University of Kwazulu-Natal

Digital News Association Empowering Digital Journalism Success Stories

Bonisiwe Shabane
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digital news association empowering digital journalism success stories

Curious to delver deeper into the realm of digital news? Look no further than the Digital News Association. Just as inquisitive minds seek knowledge, our association offers a wealth of resources and insights waiting to be discovered. Elevate your skills with our specialized workshops and immersive training programs. Gain access to both online and offline classes for flexible learning experiences . Leverage the guidance of expert mentors to maximize your potential and achieve your goals.

Receive lifetime support on your educational journey, ensuring continuous growth and success. Creative Commons License (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0) Thank you for your interest in republishing this story. You are free to republish it so long as you do the following: The Online News Association has named ProPrublica and partner newsrooms as winners of five Online Journalism Awards, which honor excellence in digital journalism around the world. “Del Rio, Texas: How a Race for Sheriff Became a Referendum on Immigration,” a collaboration with The Texas Tribune, and “The Rise and Fall of Terrorgram,” a collaboration with FRONTLINE, won in the digital...

“Zero Trust: Inside Microsoft’s Cybersecurity Failures” won in the excellence in technology reporting, media newsroom category. Journalism has long served as the fourth estate, a pillar of democracy tasked with informing the public, holding power to account, and facilitating societal discourse. For centuries, this noble profession relied on traditional methods of information gathering and dissemination. However, the dawn of the Digital Age has ushered in a seismic shift in how news is produced, consumed, and distributed. The rapid advancement of technology has fundamentally altered the landscape of journalism, presenting both unprecedented opportunities and formidable challenges. From the instantaneous nature of online reporting to the rise of multimedia storytelling, the digital revolution has reshaped every facet of the journalistic process.

The transition from print media to digital platforms represents one of the most significant transformations in the history of journalism. Traditional newspapers and magazines, once the primary sources of information for millions, have seen a steady decline in readership as online news consumption continues to surge. This shift has been driven by several factors: The internet has effectively democratized access to information, creating a 24/7 news cycle that has dramatically altered how people stay informed about world events. This constant flow of information has reshaped consumer expectations, with many now expecting real-time updates on breaking news stories. The RTDNA Foundation is proud to announce the recipients of the 2025 scholarship and fellowship program.

This year, the Foundation is awarding more than $35,000 to 14 talented students and early career journalists. Scholarship and fellowship winners will attend RTDNA25, taking place June 11-13 in New Orleans. Since its establishment in 1970, the RTDNA Foundation has provided more than $1 million in scholarships and fellowships to about 600 aspiring journalists, fulfilling its role as the educational and charitable wing of the... Some have gone on to become reporters, producers and news directors, covering local and national issues that matter to their communities. Others have ventured into related professions, such as White House speechwriters, media regulatory attorneys and journalism educators. Several former recipients have also contributed to RTDNA’s leadership by serving as board members, while many have been honored with prestigious Murrow Awards.

David Louie Scholarship, presented by David Louie, the recipient of the RTDNA Foundation’s very first scholarship in 1970 while a student at Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism. This $2,000 scholarship is given to full-time Northwestern/Medill students with a preference for applicants of Asian American descent. ABOUT THE WORK: The series, which appeared as a weekly instalment on The Wire, saw tremendous response across social media. On Instagram, clips from the series did really well, with several posts receiving over 5000 likes. The highest viewed post has over 40,000 likes, and the posts are being commented on more than four months after publication. Many viewers, in particular women, appreciated seeing these under-reported stories on women in the media.

On Twitter, stories on women from indigenous groups in particular resonated with a lot of social media users, and saw sharp comments highlighting their issues to policymakers and government officials. Monica Jha is an independent journalist based in India. She reports on marginalization, organized crime, and ecology. She specializes in investigative reporting and longform storytelling. Her recent investigations include illegal shark fin trade from India to East Asia, and the crimes of the sand mining mafia in the Indian state of Bihar. Her works have won the Stop Slavery Media Award (2020); Ramnath Goenka Award (2024); SOPA Award (2024); Society of Environmental Journalists’ Outstanding Investigative Reporting Award (2023); and the Fetisov Journalism Award (2021).

She was a finalist for the True Story Awards (2021); SOPA Awards (2022 and 2020); Red Ink Awards (2022 and 2017); and the Lorenzo Natali Media Prize (2015). She was also long listed for the True Story Award 2024 and the One World Media Award (2021). She has received reporting grants from the Environmental Reporting Collective (2023); Global Initiative against Transnational Organized Crime and Oxpeckers (2021); the Pulitzer Center (2021); and the Impact Journalism Grant (2019). Jha has also conducted programs for Thomson Reuters Foundation to train journalists to report on human trafficking and modern slavery. Sriram Vittalamurthy is an independent photographer and multimedia journalist based in Bangalore, India. His documentary work examines the experiences of rural and marginalized communities across India, with special focus on environmental and social justice.

His recent five-part multimedia oral history documenting India's fisherwomen is currently longlisted for the 2025 One World Media Awards in two categories: innovative storytelling and women's solutions reporting. Previous work has been recognized through shortlisting for the European Commission's Lorenzo Natali Media Prize (2015), longlisting for One World Media Awards (2021), and support from the Pulitzer Center Gender Equality Grant. Through visual storytelling, Vittalamurthy has documented critical social issues including surveillance systems deployed at the Kumbh Mela religious gathering; COVID-19 vaccine distribution by village health workers in tribal areas; the criminalization of alcohol brewing... His photo essays have also explored the sacred bath ritual highlighting caste disparities, jockey culture in South India, community resistance to the Jaitapur Nuclear Power Project, and India's tiger conservation unit's technological approaches to... Vittalamurthy's professional background includes positions at Deccan Herald and The New Indian Express in Bangalore, and as desk editor at CNN-IBN in New Delhi from 2007-2010. Since 2010, he has worked independently, developing multimedia narratives that have appeared in publications including Rest of World, London Evening Standard, Mint, The Wire, FactorDaily, and Fountain Ink.

