|
|
|
World Federation of Science Journalists
|
The
World Federation of Science Journalists (WFSJ) has recently launched a project
allowing science journalists from Africa and the Middle East to partner with
their Northern and Southern counterparts in an international peer-to-peer
network.
President
of the WSFJ Wilson de Silva, who announced the launching of the project, said
"Our objective is to support journalists who want to report on science, but
lack the peer support and training more common in wealthier nations."
An
initial funding of CA$800,000 (approx. US$700,000) is being provided by Canada's
International Development Research Center for the 3 year project.
The
project will expose 60 journalists to the latest techniques in science
reporting, providing them an opportunity to report emerging developments and
issues in science in their regions. Through the WFSJ, these journalists will
also be connected to a large network providing contacts, advice and
opportunities in their field.
Peer-to-peer
learning is an established form of learning amongst journalists, which will also
be applied to associations, by introducing the emerging ones to established
associations of science journalists.
While
participating journalists will be trained to effectively communicate complex
science topics to the general audience, emerging national, regional and
international associations of science journalists will also be provided support
and services through the project.
“This
will certainly help bridge the capacity challenge we face as science journalists
on the African continent,” said Diran Onifade, science journalist with the
Nigerian Television Authority.
The
WFSJ is a global network of 27 associations of science reporters contributing to
the network with the shared aim of strengthening science journalism in
developing countries.
How
to participate:
1.
Who is eligible?
The
Peer-to-Peer Training in Science Journalism Project of the World
Federation of Science Journalists aims at offering the possibility for
journalists in Africa and the Middle East to improve their skills in science
journalism. Any professional journalist in Africa and the Middle East can
qualify. To be accepted, a journalist will need to demonstrate previous interest
in covering science and technology as well as a willingness to improve his or
her skills in science journalism.
2.
Benefits and conditions
Each
participating journalist will be twinned with a mentor, an experienced science
journalist from Africa, the Middle East or from elsewhere. During two years, the
mentee will share his or her work (articles, audio or video cassettes) with his
or her mentor. These articles and productions will have to cover science and
technology issues. The mentee will benefit from the advice, suggestions and
comments from an experienced science journalist on his or her production. At
least once a year, mentors and mentees will have an opportunity to meet during a
workshop in Africa or the Middle East tied to field visits and some major
scientific conferences.
-
Benefits:
-
Advice
from an experienced science journalist during two years;
-
Participation
in at least one workshop per year somewhere in Africa and the Middle East
with face-to-face meeting with mentor. The firs face-to-face workshop will
be held between December 2006 and February 2007; the second between
December 2007 and February 2008.
-
Conditions
-
Strong
desire to improve skills at reporting science and technology issues;
-
Commitment
to produce (weekly during the first six months) articles or radio or TV
programs on science and technology issues during two years;
-
Willingness
to share his or her production with a mentor and accept comments and
suggestions.
3.
To register
Send
your application, your CV and three previous productions on
science and technology issues with your expectations to Jean-Marc Fleury,
Executive Director, World Federation of Science Journalists at: jmfleury@wfsj.org
Or
mail to:
World
Federation of Science Journalists
P.O.
Box 8500
Ottawa
(Ontario) Canada K1G 3H9
For
applications from Middle East journalists please send your application with the
necessary above information to Nadia El-Awady at nadia.elawady@iolteam.com.
Deadline
for applications: 30 June 2006 (Expect decision by 4 September
2006).
More
information about this project may be found at PtoP
Project Flyer.
|
