Digital Journalism in Africa

This project will ensure that broadcast journalists in Sub-Saharan Africa stay abreast of the latest technological-driven investigative techniques, including different approaches to accessing information. They will acquire skills to protect themselves, and their sources, particularly when communicating electronically and distinguishing between real and fake.

There are three elements to the project:

• A two-day capacity-building workshop will be held in Windhoek, Namibia. Journalists will be invited to attend from South Africa, Botswana, Ghana, Nigeria, Seychelles, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. The curriculum will include freedom of information, investigating the environment, information security, interview skills, and personal security. A checklist on how journalists can stay safe online will be produced at the workshop.
• One pre-recorded toolkit guide on investigative journalism in the digital age – made available on the PMA website for all journalists to access.
• One online webinar to launch the checklist and toolkit and include regional and international experts and journalists who’ll share their experiences on investigative journalism.

This project is supported by The Grace Wyndham Goldie (BBC) Trust Fund and in partnership with The Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST).

The role that media can play as a watchdog is indispensable for democracy and freedom of expression.

With the COVID-19 pandemic, protracted armed conflicts, and rising terrorist threats, the past few years have been turbulent in Sub-Saharan Africa. Eroding public freedoms were evident during the pandemic, when governments in parts of the continent imposed sweeping restrictions on civic freedoms and press freedom, thereby limiting the ability to hold power to account.  According to the Afrobarometer’s latest survey the majority of people across the region expressed dissatisfaction with the way democracy worked.

During a time of confusion and disorder, the public needs strong and viable news media that inform citizens about current events and long-term trends. Therefore, now more than ever, there is a need for “strong investigative journalism”. This form of journalism goes further than conventional news reporting and can shine a light on social plights, influence public policy, hold power to account, and trigger change.

This project will run from 28-29 June 2023 at NUST, Windhoek, Namibia.

The webinar will take place in early July (date TBC).

With support from The Grace Wyndham Goldie (BBC) Trust Fund