Peace News Journalist Network

Adriene Cabalinan is a humanitarian worker in Southern Philippines and a peace and development scholar at Notre Dame University (Philippines). She previously worked on research, filmmaking, and the production of numerous national television documentaries.

Akilimali Saleh Chomachoma is a dedicated and ambitious independent journalist who reports from Congo and central Africa around a decade now. He produces stories on issues such as: breaking news , business, politics, justice, environment including climate change, and health. Having started out in radio before migrating to the international online press, his work focuses on how local communities are part of the solution to the problems they face. Many of his articles are in French but he has produced some English articles for Zenger, Degree, IPS and Quartz. Akilimali is a regular contributor to BBC English-language programs, including the BBC World Service for the latest news from the region. His aim is to cover the news in a conflict zone with complete independence.

Anicet Kimonyo is a Congolese journalist and war reporter based in the East of the Democratic Republic of Congo in the city of Goma in the Province of North Kivu. Since the resurgence of conflicts in the region, he has been involved in media coverage of conflicts in the region and their consequences to the community. His work focuses on issues of democracy, peace and good governance in the region, environmental and climate issues and topics about mining.

Gale Dada is multimedia journalist from South Sudan. He has worked as a reporter, radio producer, and photojournalist for several local and international media outlets. He is currently the producer and presenter of Peace Forum program  on Bakhita Radio 91.0 Fm in Juba.

Gloria Laker Adiiki Aciro is a distinguished Ugandan peace journalist and the Director of the Peace Journalism Foundation (PJF). With a strong focus on refugee advocacy and peacebuilding, she has earned recognition for her significant contributions to promoting peace journalism. Gloria is widely known for her extensive coverage of the LRA conflict, where she highlighted marginalized voices and provided insightful reporting from conflict zones. As an award-winning journalist and media trainer, she combines her passion for social justice with a commitment to responsible, impactful journalism. Gloria’s work has earned her several accolades, including the 2024 IGAD Media Award and a finalist position for the 2022 Women Building Peace Award. In 2008, she was honored with the BBC Award for Communicating Justice in Uganda. Through her leadership and dedication, Gloria continues to shape the future of peace journalism and support positive change in conflict-affected communities in East Africa.

Hanzala Daud is a humanitarian activist from Abbottabad (Pakistan), associated with various local news groups. He previously worked on research and the development of numerous projects related to social welfare. He is a Doctor of Pharmacy from Abbottabad University of Science and Technology (AUST).

Humayoon Babur is a dedicated freelance journalist with a Master’s degree in International Development. Over many years, he has covered a wide array of crucial topics, including conflict, peacebuilding, social development, and climate change. His work is known for its depth and insight, often focusing on the complex interplay between these issues and their impact on vulnerable communities.

Humayoon has reported extensively from regions experiencing war and political unrest, bringing attention to stories that are often overlooked. He is passionate about amplifying the voices of those affected by conflict, aiming to shed light on the human experience behind the headlines. His reporting not only addresses the immediate consequences of violence but also explores the long-term challenges these regions face, particularly in terms of development and environmental sustainability. Beyond his writing, Humayoon is actively involved in the intersection of policy and advocacy, using his journalism to influence public understanding and drive meaningful change. His work is marked by a commitment to uncovering the truth and providing a platform for marginalized voices. As a seasoned journalist, Humayoon continues to contribute valuable perspectives on some of the world’s most pressing issues.

John Oryang is a South Sudanese graduate of UMCAT School of Journalism, and is based in Uganda. He has previously worked as a TV news producer and has reported for Thomson Reuters and other broadcasters around the globe.

John Simms is a multi-talented Digital Media Producer with a combined 9+ years of experience. He is well-versed in the creation of a wide range of media content including photography, journalistic writing, short films, documentaries, music videos, marketing videos, fundraising videos, and video scripts.

Kate Roff is the founding editor of Peace News. She has worked for several news agencies and has an MA in Political Science (University of Canterbury), DipEd, and BA in Journalism and Cultural Studies (Curtin University of Technology).

Lea Suter is the founder and peace reporter of PeacePrints and has worked for the think tank foraus (Swiss Forum on Foreign Policy) and for the UN. She holds a Master’s degree in Intercultural Transfer Studies between Russia and Europe.

Mahnoz Jonmahmadova is freelance journalist and video editor based in Washington DC, USA.

Masoud Kafah is a freelance journalist from Palestine. He has worked for several news agencies and holds a BA in Political Science and Media (Islamic University of Gaza). He has also lived i the Gaza Strip, where he volunteered for several charity organizations.

Michael Ojok is a multi-channel reporter based in Gulu district (Northern Uganda). He is interested in humanitarian stories, culture, conflict, peace, environment, health and education.

