Impact in journalism calls for more intentional and collaborative effort

When journalists and media houses get more intentional about their work and collaborate to get things done, the quality of the result is improved and more impact is guaranteed. This is a crucial lesson from the training and events in the past weeks. 

From the international award won by an HumAngle's data journalism report to the prestigious Wole Soyinka Award for Investigative Reporting (WSAIR) judges’ advice for investigative journalists at a recent Q&A and insights shared by media experts at a webinar on revenue generation for African newsrooms, the power of intentionality, innovation and collaboration to increase journalism impact were emphasised. 

Media Talk Points and Focus

From a long list of 591 entries by 322 organisations across 78 countries to a shortlist of 52 entries and then 10 final winners, Nigeria’s HumAngle Media ’s data journalism project in collaboration with New Lines Magazine was selected among the best data journalism works done globally in 2023.

The work “Finding Nigeria’s Forgotten Mass Graves Through Satellite Data” by Mansir Muhammed was announced as one of the winners of the 2024 Sigma Awards, a prestigious global award to celebrate the best data journalism from around the world and empower, elevate and enlighten the global community of data journalists.

Muhammed, a GIS/OSINT expert, 'Kúnlé A. an award-winning investigative journalist, both of HumAngle, and Rasha Elass and Erin Brown of New Lines Magazine collaborated to produce the extensive investigation published across both platforms. All parties involved in the report brought their personal expertise to play in the work amounting to a well commended report. We wrote about the award and comment by the prize committee in the report here.

Still on journalism awards, the panel of judges of the prestigious Wole Soyinka Award for Investigative Reporting (WSAIR), an annual award of the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ) have revealed what would make an entry stand out of the lot and win in the different categories of the award.

The judges at the session included seasoned journalists and journalism trainers like Professors Alhaji Umaru Pate and Professor Abigail Ogwezzy current Director, ICE Unilag of Federal University, Kashere and the University of Lagos respectively, Dr Ola Adeboye of The Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Dr Theophilus Abbah, PhD of Daily Trust Foundation, Deputy Editor of Eagle Online, Mrs Juliana Francis , Founder of TV360, Mr Deji Badmus and Mr Mike Asukwo , all award-winning investigative journalists in the print, broadcast and visual medium respectively.

They clarified issues that deny reports awards, like imitative, opinionated and unnecessarily long reports. Lack of good treatment and presentation of findings in an investigative report also decrease the chances of winning awards. The judges recommend precise and concise reporting stamped with transparent and adequate investigative effort presented with impeccable multimedia storytelling as requirements for winning the award.

Collaboration, again, the need for mentorship and capacity building were noted as criteria for impactful reports beyond winning awards. Read the summary of their thoughts here.

Experts leading viable media organisations from different countries have also analysed the challenge of revenue generation and sustainability in African newsrooms.

fraycollege ’s revenue generation workshop featured discussions on revenue generation models, content monetisation, newsroom innovation and media sustainability and case studies presentations from experts on tested concepts.

The lineup of resource persons for the workshop includes Adedeji Adekunle of NAMIP Nigeria, desmond latham of frayintermedia South Africa, Christopher Siyabulela Mcinga of MeD8 Media South Africa, and Lars Tallert of Linnaeus University Sweden as speakers. Mia Malan of Bhekisisa Centre for Health Journalism , Irene David-Arinze (née Ubani) of LIDA NETWORK , Rochelle De Kock of The Herald and Gabriel Mwambeyu of Radio Kaya also used their publications and programmes as case studies to explain the concepts discussed.

The International Center for Journalists (ICFJ) 's Empowering The Truth Global Summit was concluded with a webinar on Leveraging AI by Nikita Roy , the fourth and final after hosting sessions on reaching critical audiences, building trust with them and forming alliances and networks throughout March. Catch up with all the livestreams and discussions on this ICFJ Facebook group.

Center for Collaborative Investigative Journalism also hosted a workshop on Collaborative Journalism Strategies with Christina Lee of Unbias The News and Hostwriter delving into the world of collaboration and the strategies for succeeding in it. You can catch up with the workshop by listening to the recording here 

Latest Career Movements and Wins

Aside from Mansir Muhammed’s report winning the 2024 Sigma Awards, another set of reports by Nigerian journalists has been longlisted for the 2024 One World Media Award.

Zubaida Baba Ibrahim , 'Kúnlé A. and The Republic 's Wale Lawal 's works were selected for different categories of the annual 15-category international award. FIJ Nigeria and Trust TV were also longlisted for the Press Freedom category of the award. Read all about the award in this report

What’s New

A new report produced by FT Strategies and Knight Lab supported by Google News Initiative has revealed that the current model for serving audience news needs is no longer satisfying them and won't even be sustainable in a couple of years.

 The research aims to better understand the future of news consumption in 2030. Young news consumers in Nigeria, India and the United States were interviewed to identify the news needs and preferences of the next generation.

Nigeria’s Bayo Olupohunda of Opera News, Yvette Uloma Dimiri of Stears and Ruona J. Meyer formerly of Solutions Journalism Network were part of the advisory board for the report. Read the highlights and download the report here

What is Coming! Opportunities for Journalists

Application for Cohort 3 of the MTN Nigeria Media Innovation Programme is open for journalists to apply till April 2024. You can apply for the program executed by School of Media and Communication, Pan-Atlantic University, Lagos, Nigeria here

Reuters is looking for West and Central Africa Chief Correspondents and The ICIR is also looking for competent hands to join their team. 

The Liberalist Centre and The New Humanitarian fellowships will close for application soon. Check these and other opportunities in our latest round-up of media opportunities you should take advantage of here on our website. 

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