As Palestinians struggle to establish an independent state, media professionals not only function as the daily historians of their people, documenting their endeavors and aspirations, but also have the power to influence the public debate and efforts to shape Palestinian society and institutions.

Constantly improving reporting quality therefore is crucial to creating the conditions for wider participation and positive change. For this reason, Ma'an Network is committed to building the structural and professional capacity of Palestinian media, and providing training for Palestinian journalists is a key activity of Ma'an Network.

Our trainings aim to enable media professionals to better meet Palestinians’ news and information needs on a daily basis, and significantly raise media standards over the long term. Almost all Ma'an Network projects include a training component. Since 2003, Ma'an Network has held a number of training courses in print, TV and radio production, reaching over 700 Palestinian journalists and media professionals. Ma'an Network staff members frequently participate in conferences and workshops on issues relating to the media, Palestinian politics, human rights, freedom of expression and the challenges of state-building.

To help develop a new generation of Palestinian journalists, Ma’an Network regularly offer internships for local university students and recent graduates, and occasionally host international interns wishing to hone their journalistic skills in an emerging media culture. While some of Ma’an Network training courses focus on technical skills such as camera techniques and producing live programs, topics like journalistic ethics, investigative journalism, good governance, human rights and facilitating debate on controversial issues are equally important.

Surveys and audience feedback collected by Ma’an Network research unit help to refine training courses and give journalists a better sense of the public’s news and information needs, level of knowledge on specific issues, and attitudes towards the media. Ma'an Network has also delivered workshops on communications skills and media relations for governmental and civil society organizations seeking to better utilize the media.