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Global Perspective

The results of the
training were evident
in the final media
pieces produced by the
Mourasiloun, which
were commended by
media coaches for
their professional-level
quality.
As local and global
journalism evolves
in tandem with
broader structural
transformations of
Geographic Representation of Local Democracy Reporters the media ecosystem,
driven in large
industrial pollution part by the rise of
in Gabes; and digital media, the
the evaluation of The training was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to learn Mourasiloun program’s
municipal work and more about the [LGBTQIA+] community. Their struggles are mission is to ensure
the implementation not highlighted in our society, which is rooted in prejudices that Tunisians have
of electoral promises and inherited beliefs. I grew as a journalist as a result of this access to, and are
in the municipality training, and saw these issues as being inherently linked to all represented by,
of Zanoush (Gafsa individuals deprived of their human rights. democracy and
Governorate). - Fadia, Journalist governance issues
Under this project, that impact their
a guide for the communities. Training
Mourasiloun that complements the training and on the use of digital media provided new ways for
serves as a resource when conducting fieldwork journalists to access, find and share media content
were also developed. The printed guide, designed to that challenges the inherited business models and
fit easily in a bag or briefcase, includes 10 detailed journalistic routines of conventional news media.
chapters on journalism and local governance This makes the Mourasiloun civic educators, able
topics as well as practical information on local to hold accountable those with power in their
reporting. Moreover, the necessary tools to communities. In addition, the Mourasiloun program
improve the quality of “on-the-go reporting” and provides local Tunisian journalists with the tools
mobile journalism, which included a microphone, a and information to continue to report on local
smartphone stabilizer, and LED light were provided. democracy issues long after the end of the project.

Samer Elchahabi
Deputy Country Director, Tunisia

Credit: IFES
Link to original article: https://www.ifes.org/news/covering-local-democracy-tunisia-mourasiloun-program

October 2022 | VoICE International | 47