Journalists’ confidence in reporting on blockchain increases following training course

Drawing on insights from our first blockchain training course, leading Spanish outlet El País has launched a new cryptocurrency section.

“We launched the section in November 2024, driven by audience insights revealing a growing interest in crypto,” recalls journalist Leandro Hernandez, who set up the feature within months of taking part in the Thomson Reuters Foundation course. “I led the editorial planning during the initial weeks and even had the opportunity to travel to Dubai in October 2024 to cover one of the top global crypto conferences.”, remarked Leandro. 

He has since published a story on women in the blockchain sector and has also begun working on a piece exploring the intersection of Web3, AI and blockchain.

Journalists lack confidence in reporting on blockchain

Blockchain technology has the potential to transform the way people use digital products and services, enabling decentralised applications with enhanced security, transparency and user control. By connecting users directly, it reduces the need for institutional intermediaries such as banks or governments.  

However, as with all emerging technologies, it is important to raise awareness of both the opportunities and risks that blockchain presents, so that organisations and individuals have the tools to harness its potential responsibly.  

The media has a key role to play, but reporting has not kept up with the rapid pace of technological change. Coverage of Web3 technologies – decentralised applications such as cryptocurrencies that are built using blockchain – is limited in quality and quantity. Journalists have limited understanding and confidence in reporting on this issue, which has restricted public interest reporting on this critical topic. 

Filling the knowledge gaps 

In 2024, the Thomson Reuters Foundation launched a new pilot programme for journalists in Germany, The Netherlands, Spain and the UK, in partnership with the Web3 Foundation and with funding from Polkadot. This is the first phase of a potential wider project to build a better understanding of blockchain across mainstream global media.

The pilot training programme, titled ‘Demystifying Blockchain and Crypto: a crash course for journalists’ explored blockchain applications in a wide range of fields: from humanitarian aid to supply chains, politics, law, arts, and culture. The course also supported participants to consider and develop story angles and ideas, focusing on themes such as digital access, women’s empowerment and social inclusion. 

Leandro highlighted how the training programme taught him to frame complex concepts in accessible ways for the readers of El Pais, who were not all familiar with blockchain technology. It also gave him the confidence and knowledge to pitch setting up the cryptocurrency section to his editors and even lead on the editorial planning process of this section.

“The experience and conversations in Berlin provided valuable insights, helping me explore multiple story angles beyond just the financial aspect of crypto.” – Leandro Hernandez, El País

Following the training, participants had the chance to take part in six weeks of one-to-one mentoring, supporting them to develop compelling story ideas and to pitch, progress, and publish their stories.  

Inspiring journalists to put their learnings into practice 

Post-course surveys highlighted significant impact in journalists’ understanding of the societal impacts of blockchain and their motivation to produce stories about it. Following a post-course evaluation, participants unanimously said that they would recommend the course to colleagues. All bar one respondent reported a notable improvement in their understanding of the societal impacts of blockchain and were motivated to produce stories on the topic. 

Participants of the course are publishing stories on a range of topics. One participant published an investigation into how decentralised finance poses a challenge in the United Kingdom and another has published a piece on how digital seals are offering hope in rebuilding trust in news media. 

Building on the successes of this pilot training course, we now hope to develop and scale it. This forms part of our wider work to enhance journalists’ capacity to report on complex and emerging tech issues.