Mohamed Coulibaly worked as a lawyer from 2004-2008 focusing on Business Law. Coulibaly has been working as a writer and Community Manager since 2014. He is also the Vice President of the Youth Association for Civic Education (AJEC).

Mohammed is a multimedia  freelance journalist in Kaduna State, Nigeria. He graduated from the International Institute of Journalism Abuja. In 2016 Mohammed received the Courage in Journalism Award for his investigative reporting, from the Africa Media Development Foundation.

​Mustafa Nader is a photographer from Baghdad. Since 2010,  Mustafa has worked as a reporter, photojournalist, and content director, for several media agencies and is passionate about presenting a different side of his homeland to the world.

Nicholas J Parkinson is a communications manager with Tetra Tech ARD, covering USAID’s land tenure projects in Colombia. He is a former journalist with more than 10 years of experience reporting and writing in Europe, South America, and East and West Africa.

Ochan is a Peace News Network contributor, based in Uganda.  As a freelance journalist, he was forced to leave his native South Sudan for security reasons and has also worked for MiCT’s The Niles.

Olga is a trained journalist and peacebuilding expert in Ukraine. She founded Break The Ice, a hockey-based NGO supporting children displaced by the conflict. Olga has also worked participated in the Global Sports Mentoring Program, and contributed to Peace Insight.

Paul Cochrane is an independent journalist based in Beirut, where he has lived since 2002. He covers the Middle East and Central Asia for specialized publications, business magazines and newspapers. Paul holds a Master’s degree in Middle Eastern Studies from the American University of Beirut.

John Qais Qasim is an Iraqi TV producer, journalist and daily columnist based in Baghdad. He is a contributor to Arabic and English talk shows and is passionate about Iraqi political analysis.

Ruby Irene Pratka is a US-born, Montreal-based freelance writer and editor. Her work has been published in English and French in Vice Québec, HuffPost Québec, Ricochet, Xtra, Shareable, Canadaland and she holds an MA in Public Communication (Université Laval).

Meet the woman who believes journalism can make the world a better place. Ruth Omar is a journalist and a storyteller from Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo. After studying journalism and communication studies at Cavendish University Uganda, Ruth engaged in her career by raising people’s voices in her local community and Uganda. In 2019, she won the best technology news story prize at the Interuniversity Media Challenge Uganda. She is a 2020 Media Challenge Fellow. She is a Peace Building fellow from Never Again Rwanda. She has been publishing documentaries produced by different media houses, like BBC World Service, Les Hauts Parleurs and Human Angle, among others. She is a blogger and a voice-over artist. Social media manager and communications specialist from different organizations in Goma/DRC. She is a VOA Stringer and a Radio personality in Goma. She is passionate about telling African stories and changing the African narrative. She speaks French, English, and Kiswahili.

Safiya Songhai is an Emmy-Award winning broadcast journalist and filmmaker based in New York City. She has an MFA in Film and Television Production (New York University) and a BA in Mass Communication from Howard University.

Sarwar Kamal is a Bangladeshi journalist based in Chattogram, Cox's Bazar and Chattogram Hill Tracts (Bandarban, Rangamati and Khagrachhari) in Bangladesh. He has been working in the field of journalism since 2015. He has been very passionate about journalism since his early age. He is now a staff correspondent at New Age, a leading Bangladeshi daily, where he covered different issues on environment, business, crime, politics, health, education, culture, Rohingya crisis, climate change, gender, corruption based in in Chattogram, Cox's Bazar and Chattogram Hill Tracts (Bandarban, Rangamati and Khagrachhari). Earlier he worked for leading Bangladeshi online news portal and news agency Banglanews24.com. He holds a Bachelor degree and a Master's degree in Journalism and Media Studies with excellent academic results.

Shahbaz Ali is a video editor and animator, having 8 years of experience in this field. He has completed his Masters in Mass Communication from the University of Sindh, Jamshoro. He worked with Pakistan Official News Agency (Associate Press of Pakistan) for 1 year. Also Worked for Radio Pakistan Hyderabad. His goal is to not only to create and edit outstanding content for individuals, brands, agencies, and networks but also to provide his writing/journalism skills.

Tara Abhasakun is a journalist in Bangkok. She has reported on a range of human rights issues involving youth protests in Thailand, as well as arts and culture. Tara's work has appeared in several outlets, including Al Jazeera and South China Morning Post.

Teniola Ayoola is a journalism and mass communication student at The George Washington University in Washington, D.C.  She has also written for the Washington Informer and interned at the BBC News bureaus in Washington, D.C. and Lagos, Nigeria.

Tia Savarese is a recent graduate of the George Washington University with a Bachelor of Arts in International Affairs with concentrations in Conflict Resolution and Security Policy and a minor in Spanish. She serves as the Commissioning Editor and Social Media Manager for Peace News Network while residing in Washington, DC. Before joining PNN, she interned for a communication firm, a think tank, and the federal government.