Media Newsletter - 14 April

Get an in-demand skill and use Africa’s progress to tell stories audiences want more of.

1. Journalism trends: Audiences want feel-good stories instead of “bad and depressing news”, according to the Reuters Institute Journalism, Media, and Technology Trends and Predictions 2022 report. The annual report unpacks digital news trends from revenue streams, social media and consumer engagement. And it turns out that audiences want more content that makes them happy, inspired and optimistic about the future. They’re backed up by science. Studies show that the more news a person consumes during and after traumatic news events like health pandemics, terrorist attacks and wars, the more likely they are to suffer from depression, stress and anxiety. There has never been a better time to tell alternative stories.

2. Who is funding? COP27 is coming to Africa in November, making 2022 the year for African journalists to dig deeper into the Climate Change narrative. The Africa-China Reporting Project at the Wits Centre for Journalism is offering reporting grants of $1500 to explore China's engagement in Africa's climate solutions. More info. Deadline: 22 April.

3. Training opportunity: Mobile storytelling is in demand in newsrooms, and it’s a skill you can also use to boost your social media profile. The Thomson Foundation’s free online Mobile Journalism course will equip you with the basics of video storytelling, including creating and editing content. More info.

4. In the spotlight: Prolific South African journalist Redi Tlhabi has joined the BBC News World, where she now presents global news and current affairs. Tlhabi’s media career spans radio, TV and print. She’s also an award-winning author of two books, Endings and Beginnings, and Khwezi: The Remarkable Story of Fezekile Ntsukela Kuzwayo. She’s moderated conversations with the likes of Oprah.  Talk about a woman on top!

5. Africa is on the move: This is why it matters that we see more alternative stories of the continent. Cases in point? Plans are afoot to build a 1081km highway that will connect Lagos and Abidjan. They are among the region’s most significant economic hubs. The highway will run through Nigeria, Benin, Togo, Ghana and Ivory Coast. Read more on how this will boost the economy and why it’s one of the most significant developments in the region. In East Africa, Kenya looks set to get its first Unicorn company. Retail tech start-up Wasoko recently raised $125 million from international investors, pushing its valuation to $625 million.

Follow @BirdStoryAgency on social media to keep up with more content that connects the continent. You can produce content for bird. Only dynamic stories of arts, culture, creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship. Email bird@africainsight.co.ke.