COVID-19 is a generation-defining global crisis. But how does it affect those upon whom we depend for critical, balanced and accurate information? My slides from the launch of the Thomson Reuters Foundation's #COVIDReport which examines how the COVID crisis has impacted on journalists – and journalism - in Emerging Economies and the Global South. Download the study at: http://covid-report.trust.org/

1. The impact of COVID-19 on journalism in
emerging economies and the Global South
#COVIDReport
Launch Event Overview
Damian Radcliffe
20th January 2021

2. REUTERS/Carlos Jasso
ABOUT THE REPORT
Explores untold story of how
COVID has impacted on
journalists – and journalism -
in Emerging Economies and
the Global South.
01.
Told through the voices of the
journalists in these regions,
voices too often unheard or
silenced.
02.
First report of its kind to bring
together both fact-based data
and first-hand experience with
this regional focus.
03.

3. Methodology
55 TRF alum in 26 countries
8 expert commentators
In-depth desk analysis

4. What we found
Four major challenges
But also plenty of creativity
and innovation
And ideas from TRF alumni
to support journalism

5. 01. Challenge 1 –
Impact on Journalistic Practice
Sudden and unexpected
New ways of working
Health & Safety

6. 02. Challenge 2 –
Combatting the Infodemic
Trust in Government data
Online rumours
Consumer trust in journalism

7. REUTERS/Thomas Peter
Senior newspaper reporter, Malawi
Training Programme Alumnus, Thomson Reuters Foundation
The information from the government on coronavirus
has not always been trustworthy, especially at the
beginning of the pandemic. The reasons are mainly
political in nature.

8. 03. Challenge 3 –
Reduced Media Freedom
17 countries introduce
“Fake News” laws
Reduced freedom of movement
Restricted access to sources

9. REUTERS/Issei Kato
NEWS EDITOR-IN-CHIEF, TANZANIA
Training Programme Alumnus, Thomson Reuters Foundation
Various laws have been enacted to restrict
journalists from carrying out their duties.
So they find themselves reporting on issues
that the government wants.

10. 04. Challenge 4 –
Journalism’s financial woes
Advertising in freefall
Major job losses
Role of Government + Platforms
Global advertising revenue has
dropped by 11.8% this year

11. REUTERS/Willy Kurniawan
News editor, Sri Lanka
Training Programme Alumnus, Thomson Reuters Foundation
Many jobs were laid off and this
included journalists and freelance
correspondents losing their jobs.
Where is the job security in the midst
of a pandemic?

12. Innovation and Impact
New formats
Partnerships
Accountability reporting

13. Recommendations from TRF Alumni
Support for freelancers
Planning for “next time”
Access to digital equipment + PPE
Home working brings
extra challenges:

14. Training Programme Alumnus, Thomson Reuters Foundation
Better training on how to respond instead
of react. Many of us learned how to report on
a pandemic after we were knee deep in it.
REUTERS/Kham

15. covid-report.trust.org
FIND OUT MORE
REUTERS/Damir Sagolj

16. Our PANEL TODAY
Natalia Bushkovskaya
HEALTH CORRESPONDENT
(Ukraine)
Juan Garcia Hernandez
Reporter
(Mexico)
Monica Jha
Freelance Journalist
(India)
Zanji Sinkala
Investigative Multimedia Journalist
(Zambia)
@TRF @damianradcliffe
Please post questions in the chat and on Twitter #COVIDReport