I ndependent information for peace

1. Independent information for peace

2. Summary • Our mission • Howwebegan • 2 radios, 3 school studios, 1 news agency, 30 million listeners • Media that are independent • ... popular and civicminded • ... national and sustainable • A few testimonies • Radio islife ! • Awards and distinctions • Team and budget • Our supporters • Withyou, wecan grow • To learn more...

3. Our mission : defending the right to information Fondation Hirondelle defends the right to information. In situations of war or crisis, lack of information, rumor and propaganda have a devastating effect on civilians.Fondation Hirondelle is an NGO founded by journalists. It creates independent media in conflict and post-conflict zones. By providing impartial information, it promotes reconstruction, peace and the emergence of democratic societies.Each day, 30 million citizens are able to stay in touch with events in their country and, above all, make their voices heard. By giving them a voice, the media of Fondation Hirondelle respect and restore their dignity.

4. How we began During a mission to Rwanda in spring 1994, Swiss journalist Philippe Dahinden was one of the first to measure the scale of the genocide taking place there. “We can't just go home and start doing something else, we need to do something!” Dahinden told his colleagues. When asked what could be done, he replied: “A radio station!” Radio Agatashya, meaning ''hirondelle'' (a bird, symbol of hope) in kinyarwanda, was launched to help the conflict’s victims. The following year, journalists Philippe Dahinden, Jean-Marie Etter andFrançois Gross created Fondation Hirondelle to take over the running of this radio which was initially set up under the aegis of Reporters Without Borders.

5. 6 media operations in crisis areas, 30 million listeners Since 1995, FondationHirondelle has created, supported or taken over media in Kosovo, Timor Leste, Nepal, Central African Republic, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Sudan, Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania, and Tunisia. Among the projects in development, a radio in Ivory Coast and in Myanmar. Current projects • Radio Ndeke Luka in the Central AfricanRepublic (2000) • Radio Okapi in the Democratic Republic of Congo, in partnershipwith the United Nations (2002) • Assisting the Tunisian national radio during the transition to democracy (since 2011) • Studio Tamani in Mali (Aug 2013) • Studio Hirondelle Guinea (2014) • Assisting Studio Mozaik in Côte d’Ivoire (2014) In development: • Reporting on International & transitional Justice (capitalization on the Hirondelle News Agency in Arusha from 1996 to 2012) • Radio production in Myanmar

6. Media that are independent Fondation Hirondelle enables local journalists to work independently, despite an environment which is often difficult. All Fondation Hirondelle media practiceprofessional, fact-based journalism thanks to ethical Charters and codes of conduct. Theyhelp restore dialogue between individuals, groups, and factions that are in conflict. They thus contribute to the restoration of national unity and to peace building. Acting as an icebreaker for other local media, they gradually build a community of professional journalists and a culture of public debate.

7. Popular and civic-minded media Radio is live media that can create bonds between people both near and far. It is an effective means by which to fill information gaps, especially in places with high illiteracy rates. Radio also allows nationwide coverage. Our media are always leaders in the audiovisual context where they operate. They offer broad ranging content that brings people together : news, political debates, features, music, entertainment, public service programs. They target large audiences, giving priority to interactive methods. Their popularity gives them a special status among the general population and political authorities. Thanks to their websites including program streaming, they also have a large audience among the diaspora. They are broadcast in the main national languages and in the official international language. Journalists from different and often conflicting ethnic, political and religious groups work side by side in their newsrooms. Presenters are always local journalists.

8. National and sustainablemedia Fondation Hirondelle uses its know-how, reputation and experience to help national teams build sustainable media that will be gradually handed over to them. We work with these media every day for as long as they are not self sufficient, building local capacity and creating the conditions that will ensure their independence and profitability. Every Fondation Hirondelle project is designed for a hand over to a local management team. Budgets and workplans incorporate training and capacity building for journalists, technicians and management. Particular attention is paid to develop advertising and other income generating activities so asto ensure the media’s sustainability.

