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Promoting the goal of a professional, free and unbiased press has been a principle part of the Trust’s Transparency and Governance Initiative for the last five years. The Trust has executed successful journalism capacity building initiatives throughout Latin America including regional courses on basic investigative journalism in Bolivia, Costa Rica and Colombia and national training programs in Mexico, Argentina, Panama, Nicaragua, Honduras and El Salvador. In addition, in 2005, we launched a new initiative, with content support from the Office of the OAS Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression, to build NGO legislative advocacy capacity in the areas of freedom of expression and access to information for the press and civil society.
Honduras, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Panama
Promoting Freedom of Expression and Access to Information in Central America
This three track program focuses on the following interrelated goals: 1) developing effective advocacy for legislative change on issues related to freedom of expression and access to information; 2) promoting a professional and knowledgeable press corps through investigative journalist training; and 3) promoting public awareness of the importance of freedom of expression and access to information in a democracy. The project is being executed in four target countries in Central America: El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama, and expands upon prior OAS programs for journalists executed in all four countries in 2003 and 2004.
Mexico
Journalist Capacity Building
The first phase of this program created a network of journalists dedicated to providing accurate and responsible coverage on diverse issues including government, finance and corruption. The network also conducted a study on journalist education in Mexico, surveying universities, NGO and journalists to identify those training needs most in demand training as well as to define whether ethical standards for the media exist in México. In April 2005 we were asked to re-engage the Network to develop a set of recommendation for improving ethical standards in Mexican journalism.
Argentina
Building Capacity in Anti-Corruption Reporting
This project created a network of journalists and NGOs network to help ensure the provision of accurate and responsible coverage on fiscal and legislative matters, as well those related to political reform issues. Workshops, seminars and roundtable forums were held to increase the level of working knowledge among journalists and NGOs, and to strengthen the cooperative ties between them. A website was created where journalist can receive on line training and exchange ideas on issues relevant to their profession.
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