Press Freedom Award seeks entries [MENA]

Print and online Journalists from the Middle East, Mediterranean and Gulf regions can compete for a EUR10,000 (US$12,238) prize.

The European Union seeks entries for the Samir Kassir Award for Freedom of the Press, named after the Lebanese journalist and author who was assassinated in 2005.

Entries must have been published between March 15, 2017 and March 15, 2018.

Applicants can submit only one article related to human rights, including good governance, the fight against corruption, freedom of expression, etc. The full article must be submitted with an English translation, proof of publication and a resume.

The competition features three categories: best opinion piece, best investigative reporting and best audiovisual reporting. Each winner receives the cash prize at a ceremony in Beirut, Lebanon.

The deadline is April 10.

For more information onn how to apply, click here.

Online Freedom of Expression Litigation Workshop available (Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda,Tanzania, Uganda)

East Africa Digital Rights & Online Freedom of Expression Litigation Workshop

3 – 6 April 2018, Nairobi, Kenya

The Media Legal Defence Initiative (MLDI) is calling for applications from lawyers based in Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda to participate in a forthcoming litigation workshop on the right to online freedom of expression, digital rights and the Internet. Successful applicants will attend the litigation workshop and become active members of a digital rights legal network through which there will be opportunity for engagement regionally and internationally.
All applicants are required to submit for discussion a current or potential case involving these matters. If applicants do not have a case, they may submit a relevant law, practice or policy relating to online freedom of expression that they would like to see challenged in court.

Litigation workshop objectives
MLDI provides legal support to journalists, bloggers and independent media. In recent years, MLDI has supported a significant number of cases involving online media. These have included challenging social media blocking and Internet shutdowns, contesting cyber crimes legislation and intermediary liability, as well as calling for greater protections for online privacy and source protection.
Specifically, the objectives of the litigation workshop are:

• To equip participants with skills and knowledge to litigate using national and international laws as well as regional and international mechanisms relevant to freedom of expression online;
• To build a digital rights network and help facilitate its engagement with international legal mechanisms and global civil society initiatives; and  
• To assist and develop working relationships amongst lawyers undertaking such cases.

Criteria for eligibility
Participants will be selected on the following criteria:

• The workshop is open to lawyers from Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda;
• Applicants can either be working in private practice or be working for or be affiliated with NGOs promoting the right to freedom of expression in East Africa through litigation. Exceptionally strong applications from lawyers who have not yet undertaken freedom of expression work, but have experience litigating other human rights cases and have a strong interest in undertaking freedom of expression work will be considered as well. A maximum of 12 participants will be selected;
• The lawyers must have a demonstrated interest in and/or knowledge of the right to online freedom of expression, digital rights, internet freedom and/or related issues;
• The lawyers must have a demonstrated interest in and/or knowledge of international and regional human rights law;
• With their application, applicants are requested to submit a case study of a case that they are litigating or intend to litigate and that could be discussed during the litigation workshop. As set out above, it will suffice for participants who do not have a case that is pending to have identified a relevant law, practice or policy relating to online freedom of expression that they would like to challenge in court. However, such participants must demonstrate their ability and willingness to pursue the case after the workshop;
• The cases submitted must involve a violation of the fundamental right to freedom of expression online;
• The following non-exhaustive list of themes are a guide for the type of cases that could be submitted with the application:

• Cybercrime laws;
• Intermediary liability;
• Internet shutdowns;
• Restriction of online media;
• Online privacy;
• National security; and
• Anonymity online.

Please note that the working language for the workshop will be English.
How to apply
Please complete the attached application form and submit it to Michael Moss at michael.moss@mediadefence

Deadline: Wednesday 21 February 2018.

Shortlisted applicants will be notified soon after the closing date and should be available for a Skype or telephone interview on 26, 27 or 28 February 2018.

IWMF seeks nominations for Journalism Awards [Worldwide]

Full-time or freelance women journalists working in print, broadcast or online media in any country can be nominated for an award.

The International Women's Media Foundation (IWMF) is seeking nominations for its Courage in Journalism Award and Lifetime Achievement Award. The awards honor women who have demonstrated extraordinary strength of character in journalism under difficult or dangerous circumstances.

Winners will receive cash prizes, which have yet to be determined, and will travel to the United States to attend the award ceremonies.

Self-nominations are not accepted.

The deadline is March 16.

For more information on how to submit a nomination, click here.

CPJ accepting Fellowship applications [US]

Recent journalism graduates and budding journalists interested in press freedom issues can apply for a fellowship in New York.

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) organizes the James W. Foley Fellowship program, a yearlong fellowship established to honor American journalist James W. Foley, who was killed in Syria in 2014.

