"This handbook provides a distinctly African perspective on how to create direct linkages between consumers of information and development projects by using words and images that communicate and resonate with ease. Development issues can seem dull and flat but they can create a huge impact in societ
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y if turned into lively and robust stories expertly and skillfully told by creative journalists. With the help of this handbook, the African storyteller will be able to tell stories that matter on issues that matter and in a manner that does not clutter the page but appeals to the eye and the heart. After all, in development journalism, it doesn’t have to bleed in order to lead; it only needs to be readable and relevant. And finally, in an era of fake news that threatens to not only distort the truth, but sometimes endanger society through incitement to violence, it’s more important than ever that African journalists maintain the highest standards and use the latest tools to fight back." (Foreword, page 5)
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"By definition, development stories are big news in developing countries. The problem is media reports are typically just government announcements of infrastructure development – roads, bridges, hospitals, etc. – and official claims that lives will improve. Those articles turn off the reading an
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d viewing public, and that has some editors pulling their staffs off this important coverage. But there can be much more to these stories. Here are 10 tips from Edem Djokotoe, Knight International Journalism Fellow in Malawi in 2010 and 2011. Djokotoe’s advice stresses less jargon and more people, impact and original reporting. It reminds us that we are writing for ordinary people – not development “experts” – to show them the implications of the events unfolding around them." (Page 1)
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"In today’s climate in the media industry, reporters are expected to cover a broad range of issues. They no longer have the luxury of concentrating on a small piece of a larger puzzle, and at times, they may feel as if they need a better understanding of the background information before moving fo
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rward. Covering eight different topics, this book is not intended to provide reporters with in-depth information on any single topic. It is, instead, intended to provide the necessary building blocks on a variety of themes, and to assist journalists in seeing each story they tackle through a variety of ‘lenses’. This book is also based on a belief that a holistic approach to reporting is important in today’s media industry. The links between the economic recession, poverty, food insecurity, water issues, rural issues, xenophobia, gender issues and children’s issues cannot be emphasised enough." (Introduction)
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