With new investment for women’s sports media, global awards recognition for local publishers, and a membership-based training to develop more diverse voices, here are some of the latest innovations from the SAMIP cohort.
gsport unveils new commercial deals
Women’s sports outlet gsport has announced two new commercial partners for the Momentum gsport Awards. JSE-listed logistics firm Imperial will take on naming rights to the gsport African Woman in Sport award, and Nielsen Sports South Africa joins as a partner on the Sponsor of the Year award, as well the market insights provider for the awards programme itself. gsport co-founder Kass Naidoo says the move will help expand gsport’s reach into Africa.
News Just In!@Imperial_Logist and gsport partner to honour women in sport at the Momentum gsport Awards, Africa’s longest running women’s sport recognition platform. #gsportImperial
This partnership was proudly brokered by @FlashSpon#gsportFlash https://t.co/Rf9Cyk5QHb pic.twitter.com/iTFYg7X7cl— gsport4girls (@gsport4girls) June 3, 2021
DM and FFM get the nod at Global Media Awards
Two SAMIP cohort members made it to the winners’ list at this year’s Global Media Awards, hosted by the International News Media Association (INMA).
- Agri-news startup Food for Mzansi won third-place in the Ad Campaigns category, and received an honourable mention in the Best Use of Audio category.
- Daily Maverick received an honourable mention in the Reader Engagement category for its prolific webinar series, and in the Best Use of Print category for its innovative launch of a weekly broadsheet.
Quote This Woman+ pilots a membership training
Media diversity initiative Quote This Woman+ has launched a membership-based media training, Quote Me On That. While this initial phase is limited to a founding member group, they will also host a public webinar on toxic masculinity in universities and the NGO sector. Tickets can be booked here.
You're invited to our webinar on Toxic Masculinity in University & NGO Spaces.
Hear from Prof. Shakila Singh, expert on gender, education, GBV & #toxicmasculinity from @UKZN & @RikkyMinyuku, human rights, development & facilitator at Womaniko.
Tickets: https://t.co/L27XXGga9O pic.twitter.com/eKw0I5aEdn
— Quotethiswoman+ (@quotethiswoman) June 4, 2021
The Daily Vox marks Pride month
To kick off its Pride Month coverage, youth media outlet The Daily Vox did a piece on the need for more inclusive shelters for queer people, and another on the need for a better plan to combat racism at schools.
The City of Cape Town is anti-poor, anti-Black and anti-queer. https://t.co/ZW3QZd2z4f
— The Daily Vox (@thedailyvox) June 4, 2021
Behind-the-scenes stories from investigative podcasts
Fresh from the news of Volume’s new investment from MDIF, the podcasting firm has launched a weekly newsletter offering behind-the-scenes stories from their investigative podcasts. This latest initiative comes alongside the launch of its new flagship show, Too Many Enemies, investigating the assassination of a controversial South African tycoon, and a new weekly newsletter offering bonus stories and insights from Volume’s investigative podcasts.
Sign up for the @VolumeAfrica weekly newsletter "Investigative podcasts" that gives you a behind-the-scenes look at how investigative podcasts are made. https://t.co/PIRW5nAvju. If you already subscribe get in touch. Thanks to @SAMIP_MDIF @membershippzzle and @benwhitelaw
— Paul McNally (@mcnallypm) June 8, 2021
Exploring the publishing potential of Telegram
SAMIP’s latest insight series explores how newsrooms could make use of the Telegram messaging app. While news outlets in Eastern Europe, South Asia, and Ethiopia have built huge audiences on Telegram. While local newsrooms have made innovative use of WhatsApp, it remains to be seen if Telegram’s superior broadcasting features make it a viable alternative in markets where WhatsApp remains the messaging app of choice.
SAMIP joins Radio 702 dialogue on news paywalls
SAMIP’s Bilal Randaree joined Clement Manyathela in a Radio 702 discussion on how news paywalls and membership programmes work, and how to ensure that journalism is sustainable and accessible.
ICYMI | SAMIP's Bilal Randeree joined the @Radio702 discussion about paywalls, newsroom memberships, and ensuring journalism is both sustainable and accessible https://t.co/9Oegpu75xI @TheRealClementM #ListenersChoice
— SA Media Innovation (@SAMIP_MDIF) May 27, 2021
New Viewfinder reporting shines a light on abusive cops
Viewfinder’s new investigative series, ‘Above the Law’, looks at how the system fails to act against cops who abuse their power. Combining hard-hitting investigation with human stories behind the statistics – including a documentary short film – the series has prompted a hasty denial from the police minister, and a promise by Parliament to rein in abusive cops.