"This report has presented a range of findings and insights generated from a consultation with 14 independent exile media organisations in Iran, Myanmar, Sudan, Ethiopia, Belarus, Zimbabwe, Tibet, Uzbekistan, Syria and Zambia. They can be summarised in three key points:
(1) First, this report highlights the need for the funders and training providers focusing on strengthening organisational journalistic capacity to address both the explicitly expressed individual technical and other training needs, as well as organisational challenges of these exile media. These organisational challenges have significant implications for the ability of these organisations to fulfil their mission, but may not always be linked by these exile media to the training needs and may thus remain unaddressed.
(2) Second, the report highlights that there may be an opportunity for funders and training providers to play a greater role in helping exile media organisations understand the composition and information needs of their audiences. The consultation revealed that the majority of participating independent exile media organisations have a limited understanding of their audiences as well as a limited ability to tailor content for different audience segments.
(3) Third, the reports suggests that funders and training providers may need to do more to understand and help bridge a perceived “disconnect” between donors and those reliant on donor funding. The consultation revealed mixed feelings among participating organisations about the level of perceived donor knowledge of their challenges and training needs. Further exploring and bridging this perceived “disconnect” will help maximise the impact and effectiveness of the training activities across the sector." (Final reflections, page 27)