Internews Europe CEO calls for protecting independent journalists — Daily Maverick

In South Africa, Internews Europe CEO Mira Selva wrote in a column for Daily Maverick that journalists need recognition, legal protection and audience support so they can continue asking difficult questions of influential people and covering events in communities.

The role of local newsrooms

The author noted that journalists work in communities, villages, cities and regions, including where there is not a sufficient market for traditional media. They document the consequences of disasters, draw attention to extractive operations and raise questions about the legality of activities that may destroy the local landscape.

According to Selva, journalists listen to people who have suffered losses or have no opportunity to be heard, and return to topics after attention to them fades. They investigate how housing will be rebuilt after disasters, why glaciers are melting, who is behind extractive operations and why local authorities may allow work without permits.

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Technology pressure and disinformation

The column states that the flow of content created and distributed with the help of artificial intelligence may not explain events but instead confuse and expose audiences to risks. Technology strengthens public discussion, but does not always provide people with the information they need at the right time, the author believes.

Selva also stressed that journalists need protection from influential people who try to obstruct their work, as well as support in disputes with technology companies that profit from journalistic content without paying for it. She emphasized the importance of small independent media outlets and large established newsrooms ready to take on major cases. The column was commissioned as part of the global World News Day campaign, dedicated to the role of journalism in providing facts and clarity.