Who is saying what at the on-going African Investigative Journalism Conference in Johannesburg, South Africa?
Below are some of the major tweets on the first day of the conference compiled from the #AIJ and #AIJC2019 hashtag.
“Our main aim as journalists is to unveil the truth and what is then done with that information is beyond journalism. The hawks and the prosecuting authority should do its own research to hold those individuals to account,” said @PaulivW
“Your allegiance as a journalist must always be with the country and the constitution. Discovering and uncovering the truth is paramount and sources help you achieve this. Trustworthiness and credibility will get you far.”
“Social media is a powerful way of telling people to go buy the print edition,” says Salzwedel #AIJC19 #Journalism
“The key to social media success is to appeal to people’s emotions with respect as well as strong visuals”-Salzwedel #AIJC19 #Journalism
Watch list: here is where you can add sister publication or competition and to their engagements and reach, which posts are the top-performing. “It is significant for journalists to see what content performs well”-Salzwedel #AIJC19 #Journalism
Catherine Gicheru says, “You have to have a thick skin – thicker than a rhinos. We need to create a support system internally within the journalism community. If someone attacks me online, I know I have support. I call it raining on someone. We will rain on you.” #AIJC19
The press must be free from state interference. It must have the economic strength to stand up to the blandishments of government officials. It must have sufficient independence from vested interests to be bold and inquiring without fear or favour. #AIJC19
“I know what it’s like to finish an article and feel like I have just signed my own death warrant” -@Mimimefo237
“There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to funding. In some African countries, reporters contend with both funding & political pressures. The creativity with which media houses in Africa respond to sources of income is encouraging.”
“This work is not easy. I’m getting messages such as “you should be shot in the pus*y, white girl. You should be raped.” But I think of the woman I saw crying on the side of the street who lost her money in a (VBS) bank. That keeps me going,” says @PaulivW
Mimi Mefo giving an impassioned speech on why journalism matters, despite the risks, the difficulties, the push back. “Tell the story as is, or risk comprising your integrity ” #AIJC19
Keynote speaker is @Mimimefo237 winner of the 2019 Index on Censorship Freedom of Expression Journalism Award. “Journalism is not a profession, it is a vocation,” she says.