Deadline: 26 November 2019
Thomson Reuters Foundation in partnership with the Institute for the Advancement of Journalism is looking for journalists based anywhere in Africa who are motivated to understand how their country could be losing money via illicit means.
The wealth of Nations is a long-term engagement, and journalists who take part must commit to all elements of the scheme, signing an agreement to this effect. These elements include:
- The production of stories on illicit financial flows
- A mentoring support scheme that will help produce these stories
- Intensive training on reporting illicit finance with a workshop from 06 – 07 February 2020
- Attendance of a three-day conference related to illicit financial flows in Cape Town as part of the workshop
Journalists will not be considered to have completed the scheme until they have completed all the elements, including, for those taking part in the mentoring support scheme, the production of at least one story on illicit financial flows, and will not receive their certificates until this point. If applicants are selected for the mentoring programme they would expect applicants to publish applicants story by the end of March 2020.
Benefits
If selected, applicants will take part in one intensive workshop (5 days) covering illicit finance, reporting on companies, accounts and budgets, and investigative techniques. The Workshop will take place in Cape Town, South Africa.
- During the workshop applicants will also attend a three-day conference related to illicit financial flows. Being at the conference will allow applicants access to leading experts on illicit financial flows.
- Applicants will propose one or more story ideas that applicants wish to work on within the scheme – they will provide experienced journalists to help applicants pursue their stories right up to publication/broadcast.
- Applicants will have exclusive access to expertise through their network of illicit finance experts.
- Applicants will also have access to story ideas and editorial advice, and will be invited to share their own expertise with participants from other regions.
Funding
- Successful applicants will receive a full bursary that will cover air travel expenses (economy class), accommodation, local transfers and meals. Please note that applicants need to check visa requirements and ensure applicants have the necessary documentation required. The cost of applicants visa and any other related costs will be the responsibility of the participant.
- If applicants should be selected for the mentoring scheme, the maximum story grant they can provide is USD 500. Please note that grants awarded vary depending on the anticipated resources required to complete the story. Any proposed costs without a detailed explanation will not be considered.
Eligibility Criteria
- Journalists with at least two years of professional experience and fluent English
- It is an advantage if applicants are familiar with investigative journalism, reporting on finances and/or dealing with numbers more generally, but if applicants have a strong motivation to learn about and understand these issues then they will consider applicants application. Early career journalists are invited to apply.
- Applicants must be able to spend significant time working on illicit finance stories.
- Both freelancers and staff journalists may apply. Journalists working for a news organisation will need consent from their editor to take part. Freelancers should provide evidence that one or more media organisations will be willing to take their work.
- Journalists working in any medium or multiple media are welcome to apply (print, online, radio or television).
- Journalists should be based in Africa and working for one or more African media organisations.
- Journalists applying must have fluent English.
- Please note that if applicants have previously attended a Wealth of Nations programme at any point or a TRF training in the last 12 months applicants are not eligible for this course.
For more information, visit http://www.trust.org/media-development/opportunities/?sfid=a053z00000q1bvqAAA&sfProgId=a15D0000017jXNnIAM&areaOfFocus=Economic%20and%20Social%20Development