PRESS RELEASE
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U.S. Government Launches Investigative Journalism Training Program
February 17, 2022 – The U.S. Government, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), announces a new program that will develop and deliver investigative journalism training at least 50 journalists throughout Mozambique, support media outlets and journalist teams to produce investigative pieces on environmental and economic issues related to natural resource management, and establish a professional network of dedicated investigative journalists throughout the country. The program will place specific emphasis on supporting journalists and media outlets in Cabo Delgado, Nampula, and Zambezia, the provinces most directly affected by natural resource development projects.
“By strengthening investigative journalism in Mozambique, this program improves the ability of Mozambican citizens to actively and meaningfully engage their government and shape the future of their country.” said USAID Mission Director Helen Pataki.
USAID selected local organization Midia Lab to implement the project, formally titled Reforco da Actividade de Jornalismo Investigativo em Recursos Naturais e outros assuntos de Governação Económica (USAID REAJIR), a three-year, $1.4 million program. Midia Lab will partner with four other local media outlets – Carta de Moçambique, CJI, Mediacoop, and the SOICO media group. The first cohort of 33 journalists began investigative journalism training in January 2022. The program includes a rigorous selection process followed by a nine-month training curriculum implemented in three progressive phases: foundational, intermediate, and advanced.
The United States Government support for media strengthening focuses on increasing the professional capacity of Mozambican journalists and strengthening community radio station capabilities to provide greater access to high quality information. Promoting a strong and free media is a critical component of U.S. Government assistance, as it contributes to a transparent governance environment and healthy democracies globally.
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) leads the U.S. Government’s international development and disaster assistance through partnerships and investments that save lives, reduce poverty, strengthen democratic governance, and help people emerge from humanitarian crises. For more information about USAID’s work, visit www.usaid.gov.
For more information about this press release, please contact the U.S. Embassy Maputo Press Office at MaputoPress@state.gov.
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