COVID-19 activities earlier this year focused on the support to the Government of Liberia, specifically the Risk Communication Pillar, in its fight against the pandemic and will be continued under the cost extension period. Limited Office Reopening: in Quarter 4, LMD entered the limited reopening of the office to allow for some essential staff and those wishing to go into the office space. Remote working started in

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March and continued to be applied for staff who wanted to work from home and to ensure safety amid the pandemic. All relevant logistics needed to ease challenges associated with working from home were provided to staff. LMD Chat with Partners On July 23, Internews held a dialogue with LMD partners to assess not only the status of their individual activities, but also the impact. LMDI, YMA, FeJAL, LVL, ALICOR, LMC, PUL, PAL participated in the Zoom meeting, which was facilitated by Internews’ regional director for Sub- Saharan Africa, Brice Rambaud. The meeting came in the wake of Internews winding down the LMD program to meet the original closeout deadline – September 18, 2020. However, the team submitted a proposal for a six-month Cost Extension to USAID, which is expected to run until March 2021 and mainly include activities to support the local media cover the December 8 special senatorial election. Technical Support to Ministry of Information In the last week of June, Internews held a partnership meeting with Liberia’s Ministry of Information. The Zoom meeting discussed proposed collaboration that will support the Liberian government accelerate and enhance communication and information sharing on COVID-19 and the ongoing food distribution. Deputy Information Minister for Technical Services, Boakai M. Fofana and Assistant Minister for Information Services, Daniel Nuxe-Thomas, expressed MICAT unreserved openness towards LMD support. Here are few bullets agreed on during the meeting: • Internews will support MICAT increase and improve communications around the ongoing WFP food distribution. MICAT will share relevant information with Internews for onward sharing with reporters. Such information will include schedules for food distribution, etc. Internews will help MICAT: ü Produce jingles and messages that are already scripted and approved by MICAT about the food distribution and health tips ü Print some banners to increase visibility ü Organize talk shows that will be addressed by MICAT, etc. • Easy-to-use communications channels will be set up to improve information sharing between team members. For a start, Internews will set up a WhatsApp group to facilitate works, especially the initial efforts. • MICAT accepts the idea of a Crisis/Risk Communication Seminar/Training for GoL Communication Stakeholders. However, due to the restriction on group activities, this will be slightly delayed while other details are being worked out. MICAT will lead this activity, including planning and organizing. Internews will provide background technical support, including funding. • A small team comprising Internews and MICAT will work together to gather and prepare media content, especially radio content, for repackaging and subsequent distribution across

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the country using existing LMD media network. LMD will fund this. Content will include regular MICAT press briefings, MICAT Hour on ELBC, special interviews on LINA, etc. • Internews will ‘assign’ some of its trained health reporting fellows to responsibly cover MICAT, including conduct of exclusive interviews on very pertinent issues in the public that seem to need additional information. Internews and MICAT will work out the details of this – while ensuring the independence of the journalists. In September, LMD program staff held a follow-up meeting with Assistant Information Minister, Daniel Nuxe-Thomas. Nuxe-Thomas is also MICAT’s focal person for communications on the ongoing food distribution. The meeting, held on Zoom, was a follow-up to a previous in-person informal meeting between LMD COP Lien Bach and Liberia’s Information Minister Lenn Eugene Nagbe two weeks ago. More LMD Support to GoL on TIP Even with the welcoming news that Liberia has finally been removed from the TIP Tier II Watchlist by the US government, the LMD program remained engaged with the Liberian government in combating trafficking in persons. In August, the LMD program provided support towards printing of Information Education Communications (IEC) materials, including eight giant-sized banners ahead of the official launch of Liberia TIP report. On July 10, LMD program staff represented Internews at the first steering committee meeting on World Day Against Anti-Human Trafficking, at the Ministry of Labor. Internews was named by the Liberian government as member of this year’s observance of the World Day Against Anti- Human Trafficking. The meeting brought together key stakeholders in the fight against human trafficking in Liberia, and chaired by Attorney Phil Tarpeh Dixon, former Liberian deputy labor minister. Minister Tarpeh, on behalf of the Liberian government, requested LMD support towards increased media relation in the fight against TIP, and specifically for the success of the event.

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SECTION 3: Progress on Implementation of Activities This section details the progress of activities outlined in the LMD Annual Workplan for Quarter Four, Year Five (July – September 2020).

Objective One: Increased sustainability of media houses Activity 1.1 Facilitate deeper audience data analysis This year, GeoPoll, as LMD international partner, conducted the final national media consumption and one large monitoring and evaluation survey to inform the LMD annual indicator table and AMELP. The media consumption survey conducted in February provided the final comparative analysis of trends in media consumption of leading media. The results were shared with several media outlets, highlighted media with huge following and influence in the Liberian media sector in radio, TV, print and online. Community radios are the most influential in the country as they are the source of news and information for nearly 75% of the country’s population that resides outside of Monrovia; while television viewers are mostly attracted to the state-run LNTV. The LMD final media market day was canceled due to COVID-19. The final national media consumption (media rating) surveys, conducted by GeoPoll, was shared with several media outlets. The GeoPoll audience data summarized audience size, ratings, and channel share measures; provided the final comparative analysis of trends in media consumption of leading media; highlighted media with huge following and influence in the Liberian media sector in radio, television, print and online. GeoPoll also submitted a final report summarizing all the deliverables and achievements made from Year 1 through Year 5. In all the five years partnering with LMD, GeoPoll has conducted 22 national media consumption surveys, reducing from monthly surveys in Year 1 to quarterly in Year 2 and bi-annual in Years 3 and 4; three media market forums, and eight M&E surveys. Activity 1.2 Conduct periodic market research One of the activities implemented by Internews through a partnership with GeoPoll are periodic market research studies. Over the life of the LMD program, GeoPoll conducted media market research in Liberia using mobile technology. The final Media Market Forum planned for this year was canceled due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Activity 1.3 Provide business management training and work with media outlets to develop alternative revenue streams The COVID-19 outbreak in Liberia has restricted LMC business trainers from going on the field to conduct media business training. However, mentoring was implemented via phones. LMC’s subgrant came to an end in the previous quarter but will be extended under the Cost Extension period that will allow LMC to resume different trainings, including business management with partner stations across the country. In general, this year some media houses projected revenue losses because of the drop-in advertising, which is mainly due to the COVID-19 outbreak, while community radio stations generated revenue from financial support of NGOs in airing of COVID-19 preventive messages.

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Activity 1.4 Provide expert assistance to the UNMIL Radio Transition UNMIL Radio, now ECOWAS Radio, this year played a pivotal role in broadcasting jingles, dramas, and radio programs aimed at raising awareness against COVID-19. LMD partnered with ECOWAS radio to host weekly radio talk shows that invited experts and government officials from the IMS and the Risk Communication Pillar to discuss work related to COVID-19. They also held a questions and answers session with the audience. Equipment Support to ECOWAS Radio

In mid-September, the LMD program provided some basic broadcast equipment to ECOWAS Radio. This support followed a rapid technical assessment in August.

Equipment provided by LMD to the sub-regional radio station include three high- tech desktop computers for broadcast, four digital voice recorders and four studio- LMD COP & DCOP Lien and Jeff being flanked by staff of ECOWA Radio, including based microphones. manager Eva Flomo (L) during equipment turning over ECOWAS Radio also produces special programs involving the U.S Embassy’s technical experts every Monday at 1:30 pm. The program highlights the intergovernmental and interagency partnerships between the Government of Liberia and the United States Government.

Internews has been sharing the radio show on its Facebook page. For example, on July 27, Joshua DeLara, U.S. Embassy Political Officer and Jemel Liverpool, USAID Democracy, Rights and Governance Advisor discussed how the Government of Liberia and the U.S. Embassy worked together to upgrade Liberia to Tier 2 in the Trafficking in Persons report and continue to collaborate to fight trafficking in persons in Liberia.

