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CITIZEN REPORTERS’ NETWORK STRATEGY

The Citizen Reporters’ Network, facilitated by Hashtag Generation, aims to bring together tech-savvy, critically engaged youth from diverse ethnic, geographical, and linguistic backgrounds in Sri Lanka. This network is composed of participants who have successfully completed the ‘Critical Thinking in the Digital Age’ initiatives and have expressed continued interest in actively engaging in the information landscape. The objective is to identify, report, and counter harmful narratives that could potentially adversely affect communities.

Objective

To act as a community-driven force capable of identifying, reporting, and countering harmful narratives that could potentially have adverse effects on communities.

Strategy Development

A representative sample of network members was brought together to develop a strategy. The session focused on the following key areas:

  1. Identifying Priority Areas: Determining where the network can have the most significant impact in promoting social cohesion online.
  2. Crafting a Comprehensive Action Plan: Developing a detailed action plan outlining the network’s key activities moving forward.

Priority Approaches

  1. Supporter Interaction:
    • Develop strategies for effective communication and mobilization of network supporters.
    • Leverage the network’s collective voice to take targeted action against hate speech and advocate for change.
  2. Policymaker Engagement:
    • Provide participants with tools and knowledge to engage policymakers effectively.
    • Advocate for policy changes addressing hate speech and promoting gender equality.
  3. National Organization Collaboration:
    • Build strategic partnerships with national organizations.
    • Collaborate to amplify the network’s efforts and create a wider impact.

Trends and Context

The network identified the following trends as potential opportunities and threats:

  • Opportunities:
    • Rise of digital job possibilities, freelance/remote work, content creation, and participation in the digital economy.
    • Unparalleled access to educational resources and real-time news.
    • Vibrant social media platforms and online communities for collaboration.
    • Rise of memes as a creative communication tool.
  • Threats:
    • Misuse of memes to spread misinformation.
    • Importance of online safety measures against threats like scams.
    • Proliferation of fake accounts and disinformation, emphasizing the need for fact-checking.

Strategic Interventions

1. Amplifying Youth Voices for Social Justice

Citizen reporters will lead community-level activities with Hashtag Generation’s guidance and support.

Expected Outcomes:

  • Stronger sense of community and belonging among youth.
  • Enhanced problem-solving and leadership skills among youth.
  • Increased youth participation in community development initiatives.

Interventions:

  1. Digital Engagement:
    • Content Creation: Develop and share trilingual (Sinhala, Tamil, English) positive and inspiring content.
    • Platform Expansion: Extend presence to other social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.
    • Storytelling Competition: Engage a wider audience and share stories related to program themes.
    • Community Building: Encourage interactive features to foster engagement.
  2. Offline Engagement:
    • Pocket Meetings: Regular informal gatherings in local communities to discuss social issues.
    • Webinars: Conduct online workshops and seminars on relevant topics.
    • Knowledge Sharing: Facilitate exchange of best practices and lessons learned.
    • Capacity Building: Facilitate training for facilitators and community awareness sessions.

2. Amplifying Youth Voices for Social Justice

Expected Outcomes:

  • Promote knowledge sharing and best practices within the youth community.
  • Utilize problem-solving tools to raise awareness and mobilize towards addressing community challenges.
  • Expand the initiative’s reach to other social media platforms.
  • Facilitate offline engagement through pocket meetings and webinars.

Interventions:

  1. Community Empowerment:
    • Introduce and train youth on problem-solving tools like problem, solution, and empathy mapping.
    • Encourage youth to apply these tools to identify and address local issues.
  2. Digital Engagement:
    • Content Creation: Develop and share trilingual (Sinhala, Tamil, English) positive and inspiring content.
    • Platform Expansion: Extend presence to other social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.

3. Capacity Building and Facilitation

Hashtag Generation will facilitate and support the Citizen Reporters’ Network, including regular follow-ups and revitalizing sessions for the cohorts. They will work closely with district coordinators on a regular basis.

Expected Outcomes: 

  • Capacity Building of the members of the Citizen Reporter’s Network
  • Facilitation of the programmes implemented by the network
  • Continuous follow up and ensuring of monitoring and evaluation
  • Identification of impact stories through the network

Intervention:

  1. Regular monitoring and evaluation of the network with the support of Hashtag Generation
  2. Revitalization session for the network
  3. Facilitation of the requirements of the network

The Citizen Reporters’ Network strategy aims to leverage the collective power of tech-savvy, critically engaged youth to identify, report, and counter harmful narratives in Sri Lanka. Through targeted interventions, capacity building, and strategic collaborations, the network will foster a stronger sense of community, enhance youth leadership skills, and promote social cohesion online.