The Backstory: A media freedom podcast: Recent Episodes
WAN-IFRA, World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers
A podcast for journalists, editors & anyone interested in the backstory of how news is reported, presented & published. Each episode looks at an issue facing journalists and media organisations throughout the world. In season 4, we look at media across Africa, a continent of 54 countries, each with a unique media landscape, distinct set of press freedom challenges, and mounting financial pressures. #Pressfreedom #Mediafreedom #Media #Journalism #Africa
In this special episode of The Backstory, WAN-IFRA Golden Pen of Freedom laureate Carlos Chamorro speaks to Mexican journalist Javier Garza about his journey from political activist to the top of Latin American journalism. Nicaragua is facing a deep crisis as its populist leader, Daniel Ortega, seeks to consolidate nearly two decades in power at the expense of civil liberties, human rights, and press freedom. Chamorro talks about how, in the battleground between politics and journalism, there is only ever one winner, and what it means to rely on journalistic credibility in the face of violence and oppression.This episode was produced by Andrew Heslop, Javier Garza and Sarah Elzas, who edited and mixed the episode.Music in this episode: Crystals by Xylo-Ziko (https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/motif-remix/crystals)
Africa has made strides towards more press freedom, with countries like Zimbabwe and Malawi recently passing laws to protect free speech or access to information. But while this is a positive development for journalism, there have also been "clawbacks” – a reversal in access. In addition, journalists on the continent continue to self-censor their work in the face of government pressure and intervention, and have struggled to gain public trust. In this episode, we explore some of the trends common across Africa, with a particular focus on Kenya, Zimbabwe and South Africa, with:- Nqaba Matshazi, campaign coordinator for the Media Institute of Southern Africa (https://zimbabwe.misa.org/who-we-are/the-team/)- Susan Makore, director for Advisory and Insights within Wan-Ifra’s Women in News programme and commissioner for the Zimbabwe Media Commission (https://womeninnews.org/2020/08/susan-makore-faces-tough-challenge/)- John Allen Namu, investigative journalist and co-founder of Africa Uncensored, based in Nairobi, Kenya (https://africauncensored.online/author/j-allan/)- Nwabisa Makunga, editor of the Sowetan newspaper in Johannesburg, South Africa (https://www.sowetanlive.co.za/authors/nwabisa-makunga/)The Backstory production team is Andrew Heslop, Mariona Sanz, Irene Abalo, Colette Davidson and Sarah Elzas, who edited and mixed the episode.Music in this episode: Something Elated by The Freeharmonic Orchestra (https://stevecombsmusic.bandcamp.com/track/sleepless)
Journalists working in the the Middle East and North Africa face some of the biggest challenges to the profession anywhere in the world. The area has seen great upheaval in recent years, with revolutions in Tunisia and Egypt, and conflicts that have engulfed the region, like the current war in Gaza. But journalists remain dedicated to promoting the truth, working both pragmatically and creatively to ensure that their stories reach the rest of the world. In this episode we dip into the immense challenges facing the media industry in the MENA region, with:- Malek Khadhraoui, director of Tunisian investigative magazine Inkyfada (https://inkyfada.com/fr/author/malek-khadhraoui/)- Ayman Mhanna, executive director of the Samir Kassir Foundation's Skeyes Center for Media and Cultural Freedom in Beirut, Lebanon (https://www.skeyesmedia.org/en/)- Diana Moukalled, founder of media platform Daraj, in Lebanon (https://daraj.media/en/author/dfb37d025b8e3227fbe94311703e8c8b/)- Rasha Qandeel, Egyptian journalist, professor at the American University in Cairo (https://www.youtube.com/user/rashaqandeel/videos)The Backstory production team is Andrew Heslop, Mariona Sanz, Irene Abalo, Colette Davidson and Sarah Elzas, who edited and mixed the episode.Music in this episode: Something Elated by Swelling (https://swelling.bandcamp.com/track/night-ii)
The October 2023 elections in Poland marked a turning point for its media freedom, when the far-right Law and Justice party were pushed out of power after nearly a decade of rule and media control. But in other Eastern European countries, governments still exert power over the news industry, and throughout Europe, the rise of populism and the far-right is posing significant challenges to press freedom. In this episode we look at how Poland, Norway and the UK are navigating current challenges, and the impact that the war in Ukraine is having on press freedom on the continent, with:- Joanna Krawczyk, deputy managing director of the German Marshall Fund of the United States, based in Warsaw, Poland (https://www.gmfus.org/find-experts/joanna-krawczyk)- Helje Solberg, news director at public broadcaster NRK in Norway (https://www.nrk.no/presse/helje-solberg-blir-nyhetsdirektor-i-nrk-1.14119443)- Kamal Ahmed, president of the Society of Editors in the UK, and editor-in-chief and co-founder of The News Movement (https://www.thenewsmovement.com/)- Gavin O’Reilly, former president of Wan-Ifra; publisher and executive chair of the UK-based The New European (https://www.theneweuropean.co.uk)The Backstory production team is Andrew Heslop, Mariona Sanz, Irene Abalo, Colette Davidson and Sarah Elzas, who edited and mixed the episode.Music in this episode: Something Elated by Tea K Pea (https://freemusicarchive.org/music/tea-k-pea/ire-desire/lake-2/)
