ICFJ Knight Fellowships

Understanding the Need for Cybersecurity in African Journalism

According to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), over the past two decades 780 journalists worldwide were murdered while reporting or investigating stories. Many used digital tools in their daily work, which exposed them to cyber threats as well.

This trend is reflected in a recent CPJ report indicating that 109 out of the 199 journalists jailed last year worked online.

The Biggest Mistake a News Startup Can Make: Not Hiring a Web Editor

There has been a surge in news organizations over the last 10 years. The advent of digital publishing has led to startups covering everything from general news to the smallest of niches you can imagine. For years, these new organizations have tried to model themselves after their big brothers. This works out, sometimes. Other times budget constraints, inexperience and sheer practicality overwhelm and undercut important structural and business decisions.

The biggest and most oft-repeated mistake that I see these new groups making is ignoring the desperate role of a web editor.

Six Encryption Tools Every Journalist Should Use

In several years of training journalists, I have seen that most journalists agree with the need for encryption to protect their information, but only a few of them really embrace the technology. At first, I thought it was a problem of awareness, but I have since come to realize that the complexity of technology also plays a role.

Journalists often fail to protect their information because encryption systems are complicated and not very friendly to non-technical users. Most journalists have multiple assignments, little time and limited technological skills.

ICFJ Knight Roundup: impactAFRICA Funds $500k Contest to Support Data Journalism

Each week as part of the Knight International Media Innovators blog, the ICFJ Knight team will round up stories focused on how their fellows are making an impact in the field. Find out more about the fellows' projects by clicking here.