In this episode, we speak about the mental health of journalists and duty of care of editors and senior management in news organisations, to journalists. Dr Yemisi Akinbobola, is joined by Qaanitah Hunter, Politics Editor at South Africa's News24, and Stephanie Busari, Editor at CNN Africa.
In our third episode of our four-part podcast series, Covid-19 for Journalists, Dr Yemisi Akinbobola is joined by Jane Godia, Capacity Building Manager, Africa, for WAN-IFRA's Women in News; Motunrayo Joel, Africa Checks' Nigeria deputy editor, and Paul Bradshaw, BBC data journalist and Associate Professor at Birmingham City University. We talk about the differences between fact-checking and verification, how newsrooms are fact-checking world leaders like Donald Trump, and the need for media literacy alongside technological responses to misinformation.
In this second episode of COVID-19 for Journalists, we discuss innovative reporting and exploring emerging best practices. I am joined by Ferial Haffajee, Daily Maverick, South Africa; Chidi Uguru, Big Cabal Media, Nigeria; Blaise Aboh, Orodata, Nigeria; Culton Scovia from Uganda, and Eunice Kilonzo from Kenya. We talk: Maps, surveillance, digital tracking, missing narratives, solutions journalism, mobile journalism, curfew and movement, privacy v public health and telling the good news.
This is the first of a four-part podcast series called COVID-19 for Journalists. In this episode we speak with Queenter Mbori and Maria Salazar-Ferro. Queenter Mbori is an Editor with The Standard Group and the President Standard Group Women Network. Maria Salazar Ferro is director of CPJ's Emergencies Department, overseeing the organization's assistance and safety work worldwide. She is president of the board of the ACOS (A Culture of Safety) Alliance, a coalition aimed at improving protections for freelancers. She joined CPJ in 2005 and has served as coordinator for the Journalist Assistance Program and the Global Campaign Against Impunity, and as senior research associate for the Americas program. We speak on a range of topics from journalists' safety to misinformation, surveillance and data tracking. Links: Committee to Protect Journalists: https://cpj.org/ Standard Media: https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/ AfricaCheck: https://africacheck.org/
In this episode of Her Media Diary with Josephine Mahachi, A Deutsche Welle Journalist, founder of Click Africa and host of Live Chat with Josey, we talk conquering fears, perseverance, support systems and strength. Growing up in a family where the girl child played second fiddle to the boy child, she defied all odds and self-sponsored herself into Journalism school. Her determination and the inspiration she got from Oprah Winfrey saw her wanting to change the narrative of how Africa is portrayed by western media. This gave birth to her first TV show Click Africa, which sought to showcase Africa and its great achievements. Through Click Africa, she has hosted African leaders, high profile business executives, as well as outstanding individuals who are making a mark in their different spheres. Josephine believes perseverance leads to success. She advocates for originality in content and ideas when producing or pitching media products. This would distinguish an individual from others and leads to scaling greater heights. Besides being a journalist of naught, she is also an investment consultant and businesswoman. She is aiming to shatter that glass ceiling and make a mark as an African media woman of repute. You can follow her on twitter @MahachieJosey
"If we focus less on leaving a good impression and focus more on presenting the best impression of who we are, we stand a chance of then giving people the truest, most authentic picture of ourselves". Arit Okpo, is a television presenter, voice over artist, documentary filmmaker, TV producer, and current host of CNN African Voices ...and a food lover. In this episode of Her Media Diary, Arit talks about growing up, her experiences in school and her work. A curious child who grew up to become a curious adult, her early education nurtured her innate gift for communication, however this was kept on hold for a while when she was moved towards the science field and earned her bachelors in Biochemistry. Arit is a believer of nurturing and encouraging curiosity in children, and sees opportunities to explore that curiosity as valuable skills a child takes through to maturity. On presenting Africa to people who do not share the same lived experience as African, it is important for journalists to acknowledge how much we don't know, and to not let sharing your reality discount the reality of others who had a different upbringing. Leave a good impression and own who you are so audience remember you. For Arit, impression is like window dressing, and if there is no authenticity in that, you might be building an idea that isn't true. In spaces, recognise the things that makes you special, and highlight on those things, it's about identifying your best points and asking yourself how best you can present these points and remain your authentic you. This episodes is full of wise gems like these from Arit. Her advice to journalists is, to always remember you are telling a narrative not your narrative, remember to humanise the context you are sharing, your story should present that there is more than one way to be African and all those ways are valid. You can follow Arit on twitter @thearitokpo [https://twitter.com/thearitokpo]
