LUSAKA, Zambia - After more than 14 years as a reporter, editor and now a freelance writer for the Times of Zambia, Mildred Mpundu understands the impact that globalisation has had on southern Africa, from the plight of Zambian coffee farmers to the influence of South African supermarket chains.

But Mpundu, like many other journalists in southern Africa, often lacks the resources to do the job right. Internet access to do background research and transport to get from Lusaka out to Zambia’s remote villages are hard to come by, as is the money required to travel abroad and cover global trade negotiations.

“There are a lot of problems in the media here. If you don’t have communication, if you don't have transport, you couldn’t really do a good job even if you wanted to,” Mpundu says.

That is where Panos Institute Southern Africa comes in. Working in partnership with Panos London, PSAf helps give local African journalists the resources they need to cover globalisation in the way it needs to be covered - with balance, perspective and a view to the implications for all sectors of African society.

In 2005, Panos London and PSAf awarded Mpundu a fellowship to cover the World Trade Organization's 2005 ministerial meeting.

Mpundu joined journalists from Kenya and Ghana in traveling to Hong Kong, where they observed negotiations and interviewed the assembled trade representatives and members of civil society.

She also got a first-hand look at the emotions globalisation has provoked during a series of protests. “It was frightening. It showed how these trade issues have affected so many people,” Mpundu said.

Back in Zambia, Mpundu attended a PSAf workshop that allowed journalists and public officials to share insights and visit the Munali coffee farm south of Lusaka.

Indeed, PSAf and its partners opened up valuable new opportunities for Mpundu.

“There are so many issues that we as journalists want to cover,” Mpundu said. “They require things like monies to travel and just support in terms of information which you wouldn't get if someone didn't support you.”