[ Fully Funded ] 2020 Mekong Journalism Exchange in California, USA; Chiang Khong, Thailand;
DATES: February 9, 2020-February 22, 2020
DESTINATIONS: California, USA; Chiang Khong, Thailand; and Bangkok, Thailand
The 2020 Mekong Journalism Exchange will bring together twelve qualified journalists from five Mekong countries to participate in a two-week journalism exchange from February 9, 2020-February 22, 2020.
The 2020 Mekong Journalism Exchange will bring together twelve qualified journalists from five Mekong countries to participate in a two-week journalism exchange from February 9, 2020-February 22, 2020. Journalists will explore critical issues in the Mekong region including water security and disinformation challenges. In addition, journalists will receive in-depth, skill-based trainings in investigative and environmental reporting, fact-checking, best use of social media in the newsroom, and news literacy tools from renowned journalist-training programs at UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism, Internews, Poynter, Facebook, and Google.
The journalism exchange will commence in California for a water security case study and culminate in Bangkok/Chiang Khong, Thailand where journalists will have the opportunity to visit the Chiang Khong District along the Mekong River, and attend various conferences and events that will build their skills and networks related to fact-checking, environmental reporting, and transboundary water issues.
FUNDING:
The 2020 Mekong Journalism Exchange is funded by a grant from the US Department of State. Funding covers:
- Roundtrip airfare to and from participant’s home country and throughout the journalism exchange
- Ground transportation, airport transfers
- Visa and baggage fees
- Lodging in each of the journalism exchange destinations
- Programmatic meals and a modest per diem to cover other meals
- Cultural activities and networking opportunities
PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS:
- Story Filing: Journalists are required to file at least one story or a series of blogs and/or social media posts resulting from their participation in the journalism exchange.
- Participant Presentation: One essential element of this professional experience is the journalist-to-journalist interaction. All participants are required to prepare and submit a short paper (1,000–1,500 words) that addresses water security and/or disinformation/propaganda issues in their respective country. Each participant will make a panel presentation (approximately 10 minutes) based on the topic of his/her paper, which must be submitted at least two weeks before the start of the program.
ELIGIBILITY:
Media professionals from print, broadcast and online news organizations including editors, reporters, columnists, producers, bloggers, videographers, and photo journalists with a minimum of five years of experience are eligible to apply. Journalists who bring environmental journalism experience reporting on water security issues in the Mekong region are encouraged to apply. The journalism exchange will include a total of 12 journalists from Mekong countries, including Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam. Applicants must be a national of one of the countries listed and proficient in the English language.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:
The deadline to complete the 2020 Mekong Journalism Exchange application form online is January 3, 2020 at 23:59 Hawaii time. Please click HERE to apply online.
If you have trouble applying online, please click HERE to complete a PDF application and e-mail the application and additional required attachments to CDSEAO@eastwestcenter.org.
For additional inquiries, please e-mail CDSEAO@eastwestcenter.org.