This week on #HerMediaDiary Podcast, I interview South African award-winning journalist, documentary and film director, Diana Neille. Diana discusses business models, taking storytelling for brands to a new level by involving journalism in traditional advertising and building credibility. She challenges journalists to dig deep and find new ways of making the profession sustainable again. In her quest to find sustainable business models for journalism, she left the safety of her mainstream media job at eNews to start Chronicle, an Editorial Production company in 2015, which saw her co-directing her first feature film documentary which chronicled the Bell Pottinger scandal. Diana attributes her success to her passion, hard work and determination. Follow her on Twitter @DianaNeille Biography Diana Neille is an award-winning journalist from Cape Town, South Africa. Born in Johannesburg, she lived in Germany for a short stint before completing her Master of Science degree in journalism and documentary filmmaking at Columbia University in 2011. Back in South Africa, she worked as the Executive Multimedia Producer at 24-hour eNews Channel Africa where she was instrumental in the setting up of their online division as Executive Multimedia Producer. She left corporate journalism in 2014 and moved to Cape Town where she freelanced for the Daily Maverick, an award-winning news and opinion website. In 2015, she founded Chronicle, a production agency and subsidiary of the Daily Maverick which focused on storytelling and producing branded content. In 2019, she co-directed her first feature documentary, Influence, which chronicled the Bell Pottinger scandal. Influence was invited to the Sundance Film Festival where it held its world premiere in January 2020.
'Your network is your networth' is an adage that we often hear about. In this episode, Kenyan multiple-award winning journalist and writer Christine Mungai, shares with us how her network paved her way into journalism after studying for a science degree. Her journey is aspiring and intriguing as she chronicles how she goes beyond descriptive journalism into analytic journalism, making her work outstanding. Christine shares how we need to wrap our story ideas in the "wrapping paper of the editor". With such a fulfilling journey, one is tempted to think Christine has reached the peak of her career, yet she says she is ready to sprint in the media and writing journey. I was honoured she shared her journey with me, a classic case of thinking and implementing without a box. Follow her on Twitter @chris_mungai
It was a privilege to interview the writer, performer, and advocate Bassey Ikpi for the third episode of #HerMediaDiary podcast. We talk writing, finding yourself and mental health. Bassey talks about her diagnosis of bipolar and her journey in developing a successful career. This interview was recorded in October 2018, and since then her book 'I'm Telling the Truth, but I'm Lying' [https://amzn.to/32m9wW2], was published and became a New York Times Bestseller. The book "explores her life--as a Nigerian-American immigrant, a black woman, a slam poet, a mother, a daughter, an artist--through the lens of her mental health and diagnosis of bipolar II and anxiety". I hope you enjoy this episode, I found Bassey open, honest and true. Her live journey and strength inspire me. I also share my experience with postnatal depression. Follow Bassey Ikpi on social media @basseyworld [https://twitter.com/Basseyworld] Yemisi About Bassey Ikpi Bassey Ikpi embodies the brilliance of multifaceted creative minds. The writer, performer, and advocate is author of the instant New York Times bestselling book, I'm Telling the Truth, but I'm Lying (Harper Perennial 2019). Essence Magazine esteemed this debut collection of essays as "beautiful and compelling," while Audible defines the writing as both "visceral" and "comforting." The compilation, which went into a second pressing on the day of its release, has earned the mental health activist stunning reviews from readers and media outlets nationwide. Whether written or spoken, Bassey is effortlessly clever--an alchemy of intellect, humor, and pathos. Appearing on stages and screens across the world as a public speaker and TV personality, Bassey first gained public acclaim as