What we’re reading this week
Take a look at some of the things we are currently reading in our newsroom that you should be aware of
IOL | WHO, Facebook launch campaign in Africa to spot fake Covid-19 and vaccine news
Facebook launched a new campaign in 10 African countries to help combat fake news or help people spot fake news. The ‘Together Against Covid-19 Misinformation’ campaign in partnership with WHO allows people to use a series of graphics with tips to help them spot fake news. The campaign was rolled out in both English and French.
Poynter | A Q&A with The Atlantic’s Ed Yong on journalism that matters in moments of crisis
Ed Yong, a prolific science writer talks about reporting during covid-19, the challenge of misinformation particularly surrounding covid-19 and the impact of 2020 on his mental health. The Q&A is an interesting read with Yong having predicted a pandemic, he had written about the threat of a pandemic in 2018.
Business Wire | Impact of COVID-19 on the Journalism Industry — What Business Wire’s 2020 Media Survey Revealed
The Business Wire ran a world-wide survey, which asked journalists what impact the pandemic had on their newsroom. According to the survey the African journalism industry was hit hard due to the pandemic. Despite the pandemic having a negative impact of the industry 64% of the respondents are optimistic about the future of journalism.
DW |What’s journalism without women journalists?
Women journalists experience harassment and violence when reporting, which can threaten independent journalism and can cause self-cenorship. According to an online survey conducted by UNESCO, 38% of women journalists made themselves less visible in their work. The writer says that new legislation needs to be introduced to protect women from online hate and harassment.
Daily Maverick | The first, rough draft of history: How journalism has helped not just report, but shape the course of South Africa
This article explores the role that journalists have played in telling the history of South Africa and how journalists were essentially the first drafters of history. However the article also looks at the recent onslaught of the media and journalists, the growing distrust that the public have towards the media.
