https://zimbabwe.misa.org Strategies for Internet Technology and Digital Rights Reporting Creating a network of internet, technology and digital rights media practitioners • Making a Call for Applications inviting media practitioners throughout the region to join a network to report on internet, technology and digital rights in Southern Africa. In order to expand the number of media practitioners specialising in internet, technology and digital rights, it is important to identify individuals who will be committed to the process of acquiring skills and crucially, using those skills. It is safe to assume that those who respond to the Call for Applications will, at the very least, demonstrate interest in covering digital rights. In addition, completion of a module in one of the free resources (proposed above, and assuming these have been developed) can be used as a further indicator of an applicant’s investment/interest in digital rights reporting. This network can offer services to its members, including organising knowledge exchange forums (seminars, workshops, fellowships) for members. Building capacity of mainstream and online journalists, and peripheral actors • Civil society, journalists’ unions and editors’ associations are some of the stakeholders that play an active role in media training through various collaborations and funded by agencies from Western countries. Participants for training can be drawn from the network (proposed above) but must inclusive catering for journalists from mainstream media, online platforms and those who are peripheral actors. Since recent developments show an expanding space for unique sets of non-journalistic actors who are now integrated into traditional news media in sourcing, data journalism projects and fact-checking. The inclusion of peripheral actors such as interlopers (i.e. those challenging the journalism field such as bloggers or citizen journalists) is vital. Through the (proposed) network, stakeholders can support initiatives such as training, collaborative projects, media fellowships and mentorship programmes. Building momentum around digital rights reporting Stakeholders in the private sector and non-profit organisations can play a role in promoting specialised journalism in internet, technology and digital rights reporting by: Making internet, technology and digital rights a lucrative beat • Private sector players can sponsor the production and dissemination of content on internet, technology and digital rights themes that may further their own business goals, through raising visibility and awareness of digital services, products, platforms and technologies that intersect with digital rights. For instance, banks would benefit from informed consumers on matters relating to the digital economy i.e economic transactions that occur on the internet. Telecom companies can sponsor content on topics such as financial inclusion through mobile money whilst consumer watchdogs can propagate digital consumer rights vis a vis internet costs and internet service standards, etc. Sponsored content from private sector players may be advertorial 27