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Chilling attack on journalism in wake of Coronavirus

MISSING: Citizen Journalist, Chen Qiushi Yet another journalist is missing in China which already has an appalling track record for restricting press freedom. Chen Qiushi and Fang Bin have documented the outbreak of Coronavirus from Wuhan since the outbreak, broadcasting from their mobile phones. Thousands rely on the two men for the latest from the province where the virus was…

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Journalism under threat in Europe

Colombia Journalism Review published a piece drawing attention to a report from the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism at Oxford University, which surveyed journalists from 16 countries to determine their working conditions and the attacks they face. The report, titled ‘Fighting Words: Journalism Under Assault in Central and Eastern Europe’ notes the similar patterns, or tactics used, which…

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‘Trust Nuggets’ – techniques to restore trust in journalism

In an interesting piece from Washington based Global Investigative Journalism Network, GIJN explores how they’re working with Gannett’s regional-based data and investigations team to implement tech that helps rebuild readers’ trust in investigative journalism. They’re using ‘Trust Nuggets’, which are essentially bite-sized bits of information on the ‘why’ and ‘how’ behind any investigative story, sprinkled throughout the broader piece. In…

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American journalist detained in Indonesia

Philip Jacobsen, 30, is an award winning young journalist who has been critical of environmental degradation and reported on alleged corruption in Indonesia. Jacobsen’s passport was confiscated in December in Palangkaraya, and on January 21 he was detained under the suspicion of committing a visa violation against the 2011 immigration law. This means he could face a sentence of up…

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Luanda Leaks: are collaborative investigations journalism’s future?

Luanda Leaks, a recent investigation by the ICIJ (International Consortium of Investigative Journalists) and 36 media partners, reveals twenty years worth of corruption that has made Isabel dos Santos Africa’s wealthiest woman and left Angola as one of the poorest countries in the world. Luanda Leaks provides yet another example of a collaborative, global journalism network successfully managing to expose…

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Australia’s press freedom criticised in new report

Global organisation Human Rights Watch has criticised Australia’s poorly defined national security laws and critical lack of press freedom legislation in their recent annual report. The Age describe this in a recent article, which can be read here. Australia begins 2020 in 21st position on RSF’s World Press Freedom Index, having slipped two places since 2018.  Recommendations from the two…

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Australia’s democracy downgraded

The CIVICUS Monitor, a global assessor of democratic freedoms made up of various human rights centres, recently published findings about the downgrading of Australia’s democracy, from ‘open’ to ‘narrowed’ after raids on journalists, prosecution of whistleblowers and other civil freedom issues that have come to the fore this year. Australia needs a Media Freedom Act to ensure we can strengthen…

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