The global objective of this assignment was to carry out a mapping of the current trends in Neighbourhood South in the media sector, of the existing donor support to media development, a gap analysis and needs assessment, as well as to provide support and formulate recommendations to the Contracting Authority to design a possible project to support independent media, including in difficult (read restrictive) environments.
The specific objectives were

• To provide a thorough mapping of the current trends in the media sector in each country as well as in the regions (Neighbourhood South), notably: Main trends and challenges (e.g. digital transition, shrinking space/restrictive environment, practices of censorship and self-censorship, financial sustainability, working conditions for male and female journalists and/or journalists from vulnerable groups, etc.); Brief overview of existing donor support to media development and lessons learnt from past EU funded actions (e.g. training of journalists, quality content development, ad-hoc emergency funding, etc.); Brief overview of major journalists and media in exile relevant for the region; New examples of “how to do journalism considering that the political situation is deteriorating.
• To identify gaps in the donor assistance, draw lessons learnt of the EU support and to provide a needs assessment of independent media professionals and outlets - in each country and at regional level with a view of the future programming of EU assistance. Particularly, analysis of what are the areas that would have the greatest impact in terms of sustainability of independent media in the Neighbourhood.
• To provide recommendations to DG NEAR.B2 on how to design effective future assistance at regional level to support independent media and how to address the needs assessed (identified under SO 2), including in difficult (read restrictive) environments. The recommendations should highlight what are the areas most likely to have the greatest cost-effective impact on the sustainability of independent media.