Another edition in August featured Courtney Renken from the US National Institutes of Health and Dr. James Tanu Duworko, Network Director of US-GoL Partnership Research on Vaccines and Infectious Diseases (PREVAIL).

Here are links to other editions of the show: • https://www.facebook.com/1531107267161961/posts/2686774868261856/ • https://www.facebook.com/ecowasradio/videos/313880313047146/ • https://www.facebook.com/ecowasradio/videos/3217347351712831/ • https://www.facebook.com/ecowasradio/videos/639906293553175/

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Activity 1.5 Build strong, effective media outlets and associations Leadership Role for LMD Partners on Health Reporting Fellowship: This year, more opportunities have been created for partners to take on leadership roles in journalism training and mentoring. LVL, LMC and FeJAL were given responsibilities to mentor health journalists under the LMD Responsible Health Reporting Fellowship. With support from LMD program staff, FeJAL mentored seven fellows, mostly women, while LMC and Local Voices mentored 12 and 16 fellows, respectively – totaling to 35. The four-month activity allowed direct interaction between mentors and fellows and built a network of people that will eventually remain useful in the future. Adapting to the COVID-19 pandemic, other LMD partners were shifting their work in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. For example, LMC produced mini-drama and jingles on social distancing. The production is using MoH/NPHIL approved messages on social distancing and made in Liberian English and 16 dialect languages. The production has been aired on LMD radio partners. Local Voices published rural themed stories on COVID-19 produced by reporters participating in the “Responsible Health Reporting” fellowship on its website (e.g. how COVID- 19 affected agriculture, transportation; or maternity health in rural Liberia), published daily reporting activity on Facebook, and a small scaled Rumour Tracking and Response exercise. YMCA revised its work plan to respond to the pandemic through working with local citizens, members of the community, and young people in Ganta and its surrounding villages and towns to promote awareness in the community on the COVID-19 virus. ALICOR continued to ensure LMD partner community radio stations remain on air for regular broadcast, especially amid the COVID- 19 pandemic. Other partners switched from holding physical meetings and workshops to online, Zoom conferences, and WhatsApp chatrooms. Technical Support for PUL 56th Anniversary Event In Quarter 4, an LMD program and admin team travelled to Tubmanburg, Bomi County, to provide support to PUL for the celebration of its 56th anniversary. This LMD support – administrative and technical – was essential to the institutional positioning of the PUL. The three days event took place from September 28 – 30. It also saw the conduct of the prestigious PUL Edward Wilmot Blyden Forum on Day One, which brought together three of the five senatorial candidates in the county into a direct triangular media- politicians-public engagement. See Activity 2.1.

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Journalists, media workers and people in media development work traveled from across the country to attend the event that ended with a parade in the street of Tubmanburg and an indoor program held at the Bomi Multi- Purpose Hall. Liberian philanthropist, Philanthropist Dr. Daniel Cassell, served as anniversary keynote L-R USAID LMD AOR Louis Fahnbulleh, PUL vice prexy Daniel Nyankonah and speaker. He challenged LMD JQRA, Samuka V. Konneh @ the PUL Anniversary Event the Liberian media to stand up for good governance and promote democracy. Here are two links to stories published on Dr. Cassell remarks. • From the Analyst newspaper - https://analystliberiaonline.com/2020/10/01/dont-waste- the-sacrifices-of-others-before-you-pul-keynote-speaker-dr-cassell-enjoins-media/ • From FrontPage Africa newspaper - https://frontpageafricaonline.com/news/liberian- philanthropist-dr-daniel-cassell-urges-journalists-not-to-promote-economic-criminals- warlords-and-incompetent-government-officials/ PUL president, Charles Coffey, spoke at the event, says he was happy that at the moment no Liberian journalists is in jail. “As our record is concerned, for now, no journalist is in prison. All of these gains are welcoming, and they are certainly gaining root in the country’s history. While we hail President George M. Weah and government for ensuring press freedom, the government must reinforce its safety measures to fully guarantee the safety and protection of journalists, if the gains we have made are to be irreversible. There is a fast crumbing phenomenal, if not remedy will overshadow the gains, we have made in ensuring freedom of expression and of the press. In recent times, particularly between January to this September 2020, dozens of journalists were attacked by some elements of the state security and some citizens…”

Activity 1.6 Mapping of radio including Community Radio Stations This year, a several of new media outlets, including radio stations, were established during the quarter. LMD program staff mapped out the entire landscape to ensure all new outlets were reflected. Here is a breakdown of the number of new radio stations per county:

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A new radio mapping will be done in the next quarter. Activity 1.7 Provide for equipment grants and maintenance Solar Energy to Power Radio Harleyngee Following a successful installation at Radio Jorwah in Bong County, Radio Harleyngee in Lofa County has become the second community radio station in Liberia to benefit from the LMD program solar power installation initiative. Here is a link to a short video posted on Internews Facebook page, which was published on August 20 on the program. The initiative is designed to provide a low-cost energy solution for community radio stations in rural areas of Liberia. Stations in these locations are often the only news and information source for local, and often impoverished communities – that consequently affect stations’ revenue generating capacity. Radio Harleyngee is also helping to boost cross-border surveillance initiatives between Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone as part of efforts to contain the further spread of COVID-19 in the three Mano River Union countries. This station has been helpful in broadcasting lifesaving information to thousands of rural people on the prevention of COVID-19. Equipment Support to ECOWAS Radio See Activity 1.4 Technical Support to PAL On August 12, the Publishers Association of Liberia (PAL) formally conveyed the gratitude of its members who benefited from recent technical support from the LMD program. In Quarter 1, the LMD program donated eight Dell desk computers to newsrooms in Monrovia through PAL. On the request of PAL, the LMD IT team will be providing one-on-one technical support to the eight newsrooms. Such support will include assembling their computers as well as installing relevant software that will make the machines much more useful.

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Partners’ Technical Interventions Under subgrants, ALICOR, LMC and LMDI this year conducted technical interventions at LMD partner stations across the county. Most of the technical interventions were conducted before the breakout of the pandemic such as repairs and replacing small broadcast equipment i.e. transmitters, audio processors, microphones, cables etc. The technical interventions kept LMD partner community radio stations on the air for regular broadcast amid the pandemic. The travel restrictions during COVID-19 impacted the partners work, whenever possible LMD partners provided technical training to community radio-based technicians in person or online.

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Objective Two: A plurality of voices is represented in Liberian media Activity 2.1 Host Community Media Forums In Quarter 4, two Community Media Forums (CMFs) were held under very stringent health and public safety precautions. The forums were held as part of the events marking the 56th anniversary of the PUL (see Activity 1.5). Dialogue Between Bomi Citizens & Senatorial Aspirants On September 28, Internews supported the PUL to hold its prestigious Edward Wilmot Blyden Forum. The forum brought together three of the five senatorial candidates in the county into a direct triangular media-politicians-citizens engagement forum about governance issues that covered health, education, agriculture and social services. Incumbent senator Sando D. Johnson, contestants Dr. Zobong B. Norman and Soko Adama Dorley addressed the forum, which was also broadcast live on LMD partner, Radio Bomi. Thousands of citizens listened across the county to this live broadcast of this event. At the forum, citizens challenged their stakeholders to address voters trucking, which they believe has a propensity to cause violence in the ensuing special senatorial election in December. Voters trucking is the act of politicians trucking voters from one location of the country to another location where they are not necessary residents of. This act is in clear violation of the elections law that required people to register and vote where they’re resident. All three contestants that attended the forum were unanimous that they not allow anyone who is not a resident of Bomi to vote in Bomi – which is also a conflict trigger during election. Forum on Essence of Independent Journalism Although the forum was designed as an all-media affair, it soon took a different trend as citizens and civic actors who heard about the event filed into the hall to participate in the conversations. Participants said they came in because of the focus of the forum being on the role of independent media during elections. Citizens and civil society actors expressed hope that the local media in Bomi would help them set the agenda for public discuss, that will help them make informed decision during elections rather than amplify political rhetoric. Later during the forum, Malcom W. Joseph, executive director of LMD partner, Center for Media Studies & peacebuilding, also a member of the Elections Coordinating Committee (ECC)

