Since January 2025, Fondation Hirondelle has been engaged alongside the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) and Reporters Without Borders (RSF) in a regional project funded by the European Union. The project aims to strengthen the media environment and civil society in Guinea-Bissau. Ranked 110th out of 180 in RSF’s 2024 World Press Freedom Index, the country has experienced a deterioration in its political, economic, social, and security indicators in recent years. This chronic crisis puts increasing pressure on the work of the media and civil society organizations, at a time when the presidential election is scheduled to take place by the end of the year.
context
Guinea-Bissau faces numerous challenges related to human development and governance. The country has a relatively dense yet fragmented media landscape, with around thirty rural radio stations, several private broadcasters, highly popular Portuguese and Brazilian TV channels, as well as active bloggers and online actors. However, access to reliable and balanced information remains unequal. This takes place in a context of rapid digital transformation, the growing circulation of false information, and mounting pressures that hinder the work of journalists.
Project Objectives
The project aims to strengthen democracy in Guinea-Bissau by promoting a safer, more accountable, and more inclusive information ecosystem. It is built around four specific objectives:
- Strengthen self-regulation and ethical standards in the media
- Improve the safety of journalists
- Build the capacity of journalists in fact-checking and combating hate speech
- Raise awareness among youth and women about the risks of disinformation
Activities
As part of this 18-month project, starting in July 2025, Fondation Hirondelle will organize a series of targeted training sessions for media professionals. These sessions will focus on fact-checking, human rights and gender-related issues, and combating hate speech. The Foundation will also implement an editorial coaching program in several newsrooms in Bissau and the regions, and provide production equipment. To find out more about our our media literacy programms, visit our dedicated page.
In collaboration with consortium members, Fondation Hirondelle will also propose a shared platform for tools and knowledge exchange.