Tens of millions of dollars have been poured into African journalism development over the past decade, says Knight International Journalism Fellow Justin Arenstein. But with few exceptions, he points out, those big bucks haven't led to significant improvements in the African media landscape.
Arenstein aims to disrupt this trend by steering funds to those who come up with ideas that will change the way Africa gathers, delivers or profits from its news content.
Knight International Journalism Fellow Justin Arenstein is spreading the word about the African News Innovation Challenge at the heart of his fellowship. At a recent gathering of journalists and technical experts in Tanzania sponsored by The Information Society and ICT Sector Development Project, he talked about the competition and the importance of digital media developments in Africa.
As Knight International Journalism Fellow Joseph Warungu launches a new network of journalists to report on development in Africa, the graveyard of those who’ve fought the same battle before him offers both warnings and lessons to be learned.
Nairobi, Kenya – The latest Knight International Journalism Fellows are starting up three exciting projects designed to enhance the media landscape in Africa.
Knight Fellow Meredith Beal is working with the African Media Initiative, the only group of media owners on the continent, to find new revenue streams.
A story in the Africa-based news publication New Era explains the significance of a Knight Fellow training workshop for journalists who need to learn about climate change reporting issues.
Knight Fellow Joseph Warungu is working with journalists across Africa to spur media coverage of key development issues, such as agriculture and rural education, and helping to launch news contests that showcase the content.
