Meet the 2024 JournalismAI Academy for Small Newsrooms MENA cohort
We are thrilled to kick off our first Arabic-only Academy for Small Newsrooms programme, presented in partnership with ARIJ (Arab Reporters for Investigative Journalism) powered by the Google News Initiative. Last week marked the beginning of this exciting journey, where we got to know our exceptional participants. We are delighted to share that our Academy unites talents from 17 countries across the Middle East and North Africa.
Since its inception in 2021, the Academy has been a cornerstone of the JournalismAI initiative, training more than 100 newsroom professionals from around the world. This year, in collaboration with ARIJ, we are delivering the Academy for the Arab World cohort. Delivered entirely in Arabic, this programme is designed to empower small newsrooms in the Middle East and North Africa by showcasing how AI can be harnessed to elevate their journalism.
The response to our call for applications was truly overwhelming. We received over 450 applications from across the region, and we are honoured by the enthusiasm and interest shown by so many talented individuals. شكراً (thank you) to everyone who applied, and congratulations to those who made it!
Here are the participants:
🇪🇬 Egypt
Moatamed Abdulghany - Journalist at The Seventh Day
Rehab Eleiwa - محررة أخبار at AlManassa
Hamdy Dabash Abd El-latif Dabash - نائب رئيس قسم التحقيقات at Al-masry Al-youm
🇵🇸 Palestine
Islam B Abu Arra - Journalist at Alhaya
Mahmoud Hrebat - Co-founder & Director at Lammet Sahafa organisation
🇶🇦 Qatar
Abdullah Maksour - News Producer at Al Araby TV
Layal Haddad - Head of Media and Entertainment section at Al Araby Al Jadeed
🇲🇦 Morocco
Khawla Jassab - صحفية/ مقدمة أخبار وبرامج at Madar21
Mohamed Karim Boukhssas - Journalist at Alayam
🇱🇧 Lebanon
Laure Ayoub - Journalist at Legal Agenda
🇸🇩 Sudan
Mohamed Tohami - Video Journalist at Salamedia for journalism Services
🇾🇪 Yemen
Mohammed Zeyad - مسؤول السوشل ميديا at Khuyut
Wael Sharha - Founder and Executive Manager at Awafi Foundation for Health Media
🇱🇾 Libya
Naila Mahdi - مديرة تحرير منصة الصباح at El Sabah
🇲🇷 Mauritania
Sultana Khalifa - صحفية at Sahara Media
🇮🇶 Iraq
Talal Murad Saled - المدير القطري at Ezidi24 Media Foundation
🇩🇿 Algeria
Yasmine Bouldjedri - Journalist- Podcaster- Head of Department at Annasr newspaper
🇯🇴 Jordan
Zina Ghoul - Program Manager at 7iber
🇴🇲 Oman
Koloud Al-Fazzaria - محرر صحفي at Oman Daily Observer
As we embark on this transformative journey, we look forward to an inspiring and productive session ahead. We are confident that this cohort will bring forth innovative ideas and meaningful advancements in journalism.
*Please note that some participants are not included in this list for privacy reasons.