IJNet Pamela Howard Forum on Crisis Reporting

Disinformation, disease, climate change,  rising authoritarianism, financial crises, technology disruptions  these are just some of the challenges facing our world, and they do not stop at any border. Trained journalists, who understand how to effectively cover these seismic and overlapping events, are vital to finding solutions. The IJNet Pamela Howard Forum on Crisis Reporting, a project of ICFJ, is designed to equip journalists with the expertise to provide meaningful coverage of critical global issues of local importance.

As part of our Forum initiative in five languages, reporters learn from leading experts through regular webinar programming on urgent issues of the day. They share information through online groups and collaborate with each other to tell cross-border stories. The initiative builds on the success of the ICFJ Global Health Crisis Reporting Forum, launched when the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Today, our growing community is made up of over 17,500 members from all over the world, who are countering disinformation and informing the public despite enormous challenges. See our impact and get involved below.

Just as almost every reporter became a “health reporter” during the pandemic, the global challenges ahead will demand that journalists build expertise to meet future crises. They demand an independent media to accurately and contextually report on both the global and local realities of the world’s most pressing issues.

We are honored to name this crucial initiative after ICFJ Vice Chair Pamela Howard, a staunch, dedicated supporter of our work for over 20 years.

Harnessing AI to Drive Positive Change in the Newsroom

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January 16, 2024

AI promises to have a transformative effect on journalism. It may disrupt the media landscape, while allowing for new kinds of experimentation in the newsroom.

It’s critical that journalists proactively identify how they can harness this technology to enhance their reporting and the media industry as a whole.

Advice for Covering Elections in the Age of Social Media

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December 12, 2023
Globally in 2024, half of the world’s population – over 4 billion people – will be voting in elections. For journalists covering them, knowing how best to utilize social media is key, both to inform audiences and to combat mis- and disinformation.

New Tool Tracks Disinformation Laws Globally

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November 17, 2023

Amid the rise in disinformation today, journalists should look into legal measures adopted by countries around the world to combat it.

Advice for Covering the Israel-Hamas War

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November 14, 2023

It has been over a month since Hamas attacked Israel, killing more than 1,200 people and taking hostage over 200 more, according to offical Israeli estimates. Israel subsequently declared war on Hamas, launching a bombing campaign and ground invasion of northern Gaza that has killed more than 11,000 people, according to the Gaza health ministry, which is run by Hamas.

How to Make a Profit in the Modern Media Landscape

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November 7, 2023

When it comes to running a media outlet, understanding business strategies is just as important as producing high-quality journalism. Informing, educating and holding the powerful accountable may be at the core of the profession, but profitability is what ensures its continued existence. 

Reflections on Covering Terrorism's Consequences on Women, from ICFJ Knight Award Winner Mariam Ouédraogo

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October 27, 2023

Burkinabè journalist Mariam Ouédraogo is dedicated to covering war and its devastating consequences on civilians in her native country of Burkina Faso.

Story Ideas and Tips for Keeping Up with COVID-19

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October 16, 2023

The World Health Organization no longer considers the COVID-19 pandemic a global health emergency, but that doesn’t mean it’s not a global health threat anymore. The global health toll is nearing seven million deaths, and new variants continue to emerge.

Addressing Visa and Travel Challenges for Journalists

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October 5, 2023

Journalists often may need to travel for their work, for instance for a reporting project or conference. This is harder for certain journalists, depending on where they are from. 

Headshot of Riad Kobaissi

Tips to Conducting Investigations for TV from ICFJ Knight Award Winner Riad Kobaissi

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September 8, 2023

The 2020 Beirut port blast – one of the largest non-nuclear explosions in history – killed more than 200 people and injured over 6,500. It left Lebanon reeling.

Insights from Covering the Wagner Group in Africa

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August 29, 2023

The death of Wagner Group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin in a plane crash between Moscow and St. Petersburg, Russia on Wednesday is but the latest twist in the recent history of the mercenary group, which made global headlines earlier this year during an armed rebellion in Russia.

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Contact Info

Devin Windelspecht
IJNet Editorial and Community Manager
dwindelspecht@icfj.org