IWMF African Great Lakes Reporting Initiative
Washington DC – The International Women’s Media Foundation (IWMF) is pleased to announce two upcoming reporting trips to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Tanzania. Two groups of six women journalists will report on themes of democracy and governance from June 9 - 22, 2015. The online application for these group reporting trips will be open through March 29, 2015.
The IWMF designed this program to support journalists interested in pursuing stories that go beyond the well-established path of political instability, armed conflicts, and humanitarian crisis in the region. The African Great Lakes Reporting Initiative was created in 2014, building on the success of earlier IWMF reporting trips to the Western Sahara and DRC. To date, 32 journalists have covered a wide range of under-reported issues including issues of empowerment, democracy, food security, and conservation efforts. Their work has been produced and published by leading media outlets around the world.
Over the next four years, the IWMF will continue to lead groups of women journalists to the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda. By 2019, more than 250 reporters will have together reshaped traditional media narratives about this complicated region full of promise. The African Great Lakes Reporting Initiative is funded by a generous gift from the Howard G. Buffett Foundation.
ONLINE APPLICATION:
The IWMF will accept online applications from March 9 - 29, 2015.
REPORTING TRIP DATES:
June 9 - 22, 2015
ABOUT THE REPORTING TRIPS TO THE DRC AND TANZANIA:
Fellows begin their trip in Nairobi, Kenya, where they will complete comprehensive security training and an orientation about the African Great Lakes region. Fellows then depart for one week of in-country independent reporting in either Tanzania or the DRC, they will have the opportunity to network with local journalists, collaborate with international peers, and meet with the sources and discover sites relevant to their reporting.
TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS AND EXPENSES:
The IWMF arranges travel and in-country logistics for all Fellows. The IWMF also covers fellowship-related within the framework of the reporting trip including, visas, travel, lodging, meals and fixers/interpreters, unless a selected journalist’s news organization wishes to assume these costs.
ELIGIBILTY:
Applicants must be affiliated or freelance women journalists with at least 3 years of professional experience in journalism working in print, broadcast, or digital media. All nationalities are welcome to apply, but non-native English speakers must have excellent written and verbal English skills in order to fully participate in and benefit from the program. Applicants must be able to demonstrate support from an editor or have a proven track record of publication in prominent media outlets.
About the IWMF
For 25 years, the International Women’s Media Foundation (IWMF) has been dedicated to strengthening the role of women journalists worldwide. The media is not truly free and representative without the equal voice of women. Our work celebrates the courage of women journalists who overcome threats and oppression to report and bear witness to global issues. Through our programs and grants we empower women journalists with the training, support, and network to become leaders in the news industry.