Final Report: i-STREAM (Strengthening Free and Independent Media in South Sudan)

The project focuses on supporting local partner radio stations and improving the professional preparation of journalists, the economic self-sustainability of media houses, the enabling environment for a free media, and the support institutions for a freer media. The project has a budget of $75 million and is implemented by Internews. Internews has made significant progress in strengthening the organizational capacity of Eye Media and The Radio Community. The organization provided support on business development and internal systems strengthening to these partners. Additionally, Internews continued to provide subgrants to the Abyei Information and Radio Service (AIRS) and the Association of Media Development in South Sudan (AMDISS). Through the subgrant to AMDISS, Internews provided training to 40 aspiring journalists, including nine women, at the Media Development Institute (MDI). Internews also operates radio stations in Malakal (Nile FM) and Bentiu (Kondial FM), which serve communities living inside and outside the Protection of Civilian Sites (PoCs). These stations continued core programming on peaceful coexistence and health topics and brought groups from both inside and outside the PoC together for discussions on peace and reconciliation. Internews partnered with three other radio stations this quarter: Voice of Reconciliation in Bor, Sama FM in Juba, and Pochalla FM in Pochalla. These partners focused on gender-based violence (GBV) content production and received mentoring and training from the Internews Senior Media Adviser. Across all Internews-managed and partner radio stations, including Eye Radio and The Radio Community, Internews produced and broadcast 3,527 items of original content covering key themes such as peace, governance, and health. Internews also contributed to strengthening the work of organizations across the country by producing 78 original Public Service Announcements (PSAs) on critical issues facing listeners. The organization partnered with Resilience Organization, a women-led national NGO, to conduct two events for the 16 Days of Activism Campaign Against Gender-Based Violence in Juba and Torit. The events aimed to raise awareness about the harmful effects of GBV and promote the importance of gender equality. The training of journalists remains a key priority for the i-STREAM project. Internews trained 212 journalists in the reporting period, with a focus on improving their skills in areas such as investigative reporting, conflict sensitivity, and media ethics. The organization also provided subgrants to support the development of media houses and the creation of a freer media environment in South Sudan. Overall, the i-STREAM project has made significant progress in achieving its objectives and contributing to the development of a free and independent media in South Sudan. Internews-managed radio stations continued to operate in Malakal and Bentiu, serving communities living inside and outside the PoCs. The stations maintained core programming on peaceful coexistence and health topics and facilitated discussions on peace and reconciliation between groups from both inside and outside the PoC. Internews also partnered with other radio stations to produce and broadcast content on GBV and other critical issues facing listeners. The i-STREAM project has a strong focus on promoting gender equality and addressing GBV in South Sudan. Internews partnered with Resilience Organization to conduct events for the 16 Days of Activism Campaign Against Gender-Based Violence in Juba and Torit. The events aimed to raise awareness about the harmful effects of GBV and promote the importance of gender equality. Internews also trained 212 journalists in the reporting period, with a focus on improving their skills in areas such as investigative reporting, conflict sensitivity, and media ethics. Overall, the i-STREAM project has made significant progress in achieving its objectives and contributing to the development of a free and independent media in South Sudan. The project has strengthened the organizational capacity of local partner radio stations, improved the professional preparation of journalists, and promoted a freer media environment in the country.