DeFrontera Revolutionizes African Health Journalism with Sustained, Evidence-Driven Reporting
DeFrontera, a new media platform, is making waves in African journalism. Co-founded by seasoned health journalists Verah Okeyo and Anne Mawathe, it aims to fill a gap in African media with sustained, evidence-driven health journalism. Unlike mainstream media, DeFrontera focuses on creating public impact stories that reach people and decision-makers.
Okeyo, serving as the chief executive and publisher, combines global health reporting with leadership experience at health non-profit Jhpiego and the Nation Media Group. Mawathe, as the editor-in-chief, brings decades of experience from senior roles at Reuters and the BBC, transforming complex health data into engaging stories.
DeFrontera differs from traditional media by focusing on sustained, evidence-driven, long-form health journalism. It goes beyond typical short or superficial reporting, allowing deeper investigation and storytelling that engages communities, policymakers, and global audiences with rigor and detail. The platform's reporting has covered systemic failures in maternal health programs, successful protocols reducing maternal deaths, the resurgence of kala-azar, and innovative 'one health' initiatives.
DeFrontera approaches health storytelling differently. It prioritizes quality over advertising and sales potential, and uses a 'circular economy' to maximize content reuse. This ensures that stories reach the widest possible audience and have the greatest impact.
DeFrontera, under the leadership of Okeyo and Mawathe, is redefining health journalism in Africa. By focusing on sustained, evidence-driven, long-form reporting, it aims to create public impact stories that reach people and decision-makers, filling a gap in African media and driving change in the health sector.
