FY2018 Q2 Quarterly Report: Strengthening Free and Independent Media in South Sudan (i-STREAM)

The project's goal is to strengthen a free and independent media in South Sudan, with an emphasis on the independent radio sector. The project supports local partner radio stations and focuses on 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 views media development as a holistic process that encompasses several key interlinking factors, including the production and distribution of quality content, the financial sustainability of media outlets, a fair and predictable legal environment, and the existence of strong support institutions. The i-STREAM project seeks to strengthen professional media capacities, industry association building, and solidarity across South Sudan's developing media sector. During the second quarter of 2018, the project continued to disseminate crucial information through ten radio stations and trained and mentored journalists. Eye Media hosted Eye Radio Open Day, welcoming key partners and stakeholders from South Sudan to their offices in Juba. The event focused on sharing the important work of Eye Radio, introducing key stakeholders to the Eye Radio team, and their studios in Juba. The event saw over 100 people at Eye Media's offices, with several dignitaries speaking about the effectiveness and importance of Eye Radio's messaging. The Radio Community continued to effectively manage their sub-grant from Internews. Managing editors gathered in Juba for training on sub-grant procedures and redesigned the broadcast schedule, which is now streamlined across the four community radio stations. The network engineer, a South Sudanese expert trained through the i-STREAM project, innovated and designed a new studio refit for all TRC stations, which was installed at two locations during this period. The new studios feature improved technology, including an enhanced call-in system, allowing the stations to take up to six callers at one time. TRC also supported the distribution of over 10,000 solar-powered radios during this period. Internews' Humanitarian Information Service (HIS) had several milestones during this period. The team in Juba and across South Sudan continued to coordinate with the cluster system, ensuring that IDPs and refugees across the country have access to the information they need. The Boda Boda Talk Talk team successfully assisted camp management agency, ACTED, to return to the PoC after residents drove them out due to perceived mismanagement. The project was recognized for their role in community relations. At Nile FM in Malakal, the team coordinated with humanitarian partners to support a multi-agency approach to preventing suicide in the Malakal PoC, called Campaign for Hope. The i-STREAM small grants program continued to grow, with four new partners selected during this period, expanding Internews' reach to new areas of the country, including Rumbek, Jonglei, and Mundri. Current partners also continued to implement their programs. At the Media Development Institute (MDI), 25 students continued with their professional journalism certificate program, while the management of MDI and AMDISS continued to seek formal accreditation from the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology. Voice of Freedom in Magwi advocated for the successful reopening of their primary school, as many IDPs have started returning home with the onset of stability in the area. The i-STREAM project is a five-year project, funded from October 1, 2013, to January 31, 2019, with a no-cost extension approved during this period. This quarterly report covers January to March 2018, and many of the highlights mentioned are included as success stories, attached to this report.