Empowering Local Media

Internews has been working in Sri Lanka since 2005, providing information services to vulnerable communities and delivering training to both established journalists and young trainees. Internews works closely with local organisations and the Government to harness the power of media and information to help people develop a peaceful and prosperous Sri Lanka.

Internews assists journalists’ work in Kurunegala

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In an effort to empower and support provincial journalists, with a special focus on women, Internews set up a radio production studio within the office of its local partner, the Women’s Resource Centre (WRC), in Ibbagamuwa, Kurunegala. The studio will help improve professionalism, discussion, and outreach by women and young journalists in the area.  Internews also trained WRC and local journalists in human rights reporting for radio. With Internews support, WRC will produce a weekly half-hour radio program under the Local Voices for Human Rights program broadcast on Rajarata Sevaya and on Wayamba Handa 99.6 FM.

The Women’s Resource Centre focuses on providing support to rural women.  WRC is part of the Women’s Network, which includes eight sister organizations in five areas, including two organizations located on the border of conflict areas.  Internews established a working relationship with WRC first through a small grants program in 2006-2007 an.  Through Local Voices, WRC staff and target-group participants received training on producing informative radio programs on women’s rights issues to help deepen their engagement and outreach to rural women.  Internews set up a production studio in the WRC office in Ibbagamuwa, Kurunegala, trained WRC and local journalists in human rights reporting for radio, and hired a professional producer.