News

ICFJ Voices: Carolina Pichardo Hernández, on the Power of Cross-Border Exchanges

Dominican journalist Carolina Pichardo Hernández is an investigative editor at the oldest and most important newspaper in the Dominican Republic. Through an ICFJ program, she was able to leverage her skills to advance her career and become part of the Washington Post Talent Network.

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.

'Another Difficult Journey to Nowhere:' One Journalist's Account of Life in Gaza

According to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), since the war began at least 128 journalists and media workers have been killed in Gaza, the West Bank, Israel and Lebanon, including some targeted by Israeli forces. The killings of journalists, who are civilians under the law, must stop, and Israel must investigate cases of journalists killed by their forces.

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.

Key Reporting Advice from a Year of Elections Worldwide

Journalists covering elections in 2024 have combated pervasive mis- and disinformation, documented the rise of political extremism and persevered amid growing attacks on the press. By the end of the year, more than 60 countries will have been impacted by major elections. In a recent Crisis Reporting Forum session, IJNet brought together three journalists who reported on major elections and their aftermath this year in Germany, South Africa and Venezuela. 

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.