Application Deadline: September 13th 2021
The Thomson Reuters Foundation (TRF) is a member of the Partnership Against Child Exploitation (PACE). PACE is a ground-breaking partnership of private sector, academic, media development and civil society organisations working together to combat the exploitation of children in the worst forms of child labour. Operating in three African countries – Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, and Ethiopia – the PACE programme aims to identify the most effective strategies to combat the exploitation of children in the worst forms of child labour, through a range of initiatives.
Leveraging the power of the media to raise awareness of the damaging effects of child labour on children, by supporting high quality journalism, is one of these initiatives.
TRF and the PACE consortium would like to invite interested radio journalists based in the Amhara region of Ethiopia to submit applications to participate in this new training opportunity, via the application process set out below. This three-day course will be based in the Amhara regional capital – Bahir Dar, and run from Wednesday 13th to Friday 15th October 2021.
With support from the Amhara Media Corporation, TRF will deliver a three-day, full-time radio training programme in English, with a focus on ethical and impartial reporting standards, safeguarding when reporting on children’s issues, interviewing and newsgathering techniques, and engaging with target audiences. The course will blend theoretical and practical elements, and include presentations from a selection of expert speakers engaged in the fight against child labour.
During the course participants will be expected to generate their own story ideas to contribute to the fight against the worst forms of child labour. At the end of the three-day programme, participants will pitch their story ideas for the opportunity to participate in the TRF mentoring programme.
Course Format
The course will be based in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia. Participants will come together for three days of full-time training. Training days will commence at 9:30am EAT, and conclude at 5:30pm each day.
Participants travelling from outside of Bahir Dar will be supported with a transport and accommodation allowance provided by TRF. Lunch and refreshments will be provided to all participants during the course.
The course will be delivered through a blend of in-person facilitation, and sessions delivered via video link due to the on-going travel suspension resulting from the Coronavirus pandemic.
The course will be delivered in English. However, we recognise that English will not be the first language for most/all participants, and support will be available by Amharic-speaking members of the training team. While we expect all participants to be proficient in English, this is not a language-training course. The emphasis is on good reporting, writing and journalism rather than English grammar.
ELIGIBILITY
Applicants must:
- be full-time radio journalists or regular contributors working for media organisations based in the Amhara region of Ethiopia
- have a minimum of two years’ professional experience, and should explain through their applications why they will benefit from participation in this course, and how they plan to use the learning in their professional work
- have a level of proficiency in spoken English to allow them to participate in the course
- applicants with a demonstrable interest in combatting child labour, or a background of reporting on children’s issues, are particularly encouraged to apply.
Once selected, applicants will also be asked to provide a passport-size photo, and a letter from their editor supporting their participation in the programme. Letters should include a commitment to publish a story on the topic of child labour, should the applicant go on to participate in the mentoring component of the course. These will only be requested by TRF once applicants have been selected for the course.
SUBMISSIONS
Applicants should provide the following documents as part of the application process:
- Two relevant work samples (maximum file size 5 MB). Radio examples should be submitted as transcripts of broadcasts, a brief summary, and/or links to online versions. Participants are encouraged to provide details of circulation and reach of their publications/broadcasts if possible.
- A biography of up to 250 words outlining your career.
- A statement of between 250 and 500 words describing how you expect to benefit from this course, how you plan to use what you learn in your professional work, and any factors affecting your work as a journalist which may be considered relevant to your application.
Please note there are limited spaces available; TRF will consider all applications on merit.
If you have any difficulties applying, please email trfmedia@thomsonreuters.com, ensuring you quote the course title found at the top of this page.
For More Information:
Visit the Official Webpage of the PACE Radio Journalism Training Course