Asia is a vast region with extensive news markets and huge audiences, providing a plethora of opportunities for media production and consumption. But the continent is also home to a range of governing styles, from democracies to authoritarian dictatorships, some of which regularly crack down on press freedom. In this episode we hear from media professionals in Indonesia, India and Thailand on the specific challenges facing the news industry, as well as the role of China’s influence in the region, with;- Siddarth Vardarajan, founding editor, The Wire in India (https://m.thewire.in/author/Siddharth-Varadarajan)- Sui Lee Wee, Southeast Asia bureau chief for the New York Times (https://www.nytimes.com/by/sui-lee-wee)- Luviana Ariyanti, co-founder of alternative women’s media, konde.co, in Indonesia (https://www.konde.co/)- Ritu Kapur, co-founder and managing director of The Quint in India (https://www.thequint.com/topic/ritu-kapur)The Backstory production team is Andrew Heslop, Mariona Sanz, Irene Abalo, Colette Davidson and Sarah Elzas, who edited and mixed the episode.Music in this episode: Something Elated by Xylo-Ziko (https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/motif-remix/sandstone/)
The United States has long been held up as a model for press freedom worldwide. But increasing polarisation and the rise in populist politics are challenging this assumption. Instances of government officials undermining the media and the country’s democratic institutions make it increasingly difficult for journalists to do their jobs. Farther south, governments have been using laws to arrest and detain journalists who ask too many questions, while criminals who target journalists go unpunished. In this episode we take a close look at the US, Guatemala and Mexico, while also identifying trends that are spreading regionally, with:- Lauren Chooljian, radio journalist for New Hampshire public radio in the United States (https://www.nhpr.org/people/lauren-chooljian)- Joel Simon, founding director of the Journalism Protection Initiative at The City University of New York, in the United States (https://www.journalism.cuny.edu/faculty/joel-simon/)- José Carlos Zamora, Guatemalan journalist and son of José Rubén Zamora, founder and director of Guatemala’s El Periodico newspaper, who has been in prison since mid-2022 (https://twitter.com/jczamora)- Martha Ramos, chief editorial officer for Organización Editorial Mexicana, Mexico’s largest print media company (https://wan-ifra.org/2023/03/meet-martha-ramos-the-new-president-of-the-world-editors-forum/)The Backstory production team is Andrew Heslop, Mariona Sanz, Irene Abalo, Colette Davidson and Sarah Elzas, who edited and mixed the episode.Music in this episode: Something Elated by Xylo-Ziko (https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/motif-remix/crystals)
News organisations around the world are facing a new digital reality. In order to survive, they must not only hold onto their audiences, but also build new ones. How are African news media using innovation to address these issues? While innovative ideas tend to be tech-focused, the fundamental issue for many African media organisations is not just about technology, it’s also about how the news itself is reported and presented – and especially, how the continent is portrayed, and the narratives around it.
In this episode: - Chris Roper (twitter.com/ChrisRoper), Deputy CEO, Code for Africa, South Africa (github.com/CodeForAfrica) - Nigel Mugamu (twitter.com/SirNige), Chief Storyteller, 263Chat, Zimbabwe (263chat.com) - Moky Makura (twitter.com/mokymakura), Executive Director, Africa No Filter (africanofilter.org)
The Backstory production team is Andrew Heslop, Mariona Sanz, Irene Abalo, Colette Davidson and Sarah Elzas, who edited and mixed the episode.
Music in this episode: Something Elated by Broke for Free(https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Broke_For_Free/Something_EP/Broke_For_Free_-_Something_EP_-_05_Something_Elated)
What are the threats and challenges facing reporters who cover Africa’s biggest stories? How have threats evolved over the years, and what support do journalists have? Three journalists talk about their experiences of covering three very different, uniquely challenging beats (environment, elections, LGBTQ+ issues), and how they get to the story while keeping themselves and their sources safe.
In this episode: - Madeline Ngeunga (twitter.com/NgeungaM), Data journalist, InfoCongo, Cameroon(infocongo.org/en/) - Eric Oduor (twitter.com/Oduorerick), Editor of the Nation Media Group (www.nationmedia.com), and Secretary General of the Kenya Union of Journalists - Caleb Okereke (twitter.com/CalebOkereke), Managing Editor of Minority Africa, Uganda (minorityafrica.org)
The Backstory production team is Andrew Heslop, Mariona Sanz, Irene Abalo, Colette Davidson and Sarah Elzas, who edited and mixed the episode.
