Deadline: 2-Dec-22
The Journalism Centre on Global Trafficking (JCOGT), in collaboration with the Center on Human Trafficking Research and Outreach (CenHTRO) at the University of Georgia, is happy to announce the launch of a six months training programme for Sierra Leonean journalists, interested in reporting on human trafficking.
JCOGT is a US-based centre whose mission is to inform the media’s understanding of human, labour, arms, drugs and wildlife trafficking. CenHTRO advances research, programme, and policy efforts to combat human trafficking in Sub-Saharan Africa, which is funded by the U.S. Department of State Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons.
With this joint programme, twelve Sierra Leonean journalists will be selected to take part in a hybrid training programme. Through a series of online and in-country activities, including field work, journalists will learn about why and how trafficking happens in Sierra Leone. The training will provide access to research, evidence and data not previously available to journalists.
Details
- Journalists will meet with law enforcement, researchers, government officials, civil-society organizations and others to expand their knowledge of exploitation and trafficking. Participants will receive skills training around reading and understanding data, investigative reporting and best-practices while interviewing survivors and minors.
- Participants will receive story coaching, mentoring, and editorial assistance to support their efforts to produce high quality and in-depth stories. Journalists will have the opportunity to apply for grant funding to support financial costs related to reporting for investigative or high quality in-depth stories on human trafficking. The programme will also support the initial formation of a professional network of journalists that report upon trafficking.
- Applicants should have a genuine interest in reporting on trafficking and experience related to the issues covered by the programme. This should be evidenced by the submission of recent work samples. If applicants have never previously reported on trafficking they should submit a 250-word explanation detailing why you want to be included in the program. Applicants may explain the importance of reporting on these issues, and also include their professional goals, outcome or goals for inclusion in this program.
Eligibility Criteria
- All applicants should be active journalists working in a Sierra Leonean media outlet. (print, online, TV or radio)
- Applicants should have at least four years’ experience in journalism and a maximum of fifteen years.
- Applicants should be based in Sierra Leone at the time of application and should commit to complete the full programme when selected.
- Applicants must have a high proficiency level of spoken and written English
- Application documents should include:
- A 150-word biography.
- A supporting letter from the editor.
- A sample of a recent work. (print, online, audio or broadcast)
- A 250-word statement of interest. (for journalists who haven’t previously reported on trafficking)
For more information, visit https://cenhtro.uga.edu/_resources/documents/Call%20for%20Application_Sierra%20Leone.pdf