MédiAOS is a program aimed at bringing about lasting change in journalistic practices in West Africa and the Sahel. Launched in 2025, it is implemented by a consortium of organizations recognized for their complementary expertise: CFI Médias as the lead partner, Fondation Hirondelle, and Equipop.
Through this collaboration, MédiAOS is positioning itself as a catalyst for professional development in the media sector across three countries: Togo, Benin, and Chad. It is aimed at journalists working in community radio and online media, with a clear goal: to improve the quality of news coverage while incorporating practices that are more inclusive and respectful of gender equality.
A three-pronged approach for lasting impact
The strength of the MédiAOS project lies in its approach, which is structured around three complementary pillars.
Led by the Hirondelle Foundation, the first initiative focuses on community radio stations, which play a vital role in providing access to local news. The goal is to support journalists in producing reliable, accurate, and useful content for citizens. Planned activities include training on the fundamentals of journalism, professional ethics, fact-checking, and the responsible handling of sensitive topics.
The second focus area, implemented by CFI Médias, concerns digital media. In a constantly evolving media landscape, marked by the rise of digital platforms and new ways of consuming information, it aims to strengthen media professionals’ skills in production, distribution, and digital innovation. The goal is to enable them to better address the contemporary challenges of journalism while developing their ability to adapt.
Finally, a key pillar of the project is the integration of gender perspectives into journalistic practices, led by Equipop. This initiative aims to promote a more balanced and inclusive approach to reporting, taking into account issues related to gender inequality. Specifically, it seeks to promote a more accurate representation of women in media content, combat stereotypes, and raise journalists’ awareness of equality issues.
The Media at the Heart of Social Dynamics
By targeting community radio stations and online media, MédiAOS stays closely attuned to local realities. These channels play a key role in providing access to information, particularly in areas where national or international media have a limited presence.
Community radio stations, in particular, serve as key platforms for social dialogue, education, and civic engagement. Strengthening these stations directly contributes to improved information flow and greater participation by women and young people in public debates.
A project dedicated to fostering more inclusive and resilient journalism
Beyond building individual capacity, MédiAOS aims to bring about a profound transformation of professional cultures within newsrooms. This process involves, in particular, greater consideration of gender—both in internal organization—through a more equitable distribution of topics and responsibilities—and in editorial decisions, by influencing the angles, narratives, and themes covered.
By combining high editorial standards, technical innovation, and a feminist approach, the project champions a resolutely contemporary vision of journalism: a form of journalism that is more ethical, more inclusive, and more deeply rooted in social realities and equality issues in a world facing a strong backlash.
