WAN-IFRA launches a new programme in the Middle East to drive newsroom transformation towards reader revenue success
A programme tailored to pioneering Middle Eastern newsrooms, the Newsroom Transformation Programme 2021 will be launched on May 18, 2021. It will provide intensive coaching, training and mentoring over three months to senior editorial and commercial participants. Ten selected news publishers across the Middle East will be able to speed up the transformation of their newsrooms to ensure they are both audience-centric and sustainable.
The participants will be drawn from the 10 news organisations which are selected from applications by WAN-IFRA members in the region. A formal call for applicants will go out next week.
Facebook and WAN-IFRA have partnered to launch the new initiative. Mechthild Schimpf, Director Middle East of WAN-FRA said: “All over the world, newsrooms are having to transform to stay relevant and sustainable – and not only because of COVID-19. We are delighted that through this partnership with Facebook, we can be a catalyst and help news publishers in the region develop the skills and generate ideas to move their newsrooms and products to the next level.”
“Facebook is committed to ensuring traditional news outlets can create thriving digital businesses. Our partnership with WAN-IFRA to bring the Newsroom Transformation Programme 2021 to the Middle East reinforces these efforts that support the news ecosystem in the region,” said Mohamed Omar, Strategic Partner Manager, News Partnerships Middle East, and North Africa at Facebook.