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facilitated a session on understanding the proposed 2020 referendum. The LMD program supports these activities because they bring people in direct conversations with their leaders on issues about democracy, rights, and governance. Activity 2.2 Improve engagement with participatory radio formats via SMS platforms Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA) Order 0016-02-25-19 will come into effect October 5th. This order requires GSM companies in the country to add or increase surcharges on calls, SMS and data services. This is on top of a new price floor ordered by the LTA few months ago that reduced the talk value of $1 from ‘unlimited’ to just between 45 minutes, but kept SMSs unlimited for the same amount of money and number of days. This reduction in call time has now made people engage radio conversations more with SMSs than with calls. So, if the order on additional surcharge comes into effect, it will affect the use of GSM products and services due to already prevailing economic hardship, stimulated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, the talk shows that LMD radio partners held to amplify the government messages and information on COVID-19 this year, also used radio and SMS platforms to interact with the public audience and discuss with expert guests from the Government, MOH, NPHIL, and IMS on the pandemic. People across the country called in or used SMS to engage in radio conversations. Activity 2.3 Enhance the coverage of rural issues at the national level In terms of top sharing content, this quarter saw a significant increase in coverage of rural issues at the national level (for example, the impact of COVID19 on agriculture, transportation, education or maternity health in rural Liberia). Local Voices’ “Around the Country” updates particularly helped with achieving this goal. As detailed in Activity 3.5, LVL published 48 editions of its “Around the Country” bulletins between May and end of September. The updates were published on the LVL website, posted on its Facebook page and shared directly to over 500 social media users on a regular basis. For online consumers, who are mostly in urban communities in Liberia and the diaspora, LVL rural content published on its Facebook page, reached a total of 89k people with at least 15k engagements. The page also has over 13k likes as well as 13k followers. For legacy media, Prime FM, OK FM, LUX FM (University of Liberia radio) are three radio stations in Monrovia that lifted LVL content. LVL ‘Dey Say’ Rumors & Responses Local Voices published four editions of the Rumors Tracking and Response Bulletins for journalists. Tracking rumors and researching their responses helps journalists respond to the information needs of their respective communities. It also helps the journalists understand the science behind COVID-19 and enhance the quality of their reports. Continued Support Towards TIP Combat Even with Liberia being removed from the US government’s Trafficking in Persons Tier II Watchlist, the LMD program continued to support the Liberian government, through the Ministry of Labor and the National TIP Taskforce, in enhancing communication and information sharing on TIP. The program facilitated media coverage of a one-day consultative meeting, Sinje, Grand

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Cape Mount County, that brought together local authorities, youth, elders, town chiefs and traditional leaders. Discussions were facilitated by deputy former Labor Minister for Manpower, Atty. Phil Tarpeh Dixon and assistant Justice Minister for Litigation, Atty. Wesseh A. Wesseh. In addition to live broadcast of the event by LMD partner Radio Piso, four Monrovia-based reporters were supported to cover the event. The reporters came from FrontPage Africa newspaper, Daily Observer newspaper, The News newspaper, and Sky FM. Here are links: o FrontPage Africa: - https://frontpageafricaonline.com/county-news/liberia-labor- ministry-takes-human-trafficking-awareness-to-grand-cape-mount-county/

o Daily Observer: - https://www.liberianobserver.com/news/mol-dci-intensified- awareness-campaign-against-human-trafficking-in-grand-cape-mount/ The LMD program also supported the Ministry of Labor in the printing of IEC materials. Eight giant-sized banners were turned over to the MoL over the weekend ahead of this week’s official launch of Liberia TIP report. Activity 2.4 Support young citizen journalists During the COVID-19 pandemic, the activity was put on hold because schools were ordered to close by the Liberian Government, and restrictions on public gathering mainly affected students. Despite this, LMD partner Youth Media Action (YMA) launched an online COVID-19 awareness activity and encouraged students, its main target group, to do selfie videos that provided education and advice on COVID-19. Here are the links: • https://www.facebook.com/456992121368021/posts/1034982680235626/ • https://www.facebook.com/youthmediaactionlr/videos/217817779439696/ • https://www.facebook.com/youthmediaactionlr/videos/149833489683966/ • https://www.facebook.com/youthmediaactionlr/videos/1579893105468393/ • https://www.facebook.com/youthmediaactionlr/videos/502513060422961/

As part of the LMD Cost Extension, Internews will support YMA towards training and mentoring more young citizen journalists. The LMD support will empower YMA towards recruiting, training and mentoring up to 50 young Liberian students who aspire for a career in journalism. With LMD support, YMA will roll out basic journalism training and expose participants, most of whom will be first- FLASHBACK: YMA mentoring student journalist in the field to conduct time voters, to civic conversations interview with street-selling children in Ganta back in February around elections and democracy.

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YMA will work with Internews journalism advisers to develop content and roll out this training, after which YMA will work with local radio stations to host some of the students to produce and broadcast child-friendly media content, including on elections. Activity 2.5 Sensitized editors and journalists on gender issues Editors Forum on Gender Representation Between June and September, FeJAL remained actively engaged with news editors, news directors and managers from 15 media institutions, including 10 outlets that are regularly being monitored by the LMC. During this period, FeJAL conducted four Editors’ Forums – three via Zoom and one in-person. The forums brought together 15 (13M, 2F) participants on a regular basis. The forums discussed gender representation in the media. FeJAL has been, through dialogues and peer reviews, enhancing the knowledge and skill of newsroom leaders in designing strategies that will lead to increasing women representations in the media.

Figure 1 Participants at the Zoom Editors Forum discussing gender representation in the media Editors are now continuing to discuss different strategies, including policies and procedures, to increase women visibility in the media. At the end of the conversations, media managers and editors agreed to review and take steps towards increasing women representation in the media. Below is a list of few targets set by editors and managers at these forums: • Redesign editorial policies to prioritize stories filed by female reporters • Employ at least two female journalists as reporters, if there isn’t one already • Conduct regular trainings and mentorship for reporters/staff • Produce programs and columns for women issues or women programs • Take affirmative action to reach out to women newsmakers to serve as news sources • Strive for gender balance in selecting correspondents from rural Liberia • Discourage discrimination and encourage female participation in newsrooms and major programs presentations on the radio/televisions.

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During the quarter, FeJAL also completed the redevelopment of the Women Expert List, which is a vital instrument in increasing women voices in the media as news makers. Activity 2.6 Create a mentorship program for Women journalists This year, FeJAL was one of the three LMD partners contracted to mentor fellows in the LMD Responsible Health Reporting Fellowship. The Young Women Mentoring activity was an integrated component of this activity. FeJAL was specifically in charge of mentoring seven of the 34 fellows. The seven fellows were all women journalists, and mostly with Monrovia-based media outlets. All seven of them successfully completed their course work, submitted their required stories and got certificated by Internews. Activity 2.7 Conduct media monitoring of targeted media outlets Media Coding There was no media monitoring during Quarter 4 because the LMC was closed; staff were asked to stay home due to COVID-19. For April, May, and June, LMC monitored ten newspapers and radio stations. A total of 1,286 stories were coded, out of which 870 came from newspapers while 370 stories came from radio and 46 radio talk shows. Under the cost extension, LMC will conduct media monitoring on elections and COVID-19.

