Parachute journalism has long been criticised for covering crises from a Western perspective. One newsroom is aiming to put communities at the heart of news coverage
Subscribe to the Journalism.co.uk podcast on Apple Podcasts, Soundcloud and Spotify
Traditionally, when Western media organisations report on Africa, the Middle East and South Asia, they send foreign correspondents in to cover the events from the ground as they unfold.
This practice has been dubbed 'parachute journalism'. It can be effective for breaking news but it often means you are telling stories from a Western perspective, bringing your own values, practices and ethical considerations to communities you are not connected with. This can lead to backlash when Western editors make contentious decisions about how to cover communities they do not know or understand.
Even specialists in this world of reporting are racking their brains about how to undo decades of Westernised status quo when covering the Global South - some are referring to this as 'decolonising the media'.
One of those leading the conversation is Heba Aly, the CEO of The New Humanitarian, a non-profit newsroom best known for its reporting on conflicts, disasters and crises. In this week's podcast, Aly shares the strategies to shape accurate narratives around these communities, make sure their stories are of service to them, and recognise the agency of affected people to improve their own lives.
If you like our news and feature articles, you can sign up to receive our free daily (Mon-Fri) email newsletter (mobile friendly).
Sign up to receive job alerts of your choice by email, or manage your subscription
Featured recruiter: click to view its vacancies
The UK’s largest independent investigative journalism organisation seeks a fact checker with proven experience in fact-checking or editing journalistic content, ideally investigations. Hybrid working
Subscribe to our newsletter for latest news, tips, jobs and more
End that deadline stress today and find help in our freelance directory
Kindred Forest partners with Volker Lehmann and local families to bring Wild Beniano Cacao from the Amazon direct to the UK for first time. The Wild Chocolate bar blends rare flavours and sustainability: 20 per cent of profits go to rainforest conservation
Our next Newsrewired conference will be in May 2025, London.
Conferences and study weeks are fantastic opportunities to get the latest updates on the industry and network with your peers
Awards are a great way to have your hard work recognised by industry experts and celebrate your teams. Here is where you can apply
If you find your social feeds a tad too heavy on men's voices, follow and connect with these fantastic women experts on indie media
How do you move print readers to digital? Are there other ways to hold on to subscribers besides a last-ditch deal?
