News

The latest news from the International Center for Journalists.

September
2
2019

Dynamic Fact-Checking Strategy Boosts Audience Reach and Trust in Indonesia

In 2017, Indonesia held one of its most polarized regional elections ever and news outlets found themselves at a loss for ways to counter the wide circulation of false information. But by the 2019 presidential election, an Indonesian publisher had developed a dynamic platform to help citizens distinguish lies from truth with help from ICFJ Truthbuzz Fellow Astudestra Ajengrastri.

August
25
2019

Indonesian survey explores the spread of misinformation on WhatsApp

Misinformation is more common than ever in Indonesia today as its spread has become increasingly diversified and difficult to suppress. In April alone, when the country held its general election, Indonesia’s Ministry of Communication and Information Technology identified 486 pieces of misinformation shared across several online platforms — 209 of them politically-related. The ministry noted that this number surged leading up to the April 17 election, and has only continued to increase after. 

August
16
2019

Brazilian Publisher Credits Video Accelerator for Audience Growth

For the past few years, news publishers have pointed to online video as the next frontier — so much so that, beginning in 2015, many reorganized their entire newsrooms. This “pivot to video,” as it was dubbed, was so widespread that some newsrooms even laid off editorial staff to make room for video. But few achieved the success they had hoped for. 

August
7
2019

Data Journalism Project Surfaces Untold Stories of Climate Change on U.S. Coasts

As global temperatures warm, rising sea levels are already inflicting damage on the planet’s coastal regions. Today, more than 90 cities in the U.S. experience “chronic flooding,” a number expected to double by 2030, according to the World Economic Forum. The flooding will only increase in intensity over time, too — especially if countries don’t curb their global carbon emissions.

July
30
2019

Brazilian Men’s Magazine Analyzes Reader Comments to Prove its Vast Impact

While online comments aren’t always known for civility, a digital men’s magazine in Brazil has used its comments section to build a thriving and supportive community that improves readers’ lives. Now, thanks to help from ICFJ Knight Fellow Pedro Burgos, the news outlet has the numbers to prove it.

July
29
2019

Air quality sensors aid coverage of health and environment in Africa

A project that uses low-cost air quality sensors to monitor air pollution in seven major African cities is providing data that journalists are using for the first time to enhance coverage of related health and environmental concerns.

July
18
2019

Fighting Health Misinformation Requires A Strong Dose of Journalism

When it comes to health, access to accurate and timely information can make the difference between life and death. Yet worldwide we see a growing problem of health misinformation, spreading fast online and promoting fear. The consequences are often dire. That’s why I am building a network of collaborators across Latin America and launching Salud con Lupa, a digital, collaborative journalism platform dedicated to compelling, investigative coverage of public health.

July
12
2019

New Pledges Not Credible without Action, Say Press Freedom Groups

More than 30 press freedom and media development organizations met in London in advance of the Global Media Freedom Conference to call on all participating States to ensure the protection and safety of all journalists and media workers in compliance with their existing obligations and international standards.

July
10
2019

Latin American Newsrooms Boost Video Engagement through New Accelerator

News publishers in Argentina and Chile are taking their video strategies to the next level - and sparking greater audience engagement and web traffic in the process - with support from the Facebook Journalism Project Digital Video Accelerator. 

June
14
2019

SembraMex Grants Aim to Strengthen Investigative News Startups at U.S.-Mexico Border

Digital news startups in Juarez and Monterrey, Mexico, are the first recipients of new grants to help independent media organizations on the U.S.-Mexico border increase their business acumen and revenue. SembraMedia and the International Center for Journalists (ICFJ) awarded the grants as part of the Mexico Border Investigative Reporting Hub project.