News

The latest news from the International Center for Journalists.

July
30
2019

Brazilian Men’s Magazine Analyzes Reader Comments to Prove its Vast Impact

While online comments aren’t always known for civility, a digital men’s magazine in Brazil has used its comments section to build a thriving and supportive community that improves readers’ lives. Now, thanks to help from ICFJ Knight Fellow Pedro Burgos, the news outlet has the numbers to prove it.

July
29
2019

Air quality sensors aid coverage of health and environment in Africa

A project that uses low-cost air quality sensors to monitor air pollution in seven major African cities is providing data that journalists are using for the first time to enhance coverage of related health and environmental concerns.

July
18
2019

Fighting Health Misinformation Requires A Strong Dose of Journalism

When it comes to health, access to accurate and timely information can make the difference between life and death. Yet worldwide we see a growing problem of health misinformation, spreading fast online and promoting fear. The consequences are often dire. That’s why I am building a network of collaborators across Latin America and launching Salud con Lupa, a digital, collaborative journalism platform dedicated to compelling, investigative coverage of public health.

July
12
2019

New Pledges Not Credible without Action, Say Press Freedom Groups

More than 30 press freedom and media development organizations met in London in advance of the Global Media Freedom Conference to call on all participating States to ensure the protection and safety of all journalists and media workers in compliance with their existing obligations and international standards.

July
10
2019

Latin American Newsrooms Boost Video Engagement through New Accelerator

News publishers in Argentina and Chile are taking their video strategies to the next level - and sparking greater audience engagement and web traffic in the process - with support from the Facebook Journalism Project Digital Video Accelerator

June
14
2019

SembraMex Grants Aim to Strengthen Investigative News Startups at U.S.-Mexico Border

Digital news startups in Juarez and Monterrey, Mexico, are the first recipients of new grants to help independent media organizations on the U.S.-Mexico border increase their business acumen and revenue. SembraMedia and the International Center for Journalists (ICFJ) awarded the grants as part of the Mexico Border Investigative Reporting Hub project.

June
13
2019

How WhatsApp Could Collaborate with Journalists to Spread News — and Battle Misinformation

Things have changed since Facebook acquired WhatsApp for US$19 billion in 2014. The social network made the app free for everyone, and what was an already popular messaging tool became even more popular — active monthly users surged from 200 million in April 2013 to 1.5 billion in December 2017.

June
12
2019

ICFJ Alumni Receive Storytelling Grants to Engage Audiences in Real Time

Journalists from Nigeria and the U.S. will receive special grants to involve audiences in real-time news-gathering and storytelling of important news events. Two Nigerian reporters will explore the devastating aftermath of major oil spills, while a U.S. journalist, commentator and author will show pivotal changes in Beijing over the past 20 years through a personal travelogue.

June
5
2019

Una Breve Guía de la Historia de las "Noticias Falsas" y la Desinformación: Un Nuevo Módulo de Aprendizaje por ICFJ

Las “noticias falsas” (“fake news” en inglés) no son nuevas. De hecho, la historia registrada de las "guerras de desinformación" se remonta a la antigua Roma; pero el siglo 21 ha visto la utilización de la información como arma en una escala sin precedentes. La nueva y poderosa tecnología hace que la manipulación y la fabricación del contenido sea simple, y las redes sociales amplifican dramáticamente las falsedades que venden los gobiernos antidemocráticos, los políticos populistas y las entidades corporativas deshonestas.

May
31
2019

Your Algorithm Hates You

Some of the decisions algorithms make about our lives are fairly benign, such as those irresistible “Suggestions for you” on Netflix. But it gets far murkier when artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning are used by businesses and governments for decision-making that affects our lives without us ever knowing about it. And worse, without us being able to appeal against those decisions.