Wits Centre for Journalism lecturers, project heads and fellows have recently contributed to important research in the field through book chapters and prominent reports. Here are a few highlights:

- Lecturer and career-entry honours coordinator Pheladi Sethusa has released her first research article, published in the African Journalism Studies journal, on how the Covid-19 pandemic changed the fortunes and futures of journalism schools and graduates. Click here for the full report.

- Lecturer and coordinator of the Wits Justice Project Dr Nechama Brodie contributed a chapter in the 2024 Handbook for Criminal Justice Practioners: Forensic Evidence Processing in Gender-Based Violence Cases, released by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. Brodie's chapter makes important recommendations and provides guidance on the communication of forensic evidence in the news media, as media coverage plays a central role in keeping the public informed about crime and justice. Click here to read the full report.

- Project coordinator for the WCJ's Citizen Justice Network Lerato Makate contributed a chapter in the newly released book We Were Always Here, which tells the unknown stories of the innovation and ingenuity of Africans who are solving African problems for African people.

- WCJ postdoctoral research fellow Dr Job Mwaura published his policy brief with the Social Science Research Council on Ethical Guidelines for Artificial Intelligence in Crime Control and Public Order Management in Kenya. Mwaura also contributed a chapter in the newly released book, Patterns of Harassment in African Journalism.

Pictured: Pheladi Sethusa, Dr Nechama Brodie, Dr Job Mwaura, Lerato Makate.

Join the WCJ’s 2024 financial journalism short course

More than ever, we need well-trained financial journalists able to think critically about the issues we face, to serve as watchdogs for the wider public and to make sense of complex events that shape our economies and livelihoods.

With the WCJ’s Wits-accredited financial journalism short course, you’ll learn how to critically engage with financial and economic events, understand the basic principles and key concepts of finance, company results and economics, and master writing on technical subjects clearly and without jargon. You’ll also learn from the best with masterclasses by industry experts on critical issues.

WHEN: Start with a full week of in-person classes at the Wits Centre for Journalism, Braamfontein – 15 to 19 July 2024, 9am to 1pm. Thereafter, hybrid classes from 24 July 2024 to 25 September 2024 every Wednesday from 4pm to 6pm.

Click here for details on how to apply.

WCJ hosts workshop on community radio governance, sustainability, and viability

Celebrating 30 years of democratic broadcasting, community radio remains a vital component in the South African media mix. To help stakeholders and media organisations stay on top of changes and challenges in this dynamic environment, the Wits Centre for Journalism hosted a three-day workshop looking at issues of community radio governance, sustainability, and viability.

Click here for the full overview. 

RISJ releases 2024 Digital News Report

The Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism has released its 2024 Digital News Report, the most comprehensive piece of research on news consumption worldwide. It is based on a survey of over 95,000 news consumers and covers 47 markets, including Morocco for the first time. 

Click here for key findings and to download the full report.

• climatXchange and partners invite you to an upcoming webinar titled “Space Between: Audience Resonance and Creativity for Journalists”, that will help you deliver content that better resonates with your readers/viewers. When: 16 July, 8:30am (BST). Click here to register. 

• Journalists, students and working fact-checkers who fight dis/misinformation on the continent still have time to enter Africa Check’s 2024 African Fact-Checking Awards, now in its 11th year. Deadline: 14 July. Click here for details. 

• Journalists are eligible to apply for the Canon Collins Sol Plaatje Scholarship, which will fund studies at Masters (two years) and PhD level (three years) in 2025. Themes of justice will be prioritised. Deadline: 22 July. Click here for details.