Source description last updated: 12 March 2020

In brief: The Institute for War & Peace Reporting (IWPR) is an international NGO network which, through reporting and capacity building, aims at promoting journalism to secure human rights, raise awareness and strengthen civil society.

Coverage on ecoi.net:

Programme reports and news articles for countries of priorities A-C.

Daily coverage on ecoi.net.

Mission/Mandate/Objectives:

“IWPR was founded [in 1991 under the name Yugofax] by journalists and many of our staff have been journalists or media professionals who have reported from conflict zones. We specialise in conflict-sensitive journalism, which reports on and explores issues driving the conflict […]. We enhance basic reporting skills and also train journalists in investigative reporting […].”(IWPR: Strategic Plan; 2017-2022, 2017, p. 12)

“The Institute for War & Peace Reporting gives voice to people at the frontlines of conflict and transition to help them drive change.” (IWPR Website, What We Do, undated)

“Whether in repressive or closed societies, transitional environments, or democratically developing states, IWPR encourages the development and exercise of freedom of expression, assembly and belief, and uses journalism as a tool to advance peace and social justice.” (IWPR Website, Promoting Free Expression, undated)

In terms of promoting free expression, IWPR pursues the following goals:

“Short term:

• Citizens are able to trust the objectivity and reliability of content from some media sources;
• Digital communications are more secure.

Medium-term:

• The media sector is professionalized;
• Policies to ensure freedom of expression are debated and enacted with public participation;
• Media output and other communications are not censored.” (IWPR Website, Promoting Free Expression, undated)

In terms of strengthening accountability, IWPR pursues the following goals:

“Short-term:

• Government works with citizen groups and civil society to communicate more freely and report on financial and legal matters in a more open manner.

Medium-term:

• Government actions are transparent;
• Communication between officials and citizens is open and respectful;
• Courts operate fairly and independently.” (IWPR Website, Strengthening Accountability, undated)

In terms of building inclusive societies, IWPR pursues the following goals:

“Short-term:

• Civic groups operate with greater autonomy and can more freely criticise government;
• Policies are adopted to encourage minority participation.

Medium-term:

• Civil society is accepted as a key component of society;
• Rights to free assembly and to petition government are codified.” (IWPR Website, Building Inclusive Societies, undated)

“IWPR has supported peace and reconciliation in conflict zones around the world for 20 years. These efforts, along with campaigns and activities that encourage free and fair elections, counter extremism, and enhance the ability of civil society organizations to be effective, are all critical to building societies that value and build on the strengths of all of their peoples, including their women, youth, minorities, and marginalised communities. Societies are most inclusive and cohesive, and strive for the benefit of all citizens, when economies are strong, people are healthy, and the populace is educated. Hence IWPR’s focus on areas like these.” (IWPR Website, Building Inclusive Societies, undated)

Funding:

The budget of IWPR is made up of grants & project funding (97 per cent) as well as donations (3 per cent) from the United Kingdom, the United States and the Netherlands. In 2016, the total income was over $13.5 million. (IWPR: Annual Report 2016, 2016, p. 44)

Scope of reporting:

Geographic focus: IWPR currently works in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Malawi, Mauritania, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Sudan, South Sudan, Afghanistan, Myanmar, North Korea, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Armenia, Azerbaijan, the Balkans, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Cuba, Iraq, Libya, Syria and Tunisia.

Thematic focus: T ransparency, accountability, hate speech, violent ideologies, peace, recognition, freedom of expression, media excellence, marginalised voices (Institute for War & Peace Reporting: Strategic Plan 2017-2022, 2017, p. 6-7)

Methodology:

“IWPR supports local reporters, citizen journalists and civil society activists in three dozen countries in conflict, crisis and transition around the world. We contribute to peace and good governance by strengthening the ability of media and civil society to speak out. We do this by training, mentoring and providing platforms for professional and citizen reporters; building up the institutional capacity of media and civic groups; and working with independent and official partners to remove barriers to free expression, robust public debate and citizen engagement.” (IWPR Website, What We Do, undated)

“IWPR builds the skills of professional and citizen journalists working in traditional media – newspapers, magazines, radio and TV – and in social and new media vehicles. Journalists are trained and mentored to report fairly and objectively with the goal of achieving internationally recognised standards. Reporters, editors, producers, bloggers, and managers learn the value of producing substantive content that informs while helping to define the roles of citizens, civil society, government, the media, business and others in building fair, pluralistic, democratic systems that value and respect the opinions of all constituencies.” (IWPR Website, Promoting Free Expression, undated)

“Working with international and local partners, IWPR supports the capacity of civil society and human rights groups to advocate for government and institutional accountability and transparency, with programming designed to reduce corruption, strengthen rule of law, and promote basic rights. It promotes and publicises the work of international courts and tribunals that support justice and hold individuals and groups responsible for crimes against humanity. IWPR assists countries and regions in their recovery from conflict and war through support for transitional justice, and helps communities tackle threats by building knowledge, empowering them and supporting citizen activism.” (IWPR Website, Strengthening Accountability, undated)

“IWPR has supported peace and reconciliation in conflict zones around the world for 20 years. These efforts, along with campaigns and activities that encourage free and fair elections, counter extremism, and enhance the ability of civil society organizations to be effective, are all critical to building societies that value and build on the strengths of all of their peoples [...]” (IWPR Website, Building Inclusive Societies, undated)

Language of publications:

English

Further reading / links:

Institute for War & Peace Reporting: Strategic Plan 2017-2022, 2017
https://iwpr.net/sites/default/files/download/publication/iwpr-strategic-plan-2017-2022-web.pdf

Guardian: We are not instruments of US power, 28 May 2005
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2005/may/28/foreignpolicy.usa

In 2002, IWPR launched Pajhwok, Afghanistan's first independent news agency.


All links accessed 12 March 2020.