Skilling
Closing the skills gap between university and newsroom through experiential learning.
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A six-pillar response to Africa's media gap.
The 6S Intervention Model is how MCI rebuilds journalism — by skilling, incubating, strengthening, stabilising, safeguarding, and shifting.
- 6
- Intervention pillars
- 22+
- Active & ongoing projects
- 6
- Featured initiatives
- 12+
- Years of media reform
Why 6S
Africa's media ecosystem is fragile because the gaps are interlocked. Skills without sustainability collapse. Stories without safeguards get silenced. The 6S Model treats reform as a system — six pillars that hold each other up — so that better journalism becomes durable, not exceptional.
Three pillars driving the next decade of African journalism.
What each pillar delivers.
Stabilising Rural Journalism
Mobile studios and community-based reporting using solutions journalism.
- MCI SDGs Media Van
- SojoTV
- Karamoja newsroom
- Rural correspondent program
2+Projects under Rural
Fellows, partners, and funders on the ground.
MCI's training rebuilt my confidence as a young reporter — I now lead investigations that hold power to account.
The 6S framework is the most coherent media reform agenda I've seen on the continent. It connects skills, stories, and structures.
From rural newsrooms to fact-checking labs, MCI shows up where the gaps are biggest — and stays long enough to make change stick.
Being part of the MCI cohort opened doors to networks, equipment, and mentorship I couldn't have built alone.
The 6S journey, step by step.
- Phase 01
Diagnose
We begin with rigorous research — interviews, audits, and listening sessions across newsrooms, classrooms, and communities — to surface where Africa's media ecosystem is breaking.
- Phase 02
Design
Each diagnosed gap maps to one of the 6S pillars. We co-design responses with newsrooms, universities, and civil society partners.
- Phase 03
Skill
Training, fellowships, and incubators equip the next generation of journalists with the craft, ethics, and tooling they need.
- Phase 04
Stabilise
We support newsrooms — especially rural and independent ones — with infrastructure, sustainability planning, and editorial mentorship.
- Phase 05
Safeguard
From fact-checking labs to safety-of-journalists work, we defend the conditions that allow free, fact-based journalism to thrive.
- Phase 06
Shift
We move public narratives — through campaigns, content, and convenings — so that better journalism translates into better outcomes.
Frequently asked questions.
The 6S Model is MCI's framework for fixing Africa's media ecosystem across six interlocking pillars: Skilling next-gen journalists, incubating media innovations, strengthening development coverage, stabilising rural journalism, safeguarding information, and shifting narratives. Each pillar is delivered through dedicated projects, partners, and outcomes.
Funders, newsrooms, universities, and platforms can plug in at any pillar. Visit our partner page and tell us where you'd like to engage — we respond within five working days.
Cohorts open on a rolling basis tied to each intervention. The flagship Media Challenge Academy of Talent (MCAT) opens annually; rural newsroom and innovation cohorts run twice a year. Subscribe to our newsletter for application windows.
MCI is headquartered in Kampala, Uganda, with active programming in Eastern, Central, and Western Africa. Several of our digital platforms — including our fact-checking and innovation incubators — serve a continent-wide audience.
MCI is supported by a coalition of philanthropic funders, intergovernmental bodies, and earned revenue from our platforms. Our annual Impact Report breaks down funding sources and how each pillar is resourced.
Build with us
Ready to back the next decade of African journalism?
Whether you're a funder, a newsroom, a university, or a creator — there's a place for you in the 6S movement.