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Vacancy: Editors for Digital Public Infrastructure Journalism Fellowship

Kwaku Asante
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Vacancy: Editors for Digital Public Infrastructure Journalism Fellowship

The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) is inviting applications for the position of Editor for the second phase of its Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) Journalism Fellowship. We are looking for Editors who will play a critical role in mentoring journalists from Benin, Ghana, Togo, and Nigeria.

About the Digital Public Infrastructure Journalism Fellowship

The Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) Journalism Fellowship, is a project of the MFWA, with funding support from, and in partnership with Co-Develop. The project seeks to empower media professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to contribute effectively to the evolving digital landscape, ensuring that the benefits of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) and Digital Public Goods (DPGs) are widely understood and leveraged across West Africa. Specifically, the project trains journalists who are competitively selected across the region on the concepts of DPI/DPGs through a three- to six-month fellowship. The trainings prepare the beneficiaries to better understand and produce stories that elevate public awareness, stimulate debates, foster inclusivity, and encourage participation and uptake of DPI/DPGs issues across West Africa.

Under phase one of the project, 20 journalists from 10 countries in the region benefited from the Fellowship, improved media coverage and broadened public discourse on DPI/DPGs through the production of over 100 stories. Most of the published stories resulted in reactions from some government institutions and state actors in the various focused countries.

Building on the achievements and gains from the first phase, the second phase seeks to further enhance the capacity and skills of beneficiary journalists to enable them do in-depth reporting on DPI/DPGs. The project is designed to target 60 journalists from four countries, Benin, Ghana, Togo, and Nigeria.  The Fellowship will run for six months – three months of intensive trainings (virtual and in-person) from November 1, 2024, to January 30, 2025, and the following three months (February-April 2025) for story development and periodic peer-learning sessions. The fellowship will also involve virtual editorial meetings and pitching sessions.

Tasks/Duties of the Editor

  • Participate in subject-matter (DPI/DPGs) training sessions organised for Fellows to enhance knowledge on DPI issues.
  • Organise follow-up journalistic trainings (at least once a week) for Fellows on effective skills for reporting on DPI/DPGs issues as will be learnt from the technical trainings.
  • Organise a training for Fellows in generating DPI/DPGs story ideas and pitching story ideas.
  • Assess story ideas and pitches shared by Fellows and help them in shaping and fine-tuning them before they are developed.
  • Vet, make recommendations for improvement of stories pitched and give final approval for stories to be published.
  • Liaise with the other Editor (Francophone Editor) for thoughts and ideas in relation to stories and publication of reports under the project.
  • Where possible, suggest story ideas that the Fellows can pursue or follow-up on.
  • Provide quality assurance for stories.
  • Support tracking and evaluation of Fellows and the entire Fellowship programme for the necessary improvements.
  • Suggest ideas on how to make the Fellowship programme more effective and impactful.
  • The Editor will work with Fellows to pitch at least six great story ideas each on DPI/ DPGs.
  • The Editor is to work with Fellows to publish all the stories by the end of the Fellowship in April 2024.

Qualifications

  • Proven experience in editorial roles, particularly within digital journalism.
  • Knowledge or interest in DPI, DPGs, or related technological areas.
  • Ability to mentor and provide constructive feedback to journalists.
  • Strong collaboration and communication skills.
  • Previous experience working on regional projects or with international organizations is an advantage.

Compensation
Editors will receive a service fee for their work, subject to a statutory withholding tax of 7.5%. The total fee will be determined based on experience and the project’s budget.

Application Process

Interested candidates should submit their CVs and a cover letter outlining their editorial experience and interest in DPI/DPGs reporting. Applications should be sent to info[@]mfwa.org before or by October 15, 2024.

For more information about the fellowship and the editor’s role, kindly contact Vivian Affoah, Programme Manager, Digital Rights via vivian[@]mwa.org.

IDUAI 2024: Citizens still frustrated accessing information

Kwaku Asante
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IDUAI 2024: Citizens still frustrated accessing information

Information disclosure remains a huge challenge in public institutions across West Africa. In most instances, citizens have been at the mercy of governments, public institutions and agencies who provide or disclose information as a favour rather than a right.

Today Saturday, September 28, 2024, as the world is marking the International Day of Universal Access to Information (IDUAI), the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) wishes to reiterate the invaluable role of access to information in creating informed societies and the conditions for accountable and participatory governance – reasons for which we urge all governments in West Africa to prioritise access to information.

The theme for this year’s IDUAI celebration “Mainstreaming Access to Information and Participation in the Public Sector” explores how mainstreaming access to information across government sectors will enhance the right to information. This is consistent with our longstanding efforts at promoting a culture of openness and accountability in public administration across West Africa.

Over the years the MFWA has carried out several initiatives to ensure that citizens have a proper and extensive understanding of access to information (ATI) laws and are able to utilise them to demand accountability and transparency in governance processes. Under its project on Access to Information, the Organization has consistently trained journalists, the public and government officials on the ATI. The MFWA has also provided funds for stories on ATI as a way of highlighting the relevance of the Law and challenges for remedy.

