Celebrating World Press Freedom Day
A reminder that press freedom shapes our future
Hey Checklisters!
We hope you’re staying safe and healthy.
This year marks 30 years since the first World Day for the observance of freedom of the press was enacted by UNESCO, and the event focuses on celebrating the fundamental principles of press freedom, assessing the state of press freedom throughout the world, defending the media from attacks on its independence, and paying tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the line of duty.
The theme for the 2023 World Press Freedom Day is “Shaping a Future of Rights: Freedom of expression as a driver for all other human rights”. As we celebrate this day, we should remind ourselves, as citizens of the world, journalists, fact-checkers, researchers and technologists, that we are far from achieving what we hope to guarantee freedom of expression and human rights for all.
With new challenges and threats emerging every day, some facilitated by new technologies and AI, it is important to build networks of support and hope across the world, and especially in countries where press freedoms are decreasing.
In this context, Meedan is hosting a Twitter space at 3 pm GMT on May 5th with organizations focusing on making information accessible. The speakers are Christina Cavalcanti from The Public Source and Abel Wabella from Inform Africa. You can learn more about the event here or set a reminder on Twitter here.
Also, take a look at the Townsquare section where we share opportunities and events and some interesting reads from the Check Global team.
If there are updates you would like us to share from your country or region, please reach out to us at checklist@meedan.com.
The Check Global Report
By Meedan’s Check Global team in Beirut, Kochi, Bhimtal, and Nairobi
Sudan: millions surviving armed conflict need internet, access to information (Access Now)
As armed conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) escalates, millions on the ground are in urgent need of reliable internet to secure food, water, and navigate safe evacuation routes amid ongoing violence and turmoil. Telecommunications operator MTN implemented a shutdown on April 16 for approximately 10 hours.
"People in Sudan are facing dangerous and stressful situations, disconnecting them from each other, the world, and information is making an already horrific situation worse. Authorities must not disrupt internet access in Sudan, and instead do everything in their power to protect people and enable safe passage." — Felicia Anthonio, #KEEPITON campaign manager at Access Now
Safety, Misinformation & Online Violence Press Freedom Risks (VOA)
Ahead of World Press Freedom Day on May 3, analysts have identified safety, misinformation and online violence are the most critical threats facing African journalists today. These threats undermine press freedom, and the consequences are dire, given the important role of the media in providing independent, unbiased and balanced reporting to African audiences.
"The arbitrary arrests of journalists are still very common in Africa especially during election periods, like what we saw in Nigeria in February. A lot of journalists were attacked, harassed and arrested, and our fear is that in 2023, journalists on the continent could face similar predicaments. These journalists will be under the kind of pressure that exist between politicians and activists." — Sadibou Marong, director of Reporter’s Without Borders’ West African bureau
Why Is Debunking Health Misinformation in India So Challenging? (The Quint)
Hepatologists Dr Abby, Phillip, known online as TheLiverDoc, and YouTuber and science communicator, Pranav Radhakrishnan (ScienceIsDope) talk about the trials of debunking health misinformation online, facing trolls, and why it's so important to tackle them head on.
"I am of the belief that alternative medicine is a pseudoscience that can cause very immediate, very significant harm. But it's a product of a pattern of thinking, a thought process, which also leads to a lot of other pseudoscientific beliefs." — Science communicator, Pranav Radhakrishnan (ScienceIsDope)
Brazil pushes back on big tech firms' campaign against 'fake news law' (Reuters)
Brazil's government and judiciary objected to big tech firms campaigning against an internet regulation bill aimed at cracking down on fake news, alleging undue interference in the debate in Congress.
"Such conduct could configure, in theory, abuse of economic power on the eve of voting on the bill by trying to illegally and immorally impact public opinion and the vote in Congress." — Justice Alexandre de Moraes
The impact of bias in the newsroom and ways to combat it
Bias around gender, race, sexual orientation or other characteristics can impact the topics journalists cover and the stories they report. Bias can limit fresh perspectives and can lead to underrepresentation of marginalized groups in the news. It can perpetuate stereotypes and reinforce existing power structures.
During a recent Twitter Spaces conversation with Catherine Gicheru, founder of the Africa Women Journalism Project and veteran investigative editor and digital strategist, the topic of the impact of bias in the newsroom as well as ways to combat it was addressed.
Townsquare
July 1, 2023
Meedan is hiring for a frontend web developer position.
July 24 to 26, 2023
The Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development is organizing the West Africa Journalism Innovation Conference (WAJIC). The conference will take place between July 24-26, 2023 in Abuja, Nigeria.
Ongoing
Data Journalism Grants: The Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting is seeking applications for innovative data-driven journalism projects that spotlight underreported issues. Applications will be reviewed on a first come, rolling basis.
What else we’re reading
Geoffrey Hinton tells us why he’s now scared of the tech he helped build: “I have suddenly switched my views on whether these things are going to be more intelligent than us.”
Laura Hazard Owen from Nieman Lab wrote a two-part [1, 2] piece about the history of Buzzfeed. In a memo to staff, Buzzfeed's CEO has recently announced that BuzzFeed News would be shut down entirely.
Hearts and Minds Media: The United States attempts to spread democracy by broadcasting news around the world. How’s that going in Afghanistan? [Podcast]
Blocked, censored, jailed or laid off: why it’s never been harder to be a journalist
Twitter is complying with more government demands under Elon Musk:
The company has not refused a single request since Musk took ownership, according to self-reported data.
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