Media Empowerment Program: "Storytelling in Journalism: from Hard Data to Harder Narratives"

Kirkuk and Sulaimaniyah Governorates.

In pursuit of empowering journalists to effectively share their narratives with the global audience, MHF, in collaboration with Ronak Press (a Spain-based non-profit organization focusing on human rights and conflict issues), initiated a media training course titled "Storytelling in Journalism: from Hard Data to Harder Narratives." The course featured esteemed lecturers:

Karlos Zurutuza: A freelance journalist specializing in conflict coverage along parallel 33, from Western Sahara to Eastern Baluchistan. With nearly two decades of experience, he has contributed stories to renowned international publications and broadcasters such as The Guardian, Al Jazeera English, Haaretz, Vicenews, The Middle East Eye, Deutsche Welle, and Politics. Karlos is also an author of three books.

Andoni Lubaki: A photojournalist delving into stories in the Maghreb and Middle East regions. Over the last decade, he has covered major events for AP, AFP, Newsweek, and other leading media outlets. Among his accolades are a Chris Hondros Memorial Award and a Picture of the Year. In 2016, Andoni was selected among Spain's best photojournalists, showcasing his work in prestigious venues.

Cihad Darwesh: A highly successful cameraman renowned for his frontline work in Syria.
This comprehensive course, launched on April 2, 2022, witnessed the participation of 71 beneficiaries, comprising journalists and college students from Sulaymaniyah and Kirkuk Governance. Focused on enhancing individual skills for coherent and impactful interaction with the external world through media, the course covered three main topics: Print/Online Journalism, Photography/Editing, and Video/Editing.

Upon completion, participants received credible certifications. The project's outcomes aim to equip young journalists in the region to produce compelling stories and captivating photos, potentially sold to international news agencies. Simultaneously, bolstering the capacity of local journalists will contribute to the generation of high-quality, locally-produced stories.