Fellowships for journalists to cover climate change conference in South Africa
The Climate Change Media Partnership (CCMP) announces launch of a Fellowship programme that will send journalists to the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Durban (COP17) in late 2011.
The Fellowships are open predominantly to journalists from developing countries including Pakistan. Criteria for evaluating applicants will include the prospective Fellow's demonstrated interest in climate change issues; their audience; and the ability of the Fellowship to provide an opportunity for those journalists who might not otherwise have a chance to cover such events.
Applicants are required to complete and submit online (http://earthjournalism.net/user/register)application form before the 30 June 2011 deadline. They need to provide a support letter from their editor, producer, or supervisor. Freelance journalists are welcome to apply, but must provide a letter of support indicating that their stories will be published or broadcast. The applicants need to provide two samples of their work, published within the last 12 months and should have a valid passport that will not expire before June, 2012. Any queries may be submitted to ccmp@internews.org.
Formed in 2007 by Internews’ Earth Journalism Network (EJN), Panos London and the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), the CCMP has brought developing country journalists to the annual UN climate summits over the past four years. This has enabled them to cover the summit for their home media organizations, work with experienced and knowledgeable journalists from around the world, and gain a multifaceted understanding of climate change's global impact. Numerous regional organizations also play a supporting role in the partnership.
As part of the fellowships, the CCMP will cover travel, lodging and daily subsistence expenses, arrange press accreditation at COP17, and provide other support services. The Fellows will benefit from a series of specially designed activities, including an orientation session, breakfast briefings, a field trip and a media clinic.
The CCMP fully respects the editorial independence of all journalists. Throughout the conference, Fellows are free to report as they see fit. We do require that Fellows attend the entire summit, provide copies or summaries of all the stories they file during COP17 for posting on our websites and that they show collegial attitude towards other Fellows. One of the main benefits of this programme will be the opportunity for Fellows to exchange views and information with their journalistic peers from around the world.