IWMF African Great Lakes Reporting Fellowships to Central African Republic for Women Journalists 2018

As part of IWMF’s African Great Lakes Reporting Initiative, female journalists will be selected to travel to Bangui, the Central African Republic (CAR) from November 1 – 17, 2018. While there is not a specific theme for either trip, we encourage participants to prioritize fresh stories that focus on new media narratives from the region.

Application Deadline: 21st August 2018 at 11:59 PM EDT.

Offered annually? Yes

To be taken at (country): Central African Republic

About the Award: The IWMF’s  Reporting Fellowship is open to teams of two (2) women journalists. Both applicants must meet the eligibility criteria and submit a joint application. If selected, teams will be offered group interviews. Individuals cannot apply for this reporting fellowship. The IWMF encourages team applications that include journalists from Africa.

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Reporting fellows will begin their trip in Nairobi, where they will complete a comprehensive security and first-aid training as well as an orientation about the African Great Lakes region. Fellows will then depart for 10 days of in-country reporting, during which they will have the opportunity to network with other journalists, report independently and collaboratively with their peers, and gain access to a variety of sources and sites related to the trip theme.

Some of our reporting programs involve travel to high-risk, dangerous, or conflict-afflicted locations.  As part of our commitment to the safety, health, and welfare of our program participants and staff, we evaluate the nature and scope of risk on a case-by-case basis. We do so by seeking guidance from key stakeholders including our travel risk management and medical evacuation provider, On Call International, and when appropriate, we consult other sources that may have relevant information, including the CDC, State Department, and Control Risks, for example.

ABOUT THE CROSS-BORDER REPORTING TRIP:

The trip will take place March 14 – March 31, 2018, which includes travel dates. All Fellows will begin their trip in Nairobi, where they will complete a comprehensive security training and an orientation about the Great Lakes Region and the reporting trip locations from March 15 to 18, 2018. Fellows will depart for ten days of in country reporting that will be split between Uganda and South Sudan. The group will have access to five days of in-country reporting (March 19 to 24) from the first country, followed by five days of in-country reporting in the second location (March 25 to 30). The IWMF will determine the order of the South Sudan and Uganda trips based on story plans of fellows selected. Fellows will have the opportunity to network with in-country journalists, collaborate with international peers, and access a wide range of sources and sites relevant to their reporting.

The IWMF reserves the right to change reporting locations based on the real-time security situation in both locations. The feasibility of day trips outside the base locations will be assessed on a case-by-case basis and determined by IWMF security protocols.

Type: Fellowship

Eligibility: Applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria:

• Must be a female journalist with at least three years of professional experience working in news media. Reporters working in 
print, broadcast, or digital media, including freelancers, are eligible.
• Applicants must have good written and verbal English skills in order to fully participate in      and benefit from the program. French language skills also preferred.
• Must have experience reporting from a hostile environment, and will preferably have had experience reporting from Africa’s Great Lakes region.
• Must be able to demonstrate support from an editor or have a proven track record of publication in prominent media outlets.

Value of Fellowship: The IWMF arranges travel and in-country logistics for all Fellows. The IWMF also covers fellowship-related costs within the framework of the reporting trip including travel, lodging, meals, and fixers/interpreters, unless a selected journalist’s news organization wishes to assume these costs. Visa costs will also be covered, but fellows living outside the U.S. are responsible for procuring all necessary visas. 

Duration of Fellowship: November 1 – 17, 2018.

How to Apply: Apply here

Visit Fellowship Webpage for details

Award Provider: International Women’s Media Foundation (IWMF)