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Objective Three: Professionalism of the media is improved Activity 3.1 Develop Tailored Training Strategies for Core, Targeted Media Outlets The combined number of training days achieved for all four reporting quarters of the LMD Fiscal Year Five is 812: 302 days in Quarter 1; 204 days in Quarter 2; 274 days in Quarter 3 and now 32 days for Quarter 4. This is despite significant interruptions posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Training activities during the previous three quarters ranged among health journalism, Trafficking in Persons reporting, Freedom of Information, media monitoring, training facilitations, and project administration. During Quarters 1 and 2, the focus was mainly on trafficking in persons (TIP) reporting. The LMD program continued to elevate public education about the TIP that contributed towards Liberia being removed from the US Government Tier II Watchlist for Trafficking in Persons. A ‘2019 US States Department Trafficking in Persons’ report puts Liberia on Tier II Watch List – which required the country to increase efforts toward curbing the crime, including strengthening laws and judiciary processes, training justice actors, raising awareness and public educations. In June, the governments of Liberia and the United States announced that Liberia had been removed from the US government’s TIP Tier II Watchlist. This was good news as Liberia was now placed on Tier II – a better category for countries with proven and better efforts towards combatting trafficking in persons. Here is link the USG 2020 TIP report – https://bit.ly/3dTqS00 Almost a year ago in October of 2019, the LMD program launched its TIP Activity with a High- Level Inception Meeting that brought together top officials of the Liberian government, US Mission in Liberia, journalists, civil society, and the public. The meeting provided an opportunity for Internews to give an overview of what was designed to support the government combat TIP in Liberia. Liberia’s Labor Minister, Moses Y. Kollie, who is also head of the Taskforce on TIP, thanked Internews for the support. He outlined progress the government has made so far in the fight and those it intends to achieve that will help remove Liberia from the US State Department Tier II Watch List. USAID Deputy Mission Director in Liberia, Rebekah Eubanks, represented the US Mission in Liberia. She FLASHBACK: Former Liberian Labor Minister Moses Y. Kollie making remarks at the Inception Meeting relayed the United States’ commitment to supporting the Liberian government fight TIP.

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That event brought together 31 participants (25M, 6F) in one room, including a Deputy Gender Minister; Assistant Justice Minister, department heads from the Gender Ministry, volunteers from ECOWAS, department heads from the Liberia Immigration Service, the Liberia National Police, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Labor, heads of some civil society and media organizations graced the Inception Meeting. LMD Responsible Health Reporting Fellowship Quarters 2 and 3 training activities focused on health reporting – rightly in response to the COVID- 19 pandemic. Below is an array of training and mentoring activities undertaken during this period. In April, 33 local journalists (26M, 7F) completed an intensive health journalism training – facilitated remotely by Internews Media Adviser, Arwen Kidd. During this reporting period, all the fellows received continued mentoring and editorial support from LVL and FeJAL. This fellowship activity came to an end in August. LVL alone provided mentorship support to 16 reporters and helped them produced and published stories about COVID-19 and other coronavirus related issues. A total of 75 stories were published by LVL under this fellowship; out of which 49 were produced as enterprise stories by fellows; and 26 covered other relevant rural issues as indicated by the graph. Apart from six that were radio content produced by fellows in Grand Bassa, Bomi and Sinoe counties, the rest of the 49 fellowship stories were published online and sometimes in newspapers. Under this same activity, fellows working with FeJAL produced at least five stories, which are included in the total number of stories reported by LVL. See Activity 2.4 PUL Produces COVID-19 Reporting Handbook for Liberian Journalists - With funding of the LMD program, the Press Union of Liberia (PUL) released a reporting guide on COVID-19 for media practitioners in Liberia. This was also used for the health reporting fellows as part of the training materials.

The COVID-19 reporting handbook was produced to encourage proper use of terms and phrases while reporting on the pandemic. The guide will further support Liberian journalists to have insight into COVID-19 and other public health diseases. The guide will also help to enhance the professionalism of journalists through ethical reporting on the virus situation in Liberia.

The final reporting guide on COVID-19 is an outcome series of consultations with health communication experts and media leaders to develop a standard handbook that will promote ethical journalism during the heath emergency in Liberia.

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LMD 2020 Elections Reporting Fellowship In September, 20 local reporters have been recruited for this fellowship from online, print and broadcast media. Although training for election reporting fellows is planned for next quarter, plans are far advanced including the development of the training guide for media trainers directly involved with journalism training and mentoring activities. The Guide includes eleven thoroughly selected topics that are essential for election reporting with accuracy and objectivity. The training will strengthen Liberian media capacity and empower journalists to effectively monitor and report on the December 2020 elections and referendum, and produce fact-based objective reports. INSPIRES Health Reporting Fellowship Another reporting fellowship started during the quarter – this time supported by USAID INSPIRES activity managed from Washington DC. In collaboration with Liberia’s Ministry of Information, Culture Affairs and Tourism, Internews rolled out two days of refresher training for reporters September 22-23. Sessions were facilitated by Internews LMD and Local Voices journalism trainers.

Nine (7M, 2F) persons attended the training – six of them are journalists selected from a recent Responsible Health Reporting Fellowship under the USAID Liberia Media Development (LMD) program, and the other three were recommended as key staff by MICAT.

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The training prepared reporters with the necessary updated information, improved health reporting skills as they take on assignment at the MICAT to cover regular government press activities. Excluding assignment and group exercises, the training contained three critical information- sharing sessions and three actual journalism training sessions. The session on MICAT and Government of Liberia Information Ecosystem was facilitated by Daniel Nuxe-Thomas, assistant minister for Information Services at MICAT, while the session on Accessing Information on the Community Household Food Distribution was facilitated by Mr. Amos Ballayan, from the United Nations World Food Program (WFP). Mr. Chester D. Smith, deputy head of the COVID-19 Taskforce Risk Communications Pillar conducted a session on Accessing Critical Information from Risk Communications Pillar. The three journalism training sessions include the followings: • The Unordinary Eye: Deciding the News by Alpha Daffae Senkpeni, LVL • Producing an Exciting Radio Package by Jefferson Massah, Internews • Becoming Your Own Editor by Samuka V. Konneh, Internews LMD deputy chief of Party, Jefferson Massah, made welcome remarks. “This is a follow-on fellowship. You will be assigned with MICAT to cover its press activities to enable you properly inform your audiences on the progress of the ongoing household food distribution and the overall COVID-19 fight. Your assignment at MICAT doesn’t and should not make you government PRs. It’s intended to support government enhance public information dissemination across the country at this critical time.” Daniel Nuxe-Thomas expressed gratitude to Internews. “This refresher training will provide a unique opportunity to explore various intellectual components as a means of supporting government fight against COVID-19 and the food distribution process. This is an overwhelming opportunity for us to be here especially from a professional perspective.” “The fight is not yet over. We are very grateful to Internews and we think that such endeavor will go a long way in preparing fellows to report accurate news and information on government’s fight against COVID-19 and food distribution during these critical times,” Chester Smith encouraged participants to take seriously information and knowledge acquired from the training. Six Fellows Selected for Health Reporting Beat Following the refresher training, on September 30, Internews submitted to MICAT names of six trained fellows that will be assigned at MICAT to cover its press activities. The fellows were selected from among high-performing reporters of the USAID-LMD Responsible Health Reporting Fellows. The essence is to provide more trusted avenues for government to disseminate relevant lifesaving information to the public. They will cover MICAT’s weekly press briefings as well as the ongoing food distribution. They will also cover press activities called by the National Public Health Institute (NPHIL) and the Ministry of Health. These fellows will receive regular mentoring and editorial support from LVL during their assignment; and stories they produce will be published on LVL official website and the Facebook page.

