Investigative Journalism Fellowship, Rio de Janeiro

Deadline: 15 August 2013
Open to: journalists worldwide
Fellowship: return airfare to Rio de Janeiro and free hotel accommodation from 12-15 October 2013

Description

Are you interested in investigative journalism and would you like to meet fellow journalists at the 8th Global Investigative Journalism Network Conference in Rio de Janeiro? Send in your proposal for an investigative journalism project. Free Press Unlimited will reward the best proposals of four individual journalist with an unique fellowship.

They are interested in written proposals for investigative journalism projects that are gripping and courageous, exude the inquisitive spirit of serious journalism, shed light on issues that are important yet underexposed and offer the public new perspectives.

Criteria for projects: 

1. Enterprise: The journalism is gripping, relevant to a broad audience (i.e. the topic is not primarily important to a very local audience), original and reflects strong initiative and creativity. 
2. Clarity/Quality of writing: The reporting is focused and clear, sustains a logical train of thought, has an accessible style, avoids jargon and is articulate and concise.
3. Fairness/Lack of bias: Even when investigating allegations of wrong-doing, the journalism presents both sides of the story and offers “equal time” to all parties covered in the reports.
4. Reporting strategy: The journalism is clearly substantiated by broad and relevant research, including extensive desk research, comprehensive interviews and effective use of individual sources, documentation and data.
5. Methodology: The journalism manages to translate a sophisticated hypothesis into an acceptable story, and reflects a willingness to challenge assumptions. Evidence is effectively marshalled in support of the basic thesis and the journalism combines incisive analysis with razor-sharp reporting, in order to hold those responsible of wrong-doing accountable for their actions.

Costs

In concrete terms, the fellowship consists of return airfare to Rio de Janeiro and free hotel accommodation for the course of the 8th Global Investigative Journalism Conference, held from 12 to 15 October in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. This will allow you to network and exchange ideas with the leading journalists in the field, get expert advice and learn from new best practices that are shared at the event.

Eligibility

Journalists worldwide are eligible for this fellowship.

Application

The submissions deadline is 15 August 2013. Your individual proposals will be reviewed by a panel made up of Free Press Unlimited staff. Please submit your proposal (a maximum of five pages) in English, French or Spanish. Proposals can be sent via email to: kuiper@freepressunlimited.org.

Successful applicants will be notified that they will be receiving a fellowship by 15 September 2013 at the latest.

Contact info@freepressunlimited.org for more information. Further details are available on the official website HERE.