Results achieved as of the project (February 2014) include: the twenty planned internships took place in two countries. The interns assisted local partners with organizing a total of 150 workshops focused on human rights and good governance, engaging 2,148 students and journalists, of whom 48% were women. As a result, 226 media articles were produced, focusing on human rights issues in Ghana and Tanzania, of which 30% focused on gender related issues, surpassing the initial target of 25%. Interns placed with local media outlets also provided daily on-the-job mentorship and worked alongside local reporters covering human rights stories, building their own skills as well as the skills of their local counterparts. Interns placed at University Campuses helped to launch three new Human Rights Reporting university chapters, developed three campus media outlets, and assisted professors with incorporating human rights and good governance teaching modules into existing curriculum. The interns acquired new skills and abilities that increased their employability, such as: improving the capacity of journalists and journalism students to report on good governance and human rights issues. All IYIP participants have improved knowledge and new skills, as well as a better understanding of how to apply these skills in the Canadian labour market. In total, upon completion of their internships, 15 out of 20 interns (75%) have obtained full-time employment in media, media development or the international development sector. The other 25% are either pursuing post graduate studies or working as freelance reporters. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Additional results text (English only) that was removed from Expected Results section: Through the Journalists for Human Rights (JHR) International Youth Internship Program (IYIP) in Ghana and Tanzania, 20 young Canadian journalists travelled to Ghana and Tanzania to work in media outlets and post-secondary educational institutions to a) build their own skills that will contribute to their career development and b) improve the capacity of journalists and journalism students to report on good governance and human rights issues. During the year-long program, the Interns hosted a total of 150 workshops focused on human rights and good governance reporting, engaging 2,148 students and journalists, of which 48% were female. As a result, there were 226 media articles produced, focusing on human rights issues in Ghana and Tanzania, of which 30% focused on gender related issues, surpassing the initial target of 25%. Interns placed at local media outlets also provided daily on-the-job mentorship and worked alongside local reporters covering human rights stories, building their own skills as well as the skills of their local counterparts. Interns placed at University Campuses helped to launch three new Human Rights Reporting University Chapters, develop three campus media outlets, and assisted professors with incorporating human rights and good governance teaching modules into existing curriculum. All IYIP participants reported improved knowledge and new skills, as well as a better understanding of how to apply these skills in the Canadian labour market. In total, 15 out of 20 interns (75%) have obtained full-time employment in media, media development or the international development sector, upon completion of their internships. The other 25% are either pursuing post graduate studies or working as freelance reporters. Some highlights JHR’s program include: Ensuring access to HIV/AIDS treatments: When pharmacists in Ghana announced that they were going on strike, the first measure they intended to implement was stopping distribution of drugs to emergency services, patients with mental illnesses and those suffering from HIV/AIDS. When hearing about this, IYIP intern Abby Wiseman worked with reporter Juanita Sallah at Citi FM and were granted access to the HIV unit at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital. After getting comments from the head of the pharmacists’ association and doctors at the hospital, the story hit the airwaves of Citi FM. Shortly thereafter, as a result of the media attention, the pharmacists association announced that they would guarantee that HIV/AIDS patients would receive their medication and continue to receive the treatment to which they are entitled. Launching official police Investigation into child rape in Tanzania: When Clouds FM reporters, Aziz Kindamba and Salum Mwinimkuu, started working on a story about the street children in Dar Es Salaam, they didn’t expect to uncover sexual abuse. Working with IYIP intern Teri Fikowski, Aziz and Salum interviewed street children, their mothers, and community support workers about the challenges of homelessness. Through their investigation, they uncovered the involvement of police officers in the rape and sexual abuse of children. Aziz, Salum and Teri decided this was an extremely important story to be told. At a police news conference, Aziz and Salum were worried about asking about the rape allegations, but with Teri’s encouragement and support, the pair asked tough questions. The police admitted they were aware of the child abuse. Aziz and Salum created a two-part radio and TV broadcast about the lives of street children and their fear of sexual violence from the police. After the stories aired, the police promised to launch an internal investigation – a rare occurrence. Aziz and Salum continue to follow the story, keeping the issue in the news and tracking the investigation. Launching data journalism projects, leading to community change: IYIP interns Carolyn Thompson and Iain Marlow helped launch a new data journalism team at The Globe Newspaper and Citi FM Online in Accra, Ghana. Through their mentorship and guidance, local reporters were able to collect, analyze and publish the results of national polls. This was the first time in Ghana that a local media outlet had set up its own SMS polling software and was able to independently collect accurate statistics to help strengthen their reporting. Polls were conducted on issues related to women’s rights, healthcare, and corruption. One poll, focused on water and electricity tariffs in Ghana, resulted in a massive change for Ghanaian communities. At the end of 2013, the Ghanaian government announced dramatic tariff increases: water rates would rise by 52 percent, and the price of electricity would go up by 79 percent. The announcement sparked strikes, protests, and dozens of complaints to radio call-in shows. Carolyn Thompson worked with Citi FM Online to send out a voice poll to 1,000 people across the country. The poll results and resulting newspaper and radio coverage kicked the national conversation into high-gear. As a result, the government relented and announced that electricity rates would only rise by 55 percent – a significant drop from the proposed 79 percent hike.
