Participant Story

ICFJ Voices: Derek Willis, on Why Data Journalism Is Crucial

Derek Willis is a lecturer in data and computational journalism at the University of Maryland’s Philip Merrill College of Journalism. Previously, he was a data journalist with a variety of outlets. Through ICFJ programs, he has taught journalists around the world and helped them gain practical skills to further their careers.

The Power of Collaboration: Reporting Across the India-Pakistan Border

India and Pakistan have a history of more than 75 years of conflict over Kashmir, a region split between the two nations. This clash often places Kashmiris, who lack autonomy, in the crossfire. Last year, Indian journalist Puja Bhattacharjee and Pakistani journalist Umar Bacha united in a rare cross-country collaboration to detail the challenges faced by families and marriages divided by borders. The emotional investigation remains relevant amid increasing calls for Kasmiri autonomy.

Valeriya Yegoshyna: Keeping Eyes on Ukraine

In the face of dire threats to their safety, Ukrainian journalists have put their lives on the line to document the atrocities of Russia’s invasion of their country, and amplify the stories of those most impacted. Among these fearless journalists is 2024 ICFJ Knight International Journalism Award winner Valeriya Yegoshyna, a reporter at Schemes, the investigative project of the Ukrainian service of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. Her reporting has revealed alleged Russian war crimes and corruption in her native Ukraine.

ICFJ Voices: Anderson Meneses, Harnessing the Power of Hyperlocal Journalism

Anderson Meneses is the business and technology director at Agência Mural de Jornalismo das Periferias (Mural). Originally from São Paulo, Brazil, he’s based in Recife and covers the São Paulo Metropolitan Region.

He says that his involvement with ICFJ has had a major positive impact on his career, including co-founding Mural.

“ICFJ's support in Latin America is essential given the growing challenges faced by the press, such as violence against journalists, democratic crises and the spread of disinformation,” he says.

Rana Sabbagh: Fighting for Justice in the Middle East

When Rana Sabbagh was a young girl in Jordan, her German mother introduced her to the idea of Gerechtigkeit, which translates roughly to “justice” or “fairness.” Sabbagh’s career as an investigative journalist has revolved around this ideal: that justice, accountability and the rule of law matter. Today, Sabbagh — ICFJ's Knight Trailblazer Award winner — continues to drive hard-hitting investigations in the Middle East.

John-Allan Namu: Uncensoring Africa

In East Africa, Kenya has stood out for its relative peace and prosperity. For over three decades, it has enjoyed multi-party democracy, and largely avoided conflict and war. But that doesn't mean that 2024 ICFJ Knight International Journalism Award winner John-Allan Namu rests easy. The acclaimed Kenyan investigative journalist and co-founder and CEO of Africa Uncensored has dedicated his nearly 20-year career to exposing corruption among the most powerful, human rights abuses and more in his native country.

Electoral Disinformation, But No AI Revolution Ahead of the US Election — Yet

Many predicted a revolution in the world of disinformation during the 2024 U.S. election due to the emergence of generative artificial intelligence (AI). But it hasn’t come to pass – at least not yet. ICFJ Knight Fellow Laura Zommer breaks down how to monitor the status of disinformation and AI in the days leading up to Nov. 5.

An Academic's Media Literacy Journey from India to Oman

In 2018, Dr. Tamilselvi Natarajan came across a video depicting a child kidnapping, which spread widely on WhatsApp in India. In reality, however, the video was actually a public service announcement — not an actual kidnapping. The incident inspired the media educator to pursue training in fact-checking. Through an ICFJ and MediaWise program, she connected with advanced tools to continue to educate students about mis- and disinformation.

ICFJ Voices: Carolina Pichardo Hernández, on the Power of Cross-Border Exchanges

Dominican journalist Carolina Pichardo Hernández is an investigative editor at the oldest and most important newspaper in the Dominican Republic. Through an ICFJ program, she was able to leverage her skills to advance her career and become part of the Washington Post Talent Network.

How One Journalist Reached Remote Indonesian Indigenous Communities with Media Literacy

As Indonesia’s urban centers develop, Zulfa Amira Zaed carries a weight of concern for her fellow Indonesians who live in remote forest regions. But helping these communities navigate the challenges of disinformation proved difficult for Amira Zaed in the past, as she did not have the means to reach remote areas nor the resources to teach them. Through ICFJ training, she was able to improve her own media literacy and share her findings with her neighbors.