The Trustees of the Ethical Journalism Network have appointed Zoe Greenfield as its new Director, the alliance reported in its Bulletin on Wednesday.
Zoe, currently the Operations Manager at the International Network of Street Papers, INSP, will officially assume office on May 24, 2021, taking over from Hannah Storm, who leaves to pursue a career in media consultancy, speaking, and writing, according to the Bulletin.
Zoe joined INSP in 2014, playing an integral role in the strategic development of the organization through building a strong and supportive global journalism network. Working with publications in 35 counties, Zoe delivered a portfolio of projects to help foster collaboration and the sharing of best practices across borders and cultures.
This included projects such as the annual Global Street Paper Summit and Awards; the creation of an online member resource hub; and the launch of INSP’s North American bureau.
Prior to joining INSP, Zoe spent several years working in the charity sector gaining experience in fields such as international development, mental health, the arts and social enterprise.
Welcoming Zoe, EJN Chair Christopher Hird said: “We are delighted that Zoe is joining the EJN as our director.
“We had some very strong candidates for the job but what stood out about Zoe was the combination of her broad range of skills in an organisation a similar size to the EJN; her experience in managing a worldwide network of very different journalistic organisations; and her focus on funding and impact.
“We are sure she is the right person to build on the hard work of her predecessor, Hannah Storm, and take the EJN forward in the next stage of its development.”
In her acceptance remarks, Zoe said: “Over the course of my work at INSP, I have been inspired by the efforts of many of our members to harness the power of journalism to challenge hatred and change lives.
“At the same time, I have become increasingly concerned by the proliferation of misinformation and ‘fake news,’ which fuels hatred and incites violence. I have seen the impact this has for those in our communities who are vulnerable or marginalised.
“During the pandemic (Covid-19), we have witnessed how access to accurate information is quite literally a matter of life and death. I am steadfast in my belief that high ethical standards in journalism are essential to the healthy functioning of society and democracy.
“I am honoured to be joining the Ethical Journalism Network at a time when its mission has never been more critical.
“I hope to build the strength and solidarity of the network as we work together towards change. As the work of the EJN grows, colleagues operating in increasingly challenging environments will know that they do not face these struggles alone.
“I am energised by the wealth of knowledge and expertise of esteemed colleagues within the EJN and look forward to working with the team, trustees and committee members to further increase the reach and impact of the EJN as we work to promote and strengthen ethics in journalism and respect for human rights.”
After two years at the EJN, Hannah is leaving to pursue her communications and journalism consultancy, with a specific focus on resilience and mental health in the media, safety and gender sensitivity. She will also be growing her career as a writer, moderator and speaker.
She noted: “I am immensely grateful to our small team for their commitment during a challenging period in, which we have not only extended our reach globally but seen the real value of ethical journalism during the pandemic.
“I wish Zoe and the team well in the next phase of the EJN’s history. It’s an exciting and important time to be part of this conversation.”
The Ethical Journalism Network is an alliance of reporters, editors and publishers aiming to strengthen journalism around the world – Uganda inclusive. The alliance work to build trust in news media through training; education and research.
Source: BBC/EJN Portal
