Promoting Media Literacy in Palestine (2015–2026)
Implementation time: 2015–2026
Project information
The programme supports the building of Palestinian civil society by strengthening media literacy and education in the field as well as producing educational materials.
The Kvs Foundation has been developing media literacy training in Palestine since 2015. The target groups have been journalists, instructors, journalism students, NGO activists and ordinary people. The fourth media literacy training project has been underway since 2023.
The courses organised in the area teach critical literacy and the production of reliable content. For example, we practice the use of social media, fact-checking, the ethics of journalism and the basics of the self-regulatory system, as well as safety and protection online.
In instructor training, teachers and journalists receive instruction in pedagogy and teaching media literacy.
The aim has been to promote the right of the population of the region to information and to strengthen the prerequisites for civil society and democracy.
This programme is supported by Finland’s development cooperation funds. Any views expressed on this page and in its links do not represent the view of the Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs.
Results 2015–2022
- Media literacy courses have been organised in various parts of the West Bank (Ramallah, Bethlehem, Hebron, Jenin) and as distance education in Gaza
- In 2015–2016, there were 15 training modules which trained 272 media professionals and communications staff for organisations and public administration (with some individuals participating in more than one module)
- In 2019–2020, a total of 80 active citizens were trained
- In 2021–2022, 60 people were trained in media literacy
- More than 50% of those educated in 2021 were women
- 20 Palestinians and 18 Finns have received instructor’s training (ToT; Training of Trainers)
- 20 Finnish media professionals have volunteered as trainers
- The main local partners have been the Media Development Center at Birzeit University, the Institute for Community Partnership (ICP) at Bethlehem University and the Arab American University in Jenin.
Publications and teaching materials
Media Guide: Media Literacy for Adults (editor Karoliina Knuuti, 2020), a media literacy guide for adults, published in English (ISBN 978-951-9140-74-2) and Arabic electronically and in print. The book can be read and downloaded in pdf format at mediaguide.fi.
Trainers’ Guide (editor Anne Tastula, 2020), a beginner’s guide to teaching media literacy. The guide can be downloaded in English and Arabic in pdf format from mediaguide.fi.
Media Literacy Course Curriculum (editor Anne Tastula, 2020), the organiser’s guide of the media literacy course for adults. The guide can be downloaded in English and Arabic in pdf format from mediaguide.fi.
Contact information
Katriina Palo-Närhinen Viestinnän asiantuntija, päätoimittaja | Kommunikationsspecialist, chefredaktör | Communications Specialist, Editor-in-chief +358 40 7550 341 katriina.palo-narhinen@kvs.fiProject information
Project:
Promoting Media Literacy in Palestine (2015–2026)
Coordinator:
The Finnish Lifelong Learning Foundation
Partners:
Media Development Center (MDC) at Birzeit University and the Institute for Community Partnership (ICP) at Bethlehem University
Financing:
Finland’s development cooperation appropriations for civil society organisations in the project totalled €204,791 in 2021–2022 and €476,751 in 2015–2016 and 2019–2020. In addition, self-financing (including funding and volunteer work) totalled about €70,000. Finland’s development cooperation appropriations for non-governmental organisations are €453,457 in 2023–2026. In addition, self-financing (including funding and volunteer work) totalled €80,000.