Participant Story

How One Journalist Reached Remote Indonesian Indigenous Communities with Media Literacy

As Indonesia’s urban centers develop, Zulfa Amira Zaed carries a weight of concern for her fellow Indonesians who live in remote forest regions. But helping these communities navigate the challenges of disinformation proved difficult for Amira Zaed in the past, as she did not have the means to reach remote areas nor the resources to teach them. Through ICFJ training, she was able to improve her own media literacy and share her findings with her neighbors.

Meeting Students Where They Are: Tips to Increase Media Literacy Among School Students in The Gambia

For three years, Mariama Danso and her organization, Fact Check Center - The Gambia, have promoted media literacy among young adults to combat mis- and disinformation in the Banjul region of The Gambia. Through ICFJ's media literacy training of trainers, she learned new strategies to reach diverse audiences.

Sri Lankan Youth Take On Media Literacy Ambassador Roles Following Workshops

As a peacebuilder in Sri Lanka, Arzath Areeff has witnessed an alarming rise in hate speech and conflict in his country’s digital space. He co-founded the platform digizen in 2017 to support digital peacebuilding and promote media literacy. With support and training from ICFJ, Areeff has continued his trainings in underserved communities in his country.

From Walking Barefoot to School to Founding a Radio Station — Meet Harriet Atyang

Harriet Atyang is helping build a stronghold against disinformation in western Kenya. As the founder of a local radio station called Dada Radio based in Siaya, Kenya, she believes in the power of information. Through the first 19-person cohort of Disarming Disinformation’s training of trainers, she learned how to use and teach media literacy skills. In the months since, she has passed on those skills through mentorship programs for journalism students and workshops for community members.

ICFJ Voices: Branislava Lovre, on Building Trust and Using AI in Newsrooms

Serbian-based media professional and AI ethicist Branislava Lovre finds joy in helping newsrooms discover the potential of innovative co-creation and AI tools. Through an ICFJ program, she developed a platform that encourages newsrooms to work together with audiences to create news and increase transparency.

ICFJ Voices: Raisa Wickrematunge, Helping Journalists Cover Religious Intolerance

Sri Lankan journalist Raisa Wickrematunge believes religious intolerance is under covered in the media. Through an ICFJ program, she helped build a course to train South Asian journalists how to cover religious freedom. Her mentorship has facilitated high-quality reporting in the region.

IJNet Journalist of the Month: Jyoti Dwivedi

Jyoti Dwivedi is more than just a reporter. She is a catalyst, an agent of change. During a career spanning more than 15 years, Dwivedi has taken fake aliases, pretended she was pregnant and skirted the police working undercover. She regularly puts herself at risk for her stories – but shows little fear.

Journalist Testifies on Atrocities Committed by Russian Paramilitaries in Central and West Africa

Philip Obaji recently testified in Washington, DC, before the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe about reporting he did as an ICFJ Jim Hoge Reporting Fellow, bringing attention to the brutal actions of Russian paramilitary forces in the Central African Republic (CAR) and the region.

ICFJ Voices: Bharat Nayak on Investigating Disinformation in India

Indian journalist Bharat Nayak works as a researcher and fact-checker. He covers disinformation, political polarization, hate speech and climate change. Through an ICFJ program, he saw significant outcomes for both his reporting and broader community awareness.

ICFJ Voices: Shahzad Naveed, Shining a Light on Underreported Stories in Pakistan

Shahzad Naveed is a freelance journalist from Pakistan. He works with a variety of organizations and covers a range of sensitive and challenging topics, including minority rights and human rights. Through a workshop with ICFJ, he was able to grow his professional and technical skills, allowing him to effectively cover stories and approach sources.