Blog Post

With Elections Looming in Colombia, Journalists and Election Officials Are Gearing Up

A decision to observe a training session conducted by Colombia’s independent Electoral Observer Mission brought me from Bogota to Barranquilla for two days. The MOE, as it is known here, has had an ongoing presence in Colombia’s political life since 2006. One of the things they are doing as they get ready to observe the local elections is to host a crowd-sourced map with national scope where citizens are able to file reports of what they consider to be election irregularities.

Bring It On: Tackling The Challenge of Sustainable Development Journalism 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.

India's World Media Academy Students Master the Skills of Journalism Past, Present and Future

When I work with my class of 18 aspiring journalists at World Media Academy, Delhi, I am reminded that students are the heart of a school.

Violent Charge Against Peacekeepers in Haiti Strengthens Calls for Departure

When the video of a group of Uruguayan UN peacekeepers abusing an 18-year old boy Haiti first appeared on YouTube, I was woefully unsurprised. Back in 1998, I covered a similar story, only that time it was Pakistani peacekeepers.

That story stayed local, but the fact that this story was taped by the UN soldiers themselves and found its way on the Internet has catapulted it internationally. A more palatable version showing the troops holding down the young Haitian amidst raucous laughter appeared on ABC’s website. In Europe, the incident was touted as the Abu Ghrab of Haiti.

Investigative Reports Take Root in the Seaside Haitian Town of Miragoane

The investigative journalism training last weekend in Miragoane coincided with the town’s “fête patrimonial.” Still, it didn’t curb my enthusiasm for the training. Most of the nearly two dozen part-time journalists who participated are ‘correspondents’ for radio stations which are based in Port-au-Prince, some two hours away from this coastal town.

A Health Section Debuts in Nigerian Newspaper

Fourteen weeks after I began my fellowship at the Daily Trust in Abuja, Nigeria, a new health section called Health Insight debuted on Tuesday, August 16, 2011. The launch of the new section, which is one of the two major components of my fellowship, was made possible through the support of the Daily Trust senior editorial staff, but more importantly, the seven journalists on the new health team I am building.

Documentary Film on Investigative Journalism Packs the House in Haiti

What started off as a pilot project to see if we could engage Haitian journalists and the community in a discussion on investigative journalism is now going to be an ongoing every-other-Saturday affair. As Haitians say – Ayibobo!

In Zambia, a Hidden Health Crisis Comes Out of the Shadows

Participants at a three-day workshop on the dangers of smoking were shocked into silence as medical doctors, academics and activists churned out statistics and evidence showing how tobacco use has become the largest cause of preventable deaths in the world. They also heard that cigarettes were more addictive than cocaine.

Learning to Report in Haiti, a Land of Haves and Have-Nots

When Saturday’s rain started to fall, hundreds of people living in Place Boyer’s tent camp in Petionville had no choice but to hunker down for the night. Haiti Reporters, which was hosting their graduation under a tarp at Brazil’s Cultural Center just across the street, was more fortunate. They were able to move their celebration inside.

Academy Award-Winning Documentary Producer Helps Haitian Journalists See Their Work In A New Light

Today marks the one-year anniversary of my Fellowship in Haiti. It was a challenge-filled year and the path that has led me to a place where I have a new vista on journalism in Haiti has been strewn with obstacles and even a few dead ends. My overall experience has been one of tremendous personal growth that encompassed the full gamut of emotions. Ultimately, it has been so positive that I’ve extended the Fellowship. I can say with all honesty that that I am looking forward to building on my past successes and achieving new ones with renewed energy.