About Internews Network

Internews Network, a private non-governmental organization, works to improve access to information for people around the world by fostering independent media and promoting open communications policies in the public interest. Internews’ programs are built on the conviction that providing people with access to vibrant, diverse news and information empowers them to participate effectively in their communities, effect positive social change, improve their living standards, and make their voices heard.

Formed in 1982, Internews Network is headquartered in California. It has worked in 70 countries, and currently has offices in 23 countries in Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and North America. Internews Network is a founding member of Internews International, an umbrella organization, based in Paris, made up of 12 media development NGOs.

Through a grant received from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Internews Network, launched “Aswatona:   Independent Media Program for the West Bank and Gaza” working with the local broadcast media, the project aims to improve citizen awareness and involvement in community-level democracy and governance issues, as well as to increase and improve the coverage of local news, including local manifestations of broad themes such as rule of law, good governance, and corruption.

In an effort to ensure the project’s overall positive impact, the Aswatona team works in close coordination with local independent radio and television stations, as well as NGOs working towards improving local broadcast media throughout the West Bank and Gaza.

Media Business Development

  
Aswatona provides workshops and in-house mentoring on business and strategic planning, sales and marketing, and audience research.  By developing better business and organizational management plans, media outlet owners and managers discover innovative ideas for sustaining their stations and maintaining its independence.

Media Law, Policies, and Associations

Aswatona provides assistance and support to media outlet owners and managers to strengthen professional media.  From seminars on law and its implementation, to strengthening the voice of media associations in setting standards for the industry, Aswatona is helping the independent media to play a positive role in society.

Training

Aswatona is working with journalists to enhance their role in society as both reporters and activators. Workshops are conducted on the rights, responsibilities, and protections of journalists as well as trainings on various topics such as reporting on sensitive issues, legal and legislative issues, municipal issues, and on maintaining objectivity.

Production

Through small production and capacity building grants, Aswatona works with local media and NGOs to increase the quantity and quality of local news and programming that improves citizen awareness and involvement at the community level.

Providing the Local Media Tools for Success

Throughout the West Bank and Gaza, the Aswatona project team conducts skills trainings for station owners, managers, and journalists, hosts on-site consultations, facilitates the networking of stations, convenes issue specific media seminars, and manages a small grants program designed to support capacity building and innovative productions.

Aswatona provides practical skills to managers in running financially sustainable TV and radio stations, and trains journalists on skills needed to report news fairly and accurately.
Aswatona works with local journalists and managers to produce innovative programming and to provide on-the-ground technical assistance. Aswatona, also provides moral and practical support to local journalists as they address the issues vital to their communities.
Reconnecting to the Community

Aswatona encourages local media outlets to reconnect with their local communities by working with journalists to produce reports on local issues and connecting them to civil society organizations to cover events and topics important to the community.  It also provides stations with information on their audience and community interests.

Increasing Access to Information

Through joint seminars with the media and civil society organizations, Aswatona provides the knowledge and tools for journalists to access and utilize public information on the national government, courts, and municipal affairs.