an internationally recognized poet. In a past life, she was a featured poet on HBO's Def Poetry Jam and toured with its Tony Award-winning Broadway show. Also an active voice in pop culture commentary and the mental health community, Bassey has been published by The Root, Huffington Post, and Essence, as well as in anthologies including Rookie On Love from acclaimed editor Tavi Gevinson. Bassey has also been commissioned by Nike's global nonprofit Girls Effect, writing and performing the short film, Invisible Barriers. As the founder of The Siwe Project, a mental health organization, Bassey also created the global movement #NoShameDay, an initiative that aims to reduce stigma and increase mental health awareness. Bassey is represented by UTA for film and television
In this episode with Emmy-nominated journalist, Ruona J. Meyer [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruona_J._Meyer], we discuss investigative journalism, how to pitch yourself and your stories, and making use of the platforms available to you. Her undercover investigation 'Sweet, Sweet Codeine [https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-43982302]' highlighted the plight of young Nigerians addicted to codeine syrup. Less that 24 hours of broadcasting Sweet, Sweet Codeine, the import and manufacture of codeine-based syrup was banned by the Nigerian government. In 2019, Ruona became the first Nigerian journalist to be nominated for an International Emmy Award. Interviewing Ruona was insightful, fun and real. Her journey is testimony to the consequences of hard-work and dedication. Follow her on Twitter @RGAMeyer [https://twitter.com/RGAMeyer?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor] Yemisi Links mentions IJNet [https://ijnet.org/en] Centre for Investigative Journalism [https://tcij.org/] Wole Soyinka Investigative Journalism Centre [https://wscij.org/] Wits Journalism [https://journalism.co.za/] Google Alerts [https://www.google.co.uk/alerts] BBC Pidgin [https://www.bbc.com/pidgin] About Ruona J. Meyer Ruona Meyer is an Emmy-nominated, multimedia journalist with 17 years' experience in print, radio, wire agency, TV and digital outlets across Nigeria, South Africa, and the UK. Ruona is currently a PhD candidate at De Montfort University, Leicester, UK; her research covers the impact of digital technologies on investigative journalism production within African-Diaspora networks. Ruona's investigative documentary Sweet Sweet Codeine gave Nigeria and the BBC World Service its first Emmy nomination (2019), and won the ONE World Media Television Documentary Award category as well as The BBC News Award for Investigation of the Year in June 2019. A training consultant, Ruona has designed and delivered courses for postgraduate students and working journalists in the UK, Nigeria and Ghana.
Hodan Nalayeh was the founder of Integration TV, a platform she set up to change the narrative of Somalia. She talks about starting up a digital platform, developing your brand, and effective use of digital. Hodan was killed in an Al-Shabaab bombing on 12 July 2019.
Neema Iyer is the founder of Pollicy, an innovative feminist civic technology collective in Kampala that combines data, design, and digital rights. Under her leadership, Pollicy has led 100+ projects, trained 5,000+ individuals in data skills, and created playful civic tools like "Digital Safe‑tea" and "Choose Your Own Fake News". In 2021, she was appointed to Facebook/Meta's Global Women's Safety Advisory Board. One of the key discussions in this episode with Neema revolves around the necessity of centering African women's voices in technology. She emphasizes that digital tools should be designed with the needs of African women in mind, rather than being an afterthought. This perspective is crucial in a world where technology often perpetuates existing inequalities. The conversation also touches on the importance of play and creativity in learning. Neema argues that traditional educational methods can be restrictive, especially for girls. She believes that incorporating play into learning not only makes it more engaging but also fosters a deeper understanding of complex issues like digital safety and gender-based violence. This innovative approach is reflected in her work with Policy, where they utilize games and interactive tools to educate communities about digital safety in a way that feels accessible and relatable. Subscribe, leave a review and share this episode with someone who needs to hear it. If you'd like to join an episode of this podcast, send an email to yemisi@africanwomeninmedia.com. Or visit our website at www.hermediadiary.com [https://www.hermediadiary.com/] Subscribe and follow Her Media Diary on all your favourite podcast platforms. Also, tune in to our partner radio stations from anywhere across Africa. And don't forget to join the conversation using the hashtag #hermediadiary.
