Reporting on Modern Slavery in Malaysia workshop
Dates: 26 July 30 July | Location: Online
Application deadline: 24 July | Programme: Reporting on Trafficking and Slavery
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This is an opportunity provided by the Reporting on Trafficking and Slavery programme: Find out more

The global trade in human beings is bigger today than at any time in history. The United Nations estimates that at least 40.3 million worldwide are victims of modern slavery, and has said the crime generates $150 billion a year in illegal profits.

As a country which witnessed rapid economic growth over the past years, Malaysia has become a key country of destination for labour migration and faced global scrutiny amid widespread reports of exploitation and slave labour in sectors from rubber and electronics to palm oil.

Despite the central role migrant workers play to Malaysia’s economic growth story, an ILO study published in 2021 revealed that national rhetoric on migrant workers remains negative due to the country’s national policies on labour migration leaving them vulnerable to exploitation.

This is where the media can play a vital role in unpacking this complex issue and explaining its impact on communities to the public in a way that busts common myths or stereotypes. Thomson Reuters Foundation’s (TRF) ‘Reporting on Modern Slavery in Malaysia’ workshop offers journalists an opportunity to deepen their understanding of this topic and to examine the impact at the social, economic, and policy level, to produce coverage that is accurate, informative, and compelling to their audiences.

PROGRAMME

TRF’s world-class trainers, who are experienced international and regional journalists, will facilitate the online interactive sessions and invite a variety of experts on the law, policymakers, and anti-trafficking advocates to explain the scale and causes of debt bondage, forced labour and global standards and instruments seeking to combat the problem.

Participants will learn how to enrich their reports by using digital storytelling techniques as well as applying a Solutions Journalism approach that focuses on critical reporting of the initiatives to counter Modern Slavery, to increase audience engagement.

Participants will also review the ethics and the risks of reporting slavery, from interacting sensitively with traumatised survivors to highlighting labour issues in big-business supply chains or reporting on organised crime.

WORKSHOP FORMAT

Dates: July 26, July 27, July 28, July 29, July 30

  • A series of live, interactive sessions will be conducted over Zoom and take place over five half-days during the week of 26 July to allow busy journalists to juggle the learning with their reporting duties. Each of live session will last four hours in the afternoon with a mix of online and offline activities and breaks. 
  • Participants should be able to commit to four hours for each live session plus 1-2 hours of offline reading or assignments done in their own time on those days or between sessions.
  • While the training will be in English, interpretation in Malay can be provided upon request.

Who Can Apply

Applicants must be full-time journalists or regular contributors to media organisations in Malaysia.

The course will be run in English with interpretation in Malay upon request.

Applicants must have a minimum of three years’ professional experience.

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

Applicants need access to a computer to participate in the training; participation from a mobile or smart phone will not be possible.

Course Logistics

Participants must have access to reliable internet for video conferencing; a modest stipend is available for anyone who might need extra data during the course period.

If you have any questions please email: TRFMedia@thomsonreuters.com

Meet Our Experts

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

Two relevant work samples (maximum file size 5 MB) – in English if possible. For stories not in English, please include a 250-word English summary about the story.

A letter from your editor consenting to your participation in the programme and committing to publish/broadcast resulting stories.

Please note you will be asked to submit one or more story ideas within your application. We will not share your ideas with anyone.

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

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Reporting on Trafficking and Slavery
  • We provide journalists across the world with the necessary knowledge and skills to produce reports and undertake investigations on migration,human trafficking and modern slavery.

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