EVALUATION OF ECA’S PROFESSIONAL JOURNALISM AND MEDIA EXCHANGE PROGRAMS: INTERNATIONAL VISITOR LEADERSHIP PROGRAM EDWARD R. MURROW PROGRAM FOR JOURNALISTS CITIZEN EXCHANGE PROGRAM March 2012 Prepared for: Prepared by: U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs Office of Policy and Evaluation Evaluation Division Department of State 2200 C Street, NW Washington, D.C. 20037 1401 New York Avenue, NW Washington, D.C. 20005 TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction to the Evaluation .................................................................................................... 1 International Visitor Leadership Projects in the Fields of Journalism and Media ............... 2 Executive Summary ................................................................................................................... 3 I. Introduction: Program and Evaluation Overview .................................................................. 8 A. Program Description ................................................................................................. 8 B. Evaluation Methodology ........................................................................................... 9 C. Respondent Profile .................................................................................................. 11 D. Results ..................................................................................................................... 12 II. Participant Objectives for Attending the IVLP ................................................................... 13 Chart 1. Primary Objectives for Attending the IVLP ........................................... 13 III. New Knowledge and Skills ................................................................................................ 14 A. Learning about the U.S. Government, Society and Media..................................... 14 Chart 2. Extent to Which Participants Increased Knowledge/Understanding: U.S. Government & Society .................................................................... 14 Chart 3. Extent to Which Participants Increased Knowledge/Understanding: Media Relations ...................................................................................... 15 B. Learning about Specific Subject Matter ................................................................. 15 Table 1. Themes of Programs Attended by IVLP Respondents ............................ 16 Chart 4. Extent to Which Participants Increased Knowledge/Understanding: Subject Matter ........................................................................................ 16 C. Learning about Journalism Knowledge and Skills ................................................. 17 Chart 5. Extent to Which Participants Increased Knowledge/Understanding: Journalism Knowledge and Skills .......................................................... 17 D. Learning about Alternative Media and New Technologies .................................... 18 Chart 6. Extent to Which Participants Increased Knowledge/Understanding: New Technologies and Alternative Media .............................................. 18 IV. Application of Learning and Skills .................................................................................... 19 A. Application of U.S. Knowledge ............................................................................. 19 Chart 7. Extent to Which Participants Applied Knowledge Gained on Program: U.S. Society and Media Relations .................................... 19 B. Application of Subject Matter Knowledge .............................................................. 20 Chart 8. Extent to Which Participants Applied Knowledge Gained on Program: Subject Matter ................................................................... 20 C. Application of Journalism Knowledge and Skills .................................................. 20 Chart 9. Extent to Which Participants Applied Knowledge Gained on Program: Journalism Knowledge/Skills ........................................... 20 D. Application of New Technology Knowledge and Skills ........................................ 22 Chart 10. Extent to Which Participants Applied Knowledge Gained on Program: Technology ........................................................................ 22 V. Professional Development and Career Advancement ......................................................... 23 Table 2. Career Changes as Result of IVLP Participation ................................... 23 VI. Knowledge-Sharing ........................................................................................................... 26 A. Post-Program Sharing of Knowledge and Experience ........................................... 26 Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs • Office of Policy and Evaluation • Evaluation Division Evaluation of ECA’s Professional Journalism and Media Exchange Programs Final Report • InterMedia • March 2012 • Page i Chart 11. Methods of Sharing Experience ............................................................ 26 B. Post-Program Receptivity ....................................................................................... 28 Table 3. Colleagues’ Perceptions of Participants After IVLP Experience ........... 28 VII. Organizational Changes .................................................................................................... 29 Chart 12. Initiatives Undertaken at Work as Result of IVLP ............................... 29 VIII. Increased Linkages and Professional Networking .......................................................... 32 A. Collaboration and Contact Maintained with Other IVLP Participants .................. 32 Table 4. Frequency of Contact with Other IVLP Participants ............................. 32 B. Collaboration and Contact Maintained with U.S. Journalists and Media Professionals ......................................................................................................... 33 IX. The Role of Journalists and Media in Society ................................................................... 34 A. The Journalist’s Role and Advocating for Press Freedom ..................................... 34 Table 5. Most Important Role/Function as a Journalist ....................................... 34 Chart 13. How Respondents Used Knowledge/Information Gained on IVLP ...... 35 B. Challenges Faced by Journalists and Media Professionals .................................... 37 Chart 14. Challenges Faced in Trying to Apply Learning from IVLP ................. 37 X. Program Value and Effectiveness in Meeting Participant Objectives ............................... 39 A. Usefulness of IVLP Components ............................................................................ 39 Chart 15. Participants’ Assessments of Usefulness of IVLP Components ........... 39 B. Extent to Which IVLP Met Participant Objectives ................................................ 41 Chart 16. Extent to Which IVLP Met Participants’ Expectations ........................ 41 Chart 17. Extent to Which IVLP Met Participants’ Primary Objectives .............. 42 Conclusion ............................................................................................................................... 43 Edward R. Murrow Program for Journalists .......................................................................... 44 Executive Summary ................................................................................................................. 45 I. Introduction: Program and Evaluation Overview ................................................................ 50 A. Program Description ............................................................................................... 50 B. Evaluation Methodology ......................................................................................... 51 C. Respondent Profile .................................................................................................. 53 D. Results ..................................................................................................................... 54 II. Participant Objectives for Attending the Murrow Program ................................................ 55 Chart 1. Primary Objectives for Attending the Murrow Program ....................... 55 III. New Knowledge and Skills ................................................................................................ 56 A. Learning about the U.S. Government, Society and Media..................................... 56 Chart 2. Extent to Which Participants Increased Knowledge/Understanding: U.S. Government & Society .................................................................... 56 Chart 3. Extent to Which Participants Increased Knowledge/Understanding: Media Relations ...................................................................................... 57 B. Learning about Specific Subject Matter ................................................................. 57 Table 1. Themes of Programs Attended by Respondents ...................................... 58 Chart 4. Extent to Which Participants Increased Knowledge/Understanding: Subject Matter ........................................................................................ 58 C. Learning about Journalistic Standards and Practices ............................................. 58 Chart 5. Extent to Which Participants Increased Knowledge/Understanding: Journalistic Standards & Practices .......................................................