Why a course Conflict Sensitive Media Production?

The media plays an important role in shaping public discourse and thus media practitioners, professional journalists and communicators in the civil society have the power to positively influence that discourse. In Nepal, due to the multiethnic, multilingual, multi-religious and multicultural environment, a strong sense for context and conflict sensitivity is required to address societal challenges. Conflict sensitive media offer an inclusive and safe space for dialogue and exchange, make different perspectives heard and provide reliable and in-depth analysis and information.

In this seven-weeks course provided by the thematic team Dialogue and Conflict Sensitive Media of GIZ/CPS (Civil Peace Service) Nepal the concept of conflict sensitive media production will be introduced from different perspectives and presented by selected Nepali and international experts.

The aim of this training is to increase the number and the quality conflict-sensitive reporting in Nepal. Through the hybrid training journalists, teachers, content creators and selected civil society actors in Nepal increase their awareness of their responsibilities, apply and share their knowledge and function as role models and multipliers for conflict sensitive media production.

Objective

This course employs a holistic approach to conflict sensitivity in media production with the aim to create a strong and sustainable community of practice and to involve alumni in future capacity building initiatives. One key component deals with identifying and addressing challenges of conflict sensitive media content that particularly undermine the diverse and inclusive societal structures. Further, the aim is to provide a better understanding of the conflict to encounter in Nepal, and to enrich the knowledge base of trainers/trainees with intersectional approaches.

Based on the results of the baseline study on conflict sensitive media in Nepal, this training targets to inculcate participants the diverse issues to be more conflict sensitive mainly by playing a crucial role to provide an inclusive and safe space for dialogue and exchange and diminish spread of mis-and disinformation. This training is conceptualized with the aim of creating a strong and sustainable community of practice and with the idea to involve alumni in future capacity buildings. The results and recommendations from the study were used as a fundament for developing the course content in order to provide a capacity building that is needs oriented.

Target group / Selection criteria of call for applications:

We invited journalists, content-creators, influencers, freelancers, educators, activists and civil society communicators from Nepal to apply. Pre-conditions for application are good English skills (undergraduate degree in any discipline is an advantage), a minimum of 2 years’ experience in related areas, great interest in learning and sharing knowledge within a community of practice.

Selection of approx. 25 participants with 50% of women, focus on diversity and inclusion (diverse applicants will receive preferential treatment). The call (annex 1) was distributed from mid December 2022 onwards in the networks of CPS/GIZ, the zfd consortium, GIZ Nepal Social Media and Media Action Nepal Social Media and networks.

Methodology

The learning methodology is based on a participatory adult learning approach, fostering aspects of self-reflection and identification of opportunities for change. Speakers and experts from different fields and contexts share their experience and case studies, learning material will be provided on the online platform and theory and practice will be linked through assignments, group discussions and group works. The main tool in use will be BigBlueButton, a browser-based video conferencing tool and the eLearning platform Atingi.

  • 7 learning modules that are provided in a hybrid learning approach
  • 2 workshops in Kathmandu/hybrid (no accommodation provided)
  • 2 full day workshop in Kathmandu /closing event (full board provided)
  • 5 weekly live webinars (mainly Tuesdays 11am-2pm) on BigBlueButton
  • Learning material will be provided on the eLearning platform Atingi (https://online.atingi.org/)
  • Tutoring provided

 

The CSMpro I course was successfully implemented in March/April 2023. On this platform some of the participants share their media products.