News

The latest news from the International Center for Journalists.

November
19
2015

How Newsrooms Can Avoid Government Surveillance

It's bad news for journalists when a government official delivers this chilling message: "I know what you are going to publish tomorrow." Yet, these words are common in many countries where governments are spying on newsrooms and individual journalists.

While independent media are subject to the proclivity of some governments to spy and tap their communications, it is also true that some media organizations don't protect their information from cyber-espionage and technical attacks.

Media organizations are becoming more aware of the need to protect their digital assets, such as databases,

November
16
2015

In the Digital Age, Colombian Journalists Face New Threat of Cyber Attacks

Colombia used to be the most dangerous country in the world for journalists, with dozens killed and threatened during four decades of armed conflict among government, rebel and paramilitary forces.

These days, journalists face threats of a different kind. Cyber attacks are now considered the most important threat to Colombian journalists, who are fully entering the digital era.

November
16
2015

Words of Wisdom After Building Data Journalism Teams in Latin America

Doing data journalism in Latin America is a major challenge. Newsrooms in this part of the world have taken longer than imagined to implement interactive teams for a number of reasons, including cultural habits, limited technical capabilities, lack of vision and inadequate ecosystems. Media executives are only now beginning to understand the new roles appearing in newsrooms.

Two years ago, I founded Hackslabs, the first data journalism accelerator in Latin America.

November
16
2015

New Mobile App "Push" Helps Media Organizations Get Their Work Out

It's hard to get people to read your work. That's been the thorn in the side of editors and publishers since Martin Luther figured out that taking a hammer to the church door would get his point across. It hasn't gotten much easier.

This is doubly true if you’re a small organization. The options out there are limited to a small range of social media sites and your own website. The drawbacks on these options are well-known, wide-ranging and infuriating.

November
13
2015

Yoani Sánchez: 'Independent Journalism in Cuba Needs to Improve and Professionalize'

The Knight International Journalism Award winner made a name for herself when she began a personal blog in 2007 called Generación Y (Generation Y). Sánchez's detailed writings about life on the island — which housed only state-run media outlets — drew a lot of attention from people outside Cuba.

November
13
2015

India's Priyanka Dubey Gives Perspective on Handling Sensitive Stories

Indian journalist Priyanka Dubey is hard at work on a book that examines rape in India. Five years into her career as an investigative journalist, she’s interviewed countless women about their brutal encounters with rapists.

But as she researched the topic to prepare for stories, the Knight International Journalism Award recipient discovered there was little documentation about rape in India.

November
13
2015

ICFJ Knight Roundup: Former Knight Fellow's Project Brings Refugees' Stories to Light

Each week as part of the Knight International Media Innovators blog, the ICFJ Knight team will round up stories focused on how their fellows are making an impact in the field. Vatican Radio speaks to former ICFJ Knight Fellow Mariana Santos, Impact Africa offers a new opportunity for journalists and more from the Knight Fellows in this week's roundup.

November
12
2015

Q&A with Chris Roper: A Change Towards Multiplatform Journalism

The days when a news organization could thrive through dedication to a single medium are over. With the advent of smartphones and tablets, it's now increasingly important for news organizations to be flexible in reaching their target audience, publishing content designed to be readable on different platforms.

November
11
2015

Award-Winning Journalists From India, Cuba Speak of Dark Times For Free Expression

Two groundbreaking women journalists, in Washington to accept a top international media award, have criticized the treatment of journalists in their countries and the limited space for expressing views at odds with the government.

Investigative reporter Priyanka Dubey of India and Cuban blogger Yoani Sánchez said these are tough times for journalists in the two countries despite their dramatically different political systems – with Cuba a restrictive communist island and India known as the world’s largest democr

November
11
2015

New Program to Emphasize Data, Engage Citizens in Storytelling

The International Center for Journalists (ICFJ) and its partner Code for Africa have launched a sweeping program to promote data-driven investigative reporting in Africa that engages audiences and gets the attention of policymakers on health and other development issues.