ICFJ Knight Fellowships

ICFJ Knight Roundup: ICFJ Knight Award Nomination Deadline Approaches

As part of the Knight International Media Innovators blog, the ICFJ Knight team will round up stories focused on how their fellows are making an impact in the field. Find out more about the fellows' projects by clicking here.

A final reminder for 2016 Knight Awards nominations, Code for South Africa's new data school and more from the Knight Fellows in this week’s roundup.

There's still time!

Inside the Innovative Training Model at Code for South Africa's Data Journalism Academy

What does it take to convince thinly stretched, understaffed newsrooms to release experienced reporters for three months to attend a data journalism program — and pay for the privilege, too?

Understanding the Need for Cybersecurity in African Journalism

According to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), over the past two decades 780 journalists worldwide were murdered while reporting or investigating stories. Many used digital tools in their daily work, which exposed them to cyber threats as well.

This trend is reflected in a recent CPJ report indicating that 109 out of the 199 journalists jailed last year worked online.

The Biggest Mistake a News Startup Can Make: Not Hiring a Web Editor

There has been a surge in news organizations over the last 10 years. The advent of digital publishing has led to startups covering everything from general news to the smallest of niches you can imagine. For years, these new organizations have tried to model themselves after their big brothers. This works out, sometimes. Other times budget constraints, inexperience and sheer practicality overwhelm and undercut important structural and business decisions.

The biggest and most oft-repeated mistake that I see these new groups making is ignoring the desperate role of a web editor.