Call for Applications: Media Workshop on Indigenous Environmental Reporting 2023

Published · Updated

Internews’ Earth Journalism Network invites Indigenous journalists from around the world to apply for a two-day Indigenous workshop, to be held in Kenya from Tuesday 21st February – Friday 24th February 2023.

Globally, Indigenous peoples make up less than 5% of the total human population – about 370 million people – yet they manage or call home more than a quarter of the world’s land area. Those regions also support 80% of the planet’s global biodiversity.

Yet, Indigenous perspectives are often missing from global conversations about biodiversity, climate change and other critical environmental issues. Although traditional Indigenous customs and land-use practices center conservation and sustainability, Indigenous communities’ land rights, sovereignty and safety are constantly under threat by governments and corporations seeking to exploit natural resources.

Indigenous journalists – and stories about Indigenous issues told from Indigenous perspectives – are under-represented in mainstream media.

For this reason, it is critical to support Indigenous voices in the field of journalism to amplify the challenges faced by Indigenous communities, and the resilience they demonstrate in countering them.

Led by experienced journalism trainers and thematic experts, this workshop will explain the importance of Indigenous environmental reporting, and issues such as climate justice, biodiversity, sustainable ecosystems, Indigenous knowledge and other issues related to the rights and well-being of Indigenous peoples and communities. 

It will also build valuable journalistic skills to help participants strengthen their reporting and storytelling skills, and make their stories more appealing to wider audiences that include the general public and decision-makers.

Participants will be taken on a field trip and hear about issues faced by local Indigenous communities and will have the opportunity to report on these issues for their media outlets after the workshop. EJN will bear the travel, accommodation, and meal costs of selected participants.

This media training workshop is part of EJN’s Green Recovery Project supported by Svenska Postkodstiftelsen (the Swedish Postcode Foundation).

Eligibility

The workshop is open to Indigenous journalists from any country who are self-motivated and interested in covering Indigenous environmental issues.

We welcome applications from journalists from print, television, online and/or radio, with a demonstrated track record of producing incisive, in-depth stories.

Please note:

  • Selected participants must commit to attending both days of the workshop.
  • The workshop will be conducted in English so applicants must have a good level of understanding of technical English.
  • EJN and our partners and donors have the right to edit, publish, broadcast and distribute any stories produced for your media outlet as a result of your participation in the workshop, once they have been published/broadcast in the original media outlet.

COVID 19-protocols

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, EJN and its partners will strictly adhere to safety protocols put in place by the World Health Organization, as well as all advisories and regulations mandated by the Kenyan government. Participants are encouraged to carefully study the travel regulations from their countries as well as the destination country, and make sure they meet all requirements, including testing for COVID- 19. At the same time, applicants are encouraged to get vaccinated, for their own safety and that of the other participants.

How to apply

  • Click on the Apply Now button on the top right of this page… https://earthjournalism.net/opportunities/media-workshop-on-indigenous-environmental-reporting-2023
  • Applicants must provide a letter from their editor or media outlet supporting their application to attend the workshop. Freelance journalists are welcome to apply but will need a letter of support from a media organization committing to publish or broadcast any stories produced as a result of their participation in the workshop.
  • Applicants must submit two published writing samples or links to stories that have appeared online. Story clips related to Indigenous issues are preferred.

If you encounter difficulties with submitting your application, please email info.ejn@internews.org. Do not contact any other Internews email regarding this opportunity, as we will not receive it.    

Applications submitted after the deadline will not be considered.  

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