Application Deadline: August 21, 2018 at 11:59 PM EDT.
As part of IWMF’s African Great Lakes Reporting Initiative, female journalists will be selected to travel to Bangui, the Central African Republic (CAR) from November 1 – 17, 2018. While there is not a specific theme for either trip, we encourage participants to prioritize fresh stories that focus on new media narratives from the region.
Reporting fellows will begin their trip in Nairobi, where they will complete a comprehensive security and first-aid training as well as an orientation about the African Great Lakes region. Fellows will then depart for 10 days of in-country reporting, during which they will have the opportunity to network with other journalists, report independently and collaboratively with their peers, and gain access to a variety of sources and sites related to the trip theme.
Some of our reporting programs involve travel to high-risk, dangerous, or conflict-afflicted locations. As part of our commitment to the safety, health, and welfare of our program participants and staff, we evaluate the nature and scope of risk on a case-by-case basis. We do so by seeking guidance from key stakeholders including our travel risk management and medical evacuation provider, On Call International, and when appropriate, we consult other sources that may have relevant information, including the CDC, State Department, and Control Risks, for example.
Benefits:
- The IWMF arranges travel and in-country logistics for all Fellows. The IWMF also covers fellowship-related costs within the framework of the reporting trip including travel, lodging, meals, and fixers/interpreters, unless a selected journalist’s news organization wishes to assume these costs.
- Visa costs will also be covered, but fellows living outside the U.S. are responsible for procuring all necessary visas.Journalists accepted to the program assume liability for all risks inherent to reporting from a conflict zone. The IWMF reserves the right to postpone or cancel the CAR reporting trip if the situation on the ground deteriorates and is deemed to dangerous to proceed by our IWMF staff and security advisors.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria:
- Must be a female journalist with at least three years of professional experience working in news media. Reporters working in print, broadcast, or digital media, including freelancers, are eligible.
- Applicants must have good written and verbal English skills in order to fully participate in and benefit from the program. French language skills also preferred.
- Must have experience reporting from a hostile environment, and will preferably have had experience reporting from Africa’s Great Lakes region.
- Must be able to demonstrate support from an editor or have a proven track record of publication in prominent media outlets.
See a complete sample application here.
For More Information:
Visit the Official Webpage of the African Great Lakes Reporting Initiative Fellowship