Farah Fortune is the founder & Managing Director of African Star Communications, a full-service PR agency, focusing on customized strategic public relations campaigns. Farah, dubbed 'The Pitbull in Heels', established her PR agency in 2008 with just R1,000, a laptop, and a phone, and is the brain behind some of the continent's most iconic brand and celebrity campaigns. In this episode, Farah talks about starting from scratch, managing public crises, mentoring young women in PR, and vital tips every communications professional should have. She also talks about the benefits of building and maintaining a strong relationship with the media as a PR manager, being authentic and giving genuine, relevant information at all times. Subscribe, leave a review and share this episode with someone who needs to hear it. If you'd like to join an episode of this podcast, send an email to yemisi@africanwomeninmedia.com. Or visit our website at www.hermediadiary.com [https://www.hermediadiary.com/] Subscribe and follow Her Media Diary on all your favourite podcast platforms. Also, tune in to our partner radio stations from anywhere across Africa. And don't forget to join the conversation using the hashtag #hermediadiary.
Fatima Jones is the Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at the Dance Theatre of Harlem. With a career spanning over 20 years in public relations, marketing, and communications, predominantly in the nonprofit and arts sectors, her specialty lies in positioning cultural institutions in ways that not only increase visibility but also ensure they are culturally relevant, inclusive, and reflective of diverse audiences. In this episode, Fatima speaks on age-old strategies and principles for effective corporate communication that are still relevant today despite technological advancements. She cited times when she was asked to be seen and not heard; to just be the 'black face' in the room whose opinion is not needed. She also talks about some of the things that keep her going as a black female in the corporate communications sector, regardless of the many barriers that come with it. Subscribe, leave a review and share this episode with someone who needs to hear it. If you'd like to join an episode of this podcast, send an email to yemisi@africanwomeninmedia.com. Or visit our website at www.hermediadiary.com [https://www.hermediadiary.com/] Subscribe and follow Her Media Diary on all your favourite podcast platforms. Also, tune in to our partner radio stations from anywhere across Africa. And don't forget to join the conversation using the hashtag #hermediadiary.
Stephanie Busari is the founder and CEO of SBB Media, an organisation dedicated to ensuring that Africa's stories are authored, owned, and told by those who understand its soul. She is also an Emmy Award-winning journalist and Former Head of Africa digital team at CNN. In April 2016, she exclusively obtained the "proof of life" video showing that the kidnapped Chibok schoolgirls. This footage was crucial in facilitating negotiations that led to the release of over 100 girls. In this episode, she talks about the ethics of storytelling, the responsibility of media in times of crisis, and what it takes to lead in international journalism as an African woman. Stephanie, among other things, advises African women to learn the act of putting their hands out to do challenging but impactful work. Subscribe, leave a review and share this episode with someone who needs to hear it. If you'd like to join an episode of this podcast, send an email to yemisi@africanwomeninmedia.com. Or visit our website at www.hermediadiary.com [https://www.hermediadiary.com/] Subscribe and follow Her Media Diary on all your favourite podcast platforms, Also, tune in to our partner radio stations from anywhere across Africa. And don't forget to join the conversation using the hashtag, #hermediadiary.
Deborah is a PhD Candidate at Universität des Saarlandes (Germany), researching fair machine learning to reduce bias against marginalized groups. Prior to her PhD, she was a Lecturer in Data Science & AI at the Academic City University College, Accra, Ghana. She is also the co‑founder of Women Promoting Science to the Younger Generation (WPSYG), an organisation supporting more girls into STEM and AI. In this episode, Deborah unpacks how generative AI can deepen gender-based harm, especially for African women. She discusses how machine learning models are shaped by historical human bias, which is then transferred to machine learning models, leading to continued discrimination. According to her, investing in research that focuses on auditing the systems should not be an afterthought of big tech companies but something they should embed into the system from the start. Subscribe, leave a review and share this episode with someone who needs to hear it. If you'd like to join an episode of this podcast, send an email to yemisi@africanwomeninmedia.com. Or visit our website at www.hermediadiary.com [https://www.hermediadiary.com/] Subscribe and follow Her Media Diary on all your favourite podcast platforms, Also, tune in to our partner radio stations from anywhere across Africa. And don't forget to join the conversation using the hashtag, #hermediadiary.
