USAID’s $3 million Promotion of Journalism and Freedom of Expression project provides tools that empower journalists to develop safe investigative reporting skills that will spark public dialogue in the Northern Triangle countries of Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador.  The environment in the Northern Triangle poses serious challenges for the ability of journalists and media outlets to operate openly, safely and securely.  Journalists in all three countries face deadly security risks, and as a result often practice self- censorship.  Investigative and data journalism skills are also fairly nascent in the region.

The program provides training and workshops to enhance journalists’ abilities to use innovative digital tools to diminish security vulnerabilities, increase collaboration and to conduct data driven national and cross-border investigative reporting.  The program’s support of cross-border collaborative reporting initiatives will highlight corruption, crime, human rights abuses, transparency, and accountability.  In addition to providing tools that will help in conducting safe investigations, this program also seeks to overcome the specific challenges faced by women journalists in these countries.

The Promotion of Journalism and Freedom of Expression  project  is implemented by Internews.  Founded in 1982, Internews is an international non-profit organization whose mission is to empower local media worldwide to give people the news, the ability to connect and the means to make their voices heard.  This project in the Northern Triangle will empower journalists from mainstream media houses, as well as those who operate primarily online, with data journalism, investigative journalism, and safety and security skills.