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Here is a list of them: NAME GENDER INSTITUTION William Q. Harmon M Daily Observer newspaper Dennis L. Nimpson F Joy FM Michael W. Gharib M Public Agenda newspaper / LVL Gerald C. Koinyeneh M FrontPage Africa newspaper Rita Jlogbe F Lux FM / Bush Chicken Zac Tortiamah Sherman M KMTV

Ahead of the training, one of the selected fellows, Michael W. Gharib, produced a story that provided more credible information regarding the food distribution. The story included quotes from assistant information minister, Daniel Nuxe-Thomas, who praised the quality of reporting. “The line of questioning, follow-ups and tone of the interview was professional. And the story is written so well. This is different.” Apart from their MICAT, NPHIL or MOH beat, fellows will be able to conduct exclusive interviews with MICAT officials on topics they believe the public will need additional clarity on, or which government will need to disseminate to the public outside of using official communications such as press briefings. The fellows will be assigned at MICAT for a period of six months covering all major news events and producing stories for public consumption in a more timely and accurate manner. Mentoring for Radio Harleyngee’s Board of Advisors During the quarter, LMD trainers conducted a day-long mentoring for new officials and members of Board of Advisers (BOA) at Radio Harleyngee in Lofa County. The training provided education on their functions as BOA members in soliciting community support for the station. Twelve (4F, 8M) BOA officials, members and other community people attended the meeting and mentoring session. Activity 3.2 Create a network of Media Resource Center As reported in previous quarters, the Regional Media Resource Center (MRC) in Ganta has been turned over to LMD partner Young Media Christian Association (YMCA). This is to ensure continuity and sustainability for life beyond LMD funding. The takeover followed development of an exit strategy by YMCA, which lays out plans and responsibility. For the last five years, the LMD program has been funding the MRC to provide basic computer education, internet service and training to Liberia’s rural populations in Nimba, Bong, Lofa and other parts who commute through Nimba County’s densely populated commercial city of Ganta. In February, Louise J. Fahnbulleh, Democracy and Governance Specialist and LMD AOR at USAID visited the regional Media Resource Center in Ganta, Nimba County. She was briefed by staff about the contribution of the MRC in that region.

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In Monrovia, the launch of the second LMD-funded MRC did not move ahead because of COVID-19. This is also made difficult by the death of the Executive Director of the Liberia Media Center (LMC), Samuel Kpanbayeazee Duworko. The Monrovia MRC is housed at the LMC. Before his passing, Mr. Duworko was very upbeat about the MRC and thankful for continued LMD Partial view of the Monrovia Media Resource Center housed at LMC support to his institution. “The refurbishing and operationalization of the MRC was one of the major focuses of the LMC during the quarter. So much effort has gone into this. Internews has refurbished the hall with state-of-the-art equipment to facilitate digital research for the media, civil society and others who would use it,” – Samuel Kpanbayeazee Duworko, LMC Executive Director (late). In the previous quarters, Internews procured all the needed computers and accessories for the center, which will serve the population of Montserrado County, especially students, journalists, and civil society actors. Activity 3.3 Train and provide on-going technical assistance to media professionals As reported in Activity 3.1, the 33 local reporters that are in the LMD Responsible Health Reporting Fellowship not only received training, but they also continuously received mentoring and guidance on their story production. They shared and discussed story ideas with assigned mentors from LMC, LVL, and FeJAL, and even Internews. This support continued throughout the story production phases – investigating, identity and connecting sources, drafting, redrafting, editing, and production. This technical assistance continued even beyond the close of this quarter. It is with such technical support that reporters in the fellowship were able to produce their stories with a new level of professionalism and style. Activity 3.4 Manage a small subgrants pool to increase the quality and diversity of coverage Two contracts with LVL and FeJAL continued this quarter to support the LMD Responsible Health Reporting Fellowship activity. Activity 3.5 Support sharing of content between community radio stations Through the period, Internews shared very vital content on COVID-19 and other public health protocols among its network of thirty community radio stations. The stations were selected and contracted in Quarter 2 to help amplified communications and information sharing around the COVID-19 pandemic. Here are few of the content shared during the period. Content on Educational Cash Stipend

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In the third week of August, the program distributed content about the disbursement of stipend to 12th grade students sitting the West African Secondary School Certificate Examination (WASSCE). The content was repeatedly aired on 30 partner stations across Liberia aimed at correcting misinformation pertaining the disbursement of the funds. In August, USAID and the Ministry of Education, in partnership with GiveDirectly1, launched the Educational Cash Stipend program to provide support to 12th grade students who were writing the WASSCE exam this year. COVID-19 Dramas on Safe School Environment In the second week of September, the program completed the distribution of three radio dramas on COVID-19 prevention. The radio dramas provide critical information needed for students, school administrations, and parents on approaches needed to prevent COVID-19 and create a safe learning environment for kids. In July, the LMD program supported a five-day message development technical work session at the government of Liberia’s Risk Communications Pillar, intended to design COVID-19 prevention messages around the re-opening of schools across Liberia. These messages were reduced into mini radio dramas with LMD support by Eddie Theatre Production, owned by Eddie Gibson, a private individual audio engineer. The dramas were made in simple Liberian English and aired by 30 partner radio stations nationwide. LMD Supports VRU Information Dissemination Campaign In September, Internews distributed the VRU schedule for broadcast on LMD 30 partner community radio stations in the 15 counties of Liberia.

The exercise is to ensure eligible voters with missing card problems and first-time voters to have access to timely information on areas to easily go and obtain new voting cards as part of the nationwide VRU process.

Each partner station will broadcast the schedule showing which registration centers will be open on which days per county for five days. The radio announcement on the VRU process was aired in local dialects and simple Liberian English at LMD partner stations.

LVL Around the Country Update Between May and end of September, Local Voices produced 48 editions of its “Around the Country” bulletin, covering all 15 counties. These bulletins allow reporters from across Liberia to provide situational reports on COVID-19 and other issues in their individual communities. They are published on the LVL website, posted to its Facebook page and shared directly to over 500 social media users on a regular basis. The latest edition of the “Around the Country” bulletin was published by LVL on September 23. This edition features one Amos Nusiah, a man who is reported to have helped the Armed Forces of Liberia and the Police Support Unit (PSU) in 2017 to arrest a murderer in Bong County,

1 GiveDirectly Liberia implements multiple cash programs in Liberia, including COVID cash response projects this year, which will create a cash benchmark that is evidence on cash transfer outcomes in Liberia that USAID can use against which to measure the impact of no-cash programs.

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appealing to the Liberian government and humanitarians for livelihood support. The edition also features a story about Liberians in the diaspora in the US donating COVID-19 preventive materials (hand sanitizers, nose masks and bleach) to schools in Grand Kru County that benefitted several students and teachers. Apart from online consumers, seven radio stations also used the Around The Country updates as contents for their news and other programs. Unlike the dramas and other content that were shared with community radio stations, the LVL Around The Country updates were used by radio stations in to inform urban audiences in Monrovia and other places - allowing a two-way sharing of information on rural content. Prime FM, OK FM, LUX FM (University of Liberia radio) are the three radio stations in Monrovia that lifted some of the stories. Outside Monrovia, Phoenix FM and Smart FM in Grand Gedeh County, Pumah FM in Bomi County, and Voice of Gbarpolu in Gbarpolu County lifted several of the stories were published. Public Service Announcements on COVID-19 Food Distribution In August, the INSPIRES activity supported the broadcast of two public service announcements (PSA) intended to mobilize citizens and residents towards receiving the stimulus food provided by government to reduce hardship associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. The PSAs were aired on some of the most listened-to stations in Monrovia, including state-owned ELBC 99.9FM, OK 95.1FM, Fabric 101.1FM, Capital 87.9FM, Prime 105.5FM and Spoon 107.5FM. The announcements ran for a couple of days; according to Assistant Minister for Information Services, Daniel Nuxe-Thomas, the airing of the PSAs proved to be useful because more people got out to receive their food in Montserrado County. Activity 3.6 Use new technologies to innovate new media content and enhance inclusion Enhanced LVL Web Presence Local Voices has reported that between May and August this year, its web presence significantly increased – thanks to the numerous content it published on its website and Facebook pages covering COVID-19. At least 75 stories were published by LVL during the period, mostly covering COVID-19 and other interesting rural issues. LVL also published 48 editions of Around the Country, covering all 15 counties during this period.

