checkdesk: sorting, developing & disseminating citizen ...€¦ · developing &...

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Checkdesk: Sorting, Developing & Disseminating Citizen Reporting in the MENA Region

Dr. Dima Saber Senior Researcher in Media for Social Change

Birmingham Centre for Media & Cultural Research

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The problem:

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The Checkdesk solution:

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• 8 partners in 5 Arab c o u n t r i e s ( E g y p t , Lebanon, Syria, Palestine & Jordan)

• 1 2 0 0 + c i t i z e n journalists trained in med ia l i t e racy & f a c t -checking tools • 7 C h e c k d e s k platforms successfully launched

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m&e &

me♡

m&e everywhere

to monitorto evaluate

to improve

big brother?

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Checkdesk Indicatorsof local partners involved in the project

of discussion comments

of users of the Checkdesk platform

of media verification bundles with interpretative discussion

of participants in the trainings

of women involved in the project

of high skilled citizen journalists involved in the advisory group

of mainstream media outlets engaged in the project

#

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Goal

SMART Objectives

Outputs Activities Indicators  Source of Verification

Assumptions & risks

Objective 1: !!Objectives contribute towards goal

The results lead to achievement of objectives

Tasks needed to achieve the expected results/outputs. 1) 2)

How will we measure the results? In terms of quantity, quality & time

How will this info be collected? When? By whom?

What assumptions must hold true for the activities to take place & outputs to be achieved?

Objective 2: Eg products, services, skills

What external risks are there? (external factors)

The Logframe

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Soup Analogy

Goal To improve health of people with Type 2 diabetes.

Objectives To help 100 people learn how to make healthy soup

Inputs Ingredients of the soup; recipe examples

Processes Cooking the soup; training activities helping people learn to cook

Outputs Soup.

Outcomes People know how to cook healthier soup

Impact People are healthier

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CheckdeskDescription

Goal Developing Media Literacy Skills for Citizen Journalists in the Arab region

Objectives

• Improved quality of citizen journalism among a diverse base of young people • Improved ability to fact check reports, interpret media messages & debate • Improved capacity of beneficiaries to become citizen journalism watchdogs • Improved methods for developing media literacy skills

InputsTrainings, one-to-one sessions, e-learning, regional partner meetings, technical support & follow-up etc.

Processes• Media trainings undertaken by partners each in their own country • Meedan platform development & iterations • Online training curriculum (ACM)

Outputs Checkdesk successfully launched & activated by alternative & mainstream journalists around the Arab region

Outcomes More citizen journalists in the Arab region with good media literacy & fact checking skills

ImpactMore young people take part in the public debate and act as media & government watchdogs to increase accountability

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!

1• Improved awareness of issues relating to citizen journalism 2 •  I n c r e a s e d d e m o c r a t i c participation & accountability 3• Improved critical thinking in news media consumption

BUT!

?

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Measure learning?!

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Quantify media

literacy skills?!

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How can we get this information?

• Case studies

• Recorded observation

• Structured questionnaires

• One-on-one interviews

• Focus groups

• Sample surveys

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Evaluation Report

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

CONTENTS PAGE

SECTION 1: INTRODUCTION

SECTION 2: FINDINGS

SECTION 3: CONCLUSIONS

SECTION 4: RECOMMENDATIONS

APPENDICES

Annually! Partners submit training reports assessing numbers of beneficiaries & other metrics   

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monitoring & evaluation is not your enemy.

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build & improve

big brother

m & e

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Unequal access Unequal skills Censorship

(more) Challenges:

The digital divide is not a digital problem. Rather, it is the digital

manifestation of offline political, s o c i a l & e c o n o m i c inequality.

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T h e t e c h infrastructure

The political context

T h e p e o p l e (sustainability?)

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An “Open-Source-Measuring-Impact-Toolkit”?

(Please say yes!) :-)