Music in this episode: Sal by Xylo-Ziko (https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/polyrhythms/sal)
Capturing the attention of young people means understanding what news and information they want and how they want to get it. Traditional media across Africa are reassessing their offer, while innovative platforms featuring images and video are growing in popularity. What can media companies do to attract – and keep – this booming demographic that cares deeply about the issues that affect our world?
In this episode: - Tshepo Tshabalala (twitter.com/TshepototheT), Director, Journalism and Media Lab Africa (Jamlab) in South Africa (www.jamlab.africa) - Kanyinsola Aroyewun, Head of marketing and content growth, Pulse, Nigeria (www.pulse.africa) - Edwin Madu (twitter.com/dwinmadu), Editor in chief, Zikoko, Nigeria (www.zikoko.com) - Yusuf Omar (twitter.com/YusufOmarSA), Co-founder, Hashtag Our Stories (www.hashtagourstories.com)
For more resources and tips visit WAN-IFRA's press freedom page (wan-ifra.org/about-us/press-freedom).
The Backstory production team is Andrew Heslop, Mariona Sanz, Colette Davidson, Irene Abalo and Sarah Elzas, who edited and mixed the episode.
Music in this episode: Simple Hop by Broke for Free (freemusicarchive.org/music/Broke_For_Free/Slam_Funk/Broke_For_Free_-_Slam_Funk_-_11_Simple_Hop)
In a time of exceptional crisis for newsrooms and media companies everywhere, African media is facing huge financial challenges. But this time of uncertainty is also forcing media companies to find innovative ways of coping. Where is the money coming from, and how is the digital transition helping – or hindering – a future economic model? In this episode, we look at the struggles that African media companies are confronting, and the solutions they are finding.
In this episode: -Charles Kanamugire (twitter.com/jckanam), Managing Director, Kigali Today, Rwanda (www.kigalitoday.com/) -Lisa MacLeod (twitter.com/lisataljard), publishing consultant, FT Strategies and former head of digital at Tiso Blackstar Group in South Africa -Alexander Owino, financial expert in Kenya
For more resources and tips visit WAN-IFRA's press freedom page (wan-ifra.org/about-us/press-freedom/).
The Backstory production team is Andrew Heslop, Mariona Sanz, Colette Davidson and Sarah Elzas, who edited and mixed the episode.
Music in this episode: Sal by Xylo-Ziko (freemusicarchive.org/music/Xylo-Ziko/polyrhythms/sal)
It’s been thirty years since the Windhoek Declaration for the Development of a Free, Independent and Pluralistic Press was born on May 3, 1991 in Namibia. The declaration was not only a proud moment for African journalism, it also inspired others to do the same, and the United Nations launched World Press Freedom Day on May 3 two years later. Though some countries across the African continent have made press freedom gains since then, many continue to struggle with journalist safety, independence and financial pressures. What are the press freedom challenges facing African media? And what steps are being taken towards improvement?
In this episode: - Angela Quintal (twitter.com/angelaquintal) Director of the Africa program, Committee to Protect Journalists (cpj.org) - Gwen Lister (twitter.com/GwenLister1), founder, The Namibian (https://www.namibian.com.na) - Churchill Otieno (twitter.com/otienoc), Head of Development & Learning, The Nation (https://thenationonlineng.net), President, Kenya Editors' Guild - Joan Chirwa (twitter.com/ChirwaJoan), Founder, The Free Press Initiative, Zambia (twitter.com/ZambiaFree)
For more resources and tips visit WAN-IFRA's press freedom page (wan-ifra.org/about-us/press-freedom/).
The Backstory production team is Andrew Heslop, Mariona Sanz, Colette Davidson and Sarah Elzas, who edited and mixed the episode.
Music in this episode: Simple Hop by Broke for Free (https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Broke_For_Free/Slam_Funk/Broke_For_Free_-_Slam_Funk_-_11_Simple_Hop)
The Covid-19 pandemic has focused attention on issues that have been taboo in many newsrooms for a long time: mental wellbeing, stress management, technological burnout and limits between personal and professional life. For women journalists in particular, where there is an expectation to remain productive under demanding circumstances, these challenges have been compounded. What can journalists to improve their own wellbeing and resilience? And what should editors and managers be doing to better support their teams?
In this episode: - Mar Cabra (twitter.com/cabralens), Pulitzer prize-winning data journalist and founder of The Self-Investigation (theselfinvestigation.com) - Tamala Chirwa, Director of Operations and People, Women in News programme - Ritu Kapur (twitter.com/kapur_ritu), Founder and CEO of The Quint (thequint.com), India
This season of The Backstory is produced in partnership with WAN-IFRA’s Women in News programme, a ground-breaking effort to promote gender equality throughout the news industry.