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This content significantly enhanced LVL’s online presence. Its website recorded at least 13k Clicks between July 12 and September 2. The LVL Facebook page published or shared 137 posts during the reporting period – with each post registering an average of 10k Reach, 19k Engagements. In total, posts published on LVL Facebook page reached a total of 89k with at least 15k engagements. The page also has over 13k likes as well as 13k followers. Within a month alone, between August 6 and September 2, the page recorded 43,900 reaches – up by 9,400 from the last one-month period. This period also recorded 3,558 engagements – up by 2,300. 2020 Elections Hackathon On September 10, Internews and iLab held a second meeting to finalize plans for the conduct of this year’s LMD Media Hackathon – which will introduce and train 20 LMD elections reporting fellows in the use of technology to report news, especially from the field. The Hackathon will be accompanied by an election reporting training. Both events are expected to take place in last week of October. At the end of the training, fellows will have enhanced knowledge about relevant mobile applications that they can use to gather and edit news while on the field – without being required to come back to the office to compile their news. Fellows, after the training and Hackathon, will be given fully installed mobile phones to facilitate field reporting before, during and after the 2020 special senatorial elections. Activity 3.7 Promote and Improve the Code of Journalism Ethics and Media Complaints Committee On September 29, PUL conducted a session on the Elections Coverage Guide for Liberian Journalists. The session was part of several other sessions ran at the 56th Anniversary of the PUL, which was held in Tubmanburg, Bomi County. The guide was developed by the PUL with support from the LMD program and has been updated almost every election year.

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At the same event, LMD Journalism Quality & Reporting Adviser, Samuka V. Konneh, moderated a key session on the ‘Essence of True Independent Journalism During Elections.’ The session was designed to find underlying reasons and suggesting solutions for Liberian journalists to stay truly independent during critical times like elections. At this end of this session, journalists in Liberia agreed to adopt a set of self-regulating rules to protect against unprofessional practices, which are in addition to already existing regulations. The draft self-regulations are summarized in what will be known as the Tubmanburg Communiqué. The Communiqué is expected to be taken to the PUL executive committee to perusal and possible adoption. It will be released as a working tool for Liberian journalists, especially during the December 8th special senatorial elections. Ahead of the official public release, here are two excerpts from the draft: Ø “That practicing journalists must, at all times, avoid the temptation of publicly endorsing and declaring support for politicians before, during and after electioneering period”… Ø “That the PUL should ensure that media institutions owned by politicians must at all times maintain professional and ethical standards, including provision of accurate, balanced and clear news content that are also conflict-sensitive; and ensuring that no practicing journalist is required by media owners and managers to play propagandist.”

Activity 3.8 Expand awards for media excellence The PUL Excellence Awards Ceremony was canceled due to the restriction on public and group gatherings due to the COVID-19 situation. As a result, resources for this event are being redirected towards activities relevant to COVID-19 response. Internews and the PUL will work together to explore a possibility of holding a special edition of this award program. Activity 3.9 Support retention in the journalism field The activity reported in Activity 2.4 is intended to support retention in journalism in Liberia. It is expected that a good number of the young people targeted for the YMA Child Broadcasting activity may pursue a career in journalism – helping to fill in the gap being created by the continuous exist of trained professional journalism from the media in pursuit of better paid jobs.

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Objective Four: Strengthened normative-legal environment for a freer media Activity 4.1 Ensure key associations are able to resolve industry issues and effectively engage in advocacy and collective action Stakeholders Meeting on the Draft LTA Regulation

Liberia broadcast media stakeholders at the September 4 consultation On September 4th the LMD program hosted another gathering of media stakeholders to discuss the final engagement strategy with the Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA) regarding government of Liberia’s new regulation on frequency management. The meeting was organized and facilitated by the Press Union of Liberia (PUL) and brought together participants – all male – including, managers and owners of radio stations. CEMESP and ALICOR also participated. On September 7th PUL submitted an official communication to the LTA summarizing suggestions derived from Friday’s meeting. In the letter, PUL President Charles Coffey thanked Internews and the LMD program for the support towards media reform in Liberia. “These consultations, many of which were attended and facilitated by the LTA and the Ministry of Information, were funded by Internews as part of the USAID Liberia Media Development to facilitate a broad-based participation of media stakeholders and civil society leaders towards reforms in the operating environment of Liberia’s broadcast sector, and protection of a pluralistic media. The PUL had hoped that the LTA would have organized a validation conference with all stakeholders to chart a new course regarding reform in the broadcast sector that reflect the collective suggestions. Notwithstanding this, the PUL believes there still are

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opportunities to include the suggestions of the media, whom the new reform policy affects directly,” – Charles Cuffey, PUL Here are the set of recommendations derived from the September 4 consultation, which were divided between payment plan and fees: Recommendations on Payment Plan § That for the purpose of ease in accounting, LTA to sum up all fees regarding application, annual spectrum usage, license, and regulation into one amount. § That the fees shall be charged for the entire period of five years. However, the initial or upfront payment shall be not less than fifty percent of the total amount for the five years. After this, media outlets will pay the remaining in 20% after first two years, another 20% in the fourth year and 10% in the final year. § That upon payment of the initial or upfront payment of 50%, the LTA shall provide documentation covering the duration of the entire five years. Recommendations on Fee Charges § Media stakeholders plead to the government of Liberia that fees listed in the draft policy released by the LTA be reduced to at almost 31% to enable them the media survive the harsh economic realities and at same time be able to comply with the new regulation. Below is the breakdown of the suggestions on payment: § For the Nationwide FM Radio Station category, that total amount (application, annual spectrum usage, license, and regulation) suggest by the LTA be reduced to 31% - amounting now to US$2,015.00, which will sum up to U$10,075.00 for the five years. § That for Type A - Standard FM Radio Station category, the total amount proposed by the LTA for application, annual spectrum usage, license, and regulation be reduced to 31% - amounting now to US$9,92.00, which will sum up to U$5,00.00 for the five years; § That for Type B - Standard FM Radio Station category, the total amount proposed by the LTA for application, annual spectrum usage, license, and regulation be reduced to 31% - amounting now to U$666.50, which will sum up to U$3,332.50 for the five years; § That for Type C - Standard FM Radio Station category, the total amount proposed by the LTA for application, annual spectrum usage, license, and regulation be reduced to 31% - amounting now to U$341.00, which will sum up to U$1,705.00 for the five years; § For Campus Based FM Radio Station category, the total amount proposed by the LTA for application, annual spectrum usage, license, and regulation be reduced to 31% - amounting now to US$93.00, which will sum up to U$465.00 for the five years; and § For the Community Based FM Radio Station category, the total amount proposed by the LTA for application, annual spectrum usage, license, and regulation be

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reduced to 31% - amounting now to US$139.50, which will sum up to U$697.50 for the five years. We have also summarized the recommendations in the below table for your easy referencing. All figures are inclusive of application, annual spectrum usage, license, and regulation.

Category of FM Stations LTA LTA Stakeholders Proposed Proposed Proposal Annual Fees Fees for 5yrs @31% 1 Nationwide FM Radio Stations $6,500.00 $32,500.00 $10,075.00 2 Type A Standard FM Radio Stations $3,200.00 $16,000.00 $4,960.00 3 Type B Standard FM Radio Stations $2,150.00 $10,750.00 $3,332.50 4 Type C Standard FM Radio Stations $1,100.00 $5,500.00 $1,705.00 5 Campus Based FM Radio Stations $300.00 $1,500.00 $465.00 6 Community Based FM Radio $450.00 $2,250.00 $697.50 Stations

Activity 4.2 Media and public information related policies and legislation

There was no action on this activity during Quarter 4.

Activity 4.3 Defend journalists’ rights and explore a possible media defense fund In December, Liberians will go the polls to elect a new set of 15 senators. This year tension has been building up and the Press Union of Liberia (PUL) with support from the LMD program, is highlighting the risks associated with being journalists during such period. The 56th anniversary of Union in September was dedicated towards this goal. “We are turning the focus on the protection of journalists ahead and during the pending special senatorial elections. The stakes are high and already, many of our colleagues have been brutalized. We as journalists should use our celebrations to ramp up calls for the protection of journalists by the Weah-led administration during the elections,” the PUL stated in a press release issued September 23, as quoted by the Analysts newspaper – https://bit.ly/37J3npI. Another media, Global News Network (GNN) quotes PUL president Charles Cuffey as calling on the government to stop harassment of journalists – https://bit.ly/3mrNojF. This was an LMD-funded activity. Attacks Against Media The PUL Media Alert office tracked at least five attacks against journalists during the quarter. Here is summary from the PUL 14th Media Alert Report compiled in September.

