Deadline: 10 April 2017
The Thomson Reuters Foundation is currently seeking applications from the journalists for its new programme- Reporting after the Epidemic.
The programme aims to work with independent journalists to explore the Ebola outbreak issue in Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone in 2014 and 2015.
The programme will feature an intensive workshop in Freetown, Sierra Leone bringing together journalists from all three countries. This will take place in June 2017 (dates TBC). It will develop investigative and storytelling skills provide practical approaches to exploring the above questions, and help participants to develop hard-hitting story ideas.
Reporters will then receive ongoing support from project editors to help them produce original stories and investigations. Modest funding will be available to help with the costs of investigation.
Objectives
The programme aims to support journalists to find answers to the following questions:
- What happened to the money? Not all of the funds pledged were actually delivered, and for those that were there is little transparency. But the amounts pledged were huge – $5.8 billion is almost equal to the combined GDP of Liberia and Sierra Leone. Did the funding reach the communities that it was supposed to? And has it made a difference?
- What happened to essential services? The epidemic killed many medical staff and the effects of this will be felt across all areas of healthcare, long after the epidemic is over. How are these health systems coping today? What about other services like education?
- Could another outbreak take hold? There have been seven “flare-ups” of the epidemic since the initial control of the outbreak, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. None resulted in more than 13 cases. But how close are these countries to another serious outbreak – and what could cause it?
Benefits
Foundation covers all transport and subsistence costs of journalists participating in this programme.
Eligibility Criteria
- Journalists working for domestic media in Liberia, Guinea or Sierra Leone are eligible
- Journalists working in any medium may apply – print, radio, TV, online
- Applications are encouraged from investigative journalists and those interested in following the money. However this is not essential – other reporters with an interest in this issue are also welcomed.
- Applications are encouraged from journalists who covered the Ebola epidemic. Again, this is not essential.
- Journalists must be fluent in English
- Journalists must have a minimum of one year’s experience. They should either be working full-time for a media organisation, or a freelancer whose main work is journalism
- Prior reporting on Ebola and/or finance is not a requirement for the course.
How to Apply
To apply applicants are required to upload the following documents:
- 2 relevant work samples (maximum file size 5 MB) – in English if possible. For stories not in English, please include a 250-word English summary about the story.
- A letter from your editor consenting to your participation in the programme and committing to publish/broadcast resulting stories
All required documents are required to be submitted online via given website.
For more information, please visit Reporting after the Epidemic.