NGO Info-center continues the implementation of the project “Gender-Sensitive Journalism for Local Media Pluralism (GSLMP)”, which aims to strengthen the capacities of local and regional media to report on issues of public interest through the lens of gender equality and gender-sensitive journalism.
During June 2026, the first phase of the mentoring programme was carried out, consisting of five mentoring sessions with five teams, each composed of a journalist and a civil society activist from different parts of the country. The focus of this phase was the identification and initial development of topics of public interest that will be addressed through a gender-sensitive perspective. Each team mapped issues and challenges relevant to their local communities, laying the groundwork for the production of future media content.
Throughout the mentoring sessions, participants received support in selecting and refining topics, defining journalistic approaches, identifying relevant sources and interviewees, and applying ethical standards and principles of gender-sensitive reporting. Particular attention was paid to ensuring a gender perspective in the planned content and to its relevance for local communities.
As part of the project activities, additional meetings were held in Kumanovo, Kriva Palanka and Stip to prepare informational and educational sessions intended for local media newsrooms. The meetings focused on identifying practical ways to transfer the knowledge and skills acquired during the training programme on gender equality and gender-sensitive reporting. Participants discussed possible formats for the sessions, thematic priorities, and practical approaches for engaging journalists and other media professionals in discussions on gender-sensitive journalism, inclusive reporting practices, ethical standards, source diversity, and the representation of women and marginalized groups in media content.
In the next phase of the mentoring programme, the teams will continue developing their selected topics, gathering information, and preparing media content, with ongoing mentoring support throughout the process.
By combining training, mentoring support, and knowledge-sharing within newsrooms, the project contributes to more inclusive, balanced, and responsible journalism, while strengthening local media pluralism and increasing the visibility of diverse social perspectives and experiences in the media space.
This article, developed as part of the project Gender-Sensitive Journalism for Local Media Pluralism (GEM), implemented by NGO Info-centre is supported through the MEdIA–Lit project, implemented by the Centre for Civic Education (CCE/CGO), in partnership with Helsinki Committee for Human Rights in Serbia (HCHRS), Helsinki Committee for Human Rights in North Macedonia (MHC), Tirana Centre for Journalistic Excellence in Albania (TCJE), Atlantic Initiative in Bosnia and Herzegovina (AI). The project is financed by the European Union and co-financed by the Ministry of Regional and Investment Development and Cooperation with Non-Governmental Organizations of the Government of Montenegro.