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• On Tuesday, July 8, journalist Anthony Selmah formerly of the People’s newspaper was attacked and beaten by officer Henry Gargbay of the Liberia Immigration Service (LIS). He was commuting on a public bus that was pulled over by officers of the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA) who are said to have been soliciting bribes. A fight ensued because the driver refused to pay the full amount requested by the security officers. Panicking passengers, including journalist Selmah, verbally confronted the officers for threatening their lives. Selmah was whipped with a cane that inflicted multiple bodily wounds. His recorder was damaged. Until the time of writing this report, the PUL says there has been no investigation launched into the matter by state authority. • On Wednesday, August 26, journalist Edwin Genoway of the FrontPage Africa newspaper was attacked while providing live coverage of a peaceful march against increasing wave of rape. A young man identified as Boimah A. Sawyer, who is also believed to be a member of the governing Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) Youth League begun throwing stones at the protesters and the Liberia National Police. Journalist Genoway captured the violent scene live on newspaper’s Facebook page. He was noticed by Sawyer and colleagues capturing the violent demonstration. They attacked him and took away the gadgets he used for live coverage along with his backpack which contained a mini recorder, camera, a Samsung A20 phone and six hundred United States Dollars. A series of negotiations was held. The journalist received his bag but without the items it contained as stated above. • On Wednesday, September 3, journalist Bill Diggs, owner of Vision TV, an online television, was beaten by officers of the Monrovia City Police for packing his vehicle in a driveway leading to the residence of Monrovia City Mayor, Jefferson Koije. The mayor apologized on behalf of his security officers and turned them over to the Liberia National Police for investigation. PUL president, Charles B. Coffey Jr., called on the Liberia National Police to speedily investigate the matter and bring perpetrators to justice. • On Sunday, September 13, journalist Omaska Jallah, Senior Reporter of The News newspaper was attacked in Latia, a town in Liberia’s western county of Cape Mount, by a group of more than 30 men believed to be trucked to register for the upcoming special senatorial elections. Jallah was in the region to cover the progress of the voter registration exercise, which was increasingly being taken over by trucking of voters from one region to another. Politicians are reported to be paying voters around US$25 to register in their constituency and, of course, vote for them on polling day. The reporter was filming the arrival of a crowd in Latia who got into a fight with locals of the town for refusing to allow them register in their town.

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The trucked voters claimed the reporter was exposing them. They used sticks to beat him. Reporter Jallah sustained a deep cut on his head and sprained his left arm during the attack. He was later admitted to hospital in Monrovia after preliminary police investigation. • On Sunday, September 13, Senator Abraham Darius Dillon of Montserrado County did a live Facebook broadcast accusing some members of the Liberian media of not being fans of his and only focused on portraying him in a negative way. He specifically named Okay FM afternoon talk show host, Julius Jeh and Bana FM of blowing events that include him out of proportion as a way to tarnish his reputation. During the quarter, there were two lawsuits against journalists. • On July 12, Sinoe County Senator Milton Teahjay’s filed a libel suit against FrontPage Africa newspaper at the Civil Law Court. The legal action grew out a July 10, 2020, FPA reportage in which Senator Milton Teahjay, the Chairman of the Senate Standing Committee on Autonomous Agencies, is alleged to have received a U$20,000 bribe from Cllr. A. Ndubusi Nwabudike, the man rejected by the Liberian Senate to head the country’s National Elections Commission. The hearing in the libel suit is expected to start when the court places the trial on the docket. • On August 4, Ms. Corina M.T. Wornee, School Director of Bridge International Academies Liberia, filed a libel lawsuit of US$1.5 million damages at the Civil Law Court against the management of Global News Network. Over the past months, GNN Liberia has been investigating alleged bad labor practices, sexual harassment and other allegation leveled against Bridge Liberia and its Director of Schools. Activity 4.4 Build demand for media reform

See Activity 3.7 and 4.2 for the efforts around establishing the National Media Commission.

Objective Five: Strengthened Information Commission

Activity 5.1 Build the capacity of the Information Commission so that it can enforce, oversee, and monitor the implementation of Liberia’s FOI Act There was no activity in this quarter because the Independent Information Commission (IIC) was one of the non-essential public institutions affected by the government of Liberia’s COVID- 19 stay home order. Moreover, the proposed grant for CEMESP to work with the IIC did not proceed during the period because LMD resources were redirected towards direct LMD COVID- 19 support activities. Activity 5.2 Mentor Information Officers to more effectively interact with colleagues in their ministries to improve response to FOI requests The Liberian Government mandated non-essential staff to work from home as part of an effort to curtail public gathering amid COVID-19. PIOs fall into this category of civil servants. The order is still in place.

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Activity 5.3 Promote public demand for Freedom of Information No activity. Activity 5.4 Ensure media professionals know how to file and follow up on FOI requests No activity.

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SECTION 4: Activities in the Next Quarter (October - December 2020) The upcoming quarter (October – December 2020) will focus on implementation of program activities under the cost extension before the close-out phase. The cost extension will cover only Objectives 1, 2 and 3. Below is a summary of the activities planned for the coming quarter: Objective 1: Increased sustainability of media houses • Last round of in-house business management mentoring visits by LMC trainers; • Provide technical support to ECOWAS radio station; • Update national map of community radio stations; and • Provide equipment grant and conduct maintenance to the 18 radio stations. Objective 2: A plurality of voices is represented in Liberian media • Host 19 community media forums on referendum and 2 on elections in COVID-19; • Host 19 senatorial elections debates; • Postproduction of CMFs and debates rebroadcast on community radio stations; • LVL produce and distributes daily news updates/summary on COVID-19 and elections; • Mentor female journalists on elections reporting; and • Conduct media monitoring on elections and COVID-19. Objective 3: Professionalism of the media is improved • Train and mentor 20 elections reporting fellows; • Host regional trainings on elections reporting; • Train and mentor 17 radio talk show hosts; • Train and mentor 12 health reporting fellows; • Host a hackathon event for 20 elections reporting fellows; and • Update the Code of Conduct for elections reporting.

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SECTION 5: Monitoring and Evaluation LMD Program Implementation Results The overall results framework of the LMD program pursues the achievement for the following five objectives – spread across 20 indicators in total: four standard indicators and 16 custom indicators. 1. Sustainability of media houses is strengthened; 2. A plurality of voices is represented in Liberian media; 3. The professionalism of the media is improved; 4. Strengthened normative-legal enabling environment for freer media; and 5. GoL’s ability to respond to FOI requests from citizens and media establishments strengthened.

Tracking on Responsible Health Reporting Training: LMD tracked the health reporting training program and measured the change of knowledge of and interactive feedback from the Health Reporting fellows to ensure the needs of the participants are covered. The program was launched in March with 34 fellows (27M, 7F). By the end of the course in July, one dropped out. As the training was conducted remotely (four lessons formatted into downloadable MS PowerPoint Presentation, PDF files, and audio files sent to the participants via e-mails), LMD tracked the participants' attendance by assignments for each of the four lessons – using a “Progress Tracking Tool” to monitor the progress. At the end of the fellowship program, each of the fellows assessed their knowledge of each lesson, took pre- and post-training tests, and provided feedback on the course. Thirty-four fellows were awarded a certificate signifying that they successfully completed the fellowship program. GeoPoll Annual M&E survey: In Year 5, GeoPoll submitted its annual M&E data survey for Indicators 1.4, 3.4, 5.1 and 5.3 – see findings in the M&E indicators table. Quarterly review of indicators In the quarter, routine activities were undertaken by the M&E Specialist to provide timely data and feedback for activity-level improvement. The details of performance indicators with data collected this quarter are available in Annex 1 – Performance Tracking Table in Annex 1.

