IMS Core 2021-2023 - RBM-stöd IMS IMS Core 2021-2023 International Media Support (IMS) är en internationell icke-vinstdrivande organisation som har sitt huvudkontor i Danmark och ett antal regionala kontor runtom i världen. IMS övergripande målsättning är att bidra till en levande och inkluderande samhällsdebatt där medier, genom sin rapportering, bidrar till förbättringar i samhället och som stärker de mänskliga rättigheterna, ansvarstagande, samt social, politisk och kulturell förändring. IMS arbetar med att stötta utvecklingen av oberoende journalistik och medier att nå ut med information till relevant publik/grupper så att de i sin tur kan diskutera, dela informationen och agera på innehållet, samt för att media och medborgerliga/ civila grupper och organisationer ska samarbeta för att åstadkomma denna förändring.

IMS har sedan 2001 arbetat med att erbjuda snabbt och flexibelt stöd till medier i konfliktdrabbade områden. IMS har sedan dess utökat sin verksamhet till att stötta medier i länder som präglas av förtryck, politisk instabilitet, auktoritärt styre och instabil demokrati. IMS stödjer lokala medier att utveckla och stärka sin kapacitet för att nå ut med faktagranskad, oberoende, genderbalanserad och relevant information till människor som lever i repressiva miljöer och konfliktområden. IMS verkar för etisk, oberoende och granskande journalistik som är av allmänt intresse med betoning på att informationen ska nå alla delar av samhället, inklusive marginaliserade grupper. IMS arbetar globalt och bedriver idag verksamhet i över 20 länder utspridda på fem kontinenter - MENA, Afrika, Asien, Latinamerika och Europa.  

IMS har inkommit med en ansökan till Sida om kärnstöd för att implementera IMS Strategi 2020-2023 med 30 MSEK för perioden 2021-2023 (10 MSEK per år). Strategin syftar till att nå de mest utsatta befolkningarna i repressiva och konfliktdrabbade länder/ regioner genom att säkerställa att allmänheten kan få tillgång oberoende information, möjligheter till delaktighet och rättvis representation i medier, oavsett kön, identitet eller socio-ekonomiska omständigheter. Vidare har strategin som mål att öka skyddet för journalister och mediaarbetare av alla kön, motverka desinformation och hatpropaganda samt verka för lagar och policyer som skyddar yttrandefriheten och tillgången till information. International Media Support (IMS) is an international non-profit organisation working across multiple continents, with its head quarters in Copenhagen in Denmark and regional offices around the world. IMS’ goal is to contribute to a vibrant and inclusive civic space where the media induces actions that further human rights, accountability and social, political and cultural change. As part of this, IMS’ goal is to have public interest media reach relevant audiences so that they can discuss, share and act on this content, and to have media and civic/civil groups and organisations to collaborate to bring about this change.

IMS was established 2001 with the mission to provide rapid and flexible assistance to media in conflict countries around the world. IMS has thereafter expanded their mission to support media in countries undergoing political transition, in emerging democracies and in countries with repressive and autocratic regimes. IMS supports local media organisations to strengthen their capacity to provide conflict sensitive, gender balanced, professional and reliable information to people. They support journalism that is ethical, independent, critical and of public interest and to make it accessible to all sections of society including marginalised groups. Currently IMS works in over 20 countries in five regions – MENA, Africa, Asia, Latin America and Europe.

IMS has submitted a proposal to Sida for Core funding for implementing the IMS Strategy 2020-2023 with 30 MSEK (10m SEK annually 2021-2023). The strategy aims to reach the most vulnerable populations in repressive and conflict affected countries/regions by ensuring that members of the public can access, participate and be fairly portrayed by the media, regardless of people’s genders, identities and socio-economic circumstances. Protect media workers of all genders from risks and threats that may prevent them from producing and distributing public interest content. Challenge disinformation and hate speech. Advocate for laws and policies that protect free expression and access to information, as well as promote transparent and accountable self-regulation of content. IMS is not only striving to develop good journalism for the sake of merely having good journalism, but are supporting journalism that has the potential and the intent to bring positive change, social, political or cultural change. IMS’ goal is to contribute to a vibrant and inclusive civic space where the media induces actions that further human rights, accountability and social, political and cultural change. As part of this, IMS’ goal is to have public interest media reach relevant audiences so that they can discuss, share and act on this content, and to have media and civic/civil groups and organisations to collaborate to bring about this change.IMS has three strategic priorities to bring about its overall impact goal:
1. Enhance the quality and inclusivity of public interest content and the viability of media producingand distributing this content
Main outcome: By the end of 2023, IMS’ public interest media partners produce and distribute ethical, inclusive coverage of public interest issues that audiences trust and civic organizations make use of.
2. Create conditions that encourage the viable production, distribution and consumption of inclusivepublic interest content (an “enabling environment”)
Safety, protection and impunityMain outcome: By 2023, local safety mechanisms protect media workers of all genders, mitigate the risks they face and address impunity both online and offline.
Policy and lawMain outcome: By 2023, media, media support organizations and other stakeholders:• Resist restrictions to human rights;• Advance laws and policies in line with international human rights standards;• Address disinformation and hate speech.
3. Undertake the organizational development necessary for IMS to implement this strategy.
Main outcomes: By the end of 2023, IMS will have in place:• An effective programme portfolio that builds on strategic development and quality programme management, reflecting IMS’ strategy and building on best practice;• An adept and accountable organization committed to ensuring equal opportunities for all and the eradication of discrimination and harassment;• Diversified and durable funding.
For visualising its Theory of Change, IMS has developed this flow-chart: