Female protester in Benghazi. Photo: Michael Irving Jensen/IMS

Independent newspapers and radio stations emerge quickly in Libya after rebels take control of north eastern region. IMS visits the city of Benghazi to assess the situation of local media

-Libya's media environment is changing by the minute. Young people with a lot of energy want get involved. They are ready to set up media and give young people a voice in the revolution.

These were the observations of an IMS team assessing the independent media situation amidst unrest in Libya. According to contacts in Libya, IMS is the first and only organisation to conduct an on-the-ground assessment of the current media situation in the country.

New outlets of expression

It has been two months since 17 February 2011 marked the beginning of a peaceful grassroots uprising in Libya that quickly turned violent as ruler Muammar Gaddafi began indiscriminately attacking civilians in reprisal.  The outcome of the conflict remains uncertain. But  the first sign of a new Libyan structure is emerging as a mushrooming of media outlets takes place in the north-east of the country. These new newspapers, magazines and a radio station have been launched by youth groups to rival pre-existing state media organisations.

As in other countries in the Arab world, these groups of young people have seen the media as a positive way to get involved with the revolutionary movement. They have found numerous outlets for expression from traditional media to caricatures, graffitti or highly politicised hip-hop.

All initiatives are based on voluntary contributions. The funding of many of the new print media comes from peoples' own pockets  or grants from foundations - none of which is viable. Media licenses are being handed out a break-neck pace. Today, some 27 newspapers and magazines have a license in the Benghazi area. However many of the new print media will be but temporary experiments with no long-term funding solutions to sustain them.

-This outburst is led by young people with energy, optimism and a strong will to be heard, but many are unschooled in journalism. Right now, the new media are focused on keeping up the spirit of the 'freedom fighters' as they prefer to be called. The youth involved need training in journalism skills, content and how to build sustainable media. Additionally, they need new equipment and technology training. Though these groups are starting from scratch under difficult circumstances my impression is that they are very eager to learn.

Watch a snapshot from Benghazi here:

Surprising changes

Compared to some of its neighbours, Libya has substantial wealth and with an 83% literacy rate and compulsory education for children, the area has great potential for developing strong media.   Libyans presently have a choice between several weekly newspapers, and a few available on the street that are published three times a week with approximately eight to twelve pages of content and are printed in 2-3000 copies.

The Independent newspaper 'Libya' has quickly made a name for itself. It was the first of the new papers, and hit the street a week after the uprising started. The paper is headquartered in the Media Center in downtown Benghazi. The Media Center is also offering services for the foreign press. They have a caricatures department as well as a music studio where most of the political Libyan rap is being produced.  Currently, it is the number one best seller among the new papers in the northeast. 

'Libya' and independent radio stations like 'Shabab Libya' are examples of media outlets that produce fresh material previously unattainable in the country due to Gaddafi's restrictions. No foreign entertainment was allowed before. But this May, for the first time in 42 years, 'Shabab Libya' played an English song on their airwaves.

A media assessment mission

Citizens in northeastern Libya have been starved media-wise for 42 years, and they expressed a desire to explore this road of free expression. The youth especially have already begun the process of exploration.  This IMS fact-finding mission was aimed at assessing the needs of the emerging media sector, and to help foster reliable and independent journalism. As with many of IMS' other programmes in the Middle East, another goal is to increase the potential for media development and strengthen dialogue between independent media. These goals have acquired additional importance now that a space may be opening in (North-Eastern) Libya for pluralistic discourse and a diverse media environment. Additionally, programme coordinators are looking at expertise developed from other conflict zones and examining how this can be applied in the Libyan context.

At least in northeastern Libya, everyone is ready to move forward, no matter the time span. There's no going back now, was one of the conclusions of the IMS team which included Michael Irving Jensen, Head of MENA Programmes for IMS, Martin Landi and Suzanne Moll, IMS specialists.