Taboom Media has received support from the Arcus Foundation to bolster our ongoing efforts to improve media coverage of religion and LGBTQI+ rights across Sub-Saharan Africa. Building on previous work, we will implement two new complementary initiatives in 2018-19 and begin developing a third.

1) We will implement at least two country-specific journalism trainings in Zimbabwe, Kenya, and/or South Africa, specifically targeting editors, publishers, and other influential newsroom gatekeepers. Workshops with local partners will include training and mentoring up to 40 newsroom representatives. After each training, we will mentor trainees and assist them in expanding the impact of lessons learned throughout their newsrooms and networks.

2) We will conduct at least two media engagement trainings for inclusive and affirming stakeholders in Zimbabwe, Kenya, South Africa, and/or at a regional gathering. These trainings will equip up to 40 key influencers (including SSOGIE/human rights activists, faith leaders, lawyers, and policymakers) with the skills they need to effectively spread affirming rights- and faith-based narratives via traditional and social media channels. Content will include audience identification, messaging themes and framing, storytelling techniques, traditional media outreach, story pitching, interview preparation, and social media strategy

3) We will begin collaborative development of a SSOGIE Media Monitoring and Response Coalition (MMRC), which will mobilize media practitioners and affirming stakeholders to rapidly and collaboratively combat dangerous and otherwise problematic media portrayals of SSOGIE issues in a unified and systematic manner. This MMRC’s initial scope will be Sub-Saharan Africa, with the potential to scale the model up to other regions, pending adequate resources.

About Taboom Media

Taboom’s media training, mentoring, publishing, monitoring and response programs catalyze ethical journalism and public discourse around taboo topics. By shining light on taboos in the news, we aim to break their power. Our global work challenges stigmas, replacing stereotypes and discrimination with fairness and accuracy. We facilitate responsible media coverage to safeguard and champion vulnerable communities and to advance human rights.

About the Arcus Foundation

Arcus believes that respect for diversity among peoples and in nature is essential to a positive future for our planet and all its inhabitants. The Arcus Foundation partners with experts and advocates for change to ensure that LGBTQ people and our fellow apes thrive in a world where social and environmental justice are a reality.

Taboom Media works with fiscal sponsorship as the IRS processes its application to become a 501(c)(3) organization.

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