The Communication Initiative
Development action with informed and engaged societies
The Communication Initiative
After nearly 28 years, The Communication Initiative (The CI) Global is entering a new chapter. Following a period of transition, the global website has been transferred to the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) in South Africa, where it will be administered by the Social and Behaviour Change Communication Division. Wits' commitment to social change and justice makes it a trusted steward for The CI's legacy and future.
 
Co-founder Victoria Martin is pleased to see this work continue under Wits' leadership. Victoria knows that co-founder Warren Feek (1953–2024) would have felt deep pride in The CI Global's Africa-led direction.
 
We honour the team and partners who sustained The CI for decades. Meanwhile, La Iniciativa de Comunicación (CILA) continues independently at lainiciativadecomunicacion.com and is linked with The CI Global site.
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Democracy and Free Press in Liberia

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Implemented between 2011 and 2012, the Democracy and Free Press in Liberia project was a pilot initiative working to strengthen freedom of information in Liberia as part of a regional programme for the Mano River states (Côte d’Ivoire, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea). Led by the United Nations Education, Science, and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), and funded by Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA), the project is designed to promote sustainable post-conflict stability within the framework of democratic governance, starting with the establishment of a fairer, more accountable, and transparent media environment. A key strategy of the project was to facilitate private sector investment in the media and promote new business models.

Communication Strategies

According to UNESCO, freedom of information is an essential prerequisite for achieving democracy, reconstruction, and peace-building in post-conflict societies. Information makes it possible for citizens to hold their officials accountable and to take informed decisions to ameliorate their conditions. The pilot project launched by UNESCO in Liberia sought to overturn the traditional business model and encourage private sector investment. One strategy was to improve the perception of media quality, and help Liberian businesses see the potential in investing in media.

This included launching regular media business and development workshops for local media in collaboration with UNESCO’s three partner organisations: the Liberia Media Centre (LMC), the Centre for Media Studies and Peace Building (CEMESP), and the International Center for Journalists (ICFJ). UNESCO's media partners on the ground included three radio stations: The Liberia Broadcasting System (LBS), Sky FM, and The Liberia Women Democracy Radio (LWDR), and four newspapers: Daily Observer, Inquirer, Public Agenda, and Heritage. The media outlets selected were identified as having the largest audiences and reach, and/or the greatest potential to become self-sustaining and attract revenue.

Additionally, the Media Business and Sustainability Exchange (MBS) programme, a UNESCO-ICFJ initiative, was launched in November 2011 in cooperation with IREX and SPARK. Each month, 30 executives, media owners, and journalists meet to discuss the possibilities of increased private investment in Liberian media. As a result of the MBS Program, Heritage launched an online advertising site in April 2012. The paper’s advertising revenue rose by 25% from the previous quarter.

Development Issues

Media Development, Freedom of Information

Key Points

In 2005, Liberia ushered in a newly-elected government after 15 years of civil war. The Freedom of Information (FOI) law was passed in 2010. Liberia is the first West African country to have enacted this legislation and among the four out of 56 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa that has FOI legislation.

Partners

The Liberia Media Centre (LMC), the Centre for Media Studies and Peace Building (CEMESP), International Center for Journalists (ICFJ), The Liberia Broadcasting System (LBS), Sky FM, The Liberia Women Democracy Radio (LWDR), Daily Observer, Inquirer, Public Agenda, and Heritage.

Sources

UNESCO website on August 16 2012.