Another bumper year for the Fetisov Journalism Awards!
The rush to submit entries for this year’s Fetisov Journalism Awards almost overwhelmed the technology, but in the end it was another record year with about 500 substantial entries from around the world in the four categories:
- Outstanding contribution to Peace;
- Contribution to Civil Rights;
- Outstanding Investigative Reporting; and
- Excellence in Environmental Journalism.
The FJA Expert Group and Jury will now review the entries in preparation for next year’s awards ceremony when the winners will be announced. The winners will share a total prize fund worth 520,000 CHF – that’s more than $640,000 USD.
The FJA Committee is planning to link up with journalism schools and local media to make our global celebration a moment also to showcase not only the best of journalism but also the importance of journalism education in this time of spectacular change in the news business.
The Future is Freelance webinar is now available online
On Thursday, 9 October, the latest FJA webinar in the series Winning Stories was held on the theme The Future is Freelance.
The webinar included excellent contributions from previous winners – Sarah A Topol, Outstanding Contribution to Peace (2024); Fabian Federl, Environmental Journalism (2024) and Anna-Catherine Brigada, Contribution to Civil Rights (2023), with additional contributions from Christiana Bedei, a consultant and freelance specialist from Italy, and Nadezhda Azhgikhina, on behalf of the FJA Committee.
The theme reflects the fact that freelance and independent journalism is increasingly driving the work of modern news media, and the speakers are all freelance reporters who have made their mark at the highest levels of journalism.
The webinar provides powerful insights into the different skills that are needed to succeed when starting out and inspiration for journalists on how to navigate tricky relations with sources, editors, and publishers when they are working independently. See it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-Afwpz7Y18
Journalism and democracy under threat – Report
A bleak global survey released in September shows that journalism is under fire, with press freedom in steep decline around the world. According to the report from the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) democracy around the world has weakened as freedom of the press suffered its most far-reaching fall in 50 years.
The deterioration is part of a global trend of democracy under threat, with 54 percent of countries falling in at least one key indicator of democratic performance in 2024 compared to five years ago. Last year around 1.6 billion people cast ballots, but this unprecedented exercise in voting unfolded as the credibility of elections collapsed, falling to its worst level in 30 years.
The detail tells the story, but it is essential reading for journalists: https://www.idea.int/news/global-democracy-report-majority-countries-worsen-press-freedom-hits-50-year-low
Reading Materials
Media in the political crosshairs
There has been much discussion over the implications for press freedom and independent journalism in the United States, as US President Donald Trump and news media are increasingly at odds over critical journalism. These stories indicate a new phase opening in the always difficult relations between news organizations and the political establishment.
And just for good measure, a new book argues that there is no such thing as absolute free speech. Well, we knew that, but it’s always useful to read the arguments again: https://www.cjr.org/the-interview/fara-dabhoiwala-history-absolute-free-speech.php?mc_cid=08db81f437&mc_eid=5e8478bb33
AI on the rise with news challenges ahead
A new report in October from the Reuters Institute for the study of journalism gives some insights into the impact of the inexorable rise in the use of artificial intelligence in journalism and society. The report reveals current trends that will shape the future of journalism. Specifically, the report examines the situation in Argentina, Denmark, France, Japan, the UK, and the US but gives an indication of the global impact of AI on journalism. Some are optimistic about the potential benefits, but questions remain over the ethical challenges for newsrooms.