Why Journalism - Stories from News Reporters in Africa

"If you know of any youngster who has grown up dreaming of becoming a journalist, then you've met an increasingly rare breed indeed."

Written by 14 journalists from countries such as Kenya, Malawi, Cameroon, Nigeria, and Somalia, this collection of essays shares pivotal moments within journalists' careers and explores why and how they came to choose a career in journalism. The publication is meant rekindle an interest in journalism and strengthen media as a whole.

In the Preface, KAS Media Africa Director Christoph Plate explains the reason for the publication and how good journalism is under threat, "not only from the traditional commercial and political forces, but from problems of the profession's own making. These include a lack of skills, sloppy editing and the lazy journalism of those who would rather google content than talk to real people."

The 14 essays share very diverse experiences and reasons for entering into the profession, but they all underline the importance of journalism that makes a difference. They also acknowledge the contribution of journalists who make extreme sacrifices to hold power accountable and keep audiences informed.

The stories are as follows:

• Sports and politics a perfect mix - by Frank Sanga, Managing Editor at Azam Television of Tanzania
• Colonel's death and a reporter’s career - by Gisèle Kahimbani, director of Elle FM, a niche radio station based in Goma, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, dedicated to promoting women's rights
• In gold mines, sleep with one eye open - by Estacio Valoi, a freelance investigative journalist in Mozambique
• Curse of the Brown Envelope - by Idris Akinbanjo, Managing Editor of Premium Times, one of Nigeria's news publishers
• Journalism under a racist Jackboot - by Gwen Lister, a Namibian journalist, publisher, and press-freedom activist
• Lone quest for justice and order - by François N. N'Guessan (M'Bra II), broadcast and digital journalist in Cote d'Ivoire
• Through the fog of war and poverty - by Stella Mbuh, a multimedia journalist and fact-checker based in Cameroon
• Folly of trusting public officials - by Berna Namata, journalist for the weekly newspaper The EastAfrican in Rwanda
• From bush war to fighting graft - by Albert Sharra, a Malawian Journalist with an interest in investigative and solutions journalism
• Risk and adventure in an orange gown - by Haimanot Ashenafi, a human rights defender and journalist in Ethiopia
• Like a fish in poisonous waters - by Mohamed Ibrahim Bulbul, a journalist and press freedom activist based in Mogadishu, Somalia
• Bloody cost of seeking truth - by Simon Allison, a foreign correspondent and editor from South Africa
• Chasing after men who bite dogs - by Dennis Okari, an investigative journalist in Kenya
• Ordeal over a chat with the general - by Fasika Tadesse, a correspondent for Bloomberg news based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia