What is  Journathon?

Journathon is a competitive, youth- and women-led journalism hackathon style event in Zimbabwe designed to rebuild public trust in media through fact-checking, investigative reporting, and innovative storytelling. It blends the intensity of a hackathon with the ethics and rigor of journalism.

Why now?

• Unmonitored digital surveillance exposing women journalists to online harassment and targeted attacks.
• Underrepresentation of young women journalists in digital storytelling and decision-making.
•  Declining public trust due Misinformation and disinformation overload.
• Shrinking investigative spaces.

Format

Competitors work individually or in small teams over a fixed period to research, verify, and produce high-quality journalism responding to real-world issues in the digital age.

Time Frame
    •    8:00 PM – 3:00 PM
    •    (Date to be announced)

Participants
    •    6 teams ~ young women journalists
    •    Final-year journalism or media students, early-career journalists, independent reporters, and community storytellers

Age

18-30

Team Structure
    •    Individual participants or
    •    Teams of 3–4 participants

Tracks

1. Fact-Checking & Verification
    •    Debunk viral misinformation
    •    Verify public claims, data, or media narratives

2. Investigative Reporting
    •    Deep dives into underreported social, economic, or digital rights issues
    •    Evidence-based, public-interest storytelling

3. Innovative Storytelling
    •    Multimedia, data journalism, podcasts, or visual stories
    •    Creative yet ethical digital formats that engage audiences and amplify youth and women’s voices

Judging Criteria
    •    Accuracy and verification rigor
    •    Depth, originality, and research quality
    •    Ethical reporting standards
    •    Clarity of storytelling and public relevance
    •    Digital safety and responsible data use

Awards & Prizes

Top Awards
    •    🏆 Best Investigative Story
    •    🏆 Best Fact-Checking Project
    •    🏆 Best Innovative Storytelling

Awards Include
    •    Journalism equipment kits (microphones and recording tools)
    •    Trophies and certificates
    •    Publication and amplification opportunities
    •    Feature across DDB platforms and partner media spaces
    • Media mentorship placements