If anything, the ongoing war in Gaza has taught us, it is the power of local journalists and citizen content creators in exposing war atrocities when traditional journalists are absent due to dire war conditions.
We have seen Gazans like Motaz Aziza, Plestia Alaqad, and Abod Battah risk their lives as they provide daily updates from a war zone completely cut from the outside world.
In the evolving digital landscape, freelance content creators and journalists are increasingly pivotal in shaping public opinion and offering diverse perspectives. However, their journey is fraught with challenges, particularly when it comes to finding adequate support.
One of the primary struggles for freelancers is the constant quest for financial stability. Unlike traditional employment, freelancing lacks a regular paycheck, making income unpredictable. This financial uncertainty is compounded by late or even non-payment from clients, a common grievance in the freelance community.
Moreover, freelancers often lack access to resources that are readily available in structured organizations, such as legal support, advanced software, and training opportunities. This deficiency not only hinders their operational capacity but also places them at a disadvantage in a competitive market.
That's why we are particularly excited about our new partnership with the International Center for Journalists (ICFJ), where we will be establishing the Content Innovation Fund to support local journalists and media content creators, with a special focus on women, youth, and refugees.
This could not have come at a better time, as without these local content creators, many stories will remain untold.
We will keep you updated with the latest developments of this exciting project, so make sure to watch this space.
Meanwhile, you can stay connected with us on social media, tune into our live discussions, and explore our website for a deeper understanding of our services.
Rana F. Sweis
Founder, Wishbox Media
💡 What we’ve been up to
📺 We have been busy providing communications services for The Swedish Dialogue Institute for the Middle East and North Africa by designing an English-language booklet, producing videos, photography and documenting a recent seminar.
🧠 As part of our partnership with Qarib, a regional program funded by AFD, the French development agency, and implemented by the CFI program, we've been brainstorming and creating a script for our first digital media content, including animation. This two-year project focuses on climate change, youth, economic, social and refugee issues in Jordan.
💼 Our projects manager, Arwa Omari, participated in a seminar at Yarmouk University discussing the job market for media professionals in Jordan. She shared her expertise and highlighted some key facts concerning the job sector.
👥 We officially kicked off our collaboration with the International Center for Journalists (ICFJ) to support independent media professionals, content creators, and innovators.
🧑🏻💻 We welcomed our new Intern, Saif al Qoman who joined our team in November. We’ll be introducing our interns in a feature titled "Meet Our Interns," where we'll provide short bios and outline their roles at Wishbox Media, so, stay tuned.
🎙️ Live Talks: This month's LivesTalk program featured marketing expert and motivational speaker Mohd Abu Alsaoud, who discussed (in Arabic) the importance of doing online advocacy right. #LIVETALKS.
🎧 You can listen to an excerpt from the conversation below:🖥️ Please check out our list of communication services to see if we can offer what you need. We’re dedicated to producing meaningful and thought-provoking content, and this month’s exciting collaborations and achievements propel us further on our mission to make a positive impact in the media industry.
🗄️ From the archives
🖼️ One of our media offerings is creating impactful infographics showcasing specific societal sectors. A couple of years ago, we created the infographic below that focuses on the status of the female labor force.
📨 Drop us a note if you want to collaborate with us on creating compelling videos that tell your stories.
📺 Our media consumption
💻 We have been experimenting with the new ChatGPT update and have created customized ChatGPT agents to see how they operate. So far, we have been impressed. You can create, for example, a customized ChatGPT agent to help you convert your random written thoughts into a coherent LinkedIn post and give it a fun name like the LinkedIn Wizard. It's a brand new world out there, for sure!
🗞️ “When I started writing for Texas Monthly in 1973, I didn’t expect it to last very long. But it’s still here, five decades later.” Read HOW TO KEEP A GREAT MAGAZINE GOING.