Call for applications – Investigative journalism training in the Madagascar

A multi-stage training cycle

- 4 days' training on general culture, based on public policy governance, citizen-led public initiatives, and notions of accountability (24 to 27 July 2017)
- 8 days' training on the fundamentals of investigative journalism (28 July to 5 August 2017)
- 10 day refresher session in the methodology of investigative journalism, consolidation of enquiries, a beginner's guide to data security, and enhancement of writing skills to suit a particular medium (written press, website, radio) (2 to 12 October 2017)
- an investigative case-study, from early August to late October
- remote teaching and editorial monitoring throughout the project
- a competition to reward the best investigations (3 prizes) at the end of the Citizen's Dialogue (December 2017)

Context and justification for the action

In order to be an "active citizen", members of the public need access to information. Journalists have an important role to play in public debate and must thus address the issues that directly affect people's everyday life; they must know where to find information and how to make it available to the public in order to encourage better leadership of public initiatives and greater transparency in the running of local matters. This means that journalists have to have the keys to understanding grass-roots investigative journalism at local level, dealing with the issues of good governance and citizen-lead public initiatives, whether in relation to the roles of elected representatives, understanding institutions, decision-making and funding circuits, local budget monitoring, managing basic social services, the governance of mining resources, or the like.

The training, which takes the form of two sessions, will offer general investigative journalism methodology, its application in field case-studies (reports, magazines), and support and monitoring of investigative work (monitoring of subject construction, source management, drafting recommendations, etc.). Journalists will thus be capable of addressing subjects in a documented manner and on the basis of information gathered from diverse, reliable sources. They will also acquire the skill to identify subjects professionally and to develop research hypotheses for a successful investigation. They will develop the necessary skills to conduct grass-roots inquiries in their geographical region and will work together with CSOs with a view to exchanging and supplementing information. A French and Malagasy trainer will provide remote mentoring and offer advice and recommendations for each ongoing investigation.

A "cross-media" approach will also be adopted to encourage collaboration and cooperation between journalists from different media.

Type of people targeted – Selection criteria

The criteria to be met by applicants are the following:
- You should be a journalist - written or online press, radio, television, blogger, just starting out in investigative journalism or with a basic grounding in the techniques of investigative journalism; and you should have a desire to enhance your professionalism;
- You should be motivated and committed to public policy management issues, citizens' concerns, and citizen-led public initiatives;
- You should be available on the dates stated and prepared to attend the two training sessions envisaged as part of the project;
- You should be prepared to take an active part in the remote mentoring provided by trainers.

Interested?

Apply via the call for applications platform
before midnight (UTC/GMT) on 23 June