Liberian Institute of Journalism

Liberian Institute of Journalism (LIJ) is "a nonprofit, nonpartisan journalism training organization based in Monrovia, Liberia."

"LIJ's computer literacy program was initially funded by the World Press Freedom Committee, Freedom Forum and the International Center for Journalists. Equipment for the studio was provided by funds from the Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA), the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), Freedom Forum and WPFC." 

"The Liberian Institute of Journalism is an independent group that has done a series of various workshops in recent years, including computer training funded by the Freedom Forum. In the past, it has received money from the National Endowment for Democracy (NED). It is run by a very solid Libero-American, Vinicius Hodges." 

NED Funding
In 2002, they received US$22,000 "To organize ten one-week training workshops for media practitioners from northeastern and southeastern Liberia, emphasizing human rights and political reporting. The Institute will train twenty-five individuals each month, develop a training curriculum, and conduct a two-day training-of-trainers workshop prior to the practitioner workshops."

In 2004, they received US33,000 "To improve the professional competence of Liberian journalists and protect freedom of the press. The Institute will invite journalists to participate in monthly training workshops in rural areas and symposia to promote dialogue between journalists, policymakers, human rights activists and community leaders. The Institute will produce its Internet bulletin, the West Africa Newsletter and the Liberia Media Journal."

In 2005, they received US$33,000 "To improve the professional competence of Liberian journalists, promote and protect freedom of the press and free speech, and uphold the basic tenets of democracy. LIJ will conduct monthly training workshops to improve the competencies of journalists at recently established community radio stations. LIJ will also continue production of its Internet bulletin, the West Africa Newsletter and expand production of its Liberia Media journal." 

In 2003, "The LIJ was looted and vandalized of everything it owned, Hodges wrote. The equipment to train Liberian journalists was originally provided by such Western groups as the Freedom Forum and the National Endowment for Democracy."

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