After years of relentless struggle and behind-the-scenes battles for the protection of human rights, peace, freedom and democracy, committed journalism is regaining a foothold in our society.
In addition, the advent of the Internet and the lightning proliferation of the use of social networks have democratized access to information and fostered the birth of new types of media that stand in stark contrast to traditional media.
Against this backdrop, RLF was delighted to interview Amal El Mekki, designer and founder of the « Innsane » platform, a leading Tunisian figure in committed and humanitarian journalism, as well as an author and trainer.
Trying to revive the debate between journalism and activism, in a fascinating dialogue, Amal EL MEKKI tells us the story of this editorial project, introduces us to « Innsane », its beginnings, its credo and its active commitment to creating a link with the public but also involving it in the subjects that affect our daily lives in a spirit of openness, transparency and authenticity.
Interview
Could you introduce the « Innsane » platform to our readers?
« Innsane » is an independent online platform dedicated to narrative journalism that was launched in May 2020, in the midst of the COVID -19 pandemic.
Personal and spontaneous, this initiative inspired, motivated and involved a number of friends, fellow journalists and designers who joined the platform with a deep sense of responsibility and commitment.
We drew on our own resources and pulled out all the stops to launch our interactive platform.
We published unique and exclusive stories that touched people and were thought-provoking; a reflection on today’s society through innovative journalistic content and formats on the Tunisian media market.
In fact, our work took a very interesting turn when « Innsane » became a member of the mentoring and guidance center for media initiatives run by the International Center for Journalists (ICFJ).
We also benefited from a 6-month mentoring program which enabled us to considerably deepen and develop the idea of the platform to finally become a media establishment governed by the « Innsane Stories » company, with a viable and solid business plan, vision and strategic objectives.
In light of this evolution, we secured two years’ funding.
This funding enabled us to expand our team, acquire premises for meetings, office supplies, equipment, professional photography and recording equipment…
These new human, financial and technical resources have opened the door wide to further diversifying our sources of income and therefore our sources of activity, by providing services to third parties such as filming, reporting, setting up communication campaigns, organizing a range of training courses etc…
« Mouhajer* » is the first interactive digital guide covering all issues related to immigration and asylum in the MENA region.
Could you tell us more about this pioneering initiative?
« Mouhajer » is the first interactive digital guide of its kind on immigration and asylum issues in North Africa and the Middle East, and we produced it in partnership with the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom, Tunisia and Libya office.
Clearly, « Mouhajer » is the pride of « Innsane stories ».
Through this guide, we have proved that we have the determination and skills to bring large-scale projects to fruition, providing highly competitive and professional services.
Who does it target?
« Mouhajer » is aimed at journalists, content creators and the Internet audience at large.
As such, it offers a series of lessons on Youtube, through a series of educational videos on Instagram and Tik Tok but also original stories shot and published on Facebook.
The guide aims to enable journalists in the field to acquire the knowledge and skills required to cover migration, asylum and refugee issues from a human rights perspective on the one hand, and highlights the importance of media discourse related to this topic and its impact on the public discourse of society at large on the other .
And so, the innovation consists in offering a practical, useful and accessible audiovisual interactive guide to the public, unlike traditional guides available only in paper or electronic form.
This enables the new generation of web users to interact with the content of the pages and share it with each other.
To this end, we have adopted the simplest, most intuitive means of filming and editing this guide: a simple cell phone.
Finally, « Mouhajer » is aimed at the public as well as journalists.
As part of the « Chbik Nsitini » series, we discovered the investigative podcast you’ve created interactive episodes on sensitive issues such as violence against women, social justice and freedom of expression…
Where did you start?
Chbik Nsitini » is one of the productions of « Human Stories » as part of the « In (n) sane20 » project in partnership with the European Foundation for Democracy (EED).
We were driven by the desire to expose the flagrant violations of human rights during the Covid-19 health crisis, which mainly affected the most disadvantaged and vulnerable groups.
At this stage, we were thinking of producing narrative videos and podcasts designed to record and describe the violations suffered by victims, often underestimated or ignored by the Tunisian authorities.