Mwende is the Co-convener of the AI Salon by Webworks, with expertise in AI ethics, data journalism, ethnographic research, and dataset building. She also specialises in critiquing models and systems for bias, and teaching media and institutions how to adapt to AI in a meaningful and responsible manner. In this episode, she joins us to talk about tech-facilitated GBV, the risks of AI-generated harm, and what it means to reclaim data with care and creativity. Mwende reminds us that data isn't neutral; it's shaped by who gets counted and who gets erased. And as generative AI becomes more powerful, we need storytellers like her, brave enough to collect what's missing, and wise enough to tell it with care Subscribe, leave a review and share this episode with someone who needs to hear it. If you'd like to join an episode of this podcast, send an email to yemisi@africanwomeninmedia.com. Or visit our website at www.hermediadiary.com [https://www.hermediadiary.com/] Subscribe and follow Her Media Diary on all your favourite podcast platforms, Also, tune in to our partner radio stations from anywhere across Africa. And don't forget to join the conversation using the hashtag #hermediadiary.
Dr. Grace Githaiga is the CEO at KICTANET [https://www.kictanet.or.ke/] and a visionary leader with over 20 years of expertise in ICT policy advocacy. She spearheads progressive advocacy for inclusive ICT policies on data protection, cybersecurity, gender, accessibility, and civic digital rights. In this episode, she joins us to unpack what feminist digital justice really means in the age of AI, and why we must act now to make our digital futures safe and inclusive for all. She encourages women to learn to report cases of Tech-facilitated GBV both to law enforcement agencies and tech platforms. According to her, these platforms would most likely be moved to action when they have so many people reporting cases of abuse as against when it is just a few persons. Subscribe, leave a review and share this episode with someone who needs to hear it. If you'd like to join an episode of this podcast, send an email to yemisi@africanwomeninmedia.com. Or visit our website at www.hermediadiary.com [https://www.hermediadiary.com/] Subscribe and follow Her Media Diary on all your favourite podcast platforms, Also, tune in to our partner radio stations from anywhere across Africa. And don't forget to join the conversation using the hashtag, #hermediadiary.
Sandra Aceng is a human rights defender and digital rights advocate from Uganda. She is also the Executive Director of Women of Ugandan Network (WOUGNET), an organization that engages in research, policy advocacy, and capacity-building programs to ensure gender inclusivity in Uganda's digital landscape. In this episode, Sandra discusses her personal journey into activism, the digital realities faced by women in Uganda, how AI may be perpetuating gendered harm, and what the path forward looks like for creating safer digital spaces. As AI advances and our lives become increasingly digitised, we cannot afford to overlook gender in tech conversations. Sandra's work is a powerful call to action for governments, developers, media platforms, and all of us to centre women's experiences and safety in every aspect of the digital world. Subscribe, leave a review and share this episode with someone who needs to hear it. If you'd like to join an episode of this podcast, send an email to yemisi@africanwomeninmedia.com. Or visit our website at www.hermediadiary.com [https://www.hermediadiary.com/] Subscribe and follow Her Media Diary on all your favourite podcast platforms. Also, tune in to our partner radio stations from anywhere across Africa. And don't forget to join the conversation using the hashtag #hermediadiary.
In this special episode recorded live at the AWiM24 Conference in Dakar, Senegal, Dr Yemisi had the honour of speaking with four phenomenal women who have spent decades shaping African journalism: Dr. Lilian Okonkwo-Ogabu, Angela Agoawike, Ekong Uduak, and Ireti Bakare-Yusuf. These are women who have walked through fire, navigating tough newsrooms, evolving technologies, political pressures, and shifting audience expectations. And still, they remain passionate, purposeful, and powerful. You'll hear them reflect on the lessons they wish they'd learned earlier, how they stay relevant in a constantly changing media landscape, and what advice they have for young journalists trying to make their mark, especially in challenging environments. Whether you're just starting out or a few years in, this is the wisdom you didn't know you needed. Share your reflections with us on social media using the hashtag #HerMediaDiary. If you haven't already, subscribe to the show wherever you get your podcasts, and don't forget to leave a review.. To find out more about this podcast, visit www.hermediadiary.com.