This is an opportunity provided by the Digital Rights and Health programme: Find out more

The stronger control of governments in attempts to mitigate the coronavirus pandemic has elevated the debate on data and digital rights, and its wider implications for human rights and democracy. In the digital age, public awareness of the long-term impact of sharing data has on privacy remains low. This is critical, especially for vulnerable young people. Within the challenging rapid growth of technology, governments, legislators, CSOs, private sector, and journalists are required to work together towards a digital ecosystem in line with Freedom of Expression principles. 

To support journalists reporting on data and digital rights, Thomson Reuters Foundation, with support from Fondation Botnar is organising a Reporting Hub on Digital Rights from October to December 2021.


EasternTime Zones - Thursdays November 11th, 18th, and 25th and December 9th and 16th.

Indonesia and Vietnam: 2:30pm to 6:30pm
India: 1:00pm to 4:00pm
Romania and Tanzania: 10:30am to 2:30pm
Egypt and Europe: 9:30am to 1:30 pm
UK: 8:30am to 12:30pm

All the sessions will be online (Zoom)



Thomson Reuters Foundation’s Digital Rights: 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 have the skills and resources to inform the public on these matters. 

Conducted remotely over 5 weeks for journalists reporting in Eastern time zones (Indonesia, India, Egypt, Vietnam, Tanzania, and Romania). 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 experts for exclusive information and story ideas to help them cover the socio-political implications of digital rights, with a special focus on health.

The participants will meet once a week for a total of four hours, including two live 90-minute virtual sessions and an offline study hour to work on tasks set by the training team.* Virtual live sessions will be led by trainers and/or expert guest speakers, allowing participants to ask questions, share ideas, learn and practice new skills. These live sessions will be supplemented with extra material and 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: 

• Demonstrate strong understanding of the topic and actively engage in the current debate
• Confidently write stories in an accurate, ethical and balanced manner
• 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
• Better protect yourself and your sources in the digital world

Who Can Apply

• This reporting hub is meant for journalists who report on digital rights or have special interest in the topic and relevant experience
• Applicants must be nationals and based in India, Indonesia, Vietnam, Tanzania, Egypt and Romania and working as full-time journalists or regular contributors for 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.