Canadian Association for Journalism and Media (CAJM)
Evaluation Learning
Evaluation of our work is a critical tool for informing our decision making, leading to better results and more effective stewardship of resources. We develop customized evaluation designs for each of our programs based on the context, problem, opportunity, and approach to the work. Evaluation is not a one-time event. It is an ongoing process of collecting feedback and using that information to support our grantees and adjust our strategy.
CAJM has worked with other journalism and media foundations as an evaluation and learning partner to advise us and build an evaluation framework. Our grant making aims to strengthens democracy by supporting accurate, just, and inclusive news and narratives that inform, engage, and activate the public to build a more equitable future. We assess how well the program has contributed to this goal by measuring how much the independent media ecosystem:
1- informs and facilitates public discourse.
2- reinforces and expands civic engagement.
3- increases the accountability of public and private institutions.
Despite abundant and growing sources of news and information, only a small percentage of journalism and media is created with an intention to engender deep understanding about current events; lift up underreported or misunderstood issues; include and amplify diverse perspective; promote self-reflection, empathy, and mutual respect; and inspire civic engagement and action. Systemic social and economic disparities, a highly polarized political culture, and sophisticated disinformation campaigns compound the issue. As a result, large segments of the public are misinformed, disengaged, and cynical about their role as civic actors and agents for social change.
In this environment, an expanding network of non-profit journalism and media organizations is working creatively and entrepreneurially to provide the public with the information it needs for rigorous critical thinking and informed decision making. Supported by philanthropy and enabled by digital technologies, these organizations work to provide the opportunity and tools to share authentic and alternative perspectives for robust civic dialogue and activism. These organizations create and disseminate journalism and media content by both professionals and engaged residents that is original, illuminating, and compelling, and they achieve a level of influence and impact disproportionate to their size and resources.
Our Journalism and Media program seeks to strengthen and sustain an independent media ecosystem that investigates the actions of institutions, explores the implications of policies, challenges social norms, amplifies diverse perspectives, and creates opportunities for public conversations and individual and collective action on urgent contemporary issues.
