Call for applications: AI for creators

Do you create content that helps people understand the issues affecting their communities? Would you like to strengthen how you check information, recognise misleading content and use AI tools responsibly?

The Thomson Reuters Foundation and the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development is inviting applications from independent content creators and civic storytellers based in Lagos, Nigeria for a practical online training programme.

Up to 50 participants will be selected. Training will be online and support to access the will be available where needed. Please tell us about any access requirements in your application. 

About the training

Independent creators play an important role in helping audiences make sense of news, public affairs and everyday community concerns. This programme will help you strengthen the checks and publishing decisions behind your content, including when covering civic issues during Nigeria’s upcoming election period.

Through practical examples, guided demonstrations and short exercises, you will explore how to:

• Recognise misinformation, disinformation and misleading uses of genuine content.
• Check the source, date and context of claims, images and videos.
• Assess suspected AI-generated or manipulated content and understand the limitations of detection tools.
• Use practical verification methods, including suitable open-source tools.
• Recognise legal questions that may arise when creating and sharing public-interest content.
• Develop a simple checklist to help you decide what is ready to publish and what needs further checking.

The training is designed to support your existing work. You do not need previous experience of AI or specialist verification tools.

Who should apply?

This opportunity is for independent content creators, creator-journalists and civic storytellers who:

• Are based in Lagos, Nigeria.
• Create and publish through their own channels, independently of a news organisation.
• Produce content about community concerns, public affairs or other issues that help audiences make informed decisions.
• Work independently of political parties and campaigns.
• Want to strengthen accuracy, responsible publishing and audience trust.
• Can attend both training dates and participate in the practical exercises.
• You may work through short videos, social media posts, blogs, podcasts, newsletters or other digital formats.

We welcome applications from creators across the city of Lagos, Nigeria, including those serving local communities and publishing in Nigerian languages. You do not need a large following to apply, but you should be able to share examples of your content. The training itself will be delivered in English.

Further learning opportunities

Following the online programme, 20 participants will be selected from the attendees for further in-person training.
Information about this next stage, including the arrangements and how participants will be selected, will be shared during the online training. Attendance at the online sessions does not guarantee a place in the next stage.