ANNEXES 1. Annex 1 - Performance Tracking Table 2. Annex 2 – GeoPoll Final Report

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Annex 1 – Indicator Performance Tracking Table for LMD Program (FY 2020)

LMD Performance Indicators Baseline Total or Reporting Targets Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Comments and Types Value Cumulative Period

Intermediate Result 1: Increased sustainability of media houses (Both Outlet and Associations) In Q4, a total of 35 news outlets (4 new counts in this quarter) received LMD support through (i) 30 outlets on COVID-19 messaging dissemination (ii) 5 on media stakeholders meeting on the draft LTA regulation and broadcasting licensing (iii) Indicator 1.1: (technical upgrades/repairs (for 15 radio partners). Number of Non- state news 18 50 29 41 38 35 58 Quarter outlets assisted by USG (*F*: The total number of non-state DR.5.3-1). news outlets are counted as cumulative on an annual basis since many of the news outlets received USG support the year. In addition to the 21 regular LMD partners, LMD also worked with non-state outlets who have previously benefited from LMD-supported activities.

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Community radio stations have had COVID-19 messaging Indicator 1.2: contracts with NGOs, implementing partners, including The number of business 0 10 N/A N/A N/A 16 16 Annual improvements institutionalized LMD, to amplify health at supported outlets. messages in counties, that helped improve their revenue generation this year. In Q4, the following five media sector, CSO’s and institutions received LMD support to strengthen independent media: Indicator 1.3: 1. PUL (regular LMD Partner), The number of USG-assisted 2. Local Voices Liberia Media-Sector CSOs and (enhance coverage of rural Institutions that serve to 5 10 12 9 8 5 12 Quarter issues at the national level), strengthen the independent 3. ALICOR (tech upgrades and media or journalists (*F*- capacity building), DR.5.3-2). 4. FeJAL: conducts of Editors Forums 5. PAL (technical support to newsrooms) Annual survey conducted in Q3. Indicator 1.4: According to the GeoPoll Percent of population with 80% 80% N/A N/A 98% N/A 98% Annual survey, on a weekly basis, 40% access to independent media of the respondents always access sources. media sources, 21% very often and 37% sometimes. Intermediate Results 2: Plurality of Voices represented in Liberia Media

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Under the health reporting Indicator 2.1: fellowship program, LMD The number of women 0 20 20 N/A 7 7 27 Annual continued to train and mentor journalists mentored. seven women journalists through FEJAL. No activity in this quarter. LMD met its annual Targets for the program year, its youth focus Indicator 2.2: partner YMA mentored 20 The number of young citizen 0 20 20 N/A N/A N/A 20 Annual young citizens (7M, 13F) journalists trained. journalists in Montserrado and Nimba counties on TIP. They were selected from 12 high school in and around Monrovia. LMD provided technical support to two (2) CMFs held by PUL: Edward Wilmot Blyden Forum and the Forum on Essence of Independent Journalism. A total of 38 CMFs was conducted in the last year of the Indicator 2.3: program: Under the TIP activity 18 Number of community media 0 12 9 9 18 2 38 Quarter o CMFs held in 12 counties – forums conducted Sinoe, Grand Kru, Maryland, River Gee, Grand Gedeh, Lofa, Grand Bassa, Grand Cape Mount, and Nimba Counties. o Gbowee Foundation COVID-19 Outreach - conducted 10 Community

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Engagement/outreach events and 8 CE/outreach activity by Ganta MRC, o 2 under the PUL-Edward Wilmot Blyden Forum and Forum- on Essence of Independent Journalism. In Q4, this event was not held because LMC was closed; staff were asked to stay home due to Indicator 2.4: Percentage of COVID-19, no subgrant and coverage of women and youth 3% 15% 26% 13% 35% 0 N/A Quarter contracts were awarded during issues in national media. this quarter and this period was set aside for initially planned closeout activities. In Q4, this event was not held because LMC was closed; staff were asked to stay home due to Indicator 2.5: Percentage of COVID-19, no subgrant and local (outside the capital) news 17% 20% 17% 16% 15% 0 N/A Quarter contracts were awarded during coverage in national media. this quarter and this period was set aside for initially planned closeout activities. Intermediate Results 3: Improved Quality of media, including wider adherence to professional standards of journalism Indicator 3.1: The total aggregate of training Number of training days days achieved for Training and Mentoring days capture for Q4 is provided to journalists with 598 700 302 204 274 32 812 Quarter USG assistance, measured by 32. It includes: person-days of training (*F*: o 2 training days for 6 DR-5.2-1). journalists on INSPIRES

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Health Reporting Fellowship (12 person-days); o 2 training days for 6 Health Reporting Fellows refresher training (12 person-days), o Mentoring for Radio Harleyngee BOA (8 person- days). In Q4, this event was not held Indicator 3.2: Percentage of because no subgrant and randomly selected newspaper contracts were awarded during 34% 50% 54% 0 48% 0 0 Quarter articles and radio programs that this quarter. This period was set are accurate and balanced. aside for initially planned closeout activities.

In the quarter PUL successfully handled one complaint by it Indicator 3.3: complaints committee. Talkshow host Saku Shareif from Top FM, The number of complaints 0 5 2 N/A N/A 1 3 Annual successfully handled by the Grand Gedeh County. His action Complaints Committee. was distasteful against the opposition of a political leader ANC. The combined results of Year 5 provide a comprehensive picture of the Indicator 3.4: perception of Liberians Percent of the Liberian public 55% 65% N/A N/A 74% 0 74% Annual towards media and the who rate media as accurate and government. The data balanced. displays that 74% of those surveyed during year 5 indicate that, they agreed the media provides accurate

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news about Liberia. The data shows a 45% upsurge from the 2018 annual report.

Intermediate Results 4: Strengthened normative-legal enabling environment for freer media

Indicator 4.1: PUL and media stakeholders Number of participants at 70 20 N/A N/A 11 10 43 Annual meeting on the LTA draft FM training and advocacy events on regulations in Liberia. legal issues Seven CSOs in Q4 included: CEMESP, PUL, Local Voices, Indicator 4.2: FeJAL, GPFA, ALICOR and Number of civil society LMC engaged in sharing organizations (CSOs) receiving 5 7 7 7 8 7 8 Quarter knowledge on COVID-19 with USG assistance engaged in the Government, media advocacy (*F*: DR-4.2-2) stakeholders and communities. Total accumulative: 8 CSOs No direct legal aid given through the PUL/ALICOR for a journalist in any form of litigation. However, the PUL Indicator 4.3: Media Alert office tracked at Number of journalists receiving 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 Annual least five attacks against direct legal aid journalists and two lawsuits against journalists during the quarter. The lawsuits are pending court request for hearing.

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Indicator 4.4: LMD supported PUL and other Number of positive legislative media stakeholders to discuss 1 2 N/A N/A N/A 1 1 Annual and regulatory actions with LTA on the draft FM influenced by media regulatory document. associations and CSOs Intermediate Results 5: Strengthened information commission to be able to respond rapidly to requests from citizens and media establishments. Indicator 5.1: Percent of Liberian who believe 83% 80% N/A N/A 93% N/A 93% Annual Annual survey conducted in media is an effective platform the previous quarter. for citizen engagement in policymaking. Indicator 5.2: The number of FOI requests made by journalists to 0 15 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A Annual No activity in this quarter Government Agencies that lead to related stories to be produced/published.

Indicator 5.3: Percent of Liberians who believe media is an effective tool for 42.5 50% N/A N/A 50% N/A 50% Annual Annual survey conducted in making GOL budget the previous quarter. information available to the general public.

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Annex 2 – GeoPoll Final Report

Annex 2 GEOPOLL Internews_Liberia Media Development Project_Final Report.pdf

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