Three premier African journalists, all past winners of the prestigious Michael Elliott Award for Excellence in African Storytelling, have been awarded inaugural reporting grants to investigate the escalating threats to press freedom and democracy across the continent.
Backed by the International Center for Journalists (ICFJ), the veteran reporters will pivot from their award-winning past works to examine modern dangers such as AI-enabled surveillance, the mass exodus of media professionals, and coordinated online attacks against the press.
A Legacy of Excellence and Impact
Established in 2016 to honor the late editor and philanthropist Michael Elliott, the award has become a benchmark for African journalistic excellence. Winners traditionally receive a cash prize and a two-week professional development program at The Economist in London. These new grants aim to transform the award from a one-time honor into a lasting community of alumni capable of tackling the continent’s most complex shifts.
“This kind of reporting is critical to understanding the threats faced by African journalists and societies,” said ICFJ President Sharon Moshavi. “Supporting these investigations gets to the heart of the Michael Elliott Award’s mission – to recognize journalists who highlight the transformational changes taking place on the continent.”
Investigating AI, Exile, and the Future of Truth
The three selected fellows bring a diverse range of investigative expertise to the project:
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Khalid Bencherif (Morocco): The 2022 winner will pivot from climate reporting to the digital frontier. He is set to investigate how authoritarian surveillance and data colonialism are utilizing AI to potentially harm African societies. Bencherif noted that the Elliott Award was a strong push for his career, providing the prestige necessary to secure further global fellowships.
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Kemi Busari (Nigeria): Following his 2024 investigation into dangerous herbal products, Busari will now explore the brain drain within Nigerian journalism. His report will analyze why reporters are fleeing the profession and what this quiet exit means for the future of Nigerian democracy. Busari credits his time at The Economist for sharpening his rigorous fact-checking processes.
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Linda Ngari (Kenya): A 2024 awardee recognized for her documentary on unsafe abortions, Ngari is shifting her lens to digital warfare. She will report on coordinated online attacks targeting Rwandan journalists both at home and in exile. “I now report while questioning the possible global angle a local story could have,” Ngari said, reflecting on her recent professional evolution.
Through these investigations, the ICFJ aims to provide a clearer picture of how foreign influence and technological shifts are reshaping the landscape of free speech in Africa.
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