Deadline: 1 May 2020
The International Training Program (ITP) is a fellowship programme that provides a forum and platform for constructive, creative dialogue between high-level representatives from media, government and civil society on how to improve self-regulatory and regulatory frameworks for media.
Media has the ability to enable greater participation in public life, hold the powerful to account, and can serve as platforms for dialogue and the protection of individual rights. But if media is to fulfil its potential role effectively, updated regulatory frameworks need to be in place and adapted to the new media landscape.
Across the globe, recent political, technological and economic changes have placed increased restraints on media freedom while at the same time, the prevalence of “fake news” is on the rise. As a result, there is an urgent need to find new ways to reform media policy and regulate the sector. Civil society and citizens around the world are demanding trustworthy news and accurate reporting, providing them with the information needed to take informed decisions, a prerequisite for a functioning democracy. Regulation, self-regulation and co-regulation of media are a means to that end.
Objective
The overall objective of this programme is that the participants and their supporting organisations should contribute to the promotion and protection of the institutional frameworks that govern self-regulation of the media sector. More specifically, this programme aims to contribute to the development of self-regulatory frameworks for the media sector, strengthening the institutional and organisational capacities among relevant stakeholders and contributing to national reform and change processes.
Benefits
At the end of the training programme, participating individuals and organisations shall have obtained:
- Increased knowledge about media and freedom of expression in relation to media policy, journalism and self-regulation of the media sector.
- Extended professional national, regional, and international networks.
- Greater awareness of human rights, gender equality and security for journalists and other media actors.
- Increased knowledge and capacity to initiate structured, long-term transformational work within and outside the respective organisations
Programme Structure
- Phase 1 – Inception (3 months)
- Phase 2 – Course in Sweden (3 weeks)
- Phase 3 – Development (4 months)
- Phase 4 – Course in one of the participating countries (2 weeks)
- Phase 5 – Implementation (4 months)
Eligibility Criteria
- Invited Countries: Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe
- Target Group: The programme targets individuals who can promote standards and self-regulation of the media sector in the respective countries in different ways. The programme management will identify strategically important participants from the media sector, such as media councils, judicial institutions, independent freedom of speech organisations, policy institutions, relevant ministries, parliamentary committees, and independent media outlets.
- Applicants to the programme should:
- hold a key position in their organisation, with influence on a strategic level
- have the drive and power to initiate and drive change processes
- be highly proficient in English
- hold a relevant academic degree
- be available and motivated for active participation through the whole training programme.
How to Apply
- The application should be written on the special form attached and include a recent photo.
- Make sure your application is complete, accurate and legible.
- A candidate has to be nominated by his/her organisation, and an authorized director/ manager must sign the application.
- A scanned copy of the application should be submitted by email.
- If a scanned copy is not possible, the original application shall be submitted to the nearest Swedish embassy/consulate.
For more information, visit https://bit.ly/2RHIXov
