Request for Applications to the Investigative Reporting Training Program

The Access Nigeria Investigative Reporting (Research Reporting) Training Program aims to improve media’s capacity to produce investigative journalism reports regarding governance, organized crime, and corruption, 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. 

The program welcomes applications from qualified candidates in print, TV, radio, or electronic media. Participant profile: mid-career journalists who are willing to immerse themselves in an intense, interactive learning environment, can commit to attending both rounds of training workshops, 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) and the CLEEN Foundation to implement the Access Nigeria project. IWPR is collaborating with the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism and the International Center for Investigative Reporting 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.  

Round 1: 4 days in Lagos, Nigeria (June 30 – July 3, 2014).

Round 2: 4 days in Abuja, Nigeria (July 14 – July 17, 2014).*

*Note that Round 2 will build on skills acquired in Round 1 and journalists are required to attend each day of both rounds of training in order to be eligible to apply for financial support from the Investigative Reporting Innovation Fund.

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 

Investigative Reporting Innovation Fund: Journalists who fully attend both rounds of training workshops will be eligible to apply for support from the Access Nigeria's Investigative Reporting Innovation Fund.  The fund will enable journalists to access funds to undertake investigative projects. The Fund will also enable journalists to apply for financial support to purchase low-cost, high-impact technical equipment that augments existing tools used by journalists and improves their ability to produce quality reports. 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, June 20, 2014: Deadline for applications to the Investigative Reporting Training Program

June 23, 2014: Selected participants for Training Program notified

June 30 - July 3, 2014: Round 1 training in Lagos

July 14 - July 17, 2014: Round 2 training in Abuja

July 17 2014 – Opening of application period for Proposals to Investigative Reporting Innovation Fund

July 31, 2014: Final application deadline for Proposals to Investigative Reporting Innovation Fund

August-September: Small Grants executed (anticipated)

September 2014: 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 a selection panel, comprised of representatives from the Institute for War & Peace Reporting, Partners for Democratic Change and the CLEEN Foundation.

 

Application Submission Instructions: 

Please find the application form at the following link:

http://goo.gl/iUYeBC

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.