« Chbik Nsitini », whose name is inspired by the title of a song by our committed artist Yasser Jradi , represents the first investigative podcast in Tunisia.
With this in mind, we were certain that this new experience would also be positive and relevant to the Tunisian public, who are often open and receptive to any new ideas that may arise.
And this is where our story began!
What distinguishes this podcast from investigative print or broadcast journalism?
The investigative podcast requires a team of seasoned investigative journalists, simply put, this work requires meticulous fact-finding that expresses itself in detailed information and relies on reliable and effective sources.
At the same time, it implies a genuine commitment to working with journalists who have an attractive, eye-catching writing style, the ability to gather podcast interviews (which differ from conventional interviews in terms of audio editing and recording) and, above all, to find the information and present it with clarity and style.
« Chbik Nsitini » highlighted the insecurity and vulnerability affecting the lives of many people in Tunisia.
How has this series succeeded in re-launching the debate for wider engagement on the violations and abuses perpetrated?
Through the « Chbik Nsitini » podcast series, we have tackled sensitive issues; human rights abuses and violations that have often gone unnoticed by the Tunisian media.
By adopting a human rights-based approach, we have reopened the debate on taboo, controversial subjects that were superficially studied, examined or even avoided.
One example is the episode « Bodies outside the account », about violations of the right to sexual and reproductive health during the COVID-19 pandemic.
These distressed women came to share their stories and painful experiences of violations of their sexual and reproductive rights, and the obstacles that impede their access to sexual and reproductive health services and appropriate care, clearly demonstrating discrimination based on their family and health situation…
On the positive side, after the publication of each episode, we were able to promote dialogue for wider engagement with other media, who in turn contacted the victims to work on the different themes of this series and dwell on the stories documented by our team.
We also contributed to improving dialogue on these human rights violations and abuses, reviving debate on highly sensitive subjects that are often difficult to discuss openly.
But not only that, we also organized interactive digital seminars via Zoom and Facebook, always with the aim of opening up discussion and giving everyone a voice, to raise awareness of human rights and fundamental freedoms in social, economic, cultural and political terms.
The « Innsane » platform has launched a training series entitled « My content for human rights ».
Tell us about this experience?
« My Content for Human Rights »:An idea was born, developed and became a decision.
We realized that digital is accelerating the development of global outlets for the content industries worldwide and in the MENA region, which is contributing to significant economic growth.
Let me tell you that 80% of the content consumed by Internet users worldwide 80% of the content used by users worldwide is video, followed by photos.
Indeed, we were very enthusiastic about the public demand to organize training courses for content creators, with the aim of raising awareness of other human rights and taking a close look at sensitive and controversial themes and topics, likely to increase the pressure on society today as well as: individual and public freedoms, migration policy, gender equality, the right to a healthy environment, the right to health, the right to a decent and dignified life…
Moreover, we have trained a new generation of content creators who combine their dedication and commitment to a better knowledge of human rights and the means to defend them through digital content designed to widely disseminate and consolidate the values of human rights, non-discrimination, inclusion, tolerance…
During the first session, held last March, we trained over six trainees from a variety of backgrounds.
Three of them graduated after successfully completing all the training sessions, each of them creating and distributing their own content via Swiss Media.
Ultimately, it’s not the number of trainees that matters; rather, we want our training courses to be relevant and as tightly focused as possible, aimed essentially at equipping participants to develop and implement the learning and knowledge acquired throughout the month’s training and reinvest it at a later date.
In this instance, we are working to institutionalize this training by forging solid partnerships to develop other innovative mechanisms and training facilities.
In addition, we provide financial and technical support to participants once they have graduated.
What are your latest projects and achievements?
« Innsane » is currently continuing to work on the « In (n) sane20 » project.
We are in the process of producing investigative reports and podcasts that will be published later this year.
Right now, we’re hard at work on a new digital press guide, which we’ll be announcing by the end of next month.
Again, we continue to provide our press and communications production services to partner organizations and institutions working in the field of human rights.
We are currently developing a press project that will be the first of its kind in the MENA region, in active partnership with regional media organizations.
Mouhajer* : a migrant