This is an opportunity provided by the Skoll Foundation programme: Find out more

Dates: Every Tuesday from 20 July to 24 August 2021
Time: 4.5 hours per day
Starting time: 8:30am Delhi, 9am Dhaka, 10am Jakarta
Location: Online
Support to Journalism Talent: The best 5 or 6 story pitch will receive $250 and mentoring to produce and publish their stories.

INTRODUCTION

Global protests over the death last year of an unarmed black man in police custody in Minnesota, U.S. coupled with the coronavirus have exposed the deep inequalities faced by many men and women around the world because of racial reasons. Racial justice demands addressing wrongs rooted in historical oppression, removing systemic barriers limiting opportunity and possibilities, as well as creating and protecting historical memory of targeted communities.

There is a need for factual, reliable and trusted news and information to inform populations about systemic racism and inequalities worldwide. Journalists need to be able to understand these complex realities that lead to oppression, unfair barriers that obstruct or prevent accumulation of wealth, affordable housing, education and socio-economic success, health inequity, or vulnerability to police abuse.  By examining how racial inequality intersects with climate change, health, housing, technology, livelihoods and business, and learning solutions journalism and other techniques, journalists will be in a better position to create engaging quality stories and succeed in their mission to inform the public.

THE HUB


Thomson Reuters Foundation’s Racial Justice: Reporting Hub creates a space for journalists across several countries to gather virtually for training, knowledge sharing, expert sessions and network building, ensuring that they and their newsrooms remain on top of the story of the year. 

Conducted remotely over 6 weeks for journalists reporting in Indonesia, Bangladesh, and India, the Hub will feature the latest platforms and interactive online tools to connect participants in engaging real-time video seminars with world-class trainers and experts. Journalists will acquire relevant knowledge, trade tips and insights about their different contexts, master new digital skills, and access influential policymakers and officials for exclusive information and story ideas to help them cover the socio-political implications of racial injustices in their respective countries at a deeper, better-informed level.

The participants will meet once a week on a Tuesday for a total of four hours, including two live 90-minute virtual sessions and a practical journalism skills session to work on tasks set by the training team. Virtual live sessions will be led by trainers and/or expert guest speakers to ask questions, share ideas, learn new skills and practice these. The live sessions will be supplemented with extra material. Post-session discussions and feedback on an exclusive hub forum will extend the learning process.

*In addition to the sessions (90 minutes live session + 60 minutes practical session + 90 minutes live session), participants should allow for a further 2-3 hours per week of independent research, activities and group interaction on the forum.

At the end of the programme, journalists will be able to: 

• Confidently write stories in an accurate, ethical and balanced manner
• Be able to understand the role of media and hidden nuances while reporting about race and creed
• Enhance their journalism skills in identifying new angles, reporting, sourcing and pitching informative stories
• Learn about different story structure formats and improve their writing and editing skills to better engage their audiences
• Get a good understanding of Solutions Journalism and discuss possible ideas around race
• Spotlight on Multimedia: Data-driven news and data visualization techniques to improve storytelling

Who Can Apply

Applicants must be nationals and based in Indonesia, Bangladesh, or India* and working as full-time journalists or regular contributors for English-language media organisations.

Participants must have a minimum of three years professional experience and have a good level of spoken and written English. 

Applicants must have access to a minimum internet speed of 8 MB/second. (You can check the speed of your device by logging from it on www.speedtest.net).

Applicants must be able to access the online workshops via a personal computer or laptop. Access from smart phones or tablets will not be possible.
*Exceptions might be made for nationals and based in any other Asian country covering transnational stories.
 

Course Logistics

The programme is funded by the Skoll Foundation and delivered by Thomson Reuters Foundation.
Support to Journalism Talent: Select participants will be able to access a two-month mentoring programme following successful completion of the programme, including  $250 provision for a story grant to develop a story idea into an article which is subsequently published by their media outlet.
 

Meet Our Experts

Complete this APPLICATION FORM including:

• 2 relevant work samples (maximum file size 5 MB) – in English. TV/Radio journalists can send in their scripts and a brief summary.
• A biography of up to 250 words outlining your career.
• A statement of up to 250 words describing any factors affecting your work as a journalist during the pandemic.
• A statement of up to 250 words describing your motivations and how you hope to benefit from this training programme.
• A letter of support of your employer allowing you to participate in the training sessions during these five weeks, if possible.
• Your most updated CV including dates and location of your most recent employers.

Please apply before 9th July 2021

If you have any difficulties applying, please contact ana.penadesvera@thomsonreuters.com

Programme funded by: