Journalists interested in health issues are invited to apply for a health journalism fellowship at Internews in Kenya.
The eight-week long fellowship is designed to improve coverage of health issues, with a focus on family planning, maternal health and HIV and Aids.
The programme offers early- to mid-career print and broadcast journalists an opportunity to take time out from the newsroom to enhance and polish their health journalism skills while engaging in high quality, high impact health journalism.
As a practical and customised programme, this fellowship focuses on both craft and content. Through one-on-one mentoring, discussions with top journalists, travel grants, as well as interactions with health experts, policy makers and communities, fellows will be well-grounded in the principles of health journalism. They will also develop myriad sources and story ideas and the capacity to examine the health, cultural, socio-economic, and cultural ramifications of major public health issues.
Fellows will also be exposed to new trends in new media, including multimedia storytelling.
The journalists will be required to publish their work during the time of the fellowship and after they return to their news organizations.
Who is eligible?
The fellowship is open to print and broadcast journalists with at least three years of experience working for or contributing to mainstream media in Kenya. Applicants should be able to demonstrate a deep interest in health journalism.
Fellows will be selected largely on the basis of previous work and the applicant’s demonstrated commitment to health journalism.
Awards
During the course of the fellowship, fellows will be given grants to cover travel and research costs relating to specific topics of their choice for publication and broadcast.
Journalists are expected to negotiate for permission for time away from their places of work.Internews will pay the salary of the journalist (equivalent to their current earnings) for the duration of the fellowship.
How to apply
To be considered, email or hand-deliver the following items:
- A cover letter describing your reasons for applying, qualifications and career goals.
- Curriculum vitae.
- A personal statement detailing your experiences, why you deserve the fellowship, what you aim to accomplish if it is awarded to you. Include specific topics you would like to explore.
- Details of previous awards or fellowships.
- At least three samples of published health stories.
- Two letters of support, one from a senior editor and another from a referee familiar with your work. Freelance journalists should send a letter of support from an editor or producer familiar with their recent work.
Where to send application
All communication regarding the fellowship should be addressed to Dotieno@INTERNEWS.ORG. The application package can be dropped at Internews Offices on the 13th Floor of I &M Building on Kenyatta Avenue.
Deadline:
The deadline for application is 12:00 p.m., 18 August, 2011.
