Deadline: 09-Jul-21
The online course “How to Cover Human Trafficking and Modern Slavery”, by the Thomson Reuters Foundation, is a unique opportunity for Mexican journalists to acquire new skills, expand their knowledge and report on this topic, with the guidance of experienced journalists from the Foundation and experts on the subject.
With the support of the Laudes Foundation, the course combines the knowledge of specialists with practical activities and will focus on the production of high-impact reports. In addition to providing a deeper understanding of the scale and causes of this problem, the workshop will allow journalists to gain insight into how this scourge is being fought globally, including information on international conventions and protocols.
The role of the media in raising public awareness, reducing vulnerabilities and the responsibility of governments, legislators and companies will also be discussed. Participants will analyze innovative approaches to combat human trafficking and coverage of migration, reflecting the need for inclusive policy responses that transcend borders.
The course will address, in particular, the ethics of coverage of modern slavery, providing elements to interact with survivors and to overcome the preconceptions and stereotypes of the reporters themselves. Special emphasis will also be placed on aspects related to the safety of journalists, especially when reporting on organized crime.
The training will be remote, and all interactions with the trainers and other participants will be done through Zoom.
Participants should be able to commit to 4 hours of live classes per day during the week, with 1-2 hours of offline reading or homework done on their own schedule. Session times: 9am – 1pm (Mexico City time)
Participants must have reliable Internet access to conduct videoconferences; a modest stipend is offered for anyone who may need additional data during the course period.
Approaches
- Understand the problem – how is slavery defined and how big is it? What laws and conventions exist to tackle it?
- Access stories – by building links with relevant organizations, communities, and leading experts
- Plan a story or investigation on modern day slavery – this will involve assessing the risk to the journalist as well as any contributors and their families
- Take an ethical approach by working through real-life dilemmas that journalists have faced
- Scrutinize the response – it’s not just about reporting on the problem, but also questioning what is being done to deal with it
When participating journalists produce an outstanding story which resonates globally, they help them pitch it to the Thomson Reuters Foundation’s award-winning news platform. If published, the story will be distributed through the Reuters wire, achieving global exposure.
Eligibility Criteria
- Candidates must be journalists who work in a Mexican outlet, either on a regular basis or who collaborate regularly. They must also demonstrate a commitment to a journalistic career and have at least three years of professional experience.
- Those journalists who have participated in a Foundation workshop during the last two years will not be able to apply.
For more information, visit https://www.trust.org/media-development/opportunities/?sfid=a053z00000vDqbiAAC&sfProgId=a15D0000018xNIaIAM&areaOfFocus=Equality%20and%20Tolerance