Research Study: Understanding Online Gender-Based Disinformation in the MENA (Middle East & North Africa) Region 

Duration of the research task:	8 – 10 weeks (May – July 2025)
Type of contract/partnership:	Short-term consultancy (external)
Program name:	Masarouna
RNW Media Focal Point:	Sana Naqvi, Impact Lead (sana.naqvi@rnw.org)
About this Consultancy	RNW Media is seeking a consultant for a research study on online gender-based disinformation targeting women media makers in the MENA region. This study will explore the nature, patterns, and impact of gendered disinformation campaigns, while also assessing awareness and perceptions among young people across the region. The consultant will design and implement a mixed methods approach, combining literature review, key informant interviews, and a regional online survey to generate in-depth, contextually grounded insights. These findings will inform RNW Media’s strategies to promote digital media literacy, support women media-makers, and strengthen regional responses to gender-based disinformation through co-created and data-driven interventions

  

1. INTRODUCTION  

RNW Media is an international media development organization based in Haarlem, the Netherlands, dedicated to harness the power of independent digital media to uphold human rights and advance the public good. Working in more than 40 countries across Europe, North Africa, the Middle East, West and East Africa, East Asia, Central and South America, we defend media and internet freedom, the right of every human being to access to information and freedom of expression. 

With over 75 years of experience, RNW Media has evolved from an international radio broadcaster into a champion of independent digital media. Our work with our partners has demonstrated how a diverse, resilient, and trustworthy digital media ecosystem can inform people, shift narratives, influence social norms, and drive policy change, reinforcing the essential role of independent media in open and democratic societies. 

RNTC, the internationally renowned training center of RNW Media, provides journalism and media training to journalists, media makers and communication professionals. Through The Vine, RNW Media’s global community, with more than 25 independent and public interest digital media, 80 media trainers, and 10,000 RNTC alumni, we facilitate media coalition, partnership, and movement building. 

2. BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES OF THE CONSULTANCY 

This research study explores the nature, patterns, response and impact of online gender-based disinformation targeting women media makers in the MENA region. It also aims to assess how general audiences in the MENA region, particularly young people, understand and engage with gendered disinformation in digital media spaces.  

The insights from this research will inform the design of digital media-based approaches and interventions that aim to: 

1) Map and analyze prevalent narratives, tactics, and impacts of gendered disinformation campaigns against women media makers in the MENA region. 

2) Assess public awareness, particularly among young people, regarding gendered disinformation and its consequences. 

3) Raise awareness and promote (digital) media literacy around online gender-based disinformation, with a strong focus on prevention 

4) Co-create strategies and identify tools in collaboration with women media makers to effectively counter and navigate gender based online disinformation 

5) Provide actionable recommendations for advocacy and media development efforts in the region.

 

3. SCOPE OF WORK  

The consultant will be responsible for the following: 

• Conducting a desk review of relevant academic, media, and civil society literature 

• Designing and conducting key informant interviews (KIIs) with women media makers affiliated with RNW Media and partner networks  

• Designing and conducting KIIs with men in the media and NGO spaces 

• Support in designing and supporting the implementation of an online regional survey, specifically targeting youth, across MENA (the dissemination will happen through RNW Media channels) 

• Analyzing qualitative and quantitative data and synthesizing findings into actionable insights 

• Supporting a validation workshop with the RNW Media team 

• Contributing to three research-based outputs: a main report, a thought leadership piece, and an advocacy brief 

4. METHODOLOGY 

• Desk Research / Literature Review: Review of existing literature on gender-based disinformation and its impact on women media makers in the MENA region and identification of knowledge gaps in current literature. 

• Key Informant Interviews: In-depth interviews with women media-makers and males in the media and NGO space affiliated with our network and partners in the MENA region to gather qualitative insights into their experiences with gendered disinformation  

• Online Survey: A regional survey targeting the general population, with young people in particular, in the MENA region to assess their awareness, perceptions, and experiences about online gender-based disinformation in MENA 

5. DELIVERABLES  

The consultant will develop an overview of the methodology and tools and plan a research timeline with the RNW Media team. The consultant will collect data, transcribe it, and after translation to English, submit them to RNW Media. The expected deliverables are listed as follows: 

1. Research report: This report will provide a comprehensive overview of gendered disinformation in the MENA region, focusing on assessing the current levels of awareness among young people and the specific challenges experienced by women media makers. It will identify common patterns of online gender-based attacks, assess the impact of such disinformation, and present potential strategies to counter it. A key element of the report will also be an exploration of the role that men can play in recognizing and preventing gendered disinformation, thereby contributing to more inclusive digital media spaces. 

2. Thought leadership piece: This piece will delve into the intersection of trust in public interest media and the prevalence of gendered disinformation targeting women media-makers. It will critically analyze how diminished trust in media can exacerbate the spread of gendered narratives pertinent to women media-makers and explore ways in which strengthening media credibility can contribute to protecting women media-makers in the digital public sphere. 

3. Advocacy brief: The advocacy brief will translate key research findings into policy-relevant recommendations aimed at increasing tech platform accountability to address gender based disinformation in online spaces. It will highlight the responsibilities of digital media platforms in preventing and mitigating gender-based disinformation, and propose practical measures that platforms, civil society, and media actors can adopt to foster safer online environments. 

Outputs expected of the consultant:  

• Final research proposal outlining the research methodology (key informant interviews) 

• All raw data files from key informant interviews are shared with RNW Media (audio) 

• Transcribed key informant interviews in English 

• First draft research report (includes both key informant interviews and online survey findings) 

• Final research report post review and validation 

6. COMMUNICATION  

The consultant is expected to frequently communicate with RNW Media and is willing to meet on a weekly or bi-weekly (to be determined) basis during the period of the research.  

7. TIMELINE 

Activity	Timeline	Lead
Call for Consultant – Application open & Interviews (on rolling basis)	May 1 – May 15	RNW Media Team
Desk Research / Literature Review	May 15 – June 2	Research Consultant
Key Informant Interviews	June 2 – June 15	Research Consultant
Online Survey (for general population in MENA)	May 15 – June 15	Research Consultant, RNW Media Team
Data Analysis (Key informant interviews)	June 15 – June 30	Research Consultant
Data Analysis (Online Survey)	June 15 – June 30	RNW Media Team
Submission of first draft of report	July 15	Research Consultant
Validation Workshop	Week of July 15	RNW Media Team
Final Report Submission	July 28	Research Consultant

   

8. REQUIRED EXPERTISE AND EXPERIENCE   

1. At least 5 years of research experience in the field of digital media, gender, online gender-based violence and related topics in MENA 

2. Fluency in English and Arabic 

3. Strong track record in conducting qualitative research (interviews and analysis) 

4. Effective and efficient communication and writing skills  

5. Effective time management and flexibility to work on short timelines 

9. APPLICATION PROCEDURE 

Interested consultant should develop and submit a proposal in English to respond to the above-mentioned specific tasks. 

The proposal should include: 

• Description and contact details of the consultant 

• A clear description of the methodological approach 

• A detailed Budget Proposal 

• Cover Letter and CV emphasizing relevant experience; 

• Past performance in similar areas of the Consultant applying with reference to previous contracting agencies, organizations, etc. 

• One non-academic writing sample in English (max 500 words). 

  

Interested candidates should send their applications to Sana Naqvi, Impact Team Lead, RNW Media: sana.naqvi@rnw.org 

Only shortlisted candidates will be considered.  

RNW Media is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.