For more resources and tips visit WAN-IFRA's press freedom page (wan-ifra.org/about-us/press-freedom/) and the WIN site (www.womeninnews.org/)
The Backstory production team is Andrew Heslop, Mariona Sanz, Colette Davidson and Sarah Elzas, who edited and mixed the episode.
Music in this episode: Gaia by Soularflair (https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Soularflair/CUES_for_film_TV_games_etc_POSITIVE/Cue_1_-_Emotive-Beautiful-Building_Gaia_1536)
Sexual harassment happens everywhere, and media organisations are not immune. Addressing it is good for journalists, and for the media business in general. How can organisations create a work culture where sexual harassment does not happen? How can they identify it, and address it when it does happen?
In this episode: - Carin Andersson, Human Resources consultant and former HR Director at MittMediaAB, Sweden (http://mittmedia.se) - Collin Haba, CEO, The New Times, Rwanda (https://www.newtimes.co.rw/) - Melanie Walker, Executive director of Media Development and Women in News (WIN), WAN-IFRA. - Myra Abdallah, Lebanese journalist and Arab region trainer on Sexual Harassment for WIN
WIN Sexual Harrassment toolkit: http://womeninnews.org/resource/41
This season of The Backstory is produced in partnership with WAN-IFRA’s Women in News programme, a ground-breaking effort to promote gender equality throughout the news industry.
For more resources and tips visit WAN-IFRA's press freedom page (https://wan-ifra.org/about-us/press-freedom/) and the WIN site (www.womeninnews.org/)
The Backstory production team is Andrew Heslop, Mariona Sanz, Colette Davidson and Sarah Elzas, who edited and mixed the episode.
Music in this episode: One And by Broke for Free (https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Broke_For_Free/Leaf/Broke_For_Free_-_Leaf_-_08_One_And)
Journalists should be committed to reporting facts and presenting the news in an honest way. But when they use their reporting to give a voice to those who are under-represented - to victims instead of perpetrators - they have the power to create social change. In this episode, four journalists from Latin America, the Middle East and Africa talk about the unique opportunities they have as women to make a difference in their societies through their reporting on climate change, indigenous communities, migration, press freedom, health and women's rights.
In this episode: - Nina Lakhani (twitter.com/ninalakhani), environmental reporter for The Guardian, formerly in Mexico and Central America - Diana Moukalled (twitter.com/dianamoukalled), co-founder of Daraj (daraj.com/en/), independent media platform in Lebanon - Margaret Ngonga (www.facebook.com/ngongamargaret/), co-founder, The Ridgeway Sun, online magazine diffusing health information from Zambia - Limbikani Kamlongera (www.linkedin.com/in/limbikani-sarah-kamlongera-6559ab91/), communication for development expert, board member of the Malawi Broadcasting Corporation, and WIN coach
This season of The Backstory is produced in partnership with Wan-Ifra’s Women in News programme, a ground-breaking effort to promote gender equality throughout the news industry.
For resources and tips visit Wan-Ifra's press freedom page (www.wan-ifra.org/microsites/press-freedom) and the WIN page (www.womeninnews.org/)
The Backstory production team is Andrew Heslop, Mariona Sanz and Colette Davidson. Sarah Elzas mixed the episode.
Music in this episode: Juparo by Broke for Free (freemusicarchive.org/music/Broke_For_Free/Petal/Broke_For_Free_-_Petal_-_05_Juparo)
Technology has revolutionised how we get our news. Data visualisation and multimedia are increasingly used to tell stories, and coding is no longer just for computer scientists. But when it comes to working with digital technology, in most newsrooms men outnumber women. Why are men still dominating this field? And what does it take for women to get ahead? In this episode, four women from the Middle East, Africa, Latin America and North America talk about how they beat the odds to work with technology -- and why it’s so important for women to aim for these positions and bring new perspectives into the world of tech.
In this episode:
- Mariana Santos (twitter.com/marysaints), founder, Chicas Poderosas (chicaspoderosas.org/), training women in digital media and leadership skills across Latin America
- Catherine Gicheru (twitter.com/cgicheru1), ICFJ Knight Fellow, co-founder PesaCheck, founding editor The Star Kenya (https://www.the-star.co.ke), and at the time of the interview, senior programme manager Code for Africa, Kenya
- Chayma Mehdi (twitter.com/chaymamehdi), head of the Innovation Lab, Inkyfada, Tunis, Tunisia (inkyfada.com/en)
- Sonali Verma (twitter.com/Sonali Verma), senior product manager of analytics, Globe and Mail, Toronto, Canada (https://www.theglobeandmail.com/)
This season of The Backstory is produced in partnership with Wan-Ifra’s Women in News programme, a ground-breaking effort to promote gender equality throughout the news industry.
