This is an opportunity provided by the Reporting Taboo programme: Find out more

It is the job of the journalist to report on issues that matter. But when those issues are controversial or sensitive how easy is it to report without inflaming tensions further – or even compromising your own safety? The Thomson Reuters Foundation is looking to make that job easier for journalists in Pakistan. 

Our new project is aimed at journalists in Pakistan who are covering sensitive or controversial topics and who are concerned about how best to do this. Do you give one side of the story, or all sides? Are there things you cannot cover? If you make your story “impartial”, is that just another word for “boring”? We would like to work with journalists to address these issues by drawing on other journalists’ experiences as well as the Reuters principles of accuracy, integrity and freedom from bias. 

This project is not only for journalists covering conflict. Every country, no matter where in the world, has issues that people either avoid altogether or discuss in a one-sided manner. We want to help journalists in Pakistan consider how to cover these stories in a way that is both informed and engaging, and that respects the views of all who are involved. 

This project will feature an intensive 6 day workshop in Islamabad in May 2017, covering relevant journalism skills, safety, and support with developing specific stories. After this participating journalists can apply for ongoing editorial support from a team of local and international mentors. Where possible and appropriate we will help participants to pitch their stories to international outlets.

Who Can Apply

• Journalists working for domestic media anywhere in Pakistan are eligible
• Journalists working in any medium may apply – print, radio, TV, online
• Journalists must be fluent in Urdu and have conversational or fluent English
• Journalists must have a minimum of one year's experience. They should either be working full-time for a media organisation, or a freelancer whose main work is journalism

Course Logistics

We will cover all transport and subsistence costs of journalists participating in this programme. 

Meet Our Experts

When applying you will be asked to upload the following documents - please have these ready:

• 2 work samples (maximum file size 5 MB) - in English if possible. If they are not in English, please provide a 250-word English summary of each piece. 
• A letter from your editor/Bureau Chief consenting to your participation in the programme and committing to publish/broadcast resulting stories

NOTE: Only shortlisted candidates will be selected for the workshop. 

If you have any difficulties applying, please email trfmedia@thomsonreuters.com.