CFI media rebuilding initiatives in Haiti, two years after the quake

CFI media rebuilding initiatives in Haiti, two years after the quake

On 12 January, two years will have passed since the terrible earthquake which hit Haiti, with a death toll of 250,000.

Since then, CFI has been involved in rebuilding the Haitian media scene, initially implementing emergency measures, then drawing up a medium-term reconstruction plan including consulting, training, customised coaching and support by way of a host of initiatives set up to achieve tangible media structuring.

2010: Emergency CFI action to rebuild the Haitian media scene

CFI invested €250,000 euros in Haiti, allocated to training, equipment and the donation of programmes, to support the Haitian media reconstruction process. After an initial assessment phase conducted in March 2010, the media cooperation operator carried out several training and technical assistance assignments for Haitian TV channels: drawing up an inventory of equipment, dispensing technical advice, repairing damaged equipment, meetings with general management and technical staff etc. Journalists from the main Haitian TV channels received training in TV reporting techniques. At this point, equipment to produce TV reports was donated, which is still up and running.

The media cooperation operator then moved on to a consulting and training phase focussing on the election process. Two CFI experts were entrusted with training ten journalists and providing advice for management at the state TV channel TNH with a view to preparing for the elections.

Parallel to this, CFI made a one-off special donation of programmes for TNH and commercial channel Canal 11. Over 150 hours of programmes were supplied, including many documentaries as well as educational and children's programmes.

Living in the aftermath of the quake

CFI then moved on to in-depth training initiatives via a programme focussing on producing TV reports and fostering sharing among media professionals for Haiti to reach out to the rest of the world once more.

Director Christian Fienga supervised eight professionals from Canal 11 and TNH during a 10-day course on directing short reports. During this operation, three reports were produced on rebuilding initiatives. CFI also coached Haitian sports journalists on football commentary during the run-up to the 2010 FIFA World Cup, in partnership with the Haitian Ministry of Youth and Sports.

In early December in Niamey (Niger),TNH Programme Director Noël Saint was invited to CFI's annual seminar for programme directors from French-language state TV channels, paving the way to the Haitian TV channel receiving the daily programme service broadcast by CFI to fuel to its schedule.

Shaping the media future

Last July, CFI invited Director of TNH Pradel Henriquez to a seminar on state audiovisual issues, along with 17 African TV directors, at the "Ecole nationale d'administration" ENA. Personalities from the French audiovisual scene such as Jérôme Clément and Patrice Duhamel came to lead the 3-day seminar.

As from 3 October, CFI sent production director Jean-Hugues Bastard to TNH, to support channel structuring. During this special 3-month technical assignment, the expert supervised the re-introduction of the satellite reception system for programmes offered by CFI, proceeded with a full audit of TNH production capacity (equipment and HR).

"The emergency required swift response, which then evolved into a medium-term plan of action to help Haitian media harness this dramatic situation as a springboard for progress," remarked Etienne Fiatte, Managing Director, CFI.

2 years of CFI action in Haiti

8 experts and 3 CFI managers went to Haiti
1 long assignment was conducted by Jean-Hugues Bastard
50 Haitian trainees received training
8 directors received customised coaching
3 professionals were invited to international meetings
150 hours' of programmes were offered

TV partners : Télévision Nationale d'Haïti (TNH)

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