TrustMedia FAQ

You may have questions and concerns about the journalism courses offered by Thomson Reuters Foundation. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions and the answers. If you have any specific queries not mentioned here, you should contact the person who is organising the course you want to apply for.

• Will I be able to get a job at Reuters afterwards?

  While many TRF trainers are Reuters journalists, TRF is NOT involved in hiring people for the Reuters bureaux. However, the skills you learn will mean you are well placed to apply for jobs which are advertised on the Reuters website or through domestic channels.

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• Why Thomson Reuters Foundation?

  We understand the media is a two way process; it is no use interviewing someone if they cannot answer the questions put to them to the best of their ability. So:

   -         most of our trainers are highly experienced journalists who know the ins and outs of what the media wants.  Most of them are former or current Reuters correspondents, though we work with many who have come from other organisations to keep our ideas fresh

  -         we have a global reach that is unmatched.  Reuters have bureaux in 130 countries, and a vast network of stringers and contributors in those where we don’t have a physical office.  We understand the differences in specific domestic media operations, regional trends and from a global perspective

  -         our foundation is a charity.  All of our funding goes towards improving the standards of journalism in the developing world

  
  
  

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• When can we do it? Can I join a course?

  Workshops tend to be bespoke – that is to say, we arrange them for specific organisations at their preferred locations on their preferred dates.  In this respect, they can be held anywhere at any time.

  However, we do intend to run some open sessions in the near future that will be run on a first come first serve basis.  It is likely that the first ones would be held in London, with a view to taking these to other continents at a later date.

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• What is media training?

  In simple terms, it means helping people to understand and better deal with the world’s media.  Reasons for dealing with media vary hugely; you might be an NGO with an important message to give; you might be a business who wants to respond to difficult questions put to you by journalists; or you might be an elected representative who is required to maintain dialogue with your electorate – a ubiquitous media should not be overlooked.

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• What if I’m not good enough on the course? What if everyone else is better?

  You are with us to learn. The trainers use group and individual exercises to ensure EVERYONE succeeds. Courses assume a minimum level of knowledge, and build up step-by-step, with lots of reviews. Provided you are putting in enough effort, you will improve and the trainers will give you action plans and techniques to meet your own goals.

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• What if I get sick?

  You are covered by our insurance policy for illnesses while you are on the course, but you must provide a certificate to prove you are in good health prior to the course.

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• What happens after I’ve been on a course?

  We hope you’ll stay in touch!  You can apply for further courses but not within a two year period.  Certain courses have online learning modules for you to complete, and we hope you’ll write blogs and stories for our website. The alumni pages will keep you in contact with people you met on the course. 

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• What does the Foundation pay for?

  If you meet our requirements for a bursary you will receive economy flights, accommodation, food allowance and UK transfers. However, it varies dependent on the course, so check each one to see what funding is available.

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• What does it cover?

  Media training can cover all aspects of the media; being interviewed for TV, radio or text services, ambush interviews, public addresses, press conferences.  We cover how to make presentations, create press releases and to write clearly and effectively – for statements, websites or social media.  We would help craft an organisation’s key message and help them learn how to maintain a relationship with the media in everyone’s interest.

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• What about incidental expenses?

  All other costs at your accommodation such as mini-bar, phone-calls, laundry, room service etc are NOT met by the Foundation along with sightseeing and personal entertainment.

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