For resources and tips visit Wan-Ifra's press freedom page (www.wan-ifra.org/microsites/press-freedom) and the WIN page (www.womeninnews.org/)
The Backstory production team is Andrew Heslop, Mariona Sanz and Colette Davidson. Sarah Elzas mixed the episode.
Music in this episode: Gaia by Soularflair(freemusicarchive.org/music/Soularflair/CUES_for_film_TV_games_etc_POSITIVE/Cue_1_-_Emotive-Beautiful-Building_Gaia_1536)
Women in leadership, diversity in the workplace - these are catchphrases that media organisations are talking about, but what do they mean? Why is it important to have women in top positions? And who are the women who are already there? In this episode, three women who have made it to the top echelons of their media organisations in Africa, the Middle East and Europe talk about what it took to get there and what they are doing to change things for other women who follow in their paths.
In this episode: - Pamella Sittoni (https://twitter.com/pamsittoni), Executive Editor, Daily Nation group and Managing Editor, Daily Nation, Kenya (https://www.nation.co.ke/) - Acil Tabbara (https://twitter.com/aciltab), senior editor, L’Orient Le Jour, Lebanon (https://www.lorientlejour.com/), former AFP Gulf and Yemen bureau chief (https://www.afp.com/) - Helje Solberg (https://twitter.com/heljes), News director, NRK, Norway (https://www.nrk.no/)
This season of The Backstory is produced in partnership with Wan-Ifra’s Women in News programme, a ground-breaking effort to promote gender equality throughout the news industry.
For resources and tips visit Wan-Ifra's press freedom page (www.wan-ifra.org/microsites/press-freedom) and the WIN page (www.womeninnews.org/)
The Backstory production team is Andrew Heslop, Mariona Sanz, Colette Davidson and Sarah Elzas, who edited and mixed the episode.
Music in this episode: One And by Broke for Free (https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Broke_For_Free/Leaf/Broke_For_Free_-_Leaf_-_08_One_And)
Often, without even realising it, much of the media we consume is dominated by men. Men’s voices and men’s perspectives account for roughly 75% of the news. Yet, women make up half the population. Research has shown that stories that feature women are more widely read by women. So, why does this imbalance persist and how can news organisations shift how they represent women? Listen to how some have done it, with tips on measuring the problem, and ways to fix it.
In this episode: - Kesewa Henessey (twitter.com/HennessyKesewa), Digital editor for engagement, Financial Times (www.ft.com/stream/4b28a9de-fbd9-43c6-b513-dc0c47fa0109) - Vincent Kahiya (twitter.com/vtkahiya), veteran journalist in Zimbabwe, lead trainer, Women in News programme (www.womeninnews.org/). - Mona Magdy, lead trainer, Women in News programme (www.womeninnews.org/), MENA region.
This season of The Backstory is produced in partnership with Wan-Ifra’s Women in News programme, a ground-breaking effort to promote gender equality throughout the news industry.
For resources and tips visit Wan-Ifra's press freedom page (www.wan-ifra.org/microsites/press-freedom) and the WIN page (www.womeninnews.org/)
The Backstory production team is Andrew Heslop, Mariona Sanz, Colette Davidson and Sarah Elzas, who edited and mixed the episode.
Music in this episode: Juparo by Broke for Free (freemusicarchive.org/music/Broke_For_Free/Petal/Broke_For_Free_-_Petal_-_05_Juparo)
Protests have become more frequent, and more violent, around the world. Covering them has become increasingly dangerous for journalists, and has required new ways of thinking and acting. This episode puts safety issues into the context of covering protests. What are journalists and editors’ experiences? What should they be thinking about?
In this episode: - Sergi Vicente, director, Betevé, public television station in Barcelona (https://beteve.cat/) - Zuraidah Ibrahim, deputy executive editor, South China Morning Post in Hong Kong (https://www.scmp.com/) - Monica Almeida, chief of the investigative unit, El Universo, daily newspaper in Ecuador (https://www.eluniverso.com/) - Roger Renni, director, Key Objectives, supporting journalists on the ground and providing hostile environment training (http://keyobjectives.net/)
For resources and tips visit Wan-Ifra's press freedom page (www.wan-ifra.org/microsites/press-freedom)
The Backstory production team is Andrew Heslop, Mariona Sanz, Colette Davidson and Sarah Elzas, who edited and mixed the episode.
Music in this episode by Chris Zabriskie (https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Chris_Zabriskie/Vendaface/04_-_The_Life_and_Death_of_a_Certain_K_Zabriskie_Patriarch)
A contract may seem like an afterthought for a freelancer, and it’s not obvious how it is linked to safety. But contracts should be a part of every journalist’s conversation with an editor, especially when the assignment involves risk. What should journalists be asking for? And what should editors and news organisations be thinking about?
