jhr (Journalists for Human Rights)
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Author Biography: Andrea Lynett

Andrea Lynett has a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in English and History from Carleton University and a Masters in Journalism from the University of Wollongong in Australia. She has studied a variety of topics throughout her formal educational training, ranging from religion and law, to politics, women's history and human rights. Prior to obtaining a position with jhr as a Rights Media Intern in Malawi, Andrea worked in various roles within the media sector in Canada and abroad. Her broadcast training began as an intern with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) in local radio, before returning to Canada to work with the Canadian Olympic Foundation in communications. Most recently, Andrea worked for a television production company as a casting agent for a popular Canadian show. Her international experience of living, studying and travelling abroad has provided her with the necessary tools to adapt to new cultures, religions and ways of life. She feels fortunate to be given this opportunity and is excited about the adventures that await her in Africa.

Poaching in Tanzania’s game parks

In Malawi,
by Andrea Lynett January 28, 2011
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With cameras in tow and binoculars ready, I embrace the Tanzanian tourist trap I fell into and peer out the roof of our truck to admire two lions and four baby cubs relaxing in the midday sun, not far from their zebra leftovers. As amusing as this rare sighting is, I’m aware of the darker [...]

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Finding justice in Rwanda’s hidden horrors

by Andrea Lynett December 16, 2010

“In our home, we would rise and kill Tutsis before we got on the truck,” says an anonymous witness about the lorry he rode to find their next victims during the 1994 Rwanda genocide. “And please do not be surprised, even when we came back from church, we killed people.” Disturbing testimony from a killer [...]

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Touring Colonial Quelimane

by Andrea Lynett November 12, 2010

Following a minibus breakdown in the middle of nowhere and two transport truck rides in the dark packed with strangers, a road sign reading “Quelimane—30 km” was enough to reignite my excitement to reach Mozambique. “You’ll love Quelimane,” my friend tells me before I leave Malawi for the land of seafood, Portuguese music and Indian [...]

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Mob (In)justice

by Andrea Lynett October 25, 2010

    “I was driving right behind the car when I saw it all happen,” my roommate tells me. “An old man was on his bike coming out of the gas station. The car in front of me didn’t see him until the last second—they tried to swerve, but they hit him.” Within seconds, a [...]

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Malawi Soccer: Underpaid and Overplayed

by Andrea Lynett October 18, 2010

Clad in black and red with vuvuzelas in tow, droves of soccer fans dawn their team’s colours and flood Blantyre’s Kamuzu Stadium to witness the showdown between Malawi and Botswana. Fellow reporters and I watch from the sidelines in the cold and pouring rain for more than two hours. As I complain about my lifeless [...]

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Cash for Coverage: Malawian Media Ethics

by Andrea Lynett September 29, 2010

Following a three-day training session about climate change reporting hosted by a local environmental NGO in Blantyre, Malawi, organizers say their closing remarks to a packed house of over 250 journalists. Soon after, the guests rise to leave. With heavy eyes and empty pockets, the media attendees assemble their notepads and pens–courtesy of event coordinators–while [...]

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Breaking Down Barriers

by Andrea Lynett September 22, 2010

It’s been known to cripple entire families, cut off economic productivity and destroy relationships. AIDS. In the past, the focus of NGOs in Malawi has been directed towards providing patient care to those affected by HIV, a necessary and dignified goal. But there’s one organization in Malawi that has expanded this focus to improve the [...]

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See our World: Hear our Voice

by Andrea Lynett September 6, 2010
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I’m grateful. Simply put, I grew up in a world where opportunities to express myself, whether it be through sport, music, drama and or the written word, were endless. It was not natural for me to sit and look pretty as a child, or hold my emotions inside. On the contrary, if I was silent, [...]

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Creating a Sustainable Childhood

by Andrea Lynett September 1, 2010
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“I don’t want to grow up, I’m a Toys R Us kid”- does this jingle ring a bell? Sadly, for most children in Malawi, the opportunity to play with Barbie dolls, G.I. Joes and remote-control cars is not a widespread reality. Instead, due to the HIV/AIDS pandemic that has swept the country, many children have [...]

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Politics at Play, Information Astray

by Andrea Lynett August 23, 2010
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Tuesday morning began like any other day. All of the reporters were gathered in Capital FM’s barebones newsroom discussing the top stories of the day, when a colleague of mine directed my attention towards his laptop. Slightly annoyed by the interruption, but curious at the same time, I obliged to his request. With a mischievous [...]

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