About Us

NAWA Media is an independent platform designed to enhance the skills of early-career journalists in using open-source data related to climate changes and armed conflicts, in addition to combating misinformation. Established in 2017 as part of the activities of the “Check Global” Program of Meedan in collaboration with researchers at the Birmingham Centre for Media and Cultural Research, NAWA Media launched a newsroom in 2017 to collaborate with a team of early-career journalists at the Lebanese University.
Over seven years, our newsroom has been a space for early-career journalists to engage more rapidly, effectively, and professionally in innovative journalistic projects aimed at serving their communities and developing their skills step by step. Based on the lessons and experiences we’ve gathered, NAWA Media was relaunched in 2023 with a new vision and independent operation to include the “NAWA Media Lab” with the aim of causing qualitative changes in the digital media landscape in North Africa and West Asia.
Since its inception, hundreds of journalists from Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, Yemen, Palestine, and Sudan have been part of our newsroom, receiving varied trainings including on investigative journalism, using open-source investigative practices for news verification and debunking misinformation, and employing media monitoring methodologies. Our journalists have also received micro-grants to work on their investigations, in addition to internship opportunities in partner newsrooms where they were able to publish their work.

We aim to become the primary resource for these emerging journalists, eager to enrich their technical skills in information verification and in utilizing open-source data to enhance transparency and credibility in the media.
We are devoted to enhancing access to evidence-based reporting and accountability journalism within North Africa and West Asia (NAWA). We tackle misinformation and boost awareness on media, human rights, social, economic, and climate justice through a journalistic model that blends accuracy with experiential knowledge in data and technology. Additionally, we offer hands-on training to early-career journalists, providing practical experience to kickstart their careers in the independent media sphere.

NAWA Media aims to nurture a new generation of technically trained journalists endowed with exceptional capabilities in utilizing open-source data and verified information. Our goal is to elevate the level of transparency and credibility in media by focusing on empowering the new generation of journalists, whose innovation, creative drive, and leadership can drive change within the media landscape thanks to their digital expertise and willingness to experiment with new technologies.
We are committed to providing the necessary resources and training for this generation, supplying them with the tools needed to make a positive impact on society through the stories they tell and the facts they present. We invite early-career individuals to join us as partners in our mission to redefine journalism and strengthen its role in the modern era.
Our mission is to foster access to evidence-based reporting and accountability journalism in North Africa and Western Asia (NAWA) by combating misinformation and enhancing knowledge on media, human rights, social, economic, and climate justice. To achieve this, we employ a journalistic model that integrates accuracy and experience in data and technology across our projects. Additionally, we offer hands-on training for early-career journalists, providing practical experience to facilitate the beginning of their careers in the independent media landscape.
Areas of Focus
Innovative Journalism: Embracing new generations of journalists for their ability to innovate and experiment with new technologies.
Open-Source Data and Verification in Investigative Projects: Equipping journalists with exceptional skills in using open-source data and verifying information to raise media credibility and transparency.
Learning Resources: Providing Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) that cover innovative journalism forms and reporting techniques.
Diverse Media Projects: Using a journalistic model that merges data accuracy with technology experience across our projects.
Practical Journalism Training: Offering hands-on training for early-career journalists to facilitate the beginning of their career paths in the media industry.
NAWA Media is committed to upholding transparency and accountability to our supporters and the general public. Through our work, we are dedicated to providing the necessary resources and training for this generation to make a positive impact in society with their stories and truths.

We strive to humanize environmental stories and human rights issues in areas affected by crises in North Africa and Western Asia (NAWA). By focusing on producing investigative content and localized knowledge, we aim to promote climate justice and fight misinformation.
These ethical principles guide all aspects of our work. Adhering to these values ensures integrity, transparency, and effectiveness in everything we do:
Independent and Public Interest Journalism: We protect our independence from the influence of governments, for-profit entities, and political organizations.
Respect for Human Rights: We ensure that the rights of individuals and our sources are not violated in any of the projects we work on.
Cultural Sensitivity and Inclusivity: We handle different cultures with sensitivity and open-mindedness and we are committed to inclusivity.
Human Rights-Based Approach and Gender Responsiveness: We are committed to a rights-based approach with a focus on an eco-feminist framework.

Transparency and Accountability: Commitment to transparency towards supporters and the general public.
Anti-Corruption and Promotion of Equality: Rejection of all forms of corruption and ensuring equality.
Addressing Challenges such as Harassment and Exploitation, and Performance Evaluation: Strict policies to address these challenges and commitment to evaluating and improving our initiatives.
NAWA Media works towards a future where ethical and responsible journalism and respect for human rights are fundamental elements in shaping the dialogue around the issues we care about. We are committed to our ethical principles and call on all our members to adhere to them to ensure the highest standards of conduct and integrity in everything we do.