Five ICFJ Network Members Who Demonstrate the Power of Journalism

By: ICFJ | 12/14/2023

With so much news from around the world generating despair, we want to share a few things that bring us hope. At ICFJ, we’re grateful for the 160,000-plus journalists in our network who are fighting for a brighter future by providing vital information to their communities.

Here are just five journalists from our network, all supported by ICFJ, who are making a difference – and who demonstrate the power of journalism.
 

  • Improving coverage in times of war: ICFJ’s International Journalists’ Network (IJNet) is providing important tips and resources – in seven languages – for those working to report on the Israel-Hamas war with care.
     
  • Producing journalism with an impact: Despite a crackdown on independent media in Egypt, our ICFJ Knight Award winner Lina Attalah and her outlet, Mada Masr, reported on a suspicious deal between her country and a New Jersey company. Now, the story is a central piece of evidence in the alleged bribery scandal involving U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez.
     
  • Harnessing artificial intelligence for good: Ahead of the 2024 U.S. presidential election, Troy Thibodeaux and Aimee Rinehart of the Associated Press (AP) are building an AI-powered dashboard of verification tools for global content.
     
  • Countering misinformation in under-served communities: In Uganda, journalist Willy Chowoo is equipping a network of reporters, sign language interpreters and citizens to slow misinformation “before it could consume the whole deaf community.”
     
  • Amplifying solutions globally: As part of a collaboration steered by ICFJ Knight Fellow Chani Guyot, 14 news outlets are expanding the reach of “human journalism” – reporting that explains how people and communities are addressing our most urgent social problems, from climate change to gender inequality.
     

These are only a handful of examples from our network of journalists working every day - often in the face of formidable challenges - to bring us the news. To learn more about their efforts and how ICFJ supports them, sign up for our newsletter.

News Category
Country/Region

Latest News

ICFJ Fellow Builds Community of Women Journalists in Post-Assad Syria

When Bashar al-Assad’s government was overthrown at the end of 2024, Mais Katt, a Syrian journalist who has lived in exile for 14 years, immediately returned to her country. She was one of the first journalism trainers to enter Damascus after the fall of the regime. Her goal? Help prepare women journalists to take advantage of their newfound freedoms.

ICFJ Fellow Investigates Government Failures in West Bank Refugee Camps

Aziza Nofal, a Palestinian freelance journalist and an ICFJ Jim Hoge Reporting Fellow, through her fellowship, conducted a months-long investigation into the shortage of aid for refugees living in West Bank refugee camps. When Nofal was covering Israeli incursions into West Bank refugee camps for outlets like Al Jazeera, she observed a lack of support from Palestinian authorities.

Hold the Line Coalition Welcomes Maria Ressa and Rappler's Acquittal on Foreign Ownership Case, Urges Closure of Remaining Case

A Filipino court has acquitted Nobel Peace Prize laureate and Rappler CEO Maria Ressa, along with five Rappler directors, in a long-standing anti-dummy case. Filed in 2018 under the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte, the case was based on the allegation that Rappler had violated constitutional restrictions on foreign ownership of media.