News

Data journalism in Africa: Justin Arenstein talks digital innovation on a budget

Investigative data journalist, Google consultant and Knight International Journalism Fellow, Justin Arenstein, is currently working with the African Media Initiative (AMI) to expand digital journalism experimentation in newsrooms across Africa.

He spoke with WAN-IFRA research fellow, Julie Posetti, about using basic mobile technology, minimal staff and next-to-no funding to help newsrooms across Africa create life-saving data journalism.

Twitter’s Geary a ‘game-changer’

“If content is king, collaboration is queen.” That is posted at the top of Joanna Geary’s personal website. Certainly that belief and her digital-, engagement- and community-oriented background helped to land Geary her current position at Twitter UK where she is responsible for News Partnerships.

Journalists released, but Turkey’s press freedom remains fragile

In the wake of intense global pressure, the Turkish government has released several of its imprisoned journalists in recent weeks. Among those freed is Füsun Erdoğan, arrested in 2006 and condemned to a life sentence + 300 years. Erdoğan was featured in WAN-IFRA’s “30 Days for Freedom” campaign, and her son spoke to WAN-IFRA’s Alexandra Waldhorn after his mother’s release.

Aron Pilhofer leaves NYT for new role at the Guardian

A new position has been created for Aron Pilhofer as executive digital editor at the Guardian.

Azerbaijan leading by example as more journalists are jailed

As Azerbaijan took up its chairmanship of the Council on Europe on Wednesday, WAN-IFRA raised concerns that this prominent position would be seen as tacit approval of the country’s appalling human rights and press freedom record. Following publication, Council of Europe spokesman Daniel Höltgen spoke to Douglas Grant to explain the organisation’s position.

Turkish Journalist Füsun Erdoğan Released from 300 Year Jail Sentence

Sentenced to life in prison plus an additional 300 years, Fusun Erdogan went from a hard-working radio journalist in Istanbul to being confined to a prison cell. For two years after her arrest by plainclothes police in September 2006, Erdogan, who holds Dutch and Turkish citizenship, didn’t even know her crime. Overall, her trial lasted more than eight years.

New York Times and Le Monde editors leave amidst turmoil

Two of the world’s most powerful female newspaper editors left their respective posts in controversial circumstances, write Emily Bennett and Paul McClean.

De Benedetti: Why I, Like Mr. Döpfner, Fear Google

Italian media mogul Carlo De Benedetti responds to Mathias Döpfner’s recent concerns about Google, and expresses his fear and admiration for the search-engine giant. He suggests five points which could form an industrial strategy against “global operators.” Benedetti will be speaking at the World Newspaper Congress in Torino, Italy on Wednesday, 11 June.

Journalists behind bars as Azerbaijan takes centre stage

Today Azerbaijan takes up the chairmanship of the Council of Europe, the self-described “leading human rights organisation” on the continent. Meanwhile in Baku, the ruthless crackdown on so many of the freedoms protected in the European Convention on Human Rights continues unabated.

New Spanish law “raises very serious questions under international law” says Cyber-Law expert.

New legislation set to be introduced in Spain will have a “chilling effect” on freedom of expression and will pose “very serious questions under international law,” according to academics. Paul McClean speaks to three cyber law experts to discuss the effects of the proposed law against aggregators.