Oluwatomisin Amokeoja
Journalism training opportunity is available for Anglophone journalists based in sub-Saharan Africa willing to participate in a new online training initiative that will develop their ability to report on malaria.
The training by Thomson Reuters Foundation is to equip journalists on techniques to employ while reporting stories to curb widespread misinformation and disinformation challenging current approaches and interventions reports in flattening the malaria curve especially in the crucial time of the coronavirus pandemic ravaging the world.
Reporting on Malaria in Africa will run from Monday, 10 August to Friday, 28 August 2020.
Suitable for the training are:
+ African journalists, based in sub-Saharan Africa, working as staff journalists or regular contributors to English-language media organisations in their respective countries;
+ Journalists working for a news organisation who will need consent from their editor to take part. Freelancers should provide evidence that one or more media organisations will be willing to take their work.
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+ Journalists able to commit to the full length of the 3-week course and to spend significant time working on malaria stories in the weeks following the end of the course;
+ Journalists with at least three years of professional experience; “It is an advantage if you have health reporting experience, but if you have a strong motivation to learn about malaria and health and report on these issues then we will consider your application”;
+ Journalists working in any medium or multiple media are welcome to apply (print, online, radio or television);
+ Journalists who have fluent English;
+ Journalists who have access to a minimum internet speed of 1 MB/second. “You can check the speed of your device by logging from it on www.speedtest.net”
2 relevant work samples in English are to be submitted. ‘TV/Radio journalists can send in their scripts and a brief summary.”
“If relevant work samples are in the local language, please provide an English translation (if the work sample is online, please share the link so that we the web page can be translated).”
A letter from your editor consenting to your participation in the 3-week course and confirming that they will publish any story produced as part of the editorial support scheme should you be selected.
All applications must be submitted through https://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/5731615/Reporting-Malaria-in-Africa-Application-Form-2020/ by 28th July 2020 and complaints directed to TRFMedia@thomsonreuters.com with the subject title ‘Reporting on malaria in Africa 2020’.
The initiative seeks to:
Deepen participants’ knowledge of malaria and public health more broadly.
Strengthen journalistic standards and enhance evidence-based reporting skills to help African journalists cover the topic in an accurate and balanced way.
Provide intensive technical training and unique insights to participants in how to enhance reporting skills in this field.
“The cohort will meet at least twice a week for a live two-hour virtual session with trainers and/or expert speakers to ask questions, share ideas, learn new skills and practice them. All live sessions will be supplemented with extra material. Post-session discussions and feedback on an exclusive forum will extend the learning process.”
Thomson Reuters Foundation is the corporate foundation of Thomson Reuters, the global news and information services company.
It is an independent charity, registered in the UK and the USA, working to advance media freedom, foster more inclusive economies, and promote human rights.
Through news, media development, free legal assistance and convening initiatives, the foundation combines unique services to drive systemic change.
Works are supported by an annual donation from Thomson Reuters and via project funding specifically dedicated supporting core services.
All proceeds from income-generating commercial activities are reinvested in the Foundation’s charitable activities.
