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WAN-IFRA media freedom podcast debuts

Welcome to The Backstory, a new podcast series from WAN-IFRA exploring media freedom issues from around the globe.

by Andrew Heslop andrew.heslop@wan-ifra.org | January 31, 2018

Each month we will be taking a look at a challenging issue that journalists and media organisations are faced with, exploring how they tackle – and surmount – the obstacles to continue reporting the news.

You can listen to each episode direct from our website, but we do encourage you to subscribe to ensure you don’t miss our monthly show. Follow the links to iTunes or Stitcher.

Your feedback is very welcome, and please also rate us on whichever podcast platform you use – it’s always great to get the word out!


S1E1: Dying to be a journalist

In the first episode of The Backstory, we start with the basics: the threats facing journalists worldwide. Too often, journalists put safety aside to “get” the story; editors don’t anticipate the problems that their reporters or their newsrooms can face. How can journalists be prepared? What should editors think about?

To explore the issue, WAN-IFRA Press Freedom Director, Andrew Heslop, speaks with:

  • Javier Garza, a journalist in Mexico and a global journalist security trainer
  • Elisabet Cantenys, Executive Director of the ACOS Alliance, a coalition of organisations working to develop worldwide protection standards for journalists.
  • Carol Beyanga, Chair of the Uganda Media Freedom Committee and Managing Editor for digital content at Daily Monitor Publications.

The production team includes Mariona Sanz, Colette Davidson and Sarah Elzas, who also edited and mixed the episode.

Music in this episode by Swelling and Lee Rosevere.


S1E2: Show me the money – Censorship + financial independence

The internet has exploded traditional media funding models. And yet, in some parts of the world, legacy media – even print! – remain a strong source of independent information. How are these companies surviving?

In this episode of The Backstory, WAN-IFRA Press Freedom Director, Andrew Heslop, meets some of them to find out:

The Backstory production team includes Mariona Sanz, Colette Davidson and Sarah Elzas, who edited and mixed the episode.

Music in this episode by Broke for Free and Lee Rosevere.


> Subscribe today via iTunes or Stitcher

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