This is an opportunity provided by the 'Perspektivy' - cross border journalism in the Russian speaking world programme: Find out more
The Thomson Reuters Foundation is delighted to offer a unique opportunity: an online journalism programme for Russian-speaking journalists and freelancers to train skills and get experience in reporting on global issues in world media standards: “Reporting on global issues on the examples of the COVID-19 crisis”. Application are now open.
The coronavirus pandemic sweeping the globe is pressuring the media sphere with a relentless proliferation of misinformation and a lack of understanding of the potential consequences and impacts of COVID-19. This leads to widespread confusion and fear, and complicates efforts by governments and organisations to find solutions to the crisis.
The need for factual, reliable and trusted news and information has never been greater. The aim of «Reporting the Impact of Covid-19 RUHub » is to support journalists from Baltic States, The Caucasus, Eastern Europe, Central Asia, Russia and Ukraine. The training will help them navigate the complexity of this fast-changing story and support them in their mission of providing the public with accurate information while their respective countries respond to the pandemic.
During the 9-week online programme, taking place from 5 August - 7 October, participants will gain access to a collaborative online platform providing them with information and toolkits required for global crisis reporting:
- Big data storytelling and its visualisation;
- How to search for trusted information and identify fake news;
- Working with sources;
- Best and worst practices of visualising stories on the pandemic and its impact;
- Ethical reporting and standards in health issues reporting.
Through this programme, participants will connect through real-time video seminars with world-class experts and access influential policymakers and officials for exclusive information and story ideas on medical, societal, psychological, economic, business and finance insights concerning the pandemic. This will aid their coverage of the impact of COVID-19 in their respective countries at a deeper, better-informed level, ensuring that they and their newsrooms remain on top of the story of the year.
Participants will be encouraged to create stories for their media outlet and also to work with colleagues from other countries in order to produce cross-border stories. Some mentoring in this area will be offered from journalists and editors experienced in covering crises in line with global media standards.
Participants will be involved in joint cross-border project development. During the programme every participant will enrich their cross-border network and strengthen international collaboration with colleagues from abroad.
The training will be flexible, adjusting to the developments as they take place. It will equip participants with the skills to report on the pandemic and future global-scale disasters and events.
The cohort will meet once or twice a week for a live 90-minute 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.
During live sessions, only the presentations by the trainers and the lectures by guest speakers will be recorded, whereas the group’s interactions, discussions and mentoring will not be recorded. Post-session discussions and feedback on an exclusive hub forum will extend the learning process.
*In addition to one or two 90-minute weekly live sessions, participants should allow for a further 2-3 hours per week of independent research, activities and group interaction on the forum.
Who Can Apply
Applicants must be:
- Nationals based in Baltic States, The Caucasus, Eastern Europe, Central Asia or Ukraine
- Working as full-time journalists or regular contributors to local language or Russian-language media organisations in their respective countries;
- Have a minimum of three years professional experience and have a good level of spoken and written Russian. The main working language is Russian though mentoring and coordinating assistance will be available in English;
- Able to commit to the full length of the 9-week training programming;
- Able to produce up to 2 pieces of individual content and 1 group project during the 9-week programme;
- Demonstrably committed to impartial, accurate and independent journalism
Applicants must 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).
Course Logistics
Participants are expected to cover their own internet/data costs, but small grants are available to support content production.
Meet Our Experts
SUBMISSIONS
• 2 relevant work samples in Russian. TV/Radio journalists can send in their scripts and a brief summary.
• A free-form letter (e-mail) of editorial support in Russian or English where your employer agrees to your participation in this programme and topics you are supposed to cover during the course.
Deadline for applications is the 22nd July 2020. Successful candidates will be informed by email on the 29th July 2020. Organisers do not provide feedback on rejected applications.
If you have any difficulties applying, please email
TRFMedia@thomsonreuters.com with the subject title ‘COVID-19 Crisis Reporting RUHub ’ - we cannot guarantee a swift response if this subject line is not quoted.