The Nile River is the world’s longest river and stretches through 11 countries in Africa. Millions of people in some of the world’s poorest countries depend on this river to support their livelihoods. This freshwater basin is also a highly biodiverse region, hosting diverse ecosystems ranging from rainforest and wetlands to mountainous highlands, desert, and grasslands. Population pressure, climate change, pollution, hydroelectric development, agriculture, invasive species, and extractive industries are threatening biodiversity within this transboundary river basin. Lake ecosystems and dozens of wetlands are at risk, with water security and local economies already impacted. While many researchers are collecting biodiversity data, there is a critical gap between the data published for scientific knowledge and its translation to public knowledge and policy action. This project seeks to bridge the gap between scientists, data sources, and journalists by promoting informed, data-based, and science-based journalism about freshwater biodiversity issues in the Nile Basin. Central to this project is the expansion of InfoNile, a geo-journalism platform that combines interactive maps and data visualizations with journalistic storytelling about water issues in the Basin to increase awareness, communication, and ultimately inspire action to improve water resources management.

1. Increase data-based science journalism in the Nile Basin by publishing three transboundary data-based investigations on biodiversity challenges and solutions in the Nile Basin on InfoNile.org.
2. Increase the knowledge and skills of 32 Nile Basin journalists and editors in data journalism, science journalism, and geospatial technologies; and motivate 16 media houses to learn and invest more in data journalism.
3. Foster collaboration between journalists and researchers in the Nile Basin to promote science and data-based journalism by establishing and maintaining an online portal on InfoNile.org to encourage connections between journalists and researchers and train scientists in communications skills.
4. Develop sustainable organizational management capacity, build partnerships with like-minded individuals and organizations, and gain sustainable funding for the online portal.

With COVID-19 restricting travel and meeting with our grantees, JRS invited our projects to submit a short update for the JRS Board of Trustees. Though intended for an internal JRS audience, we loved these videos and share them here with permission. Enjoy!

1. A baseline assessment of InfoNile.org, journalism skills, and coverage of biodiversity and water issues in the Nile Basin media.
2. A home office in Uganda and the hiring of InfoNile coordinators, project assistants, and one staff member across Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Kenya, Sudan, Ethiopia, and Egypt.
3. An active Advisory Board.
4. Three major data-based journalistic projects comprised of 24 individual stories published on issues of biodiversity in the Nile Basin.
5. An online web portal to link journalists and scientists on InfoNile.org.
6. Two one-week training sessions in data journalism, science journalism, and the use of geospatial technologies provided for a total of 16 journalists and 16 editors, who will then train at least 70 staff at media houses.
7. Over 30 scientists trained with the new online module on communications skills for scientists.
8. Mentorship for 24 Nile Basin journalists in data visualization and the use of geospatial technologies.

Success will be increased and continued use of the online portal by journalists and scientists as a one-stop center for data-based research on biodiversity in the Nile Basin. Improving the communication of these issues through data and visualizations should increase the quantity and quality of stories published and ultimately encourage civic engagement and government action to conserve biodiversity in the Nile Basin. Specifically, the following outcomes are expected by the end of the project:

1. Greater reach on the expanded InfoNile website and social media channels.
2. At least 200 online portal users connecting with journalists and scientists to gain or share information for stories every month.
3. More data and science journalism stories reported by at least 10 of the journalists and 10 of the media houses that received training.
4. Twenty-four data-based stories focused on biodiversity and water published in the media.
5. Networks of at least 1,000 journalists in the Nile Basin countries and 300 scientists and researchers.

The initial design of InfoNile.org as an integration of data-based maps and stories was based upon the “JEO” WordPress theme created by Internews’ Earth Journalism Network and used on InfoAmazonia, InfoCongo and Ekuatorial.

• The InfoNile home office opened and two new staff were hired, a Programs Officer and a Communications Officer.
• Two baseline surveys were conducted on the current data and science journalism skills of journalists and the current coverage of biodiversity and water issues in the Nile Basin media.
• An impact survey was conducted of former grantees to determine the impacts of stories from previously funded projects.
• A needs assessment was conducted of former grantees to determine their interest in an online portal to link journalist and scientists on InfoNile.org.
• The InfoNile network grew to 353 journalists.
• A call for applications for the first story grant cycle on threat to biodiversity in Nile Basin lakes was issued. Forty applications were received and are under review.
• One grant has been awarded and one grant application has been submitted for future funding.
• Partnerships were developed with five other individuals/organizations.

The baseline surveys confirmed a lack of science, data, and data visualization in the media; a need for data journalism and visualization training among journalists; and a strong demand for a platform that connects journalists and scientists. These surveys will help guide the design of the platform and programs to maximize impact. The impact survey of past grantees confirmed the data journalism story grants are having a positive impact, strengthening our resolve to keep work on track amidst project delays. The project timeline had to be modified due to a family emergency and the COVID-19 pandemic poses uncertainties that will likely result in additional delays and modifications. There are concerns regarding journalists’ ability to conduct investigative reporting safely and modifications will be made on a case-by-case basis in order to safely move forward with the first story grant cycle.

• International Journalists Network – New Geojournalism Platform is Changing How Reporters Cover Africa’s Longest River
• CIVICUS Goalkeepers Youth Action Accelerator Profile – Annika McGinnis, InfoNile
• Pulitzer Center – Sucked Dry: Land Grabs and Water Access in the Nile River Basin

Fredrick Mugira is a Ugandan National Geographic Storytelling Explorer, Pulitzer Center Grantee, multiple award-winning water and climate change journalist, media trainer, and development communication specialist with over 15 years of wide-ranging experience. He has reported from various countries in Africa, Europe, Asia, and the U.S. and led media training in environmental reporting, refugee reporting, and other topics across East Africa and the Nile Basin. He heads Water Journalists Africa, cofounded InfoNile, and is a key project partner of the three-year Open Water Diplomacy project led by IHE-Delft Institute of Water Education. Along with Water Journalists Africa, he currently works as an editor Vision Group, Uganda’s leading multimedia house.

Annika McGinnis is a multimedia journalist and media development specialist from the U.S. with Water Journalists Africa and the co-founder and Director of InfoNile. She also works as the Director of Programs and Strategy with the Media Challenge Initiative, a media development nonprofit organization in Kampala that leads journalism training for young journalists. As a journalist in the U.S., she reported for Reuters in the White House and on Capitol Hill, USA TODAY, and McClatchy Newspapers. She is a current Goalkeeper in the CIVICUS Youth Action Accelerator program.

JRS is pleased to make our first grant to support science and conservation journalism where we work. A great challenge that faces biodiversity scientists is the translation of their research findings and data into knowledge that is usable by policy-makers and an informed public.  JRS is working to make scientific communications training available to our grantees and to connect our grantees to journalists. This terrific project by Water Journalists Africa works from the journalist side of scientific communications to connect journalists to scientists and to data analytics.  We hope the effort will foster a network of journalists who are better equipped to conduct rigorous environmental journalism and are inspired to share stories of biodiversity’s value to humanity.