FY 2001-2002 Annual Report

From the IWMF Co-Chairs

In 2001-2002 journalists across the globe found themselves covering a major story -- and also becoming part of a major story -- when terrorists attacked the United States. Ten journalists from nine countries lost their lives while covering events at the World Trade Center and during the subsequent war in Afghanistan. These events made us think, in a new way, about how truly global the media has become. We are no longer isolated from our colleagues in other countries. We cover the same stories and we share the same hopes, concerns and fate.

This was even more clear in October, when, a little more than one month after September 11, 2001, the IWMF honored three journalists who know first hand what it is to cover terror. We were reminded that for many journalists, living with threat is a year-in, year-out occupation. Winners of this year's Courage awards - the only awards program exclusively for women journalists - have endured death threats against themselves and their families, attempted assassinations, prison terms and rape. They have lost their liberty in pursuit of the truth. And because they have risked their lives, the world benefits from their timely, accurate reports. (See Courage in Journalism Awards.)

The IWMF website also expanded our reach in the world in 2001-2002. Thanks to a generous grant from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, we completely revamped the IWMF sites: www.iwmf.org and www.awmc.com. After a year of planning, the two sites are now up and running. The result is a lively, interactive meeting place where women journalists can go for information about careers, networking and the latest news about women in the media. The new sites not only have a new look, but they are closely linked, with many new features. In 2002-2003, additional grants from The Ford Foundation, the Carnegie Corporation of New York, DEAR ABBY a.k.a. Jeanne Phillips and The Mike Schacht Foundation will help us develop new online content, training modules and an online directory of international women journalists, so check back often for the latest updates. (See Website.)

Training for women journalists remains the IWMF's number one priority. According to a recent study by the Pew Center for Civic Journalism, almost one out of two of the top women editors said they expect to leave their company or the news business entirely. Women in the U.S. news business are leaving because they are frustrated with their progress. We hope to equip more and more women with the leadership skills they need to excel in their profession. This year the IWMF conducted leadership workshops in New York, Miami, San Francisco, Los Angeles and Washington, DC, with a generous grant from the McCormick Tribune Foundation. Wells Fargo provided support for the Los Angeles workshop. The series continues in 2002-2003 with new workshops. (See U.S. Leadership.)

The IWMF's international work also expanded this year. After holding fact-finding workshops in Latin America in 2000-2001, the IWMF is developing long-term plans for involvement with Latin American women journalists. In Africa, the AWMC continues its pioneering role. The only continent-wide organization serving women journalists, the AWMC continues the tradition of the Carole Simpson Leadership Institute, which is still one of the few opportunities African women in the media have for developing their leadership potential. In addition, the AWMC held a two-week session to train women radio journalists from southern Africa on HIV and AIDS. The program provided important facts to the journalists and also gave them new radio production skills. Many returned to their stations armed with produced pieces and the ability to take more responsibility for reporting on this important subject. (See Africa.)

We continue to be inspired by the bravery, tenacity and professionalism of the women and men in our worldwide network. All of us on the IWMF board look forward to working with them in the coming year to ensure that their voices are heard in the media in their towns, in their nations and around the world.