International Reporting
Fellowship Program for
Journalists of Color/Minority Journalists
(2013 Bringing Home the World | US)
Deadline: 8 February 2013
Sponsored by the Ford Foundation, with additional funding from the Brooks and Joan Fortune Family Foundation, the Scripps Howard Foundation and the Samuel I. Newhouse Foundation
Over the years, journalists of color have had few opportunities to work as foreign correspondents. That’s especially the case in today’s media environment, with sharp cutbacks by many news outlets in their international coverage. At the same time, communities of color rarely receive coverage of global issues that directly affect their lives, from the migration of jobs overseas to wars fought by minorities serving in the U.S. military. This program aims to level the playing field, sending well-briefed journalists of color overseas to report on important issues that resonate in their communities.
In our increasingly globalized world, the International Reporting Fellowship offers journalists of color based in the U.S. the opportunity to play an important role in covering international developments. The fellowship builds on the participants’ skills and confidence in traveling abroad for global stories, making them more competitive in the newsroom. And their reports will also bring fresh perspectives of the world to U.S. audiences.
ICFJ launched the fellowship in late 2010 with eight journalists who were selected based on the quality of their story proposal in their application. The eight fellows reported from nine countries. They published and broadcast their stories in major news outlets such as The Christian Science Monitor, TIME.com and National Geographic's website that, in all, reach nearly 100 million people. An online compendium of their work can be found here.
In 2012, ICFJ selected ten journalists for the fellowship. They worked in more than 10 countries, including Mexico, Pakistan, China and Brazil, and contributed stories to both their media outlets in the U.S. and to the Fellows' Tumblr blog.
Prior to the Fellows' overseas travel, ICFJ holds an intense orientation in Washington, D.C., to prepare the them for their foreign reporting work. Each fellow is also paired with a mentor who provides guidance throughout the program. The Fellows’ reporting assignments last up to two weeks, depending on the destination and other factors. While overseas, the Fellows blog about their experiences and also share tidbits about their reporting assignments on social media including Twitter and Facebook.
Upon their return from abroad, fellows are expected to complete their stories and publish or broadcast them.
The International Reporting Fellowship is giving journalists of color the skills they need to become future leaders in the field. They have an unprecedented chance to explore issues beyond U.S. borders, enriching their experience as professional journalists. And they will bring the fresh perspectives needed on foreign affairs, religion and other topics in an increasingly complex world.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
For queries: lwajert@icfj.org
For submissions: via the online application page
Website: http://www.icfj.org