News

Innovative Fact-Checking Can Help Counter Disinformation About Elections

As preparation for elections get underway in countries such as Kenya and Nigeria, politicians and their supporters are investing time and resources into spreading mis- and disinformation that can sway public opinion and impact electoral outcomes. Africa’s youth bulge and a steady increase in internet adoption has aided the shift to social media as a medium of political expression.

Meet the ICFJ Innovators Working to Build Trust in News

Journalism innovators from across the world – from Brazil to Turkey to the U.S. – have embarked on a 10-week solutions challenge to address one of the field’s most urgent questions: How to build trust in news.

Almost 40 journalists and technologists from Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East and North America are taking part in the inaugural solutions challenge with Leap, ICFJ’s news innovation lab. Expert trainers and mentors are providing a guided, focused experience for participants to explore, design and develop products to better serve their communities, in an era of rampant disinformation and extreme polarization. 

These 6 Newsrooms are Creating Innovative Ways to Combat Misinformation in Brazil

The rise of mis- and disinformation is a major problem for democracies around the world. So-called “fake news”, spread on social media and texting services such as WhatsApp and Telegram, can undercut faith in elections and the democratic process and endanger peaceful transfers of power. In Brazil, the spread of disinformation will present a substantial risk to public faith in the outcome of this year’s presidential election, with false allegations of voter fraud, for instance, already running rampant. 

Hold the Line Coalition Demands Immediate Decriminalization of Libel in the Philippines as Maria Ressa Faces Extended Jail Sentence

The Hold The Line Coalition condemns the Philippine Court of Appeals decision to uphold the conviction of Nobel Laureate Maria Ressa and former Rappler researcher Rey Santos Jr on trumped-up charges of cyber libel. Alarmingly, the court’s rejection of their appeal brings Ressa and Santos Jr a step closer to possible imprisonment.

Women Journalists Making Change in the Newsroom and Beyond

Catherine Gicheru is very familiar with glass ceilings, and how to break them.

She became the first woman news editor of the Nation Media Group, later serving as the founding editor of The Star in Kenya. That’s when Catherine first joined the ICFJ network, as one of a cohort of top news editors we brought to the U.S. to learn from their peer newsrooms. 

Covering COVID-19’s Impact on Marginalized Communities

A cross-border team of journalists shone a light on rural healthcare in Ecuador, the United States and Zimbabwe, while another reporting duo surfaced how Latinas with disabilities navigated the pandemic, in stories supported by the ICFJ-Hearst Foundations Global Health Crisis Reporting Grant.

Shutdown Order Against Rappler Must Be Revoked Immediately

The Hold the Line Coalition condemns the historic shutdown order against Rappler approved by the Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) this week. By reinforcing an earlier decision to revoke Rappler’s certificates of incorporation, the ruling effectively confirms the shuttering of the independent news outlet. 

Resource in Four Languages Will Help Journalists, Content Creators Improve Video Skills

An engaging new resource to improve video storytelling skills is now available for journalists and other content creators. The International Journalists’ Network (IJNet) has published a Mobile Journalism Toolkit, which was developed by cross-platform video publishing company Seen in partnership with ICFJ and Meta Journalism Project.

Conheça os Projetos Inovadores de “Jogo Limpo” que Ajudarão no Combate à Desinformação Eleitoral no Brasil

Equipes de seis organizações de notícias foram selecionadas para receber fundos e mentoria no desenvolvimento de projetos que combatem a desinformação antes das eleições de outubro no Brasil. Os projetos fazem parte do Jogo Limpo, iniciativa do Centro Internacional para Jornalistas com apoio do YouTube Brasil.

Meet the “Jogo Limpo” Teams Developing Innovative Ways to Fight Electoral Disinformation in Brazil

Teams from six news organizations have been selected to receive funds and mentorship for projects that combat misinformation in the lead up to Brazil’s October elections. The projects are part of Jogo Limpo (“Fair Game”), an initiative run by the International Center for Journalists and supported by YouTube Brazil.