In this episode: - Anna Day, freelance journalist, co-founder Frontline Freelance Register (https://www.frontlinefreelance.org/) - Safa Al Ahmad (https://twitter.com/ghariba33), freelance journalist/filmmaker, board member Frontline Freelance Register - Alexander Papachristou, executive director, Cyrus R Vance Center for international justice (https://www.vancecenter.org/) of the NYC Bar association, adviser on Model contract for freelancers from the ACOS Alliance (https://www.acosalliance.org/contracts)
For resources and tips visit Wan-Ifra's press freedom page (www.wan-ifra.org/microsites/press-freedom)
The Backstory production team is Andrew Heslop, Mariona Sanz, Colette Davidson and Sarah Elzas, who edited and mixed the episode.
Music in this episode by Broke for Free (https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Broke_For_Free/Directionless_EP/Broke_For_Free_-_Directionless_EP_-_01_Night_Owl)
What is the cost of keeping yourself safe when you’re a journalist? Journalists, editors and security managers help us start to understand how money can be a safety concern in itself, especially for freelancers who are often left on their own to negotiate budgets and insurance coverage.
In this episode: - Safa Al Ahmad (https://twitter.com/ghariba33), freelance journalist/filmmaker, working on Yemen & Saudi Arabia - Zaffar Abbas, editor of Dawn newspaper in Pakistan (https://www.dawn.com/) - Prash Naik (https://prashnaik.com/), media lawyer, former general counsel for Channel 4 television in the UK - Sharbil Nammour, Global Head of Security and Risk, Vice Media (https://www.vice.com/)
For resources and tips visit Wan-Ifra's press freedom page (www.wan-ifra.org/microsites/press-freedom)
The Backstory production team is Andrew Heslop, Mariona Sanz, Colette Davidson and Sarah Elzas, who edited and mixed the episode.
Music in this episode by Swelling (https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Swelling/Projector_Music_For_Visual_Media/Swelling_-_Projector-_Music_for_Visual_Media_-_04_Night_II)
Journalists are increasingly the target of insults or threats from individuals or groups online, which can have physical impacts and should no longer be seen as separate from the offline world. The goal of the harassment? Censorship. And women bear the brunt of the abuse, which is usually gendered and sexualised. Journalists have developed ways to deal with online harassment, from shutting down social media accounts, to confronting abusers, to advocating for change on a systemic level. In this episode, we hear about how that works.
- Ceyda Karan, Turkish journalist, very active on Twitter (https://twitter.com/ceydak)
- Marija Vucic, Serbian journalist with KRIK Crime and corruption reporting network (https://www.krik.rs/en/)
- Nighat Dad, lawyer, founder of the Digital rights foundation in Pakistan (https://digitalrightsfoundation.pk/)
- Viktorya Vilk, manager of special projects, Free expression programmes, PEN America (https://pen.org/)
For resources and tips visit Wan-Ifra's press freedom page (www.wan-ifra.org/microsites/press-freedom)
The Backstory production team is Andrew Heslop, Mariona Sanz, Colette Davidson and Sarah Elzas, who edited and mixed the episode.
Music in this episode by Chris Zabriskie (http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Chris_Zabriskie/Vendaface/04_-_The_Life_and_Death_of_a_Certain_K_Zabriskie_Patriarch)
Many journalists see and even experience some kind of trauma, whether they're covering a conflict zone, protests or violent crime, and they can experience anxiety, depression or even PTSD. One of the best ways of coping is to talk about the experiences and the feelings they evoke, but few people do - journalists or their editors. Trauma is considered part of the job; but ignoring it only makes it worse. In this episode we look at moral injury, the kind of trauma journalists can experience, and the symptoms they might exhibit. And how to value their mental health as much their as physical safety.
- Amantha Perera, Sri Lankan journalist who covered the civil war and tsunami, Asia-Pacific coordinator, Dart Centre for Journalism & Trauma (https://dartcenter.org/bio/amantha-perera)
- Finbarr O’Reilly (http://www.finbarr-oreilly.com/), British-Canadian photographer who covered conflicts around the world, author of Shooting Ghosts: A U.S. Marine, a Combat Photographer, and Their Journey Back from War.
- Alex Logan, health & safety professional, teaches physical and psychological components of hostile environment training courses for journalists with Key Objectives (http://keyobjectives.net/)
For resources and tips visit Wan-Ifra's press freedom page (www.wan-ifra.org/microsites/press-freedom)
The Backstory production team is Andrew Heslop, Mariona Sanz, Colette Davidson and Sarah Elzas, who edited and mixed the episode.
Music in this episode by Broke for Free (http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Broke_For_Free/Directionless_EP/Broke_For_Free_-_Directionless_EP_-_01_Night_Owl)
If journalism protects democracy, then who is protecting journalists? The important role editors and managers play in keeping their reporters safe. In this episode, we hear from editors and safety trainers about starting the safety conversation in newsrooms, to make safety a priority rather than an afterthought. Learn about actual situations that journalists and editors have found themselves facing, and get tips on how to start putting in place safety protocols in your own newsroom.
