explain.co.za, an independent South African news outlet in operation since 2019, is thrilled to have been selected as one of 21 grantees for The Digital News Transformation Fund (DNTF) first funding round.
Our project is centred around a newsroom–influencer collaboration producing fact-checked short-form explainer videos for social platforms.
The DNTF is a partnership between Google and the Association of Independent Publishers (AIP) to support innovation, digital transformation and the sustainability of South Africa’s small‑to‑medium independent news publishers.
explain.co.za, which operates under the registered company WhatsNews Pty LTD, is a member of AIP and is thrilled about the support being offered to independent publishers in the sector, many of whom have been hard hit by digital shifts in media consumption. Our project includes creating a replicable, financially sustainable model that can be used throughout the industry.
As a member of the Press Council of South Africa since 2021, explain.co.za is also gratified that fact-checked, in-depth journalism is being supported. We aim to marry the rigour of a newsroom with all its checks and balances with the quick format videos where many South Africans increasingly get their news.
“We’re looking forward to getting to work creating more compelling, accessible journalism, thanks to this fund,” said explain.co.za founder Verashni Pillay. “Our mission, as our name puts it, is to demystify the news and reach marginalised South Africans with the information they need to hold power to account, ultimately strengthening our democracy.”
The DNTF announcement notes that it received 164 proposals, which were assessed by an independent adjudication committee of sector experts against criteria that included public-interest value, audience focus, digital innovation and sustainability, before being submitted to the DNTF Board for final approval.
As Vincent Maher, DNTF Co-Chair, put it in the announcement: “South Africa’s independent publications are closest to the communities they serve and best positioned to understand what digital innovation their audiences need. These grants empower smaller newsrooms to experiment, take risks, and build the digital capacity essential for their survival and growth in a rapidly changing media landscape.”
