Discovering the world beyond the West

How often do we hear about countries in the Global South only when there is a war, a natural disaster, or a political crisis? And what stories are we missing because we rely on the same international news sources?

In this interactive workshop, we’ll step outside the usual news ecosystem and explore news outlets from Africa, Asia, and the Americas together. Using real examples, we’ll examine how local journalists report on their own communities, what issues dominate their headlines, and which important stories rarely make it into international coverage.

Participants will work in small groups to explore a curated selection of investigative news outlets, identify stories they find surprising or underreported, and discuss why some narratives travel globally while others remain invisible.

Together, we’ll ask questions such as:

• What can local reporting tell us that international media often cannot?
• Which stories are consistently overlooked?
• How do different media systems shape public debate?
• How can we diversify our own news diets and research practices?

The workshop is designed for journalists, content creators, activists, students, and anyone interested in international reporting. No prior experience is required.

By the end of the session, participants will have discovered new sources, developed a broader understanding of global news ecosystems, and gained practical tools for finding stories beyond the mainstream news agenda.