In this episode: - Cilla Benko, Director General, Radio Sweden (https://sverigesradio.se/radiosweden) - Luisa Fernanda Isaza, coordinator for the defence and support of journalists, FLIP, Colombia’s press freedom foundation (https://flip.org.co/index.php/en/) - Eliot Stempf, Head of High Risk, Buzzfeed news (https://www.buzzfeed.com/) - Elisabet Cantenys, Executive Director, ACOS Alliance (https://www.acosalliance.org/)
For resources and tips visit Wan-Ifra's press freedom page (https://www.wan-ifra.org/microsites/press-freedom)
The Backstory production team is Andrew Heslop, Mariona Sanz, Colette Davidson and Sarah Elzas, who edited and mixed the episode.
Music in this episode by Swelling (http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Swelling/Projector_Music_For_Visual_Media/Swelling_-_Projector-_Music_for_Visual_Media_-_04_Night_II)
It is increasingly rare to find instances of direct censorship of media in the world today. But indirect censorship, called soft censorship, is thriving. It manifests itself through government pressure on media groups through advertising decisions and restrictive legislation. Less violent than kidnapping and murdering journalists, it is as existential a threat to journalism.
In this episode:
- Adrián López Ortiz, CEO of Noroeste (https://www.noroeste.com.mx/), media group in northwestern Mexico
- Don Podesta, author of ‘Soft-Censorship: How governments around the globe use money to manipulate the media’ (https://www.cima.ned.org/resource/soft-censorship-how-governments-around-the-globe-use-money-to-manipulate-the-media/)
- Attila Mong, Hungarian journalist and media consultant (http://attilamong.weebly.com/)
The Backstory production team is Andrew Heslop, Colette Davidson and Sarah Elzas, who edited and mixed the episode.
Music in this episode by Swelling (http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Swelling/Projector_Music_For_Visual_Media/Swelling_-_Projector-_Music_for_Visual_Media_-_04_Night_II)
Journalists and news organisations today are seeing a shift in the use of social media, from engagement to propaganda and the spreading of misinformation, or so-called fake news. Facebook and other tech platforms are increasingly under pressure to change how they present information and sort truth from lies. But journalists themselves are also coming up with solutions. This episode looks at their fight to control the narrative of a given story. It’s a fight against propagandists, whether governments or online activists.
Andrew Heslop and Mariona Sanz, of WAN-IFRA’s Press Freedom team speak with:
- Maria Ressa, co-founder, CEO and executive editor of Rappler (https://www.rappler.com), an online news site in the Philippines.
- Lia Valero, founder of the fact-checking project El Poder de Elegir (https://chicaspoderosas.org/el-poder-de-elegir-project) in Colombia
- Fergus Bell, a digital journalist and consultant (http://digdeepermedia.com), who is an expert in verifying user-generated content.
The Backstory production team also includes Colette Davidson and Sarah Elzas, who edited and mixed the episode.
Music in this episode by Chris Zabriskie (http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Chris_Zabriskie/Vendaface/04_-_The_Life_and_Death_of_a_Certain_K_Zabriskie_Patriarch)
Journalism can be a dangerous job and for female journalists, there is the added layer of sexual violence. Even when they are not working on stories that put them in physical danger, they face harassment and threats online. This episode looks at the specific threats that female journalists face -- in the field, online and in the workplace -- and what they, and the profession, can do about it.
WAN-IFRA Press Freedom Director, Andrew Heslop, and the production team, speak with:
- Stella Paul, a freelance journalist from India, about how she deals with threats and attacks as she covers covering climate change and its effect on vulnerable women. Find her work for the Inter Press Service here: http://www.ipsnews.net/author/stella-paul/
- Elisa Lees Muñoz, Executive Director of the International Women’s Media Foundation (https://www.iwmf.org/), which is conducting research on online harassment of women journalists in the US, with TrollBusters (http://www.troll-busters.com/)
- Stina Hofgaard Røsjø, Head of administration of VG Media (https://www.vg.no/) which publishes Norway’s most-read newspaper online, and which completely rethought its sexual harassment policy following the stories coming out of the MeToo movement
The Backstory production team includes Mariona Sanz, Colette Davidson and Sarah Elzas, who edited and mixed the episode.
Music in this episode by Broke for Free (http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Broke_For_Free/Directionless_EP/Broke_For_Free_-_Directionless_EP_-_01_Night_Owl)
Social media has opened new channels for journalists to connect with their audiences, but with mixed results. With the rise of trolling, online harassment and the manipulation of social media, how do journalists and editors see the role of social media today? How are journalists adapting? How can they move forward in these seemingly chaotic times?
