Social media and digital and mobile communications have transformed public discourse. For all the social and economic benefit this can bring, the new channels have disoriented audiences, who have to develop new strategies for distinguishing fact from fiction. ‘Fake news’ can often mean the difference between peace and violence.
Media
Media
Social media and the digital and mobile communications technologies which support its use have disrupted and transformed public discourse everywhere. A wider and more diverse range of voices and views can air. News – including business news – and opinion can be shared phenomenally quickly.
For all the social and economic benefit this can bring, the new social channels have also been disorienting for citizen and consumer audiences, who have had to develop new skills and strategies for distinguishing fact from fiction. ‘Fake news’ can mean the difference between peace and violence, it is vital that trustworthy information is shared through widely accessible media channels.
Working with and through media organisations – with journalists, media owners and political and community leaders – is key to building a sustainable peace in countries experiencing conflict.
Integrity’s strengths in research, analysis, monitoring and evaluation can support donor-funded media initiatives of all types. We offer local and national level needs’ assessments, including audience research and media and social media mapping and monitoring.
We work with media organisations to help them design audience-focused, sustainable projects which can be easily monitored on an ongoing basis, including through web analytics. Working with local partners, we offer capacity development programmes for journalists, emphasising an ethical reporting approach which helps build trust with communities and helps keep individual journalists safe from harm.