New Narratives is a team of leading African media houses and journalists using the power of the media to transform their countries.
In our pilot project in Liberia, NN journalists grew up during Liberia’s long, brutal civil war where warlords thrived on misinformation to wreak havoc that left nearly 1 in 10 Liberians dead and half the population homeless. Our journalists understand better than most the need for truthful, independent media. Through investigative and hard-hitting stories, NN reporters arm Africans with the information they need to demand accountability from leaders and make decisions that will improve their lives.
NN editors, managers, commentators, photographers and reporters are top journalists at independent media houses. In Liberia they have the country’s largest audience, reaching 2/3 of the people and making sure every story has maximum impact.
NN reporters cover stories on pressing but unreported issues. We have broken major stories on taboo subjects such as child labor, teen pregnancy, rape, teen prostitution, unsafe abortions, genital cutting, breached contracts by foreign mining companies, and coup plots. We have prompted major investigations and initiatives by all levels of government and the United Nations. We have highlighted the work of visionaries, many of them women. We have won growing audiences for our media houses, encouraged rival media to lift their standards to compete and opened the eyes of leaders to the plight of the country’s poor.
Africans Reporting Africa
Few journalists reporting to major international media from Africa are African. We believe Africans are better placed to give in-depth, nuanced analysis on their own countries. In our pilot country, NN journalists are the major contributors of Liberian news to international media such as Reuters, Global Post, Newsday, New York Times, US public radio and the Christian Science Monitor ensuring world leaders who make decisions that impact Africa, get a more balanced and detailed picture.
Please explore the site. Read the stories. Tell us what you think. We’re gearing up to expand the project to Nigeria, Ghana and Sierra Leone. We need your help to fund this vital effort with a donation today. Thank you!