Mentorship Scheme for Community Newsrooms Based in Kenya and Zambia and South Africa

Call for Applications

Mentorship scheme for community newsrooms based in Kenya and Zambia and South Africa

Developing Editorial Policies and a Comprehensive Business Plan for Enhancing Sustainable, Independent and Ethical Journalism in Africa

Date: 25th March 2024| Application deadline: 3rd of April 2024.

The Thomson Reuters Foundation presents an exciting opportunity for community newsrooms in Kenya, Zambia, and South Africa to strengthen their resilience and sustainability framework by developing solid and updated set of Editorial Standards and Policies, and an integral Business Plan for their newsroom to respond to the challenging and fast-evolving landscape in the African Media.

Throughout the course, newsrooms will work with regional and international mentors to develop and/or strengthen their editorial policies and business plans addressing key areas of need previously identified with the support from the lead mentor. Areas of need could include, for example, operations, assessment of their business model and newsroom management, editorial policies regarding the use of artificial intelligence in the newsrooms, content and data sharing, and sourcing, among others.

The mentorship programme will consist of three parts:

1. Needs assessment: TRF will connect with the selected newsrooms to better understand their needs and tailor the mentoring programme according to the newsrooms’ needs.
2. Training and mentoring: based on the needs of the newsrooms the consultants will conduct a four-day training and intensive mentoring course in Nairobi, Kenya, where the representatives from the newsroom will have an overview of the areas of focus in relation to their editorial policies and business plans.

*The training and mentoring will take place during the week of the 22^nd of April. TRF will cover travel expenses and accommodation.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

We are looking for:

• Community based newsrooms who are:
  • Editorially independent, regardless of ownership. This means that editors have the freedom to make decisions without interference from the owners of the publication, business interests and/or other non-editorial actors. Not owned, controlled, affiliated or associated with government, political entities or politically exposed persons.
  • Focusing some or all of their content on producing original public interest journalism. This means their journalism should aim to inform the public about matters of relevance to their lives, well-being, and their rights and responsibilities as citizens
  • Striving to produce balanced, fair and accurate journalism, which explores all sides of an issue and presents those findings accurately.
• Newsrooms based in the community with at least three or more employees.
• Newsrooms based in South Africa
• Newsrooms with the capacity and willingness to commit to attend a four-day in person training and mentoring in Nairobi, Kenya on the week of the 22^nd of April.
• Staff attending the training and mentoring should speak fluent English. 

Expression of interest overview:

To apply, the newsroom’s Editor in Chief, Senior Editors in charge or Editorial Managers, should email [email protected] expressing your interest in participating in the training and mentoring by midday, 3^rd of April 2024. 

Applicants should attach the following documents as part of the application process:

• A link or pdf of your current Editorial Standards and Policies and/or other related documents
• If the newsroom currently has an operational business plan in place, please attach a copy.
• Two relevant work samples of public-interest type content (maximum file size 5 MB). TV/Radio based newsrooms may submit transcripts of broadcasts, a brief summary, and/or links to online versions. Participants are encouraged to provide details of circulation and reach of their publications if possible.
• A statement of up to 300 words addressing the following:
  • Nominating two people from your newsroom who will take part in the programme: include their names and current position. Ideally, one person with Editorial management responsibilities and one person within the operations and management of the newsroom should take part.
  • how do you expect to benefit from this programme
  • how your newsroom fits the eligibility criteria, responding to the following questions:
    • Are you editorially independent or aspire to be editorially independent?
    • What is the ownership structure of your newsroom?
    • What is the size of your newsroom?
    • What is the reach and size of your audience?
    • Please include links to your social media channels