He holds an undergraduate degree in Computer Science Engineering and a Postgraduate Diploma in Television Journalism. Shamsheer Yousaf is an independent journalist based in Bangalore, India. He focuses on longform multimedia and investigative stories in environment, science, and technology. For these stories, he has been involved in reporting, writing, shooting, and editing photos and videos, and producing multimedia stories. His investigation into India’s illegal export of shark fins to East Asia was supported by Global Initiative against Transnational Organized Crime and Oxpeckers, and won an SEJ Award for Investigative Reporting. His investigations into the crimes of the sand mafia in India became part of a 2023 global report — this report won a SOPA Award 2024 and a related report won him a nomination...

Earlier, his story on people’s resistance to the world’s largest proposed nuclear power plant received a grant from The Society of Environmental Journalists, USA, and was shortlisted for the Lorenzo Natali European Prize for... He also won the Red Ink Award 2015 in the Science & Innovation category and two Special Mentions for the Red Ink Award 2019 in the Crime and Science & Innovation categories. Home » Vol. 18 Issue 03 – EiP’24 » Skillset, Toolkit, Mindset for Working Journalists: The Digital News Academy Journalism needed a grassroots revolution. It’s an industry facing rapidly changing technologies, platforms and business models.

Historically, newsrooms struggled – and often failed – to provide relevant ongoing training and professional development, with some journalists working without the opportunity of learning vital new digital skills and tools. <img decoding="async" class=" wp-image-29937 alignleft" src="https://www.globalfocusmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/digital-news-academy-234x600.png" alt="Digital news academy" width="137" height="351" srcset="https://globalfocusmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/digital-news-academy-234x600.png 234w, https://globalfocusmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/digital-news-academy.png 307w" sizes="(max-width: 137px) 100vw, 137px">In early 2022, the Digital News Academy was launched, a world-first initiative to train working journalists... News Corp Australia (NCA), Google and Melbourne Business School (MBS) combined the knowledge and resources of leading media, technology and education organisations to drive grassroots change and deliver a stronger future for journalism. ===INTRO:=== In a world flooded with information, the way we consume news is constantly evolving. Thanks to the explosive growth of digital platforms, independent journalism is experiencing a remarkable renaissance. No longer confined by traditional media gatekeepers, passionate storytellers from all walks of life are now able to share their perspectives, uncover stories that often go unnoticed, and challenge the status quo.

This vibrant shift is not only refreshing but also vital for a healthy, transparent society. The digital age has shattered the old barriers that once limited who could become a journalist. Blogs, social media, podcasts, and independent news websites now serve as launchpads for storytellers eager to make their voices heard. With a simple internet connection, anyone can investigate, report, and broadcast stories that matter to their communities or the global audience, democratizing the flow of information. This newfound freedom cultivates diverse voices and perspectives, enriching the media landscape with authenticity and originality. Moreover, digital platforms enable independent journalists to operate with greater agility and responsiveness.

Unlike traditional outlets with lengthy editorial processes, online creators can publish and update stories instantly, reacting to breaking news or emerging issues in real time. This immediacy fosters a more dynamic and interactive exchange with audiences, who can comment, share, and participate directly in the narrative. It’s a vibrant, two-way street that keeps journalism fresh, relevant, and deeply connected to its readership. Financially, digital tools have also democratized funding, allowing independent journalists to sustain their work through crowdfunding, memberships, and micro-donations. Platforms like Patreon or Ko-fi empower creators to monetize their content without relying on advertising or corporate backing. This independence from traditional financiers ensures that stories can be told without undue influence, fostering courageous investigations and honest reporting, even on controversial topics.

It’s a true revolution in how journalism is financed and practiced. Looking ahead, the future of independent journalism in the digital age is dazzling with possibilities. Emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and blockchain promise to elevate storytelling, enhance verification, and ensure transparency. These innovations can help independent journalists craft immersive narratives, fact-check with unprecedented accuracy, and build trust with audiences seeking genuine, unfiltered news. The digital realm becomes a playground of creativity, where truth and innovation go hand in hand. The latest batch of Online Journalism Awards is a fantastic resource for student newsrooms.

In an industry of constantly changing tools, the stories honored in this annual contest from the Online News Association represent excellence in digital journalism and provide models for student media programs to analyze. The 2019 awards were announced Sept. 14 at the ONA conference in New Orleans. Ranging in category from general excellence to public service, breaking news and digital video storytelling, the contest entries represented online are great for students to explore and interact with on their own or as... The OJA site provides background about each project and a little about the reporting approach and impact of each piece, such as “Pain and profit” from The Dallas Morning News. Teachers can use the set of 2019 winners in a variety of ways.

Here’s one simple set of questions for a small-group exercise, full class discussion or individual writing prompt: Students also can compare award-winning professional work with their own past stories on the same topic. For example, student media programs in Northern California may have covered the Camp Fire story and will benefit from revisiting this award-winning breaking news entry from the San Francisco Chronicle. The bottom of each page is a gold mine of additional stories labeled as past winners in this category. Data is nothing new in journalism. Reporters have long relied on reliable data to report the news, whether it involved the latest political polls or economic forecasts.

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