9. A few testimonies... « The most important thing I remember about Radio Okapi is the moment it was launched. The country was fragmented, there was no communication between different parts of the country. When the radio was launched, I was in Mbandaka, and my memories of the first programs when all of the Congo again became "united" were simply magnificent. I think it contributes to the development of Congolese unity. Today, the radio has a new dimension because it's practically a public service, and this country really needs a strong public service. Probably more than other places in the world.»Djo Tunda Wa Munga, Congolesefilmmaker « If the Hirondelle News Agency ended its activities, many people and institutions who follow the work of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda would be deprived of a rigorous, reliable and independent information source. Information like this is not only essential for the victims, but also for all of the judicial institutions that build international justice jurisprudence developments that will guide future war crimes commissions. » Dennis Byron, ICTR President

10. Radio is life ! Viola, 12 years old, is freed from prison In March 2010, Chance Baniko, Miraya FM journalist in Sudan, discovered the story of Viola who had been detained for 2 years in Juba. Viola at age 12, was accused of murder and did not have access to an attorney to conduct her defense. The journalist visited the prison where other children, often very young, were also detained. “ I didn't realize that a child could be imprisoned with criminals, even though the government of South Sudan had recently passed a law prohibiting the detention of minors », reported Chance Baniko. When he finished his interview with Viola, the prison guard told him that many children were incarcerated for minor offenses that could in most cases be handled outside of the justice system. “The next day when the report was broadcast on Miraya FM, everyone was talking about Viola in Juba,” said Chance Baniko. Less than a a week later, the government set the young girl free. Since then, Chance has reported about four other imprisoned children, three of whom have been set free. But there are still so many imprisoned children whose situation has not been corrected. “ If nothing is done, they will grow up behind bars. Thanks to the impact of Miraya in South Sudan, I was able to contribute to the release of some of them,” concludes the journalist. In October 2010, Chance Baniko received, with three other Sudanese journalists, the Press Prize given by UNICEF Sudan. “These journalists play a very important role in their community, notably because they give a voice to those who don’t have the opportunity to be heard,” declared Nils Kastberg, UNICEF Sudan representative. Miraya FM, Sudan

11. Awards and distinctions Since its creation in 1995, Fondation Hirondelle has received several international prizes and awards, notably : • The 2003 Henri Dunant Prize for “exceptional accomplishments in the field of information in crisis zones”. • The 2006Condorcet-Aron Prize for“cultivation of independent radios notably in the Democratic Republic of Congo, in Central African Republic, in Liberia, in Sudan, and in the Great Lakes Region”.  • The 2010 Free Media Pioneer Award presented by the International Press Institute to Radio Okapi, honored as “a shining example, not only for media in other conflict or post-conflict areas, but for radio stations around the world.”

12. Team and budget Fondation Hirondelle employs a team of 176 people around the world representing 20 different nationalities : - 26 employees in Lausanne headquarters - 15 expatriates in the field - 135 journalists, presenters, technicians, administrators, drivers and other national staff In 2013, ourannual budget is 10 million Swiss Francs. Fondation Hirondelle’s accounts are audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers SA.

13. Our supporters In 2013 Fondation Hirondelle media are supported by : • governments: Belgium, Germany, Luxemburg, the Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland (strategic partnership), the United Kingdom, the United States, France, Denmark as well as the European Union. • private partners and donors : notably OSIWA (Open Society Initiative for Western Africa), Cordaid, the Karl Popper Foundation, Geneva City, Canton of Geneva and the Foundation Pro Victimis. • individual donors.

14. Withyou, wewillgrow Every day, 30 million citizens benefit from independent information. It is thanks to our donors and partners that Fondation Hirondelle journalists are able to work independently and to give a voice to the citizens of their country. Your support is essential to ensure the sustainability of our radio stations and our news agency, and to develop new projects. Fondation Hirondelle proposes a specially tailored program of support adapted to the needs and goals of each donor, including businesses, foundations and institutional donors.

15. To learn more... To find out more about Fondation Hirondelle's media, to access their websites and listen to their programs live, please go to :www.hirondelle.org For more information :Fondation HIRONDELLE Avenue du Temple 19c 1012 Lausanne – Switzerland Tél : +41 21 654 20 20 info@hirondelle.org We thank you for your support and trust.