Job Title: Consultant(s) for Media Sector literature review and analysis: Eastern Partnerships Countries
| Location: | Flexible |
| Reports to: | Project Manager and Senior Research Manager |
| Contract: | Freelance |
Salary: Please include a financial proposal including daily rate and expected number of days per country (deliverables including review/edits)Closing date: 17th November 2019 Consultants can apply to cover one or several countries. Interested candidates should send their CV, relevant experience and which country(s) your research would cover (PDF or Microsoft Word format) in English by email to: [email protected]– please include the title of the position applied for in the subject line and send by Sunday 17th November 2019. BBC Media ActionBBC Media Action, the BBC’s international development organisation, uses the power of media and communication to inform, connect and empower people around the world, helping them to shape their own lives. BBC Media Action is independent from the BBC, but shares the BBC’s fundamental values and has partnerships with the BBC World Service and national broadcasters that reach millions of people in developing countries.Project backgroundBBC Media Action is providing training and support to media outlets in Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia. The project’s aim is to improve the quality and reach of media output at selected media partners.BBC Media Action wishes to commission a consultant(s) who would be able to conduct a thorough analysis of the enabling environment of the media in Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia. We are interested in assessing the core barriers that may impede project aims, and enablers that could positively influence proposed interventions.Skills, knowledge and experience requirements:Fluent in spoken and written English as well as one of the relevant languages of the region.Experience in conducting research (desk based research or primary data collection).Experience in high quality report writing.Understanding of media development.Experience in the media sector – especially in the Eastern Partnership region.TimelineThe selection of consultants will take place on the week of 18th November 2019 with a start date of 25th November 2019.Submission of deliverables is expected by the end of December 2019.DeliverablesThe deliverables from the consultant(s) will be:To lead on the creation of media sector analysis country reports for Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia (one report per country), in collaboration with the project team, to inform project design through the rigorous collection and analysis of data from a range of sources. Each report is expected to cover the areas stated below and range between 10 and 20 pages each including any annexes.Research methodologyThe research methodology should be based on a desk review of relevant existing literature, supplemented (where existing information is scarce) by interviews with media stakeholders including media analysts, media practitioners, political analysts, academics, journalists, editors, and representatives of donors/civil society organisations as necessary.During this assignment, the consultant will be expected to:Create and monitor a timetable for the activities listed above, and report any risks to the Senior Research Manager (SRM) and project team.Regular updates to BBC Media Action on progress.Identify any issues relating to research quality in a timely manner, and report the risks to the SRM and Project teamAreas to cover – Media Sector Analysis1. Political economy of the media (appox. 10 pages)1.1 Political context affecting the Media SectorExistence of conflict & tensions between different groups (internal and external).Freedom of expression: Intimidation, attacks on journalists (including different experiences between female and male journalists), and closing down of media houses.Co-option of media: buying up/ownership of media houses by governments, oligarchs with political agendas, factional and other interests.Role of international actors’ (e.g. Russia, EU, UK foreign aid) and their influence on the media sector.Upcoming elections if relevant and potential role of the media.1.2 Economic challenges facing the mediaWhat is the overall economic environment and media market structure?What sources of funding are available for media outlets, what are the predominant funding models, and whether it differs for different platforms?What is the advertising market available to media?What are the economic factors inhibiting financial sustainability for media outlets?What are the opportunities available for media organisations to maximise revenue?1.3 Regulation and legislation affecting the Media SectorAny existence of a legal, policy and regulatory framework which protects and promotes freedom of expression and information and fair gender portrayal (and details of such frameworks)Any existence of legislation curtailing foreign re-broadcasts, existence of legislation enforcing local production quotas, restrictions on social media platforms (prevalence of VPNs)Any barriers to a functioning legal and regulatory environment such as culture of secrecy,, corruption, institutional resistance, or a lack of technical and institutional capacity in the public administration.Any existence of local media associations and CSOs defending media freedom, gender equality in the media and influencing policy on mediaUnderstanding and prevalence amongst media sector of media self-regulation such as establishing codes of conduct, press councils and standard-setting bodiesIs editorial independence guaranteed in law and in practice, and what barriers exist? For example, defamation laws, hate speech, national security and other restrictionsWhat is the level of censorship and self- censorship (on mass media and the internet)?2. Institutions and journalistic professionalism (appox. 3 pages) What is the degree of both journalistic and managerial professionalism and capacity in the media sector?Financial sustainability and revenue generation: Approximate assessment of potential advertising, sponsorship, membership or other income potentially available to organisations.Do media organisations have the resources and structures that are supportive of economic sustainability (for example, a sales and marketing team, understanding metrics etc.)Existence of licensing, regulation and legislation that promotes pluralistic media.Level of access to both men and women for professional training and development, both vocational and academic. Does training equip media professional to understand the role of journalism and media as well as development – including first aid training, safeguarding, investigative reporting, gender sensitive etc?Do all media workers have the right to join independent trade unions and exercise their rights. Is there trust in the trade unions’ independence and competence?What is the quality and extent of infrastructural development?Do media organisations reflect social diversity throughout their content and employment?3. Audiences: Access and Inclusion (approx. 3 pages)Public access (including amongst marginalised groups) to media; in particular level of access and use of internet including mobile internet consumptions, social media use, and uptake of podcasts.Purchasing power of the audiences and any evidence that audiences are prepared to support subscription services/membership models?Media reflects and represents the diversity of views and interests in society, including those of marginalised groups.Existence of a high level of information and media literacy amongst different groups.Are audiences of different platforms highly segmented (by language, ethnicity, Rural/urban divide, sex and diaspora)?Are women represented in content avoiding stereotypes?Is there any data /research on level of audience perception and trust in the media and demand for ‘good journalism’? Disaggregate this by sex, age, location, socio-economic if possible. Search the siteCan’t find what you need? Search here
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