From mapping information ecologies to evaluating media interventions: An experts survey on evaluating the impact of media interventions in conflict countries. Working Draft.

Abstract

This report outlines the results of a survey of opinions about the role and practice of monitoring and evaluation of media interventions and media assistance in conflict countries.

Survey participants were asked to reflect upon the strengths and weakness of the projects in their purview with a specific focus on how these projects were and should be evaluated. Donors and implementers were asked about the aims and objectives of their programmes in conflict scenarios and the kind of evaluation data they consider to be most needed to assess whether the outcomes matched their needs and expectations. Academics and methodologists were asked additional questions on the specific methods that are used and could be used to better test the outputs, outcomes and impacts of an intervention.

Part 1 of the report addresses the reasons behind expanded calls for results-based programming, and the main obstacles that have prevented implementers from providing clearer results about what can and cannot be achieved through the use of the media. Part II illustrates how research can be embedded in the different stages of a project, informing its design and implementation. Part III concludes by providing a catalogue of different methods that can be used to assess the change produced by a media intervention at the levels of individuals, groups and larger polities.

Citation

Paper prepared for the workshop "Evaluating media’s impact in conflict countries", Caux Conference Center, Switzerland, December 13-17, 2010, 37 pp.

From mapping information ecologies to evaluating media interventions: An experts survey on evaluating the impact of media interventions in conflict countries. Working Draft.

Published 1 January 2010