The Collaborative Media Engagement for Development, Inclusion and Accountability (CMEDIA) project of the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ) was launched on Wednesday 13 July 2022 during the 14th Wole Soyinka Centre Media Lecture Series. The multi-level project funded by MacArthur Foundation was designed to build a viable and independent media to lead conversations on cases of accountability, governance through investigative stories around subnational issues at the state and local governments.
Motunrayo Alaka, Executive Director/CEO, WSCIJ, explained that under the project, voices of minority groups, women, youth, persons with disabilities and people who do not get enough media coverage will get amplified. She stated that WSCIJ is supporting 26 media and media support organisations on the project to investigate issues at sub-national levels.
“I feel our front pages are filled with elected officers. We need to hear and see more from the people whom the media serve. We are supporting individual and collaborative projects so that when issues in the hinterland are reported, a journalist in the city with other platforms and digitally enhanced platforms can go ahead and republish the story.”, she said, stressing the need for media collaboration and its sustainability which acts as a catalyst for good governance and democracy.
“We are in an era where debates are not quite welcome. We want to help our partners to remain safe. Proximity to the government under scrutiny is why subnational media does not grow, as government can easily send their security officials to pick journalists up when they are in the same st.ate”, she added
Africa Centre for Development Journalism, African Centre for Transparency, ADC Communications Boost Communication Nigeria Limited, Frontfoot Media Initiative, Fridab Solacebase, Gender Strategy Advancement International, Yerwa Express News, Foreword Communications Limited, Contest Communications Limited, Penlight Centre for New Media Innovations, African Women in Media and Africa Foundation for Young Media Professionals are some of WSCIJ’s partners on the project.
Others are Safer Media Initiative, WikkiTimes Media and Publishing Limited, Xchange Hama Media Services Limited, Media Rights Agenda, Image Merchant Promotions Limited, Afritel Multimedia Limited, Foundation for Investigative Journalism and Social Justice, Neptune Network Nigeria Limited, Interactive Initiative for Social Impact, Stallion Times Media Services, International Centre for Development Reporting, Kanem Press and Keeping it Real with Adeola (KIRWA).
