News

ICFJ Mourns the Loss of Founder George Krimsky

The International Center for Journalists is saddened by the loss of our founder and first President George Krimsky, who passed away from lung cancer on Jan. 20. A seasoned correspondent, George launched our organization in 1984. He ran ICFJ programs for more than a decade for our colleagues overseas. He was passionate about his work—and never stopped supporting us throughout the years.

Over the years, I personally received heart-warming messages from him. He was truly proud of our work—and of the amazing ICFJ staff.

George Atwell Krimsky of Washington, Conn., died on January 20, 2017. He was 75 years old.

George Atwell Krimsky of Washington, Connecticut, died on January 20, 2017. He was 75 years old.

A journalist and author, Mr. Krimsky retired in 2012 but continued to lecture and write from his home, where he lived with his wife of 46 years, Paula, and their dog, Dixie.

Paula, their two children and six grandchildren were the focus of his devotion. Much of his career, spanning nearly five decades, was spent abroad or working in international affairs. But he began and ended his career in community journalism in his home state of Connecticut.

Wall Street Journal Deputy Managing Editor Joins ICFJ Board of Directors

Christine Glancey, deputy managing editor for news operations and talent at The Wall Street Journal, has joined the ICFJ Board of Directors.

Glancey brings to the board her deep knowledge of the news industry and newsroom training gained from nearly thirty years at The Journal. In her current role, which she took on in 2015, she is responsible for the global newsroom budget, operations, talent management and training.

“We’re thrilled to have Christine Glancey join the ICFJ Board,” said ICFJ President Joyce Barnathan.

Why publishing more open data isn’t enough to empower citizens

When I attended the International Open Data Conference last October in Madrid, there was plenty of talk about whether open data has failed to live up to its promise. Has open data really increased transparency, improved government efficiency, brought about world peace, ended world hunger?

ICFJ Knight Fellow Janine Warner: Perfectionism is the enemy of news startups

Frustrated by the constraints of traditional media, a growing number of journalists are interested in launching their own news startups, says Janine Warner, an ICFJ Knight Fellow who helps Latin American news entrepreneurs strengthen their business models. Too often, she says, when aspiring entrepreneurs come up with a great idea, two obstacles trip them up.

One is perfectionism. “If you’re an entrepreneur, waiting until everything is perfect is a problem,” Warner said in a recent interview with Chilean website Puroperiodismo.

Reporting Contest Winners Reveal the Hidden Toll On Early Childhood Development

The International Center for Journalists (ICFJ) has named reporters from India, Kenya and Nigeria as winners of the 2016 Early Childhood Development Reporting Contest. Their stories shed light on the earliest years of life, especially the first 1,000 days. That is the critical period when children need proper nourishment, responsive care, learning opportunities and protection from disease, violence and stress.

Financial forensics for reporters: To find a culprit, think like a criminal.

“If you were a criminal, how would you launder drug money?”

That was the question Paul Radu, executive director of the Organized Crime and Corruption Project (OCCRP), and Carlos Eduardo Huertas, director of Connectas, posed to a group of investigative journalists this month in Panama during an ICFJ-Connectas training session on using financial forensics to report on crime.

Google News Lab to Expand Reach of First Global Survey of Newsroom Tech

WASHINGTON, D.C., December 5, 2016 – With new support from Google News Lab, the International Center for Journalists (ICFJ) will expand its groundbreaking global survey on the adoption of newsroom technologies from seven to 12 languages.

The upcoming survey, the State of Technology in Global Newsrooms, will shed much-needed light on how news media professionals use digital innovations for reporting, storytelling and distribution in newsrooms around the world.

Leading Mexican Journalist Says She Worries about the Trump Presidency

A prominent Mexican journalist said a Donald Trump presidency would be catastrophic if he carries out his campaign pledges to build a border wall or take economic steps against her country. She said a free and independent press is needed to respond to the challenge he presents.

“Trump has unleashed the worst hatred and has given force to racism and xenophobia,” said Carmen Aristegui in accepting the Knight International Journalism Award given by the International Center for Journalists.

The basics of phishing attacks: What journalists need to know to stay safe

Unless they cover technology, most journalists probably could not explain exactly how a cyberattack happens.