Media Newsletter - 14 June

Take a deep dive into ethical storytelling, boost your investigative skills and meet a blogger turning Africa into a foodie destination. 

1. Journalism trends: Ethical storytelling is taking centre stage. At its core is the belief that storytellers have the responsibility to tell stories that add value instead of harming communities. Read this interview to find out how to become an ethical storyteller. You can also take a deep dive into The Ethical Storytelling Handbook for a step-by-step guide to centre people while also telling an impactful story.

2. Who’s funding? The International Fund for Public Interest Media (IFPIM) is a new multilateral initiative that supports independent public interest media. The fund aims to increase the resources available to support trustworthy, ethical, fact-based journalism and enable the media to work for democracy. The first funding call is open to media organisations in Ghana, Kenya, Niger, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and South Africa. Grants are worth up to $350,000. Deadline: June 13. More info.

3. Training Opportunity: Do you want to become an investigative journalist? The MFWA Next Generation Investigative Journalism (NGIJ) fellowship trains and mentors journalists who want to pursue investigative stories. Fellows will be taken through skills like developing a story idea, reporting, and presenting the findings. They will also be given practical field assignments. Deadline: 15 June. More info.

In the spotlight: Selase Kove-Seyram is a digital media producer from Ghana. He specialises in the production of investigative documentaries. He is on a mission to produce public service journalism could enhance professionalism, fight misinformation and help restore public trust in journalism in West Africa —  a mission he is already accomplishing as part of the Nieman Foundation for Journalism class of 2022. The fellowship is one of the most prestigious ones globally and brings together promising journalists to Harvard for a year of study, innovation and experimentation. Kove-Seyram has worked with a network of young journalists and media organizations in Nigeria to produce investigative stories about corruption. His work has been featured on platforms that include the New York Times, Quartz Africa, Al Jazeera, CBS News and BBC Africa Eye.

5. Stories that moved us: Abidjan is one of the most delicious cities in the world – and Yasmine Fofana had made it her mission to let the world taste her city since 2012 when she launched Afro Foodie. It’s the country’s first food blog. The blogger travels around West Africa profiling the region's restaurants, foodies, chefs and its vast array of cuisine, including street food. Her end goal? Turning Africa into a foodie destination. It’s a delicious dream. Read more in The Africa Mirror.

Follow @BirdStoryAgency on social media to keep up with more content that connects the continent. You can get paid to produce content for bird after completing the African Stories: A guide for journalists on how to tell better stories about Africa digital course. It’s free and only takes three hours.