News

The latest news from the International Center for Journalists.

April
2
2019

Tackling a New Disinformation Threat on WhatsApp in Indonesia

Astudestra Ajengrastri, a Jakarta-based TruthBuzz Fellow with the International Center for Journalists (ICFJ), has the difficult task of countering the plague of disinformation on social media in Indonesia. In the runup to the country’s presidential elections in April, she faced a particularly big challenge: a convincing audio message went viral on WhatsApp claiming that millions of fake ballots were about to be cast in favor of the incumbent president.

April
2
2019

ICFJ Alums Receive Data Journalism Grants to Investigate Child Mortality and Climate Change

Journalists from Kenya and the United States are the first recipients of special grants and mentoring for data-driven investigations into child mortality and climate change. These inaugural ICFJ Alumni Reporting Grants, backed by the Microsoft Modern Journalism program, help support data journalism and immersive storytelling projects.

March
22
2019

Building a Bot to Monitor Politicians' Twitter Accounts

Given the relevance Twitter has gained in politics, it’s important we know what elected officials are publishing on the site, and that we keep a detailed, searchable record of their posts. This is why Aos Fatos, the Brazilian fact-checking organization, in partnership with the International Center for Journalists (ICFJ), developed a bot to monitor Bolsonaro’s Twitter account.

March
12
2019

Reporting on Early Childhood Issues Is Prompting Better Health Policies Worldwide

Reporters with the year-long Early Childhood Development Reporting Fellowship, an International Center for Journalists (ICFJ) program, have produced nearly 700 stories since March 2017 that have been viewed more than 15 million times. The health journalists, who are from Bangladesh, Brazil, India, Kenya, Nigeria and Tanzania, are building their expertise thanks to seasoned mentors, international reporting trips and virtual trainings.

March
7
2019

Three Key Strategies for Combating Disinformation

Looking for innovative solutions to fight the scourge of disinformation? Our ICFJ Fellows have come up with three strategies.

February
27
2019

Bloomberg News Founder Says It’s Vital to Spot “Signals in the Noise” When Covering Markets

Journalists who get closest to events as they are unfolding are the ones who can spot “the signal in the noise” and truly understand the behavior of markets, companies and governments, said Matthew Winkler, editor-in-chief emeritus of Bloomberg News and a vice chair of the International Center for Journalists (ICFJ).

February
26
2019

ICFJ Helps Nicaraguan Journalists Respond to Crackdown on Independent Media

Journalists in Nicaragua face heightened levels of violence, harassment and arbitrary detention amid the greatest political turmoil the country has seen in decades. The International Center for Journalists (ICFJ) is responding by helping embattled journalists stay safe, build their investigative reporting skills and employ new digital tools to continue covering critical stories.  

February
20
2019

Global Tech Survey to Explore Urgent Challenges Facing Journalists in Digital Age

The International Center for Journalists (ICFJ) today launched a benchmark global survey that will yield unprecedented data on how news organizations are adapting to the digital age. The initiative, a follow-up to the first State of Technology in Global Newsrooms report in 2017, will dive deeper into how the industry is using technology to combat misinformation, build trust and diversify revenue sources.  

February
14
2019

Washington Post Editor to Receive Top Honor at ICFJ Awards Dinner

The International Center for Journalists will honor Martin “Marty” Baron, executive editor of The Washington Post, with a prestigious award recognizing his long career as a media leader committed to truth and the highest standards.

February
13
2019

Update: Maria Ressa Released on Bail in the Philippines

The International Center for Journalists (ICFJ) calls on Philippine authorities to immediately free Maria Ressa, founder of the independent news site Rappler, and to drop all charges against her.