The fellow will focus on an independent research project on a journalist safety issue as well as work closely with CPJ's cross-departmental Emergencies Response Team.

The fellowship provides a US$40,000 stipend and benefits package. Candidates must have excellent English writing skills and knowledge of international press freedom and human rights issues. Proficiency in French, Spanish, Russian, Chinese or Arabic is a plus.

International students with proper authorization to work in the United States are encouraged to apply.

The deadline is Feb. 24.

For more information on how to apply, click here.

Vacancy exists at Global Investigative Journalism Network for editor [Sub-Saharan Africa]

Journalists with three years of experience can apply for this part-time, remote position.

The Global Investigative Journalism Network (GIJN) is looking for an editor for Sub-Saharan Africa.

Responsibilities include producing content relevant to investigative journalists in Sub-Saharan Africa, obtaining content from GIJN’s various sources across Africa and distributing content via social media, among other tasks.

Candidates must have a solid understanding of investigative and data journalism, be based in Sub-Saharan Africa and have social media managing skills.

For more information on how to apply, click here.

Foundation organises summer program for journalists [Russia]

Young journalists, media activists and bloggers fluent in Russian can apply for his fully funded multidisciplinary summer program. 

The Boris Nemtsov Foundation for Freedom is organizing a Summer School of Journalism and Cultural Studies, which will take place July 15 to Aug. 5 at Charles University in Prague.

The school features lectures and master classes, case studies and more. Topics cover online content distribution, video shooting and editing, infographic and audio recording.

Applicants must submit proposals for a media project in online or video format that addresses important political, economic, social or cultural issues.

The program covers accommodation, travel expenses and meals.

The deadline is April 1.

For more information on how to apply, click here.

Deadline Approaching:Early Childhood development reporting fellowship [ Bangladesh, Brazil, India, Kenya, Nigeria,Tanzania]

Journalists who are interested in becoming influencers and leaders for children’s development can apply for this.

ICFJ’s Early Childhood Development Reporting Fellowship is open to journalists from Bangladesh, Brazil, India, Kenya, Nigeria and Tanzania. During this year-long program, Fellows will participate in two international reporting trips and receive training, mentoring and financial support to produce stories on nutrition and early-childhood development.

Deadline is March 4, 2018.

For more information Click here.

Journalism Competition seeks entries on democracy, human rights [Worldwide]

Journalists committed to defending democracy and human rights can enter a competition.

The Lorenzo Natali Journalism Prize, sponsored by the European Commission, awards excellence in written, radio and broadcast journalism on the theme of development, democracy and human rights around the world. It was established in memory of former European Commissioner Lorenzo Natali.

The contest has two categories: junior journalists (21 to 26 years old) and senior journalists (27 years and older). For each category, there will be a winner from each region: Africa; the Arab world and the Middle East; Asia and the Pacific; Latin America and the Caribbean; and Europe.

Work must have been published or broadcast between March 21, 2017 and March 9, 2018. Possible themes are the elimination of violence against women and girls or development issues. 

Entries are accepted in all languages but should include a translation in English, French or Spanish if they are not written in one of these languages.

The winners will receive trophies and cash prizes of EUR5,000 (US$6,120). The grand prize winner will receive an additional EUR5,000 during an award ceremony in June in Brussels.

The deadline is March 9.

For more information on how to apply, click here.

EJDA offers Legal training program for journalists [Central and Southeastern Europe]

Journalists, civil society advocates and media lawyers from Central and Southeastern Europe can apply for this program.

The Center for Media, Data, and Society at the Central European University's School of Public Policy is looking for candidates for its certificate-based legal training program "European Journalism in the Digital Age" (EJDA).

The program combines online and offline training that focuses on fundamentals of media and freedom of expression law in the digital age and practical solutions for combatting threats from litigants, hackers and hostile governments.

The course features an intensive workshop on May 25 to 27 in a location to be announced, followed by nine weeks of online instruction. The team of instructors includes Dean Starkman, senior editor with the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists.

The program covers all expenses, including tuition and travel for the selected participants.

The deadline is March 5.

For more information on how to apply, click here.

Grants for investigative journalism projects available [Mexico]

Mexican journalists and journalists residing in Mexico can apply for a reporting grant.

Quinto Elemento Lab has launched its second grant program for investigative journalism projects.

The organization will offer up to MXN80,000 to five projects, as well as mentorship from editors, designers, programmers and specialists in content distribution to the selected journalist or team of journalists.

The funds must cover reporters' salary, expenses derived from the investigation itself and travel expenses. Ideally, the projects should be developed and published within three months.

The deadline is March 2.

For more information on how to apply (in Spanish), click here.