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The application process is now open for the 5th edition of the Paradigm Initiative (PIN) Digital Rights and Inclusion Media Fellowship (DRIMF). Through academic and practical learnings, Paradigm Initiative Digital Rights and Inclusion Media Fellowship 2021 seeks to embed media professionals within the digital ecosystem. Media Fellows will connect with PIN teams in Cameroon, Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
The fellowship seeks to expose media professionals to an underreported field of work at national and regional level, increasing reporting on digital rights and inclusion in Africa. Selected media professionals must be available to commence the fellowship from 1 August 2021 to 30 November 2021, to connect and collaborate mostly virtually, and where applicable, be present for in-person activities.
Paradigm Initiative’s Digital Rights and Inclusion Media Fellowship is a 4-month program designed to immerse outstanding early career journalists in the digital ecosystem. Selected media professionals will work with Paradigm Initiative on various projects and contribute to improving public understanding of digital rights and inclusion issues in Africa. Applications are open to journalists working in Africa.
Application Period – 1 June 2021 to 22 June 2021
Components of the fellowship
- Online Digital Rights/Inclusion academic training.
- Interaction with PIN team members within Africa.
- 4-month virtual mentorship and collaboration with Paradigm Initiative.
- Fellowship may include fully-funded local and international travel to participate in and cover relevant events related to Digital Rights and Inclusion.
- A monthly stipend and a one-time research grant during the fellowship period.
Expectations
Fellows will dedicate a minimum of ten hours a week to fellowship-related activities. Each Fellow will be expected to participate in all scheduled activities and to publish, in their affiliated media (Print, TV, Radio, Online), at least 4 features/reports on digital rights and inclusion issues during the fellowship period. Fellows will retain full editorial direction on the stories that they publish in their affiliated media. In addition, each fellow will produce a research paper on a relevant topic with the guidance of the PIN Team of not more than 1500 words which will be published by PIN. Fellows will be expected to continue to provide coverage on digital rights and inclusion issues after their fellowship.
Requirements
The Fellowship is open to early career journalists with not more than 8 years’ experience in the media sector and affiliated with mainstream print and online newspapers in Africa. Interested candidates must have a relevant undergraduate degree and demonstrate previous coverage of human rights and/or tech issues and interest in advancing digital rights and inclusion.
How to apply
To apply, kindly CLICK HERE and complete the application form on or before the 22nd of June 2021.
2 Responses
I am interested I have being in journalism practice since 2018.
Hello there,
I hope this message finds you well. I saw the call for applications to the 5th Edition of the Paradigm Initiative Digital Rights and Inclusion Media Fellowship (DRIMF) and found it to be a critical and game-changer fellowship in the works I do here in Ethiopia. I have been working with underground social clubs and as a freelancer on queer representation and fair media inclusion for the past three years. Recently I am working on a website that works on underground queer storytelling as well as representation. I was hoping to see if I am eligible for this fellowship even if my educational background is not in journalism?
Also, does the fellowship consider working with people who are working on very sensitive and to some extent dangerous topics like queer life representation in Africa? what’s expected out of future fellows when it comes to anonymity?
Thank you very much in advance!
Best,
Layti