The new face of independent journalism
Canaries
We all are deeply invested into the future of jornalism and devoted our careers to it. In September 2019 some of us met in Nepal where we were together with 70 likeminded people. That’s when we realised how wonderful they are and how as an industry we suck at telling our own story.
So Splice, Outriders, and Gisa Group decided to join forces and start this new snowfall of stories about great journalism projects serving the people all around the world.
The project was developed in cooperation with DDC International.
Trailer
Belarus. Revolution and the media: Minsk, Belarus
Episode #1
Since 1994 Alexander Lukashenko has taken power in each consecutive election in Belarus. In June this year, before the next elections, the crackdown on opposition leaders inspired first rallies across the country. Lukashenko has faced unrest in the past, mostly confined to the capital of Minsk and quickly suppressed. This time, the persistence and the fact that protests have spread to smaller towns and cities once considered to be the core of Lukashenko’s base, made things different. As on August 9th the elections were again rigged, Belarusians rose up. The protests have been going on for months now.
Five reporters featured in this episode are the canaries, as they continue to report on protests and actions taken by the authorities, despite numerous arrests, detentions and the brutality of the police. As they work they struggle with constant fear of being detained, with Internet disruptions and online censorship, but they are also supported by the protestants. The crisis in Belarus is a turning point for its civil society, it emphasizes the importance of mobilization and social solidarity as well as the role of independent journalism – reminding the people that the right for the truth, is an inalienable human right.
Mutante: Bogotá, Colombia
Episode #2
Mutante is a canary because… they are willing to say “we don’t understand”, willing to ask their communities what do they stand for, to give them voice.
Mutante’s founders, Nicolás Vallejo & Juan Camilo, were sick of journalism telling people what to think. So they started to listen to their neighbours, local communities. To answer their needs they had to create a mutant created by technology, society and freedom of press issues. They had to struggle with internal challenges – how to survive financially and structurally being an independent platform, and external ones – how to cover big issues such as regional mass migration, violence and patriarchy in polarized society of Colombia, and not only to talk about it but also to engage and find solutions for the people.
Waseda Chronicle: Tokyo, Japan
Episode #3
Waseda Chronicle is a canary because…it serves hard truths to a conservative society.
Makoto Wanatabe, the Waseda Chronicle’s Editor-in-Chief, could have been a salaryman. But he gave up a stable job at one of Japan’s highest circulating newspapers because he felt the newspaper was serving the interests of its advertisers and owners. As he says, Japan’s mass media doesn’t fold in the face of pressure from the powerful — because it already self-censors.
Makoto and his colleagues dipped into personal savings to found a newsroom which serves public – not corporate interests. This brings with it not just risk, but a certain stigma in a conservative society that bows to corporate power. Waseda’s first investigation report „Journalism for Sale” has won them enemies. But it also cut through industry taboo to create change through some creative destruction of journalism itself…