WAN-IFRA Press Freedom Director, Andrew Heslop, speaks with:
- Karabo Rajuili, advocacy coordinator for the AmaBhungane center for Investigative Journalism (http://amabhungane.co.za) and chair of the South Africa WAN-IFRA Media Freedom Committee
- Julie Posetti, Senior Research Fellow with the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism at the University of Oxford, leading the new Journalism Innovation Project (https://reutersinstitute.politics.ox.ac.uk/risj-review/new-journalism-innovation-project)
- Marcelo Rech, editorial Vice-President of the RBS group, Brazil (http://www.gruporbs.com.br) and former president of the World Editors Forum
The Backstory production team includes Mariona Sanz, Colette Davidson and Sarah Elzas, who edited and mixed the episode.
Music in this episode by Chris Zabriskie (http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Chris_Zabriskie/Vendaface/04_-_The_Life_and_Death_of_a_Certain_K_Zabriskie_Patriarch)
How do you run an independent media organisation in a country where the government imposes censorship rules? How do you support a successful media company without folding to pressure from your funders or your sponsors? The internet has exploded traditional media funding models. And yet, in some parts of the world, legacy media - even print! - remain a strong source of independent information. How are these companies surviving? In this episode of The Backstory, WAN-IFRA Press Freedom Director, Andrew Heslop, meets some of them to find out:
- Sonny Swe, founder and CEO of Black Knight Media Group and publisher of Frontier Myanmar magazine (https://frontiermyanmar.net/en)
- Harlan Mandel, CEO of the Media Development Investment Fund, which invests in independent media organisations around the world (https://www.mdif.org/)
- Fatemah Farag, founder and CEO of Welad ElBalad Media, a network of local newspapers in Egypt (https://www.weladelbalad.com) and MENA Director for WAN-IFRA’s Women in News Programme
The Backstory production team includes Mariona Sanz, Colette Davidson and Sarah Elzas, who edited and mixed the episode.
Music in this episode by Broke for Free (http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Broke_For_Free/Directionless_EP/Broke_For_Free_-_Directionless_EP_-_01_Night_Owl) and Lee Rosevere (http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Lee_Rosevere/Xeno/Lee_Rosevere_-_Xeno_-_05_Vertex)
We start with the basics: the threats facing journalists worldwide. Too often, journalists put safety aside to “get” the story; editors don’t anticipate the problems that their reporters or their newsrooms can face. How can journalists be prepared? What should editors think about?
To explore the issue, WAN-IFRA Media Freedom Director Andrew Heslop speaks with:
- Javier Garza, a journalist in Mexico and a global journalist security trainer
- Elisabet Cantenys, Executive Director of the ACOS Alliance, a coalition of organisations working to develop worldwide protection standards for journalists (https://www.acosalliance.org/)
- Carol Beyanga, Chair of the Uganda Media Freedom Committee and Managing Editor for digital content at Daily Monitor Publications (https://www.wan-ifra.org/articles/2017/11/20/uganda-media-freedom-committee)
The production team includes Mariona Sanz, Colette Davidson and Sarah Elzas, who also edited and mixed the episode.
Music in this episode by Swelling (http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Swelling/Projector_Music_For_Visual_Media/Swelling_-_Projector-_Music_for_Visual_Media_-_04_Night_II) and Lee Rosevere (http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Lee_Rosevere/Xeno/Lee_Rosevere_-_Xeno_-_05_Vertex)
Investigative journalism is the lifeblood of media, but it is also the most expensive element of any media operation. Yet even as resources to produce investigations dwindle, journalists in Africa continue to dedicate themselves to in-depth reporting into the most serious issues on the continent. Donor-funded investigative centres or platforms have been created to fill in the gaps of legacy media, which often struggle to support this kind of journalism. But are these centres stripping the media companies of their investigative talents, or are they filling badly needed holes? And how hard is it to actually get the job done?
In this episode:
- Naipanoi Lepapa (twitter.com/naipanoilepapa), freelance investigative journalist, Kenya
- Sam Sole (twitter.com/samsoleZA) journalist and managing partner of amaBhungane Centre for Investigative Journalism (amabhungane.org)
- Mimi Mefo Takambou (twitter.com/mimimefo) Cameroonian investigative journalist, founder of Mimi Mefo Info (mimimefoinfos.com)
- Benon Oluka (twitter.com/benon_oluka), co-founder of The Watchdog, Uganda (watchdoguganda.com) and Africa editor at the Global Investigative Journalism Network (gijn.org)
For more resources and tips visit WAN-IFRA's press freedom page (wan-ifra.org/about-us/press-freedom).
The Backstory production team is Andrew Heslop, Mariona Sanz, Colette Davidson and Sarah Elzas, who edited and mixed the episode.
Music in this episode: Something Elated by Broke for Free(freemusicarchive.org/music/Broke_For_Free/Something_EP/Broke_For_Free_-_Something_EP_-_05_Something_Elated)