Internews Network,[3] now Internews, is a 501(c)(3) organization incorporated in California, formed in 1982. It was founded by David M. Hoffman, Kim Spencer, and Evelyn Messinger. The president and CEO is Jeanne Bourgault.
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Internews Europe is an independent media development organization, based in London, United Kingdom and relying mainly on European funding. Internews Europe is chaired by Mark Stephens. One of the organization's first projects was a series of Spacebridges that connected the U.S. and Soviet Union by satellite,[4] a program that culminated with a TV series named "Capital to Capital" that aired on ABC and won an Emmy Award in 1988.[5]
In early 2015, Internews Network and Internews Europe began to integrate more closely and operate cooperatively with independent boards of directors.[6]
According to their mission statement, "Internews is a nonprofit that supports independent media in 100 countries — from radio stations in refugee camps, to hyper-local news outlets, to filmmakers and technologists. Internews trains journalists and digital rights activists, tackles disinformation, and offers business expertise to help media outlets thrive financially. For 40 years, it has helped partners reach millions of people with trustworthy information that saves lives, improves livelihoods, and holds institutions accountable."[7]
According to Internews' 2021 990 form, the organization is primarily supported by the US and European governments, with additional support from foundations and individuals. Funders have included the AOL-Time Warner Foundation, the Beagle Foundation, the Carnegie Corporation of New York, and others.[8]
In April 2007 Russian police raided the office of the Educated Media Foundation, a section of Internews which trains journalists and fosters an independent media, as part of an investigation into its president, Manana Aslamazyan, who was accused of bringing too much cash into Russia from a visit to France.[9] Russia's Constitutional Court ruled on May 26, 2008, that charges against Manana Aslamazyan were illegal. In line with the ruling, Russia’s Interior Ministry dropped the charges and a warrant for Aslamazyan’s arrest.[10]
Based in Washington, D.C., and operating globally, The Internews Center for Innovation & Learning experiments with various approaches to communication from around the world. The center intends to capturing the technological discoveries of field offices to enrich the knowledge base of the international development community as a whole.[11]
Internews' current Media Map project is the main feature of the center. In partnership with the World Bank Institute and the Brookings Institution and supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation[citation needed], the Media Map project analyzes and publishes data on the interrelations between information access and outcomes in democracy and governance, economic growth, poverty reduction, human rights, gender equality, and health.
The president and CEO is Jeanne Bourgault.[12] The Board of Directors includes senior leaders from media, business and government, such as
Chris Boskin, Simone Otus Coxe, founder David Hoffman, Lorne Craner, Anja Manuel, and Cristiana Falcone Sorrell.[13] National Security Advisor Susan Rice served on Internews' Board before rejoining the U.S. government.[14]
