In December 2023, INMA and Google News Initiative (GNI) awarded their fourth annual Elevate Scholarship to 50 news media professionals from 31 countries. This series features these impressive media professionals who are shaping our industry.

Najm Al-Dain Qasem‏ understands his journalistic skills put him in a unique position to shine a light on some of the most egregious human rights violations, and it’s a responsibility he has not taken lightly.

He has committed himself to giving a voice to some of the most marginalised groups in Yemen and, as a freelance investigative journalist for Daraj Media, openDemocracy, and others, Najm has advocated for environmental protection and human rights, covered the plight of women and religious minorities, and covered journalist rights violations, political trials, corruption, and climate-related issues.

In 2021, Najm collaborated on an investigative project with the Arij Network and the international media platform openDemocracy to expose women’s rights violations in Yemeni prisons and the tragic deaths of female inmates during bombings. The project, which gained substantial attention and resulted in the release of these women and the creation of dedicated shelters, received multiple regional and international award nominations and a grant from the Thomson Foundation.  

“My primary focus has been on producing in-depth content addressing urgent societal issues in Yemen, such as women’s rights, religious minority rights, environmental concerns, and human rights violations,” Najm said. “I am pleased that my work has brought about some change, even if it’s just a 1% positive impact, and increased awareness about these critical issues.”

As an Elevate Scholar, Najm looks forward to broadening his skill set and learning more about data analytics, which he recognises as a critical component in understanding and driving greater audience engagement.

“I see the immense value of data analytics in journalism,” he said. “I wish to develop proficiency in analysing data to derive insights about audience behaviour, preferences, and trends. This knowledge will help me make informed editorial decisions and optimise content for our target audience.”

Importantly, he is excited to delve deeper into the business aspects of the news media industry, gaining a better understanding of subscriptions, advertising, product development, and more. 

“I believe that a strong foundation in these areas will not only enhance my ability to produce impactful investigative journalism but also contribute to the financial health and sustainability of the media outlets I work with, thereby strengthening the broader media landscape.”

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