Application Deadline: Friday, October 16, 2015
The Access Nigeria Investigative Reporting (Research
Reporting) Training Program aims
to improve media’s capacity to produce investigative journalism reports - with
a particular focus on corruption in the security sector - in order to enhance
media's effectiveness as anti-corruption watchdogs. Through the Access
Nigeria project, journalists in the investigative reporting program will have
access to:
·
Investigative
reporting skills-building workshops;
·
Eligibility
to apply for financial support from an Investigative Reporting
Innovation Fund; and a
·
Mentoring
program that connects journalists with experienced investigative
reporters.
The program will provide targeted support for journalists to
investigate and report in restrictive operating environments, access and
analyze hard to find documents, and improve interview techniques to get the
cooperation of official and other sources. Through the Investigative Reporting
Innovation Fund, the program will offer pre-publication legal guidance to
journalists around legal implications when carrying out investigations.
Training provided will include discussions regarding the code of conduct and international
standards of journalism ethics specifically regarding the issues of covering
corruption around security sector.
The program welcomes applications from qualified candidates
in print, TV, radio, or electronic media. Participants profile: mid-career
journalists who are willing to immerse themselves in an intense, interactive
learning environment, can commit to attending the training workshop, and have
demonstrated previous experience covering issues of corruption, public finance,
justice sector or the security sector.
About IWPR: IWPR in an
international nonprofit organization that gives voice to people at the
frontlines of conflict, crisis and change. IWPR helps people in the world's
most challenging environments have the information they need to drive positive
changes in their lives — holding government to account, demanding constructive
solutions, strengthening civil society and securing human rights. IWPR builds
the skills and capacity of local journalism, strengthens local media institutions
and engages with civil society and governments to ensure that information
achieves impact.
In Nigeria, IWPR is working in partnership with Partners for
Democratic Change (PDC), the CLEEN Foundation, BudgIT and Public and Private
Development Centre (PPDC) to implement the Access Nigeria project. More
specifically, IWPR is collaborating with the International Centre for
Investigative Reporting (ICIR) on the investigative journalism training
component of the project.
Investigative Journalism Skills Building Workshops
Workshops will focus on challenges faced on a daily basis in
terms of researching, accessing and analyzing information in order to produce investigative
reports designed to push boundaries and encourage public awareness around key
anti-corruption themes.
The first workshop is expected to take place over 5 days in Abuja
in late October 2015 (October 26 – October 30, 2015).
Workshops will include curricula on the following topics:
·
Principles and
best practices of investigative reporting
·
Ethics of
Investigative Reporting and media code of conduct
·
Principles and
best practice of data visualization
·
Legal threats
awareness raising and strategies for mitigation
·
Freedom of
Information Law
Investigative Reporting Innovation Fund: Journalists who fully attend the training workshop and
publish their training experience will be eligible to apply for support from
the Access Nigeria's Investigative Reporting Innovation Fund. The fund will enable journalists to undertake
investigative projects. Recipients of support from the Fund will also be
assigned a mentor to provide guidance and support throughout the research,
writing, and publication phases of the development of investigative reports. More
information on how to apply for support from the Investigative Reporting
Innovation Fund will be presented at the conclusion of the training program.
Schedule:
Friday, October 16, 2015: Deadline for applications to the
Investigative Reporting Training Program
October 20, 2015: Selected participants for Training Program
notified
October 26 – October 30 2015: Investigative Reporting Training
in Abuja
November 9, 2015: Opening of application period for
Proposals to Investigative Reporting Innovation Fund
December, 2015: Final application deadline for Proposals to
Investigative Reporting Innovation Fund
November- February: Small Grants executed (anticipated)
From November 2015: Reports published (anticipated)
Selection Process and Evaluation Criteria: Applications to the training
program will be evaluated with the following criteria: i) Quality of statement of purpose and
demonstrated interest in research-based reporting; ii) Quality of writing
sample; iii) Diverse representation of media outlets and gender balance of
participants. All applications will be reviewed by experienced selection panel,
comprised of representatives from the Institute for War & Peace Reporting
Application Submission Instructions:
Please find the application form at the following link:
http://goo.gl/forms/Mp8zdNP3FZ
As well as basic personal details, the application form
requires: (i) a Statement of Interest that outlines the applicant’s interest in
the Investigative Reporting Training Program, a brief discussion of the applicant's
preparation and background, and a statement regarding applicant's ambitions for
potential Investigative Reporting projects; ii) a writing sample in the form of
a previously published article that demonstrates the applicant's interest and capacity
in investigative reporting; (iii) details of two professional referees who are
able to verify your prior work experience and suitability for the Investigative
Reporting Training Program.