Despite these, the age-old challenge of lack of disclosure and secrecy among public institutions under the guise of exempted information still holds. For instance, The Fourth Estate, an investigative journalism project of the MFWA in Ghana, in 2021, published a total of 36 requests made to 33 institutions that were denied. In an earlier publication, only 4 out of 17 requests made to local government agencies were responded to.

While this may appear underwhelming, a similar trend is happening in Nigeria. For journalists in the country, the Freedom of Information (FOI) law has become the last resort if all avenues fail. They would rather use other means to secure information than use the FOI law at the risk of being frustrated and eventually denied. And while Sierra Leone is among the top five countries with a progressive FOI law, its application has not matched the distinction of the text.

ATI laws also require public institutions to proactively provide information. This information can be put on various platforms such as websites, social media, and notice boards among others. This will make information readily available and limit the pressure and frustration information seekers have to go through when making a request. Unfortunately, what is often observed is a dysfunctional website with dummy contents or broken links is become the norm among many public institutions in the sub-region. While this may be a ploy to withhold information, sometimes, it is due to capacity deficiency and substandard information management infrastructure. Indeed, a number of public institutions across West Africa have failed to transform their massive printed data into digital formats, making it laborious for them to locate and provide certain statistical data.

Another trend being adopted by public institutions to deny citizens access to information is the use of certain contradicting institutional regulations. For instance, when The Fourth Estate made a request to the Minerals Commission of Ghana to demand the list of companies who have a licence to mine, it quoted a law that demanded about Ghc6,000 (approximately $1000 then) to be paid before such information could be released. This is in spite of the fact that Ghana’s Right to Information Law supersedes the Acts and internal regulations governing public institutions, especially in respect of fees and charges. Additionally, the Government of Ghana has on several occasions denied them access to certain information under frivolous excuses. These circumstances tend to deter well-meaning citizens from enjoying their constitutional rights and benefits. They tend to be observers rather than active participants in the governance of a country.

The reluctance to open up governance to the citizens also affects the effective implementation of access to information laws. This is reflected in government’s lack of support for the ATI oversight institutions, just like the case of all anti-corruption institutions.

The already restricted information space has shrunk further with the advent of military governments in Niger, Burkina Faso, Mali and Guinea where, a state of emergency has undermined democratic and pro-accountability legislation, such as access to information.

As the world celebrates this year’s IDUAI, the MFWA joins the rest of the world to urge governments and leaders to prioritise citizens’ access to information by ensuring that public institutions make information accessible to citizens. To achieve this, governments must ensure that all departments and agencies in the public administration system are equipped with the requisite information management infrastructure and skills to be able to provide effective service to the public regarding demands for information.

Second Quarter 2024: Crackdown on civic space remains rampant in West Africa

Kwaku Asante
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Second Quarter 2024: Crackdown on civic space remains rampant in West Africa

The second quarter of 2024 (April-June) recorded numerous violations of freedom of expression (FOE) across West Africa, indicating a sustained assault on the civic space. Fifty-three incidents of FOE violations were recorded, with Nigeria experiencing the highest number of violations (11).

In the second quarter, Burkina Faso recorded the second highest number of violations (10), but the Sahel country distinguished itself by the severity of the violations.

Burkina Faso’s media regulator, Conseil supérieur de la communication (CSC), issued a series of suspensions targeting both local and international media outlets, including BBC Afrique, TV5 Monde, and Voice of America (VOA). These suspended outlets were often accused of spreading disinformation and disseminating offensive content against the Burkinabe army.

This trend in Burkina Faso echoes a broader regional pattern of increasing repression using the regulatory bodies. For instance, in Guinea, the Haute Autorité de la Communication (HAC) shut down five prominent private media outlets, citing non-compliance with content specifications.

In addition to the suspension of media outlets, at least three journalists disappeared within a space of nine days (from June 19-28, 2024).

Figure 1: Number of violations per country

In Niger, the authorities reintroduced prison terms of up to two years for defamation and the dissemination of data likely to disturb public order under the country’s cybercrime law, further stifling free expression.

Côte d’Ivoire’s Parliament approved an amendment to Article 185 (2) of the Criminal Code, Law n°2019-574 of June 26, 2019, which prohibits criticism of court rulings in a range of cases including money laundering. It also criminalises public solidarity and fundraising in support of persons convicted of particular financial crimes.

After banning the activities of political parties, the Malian government went a step further to prohibit media coverage of such activities. The junta claimed that it introduced these measures to maintain public order ahead of peace dialogues.

In terms of the distribution, 29 of the 53 violations were targeted at journalists and media workers, 13 were targeted at media organisations, three were targeted at activists, and eight were directed at citizens. Security agents and Individuals accounted for 24 and 10 violations respectively. Media regulatory bodies were behind nine violations (17%), while State/public officials accounted for seven violations. The courts and political party affiliates committed two violations and one violation respectively.

Figure 2: Percentage distribution of violations per type of perpetrators

Access the full report here.

Fourth NGIJ fellowship opens in Accra

Kwaku Asante
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Fourth NGIJ fellowship opens in Accra

The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) has officially welcomed ten early-career journalists from Ghana to the fourth edition of the Next Generation Investigative Journalism (NGIJ) Fellowship. The three-month training and mentorship programme started with an opening ceremony at MFWA’s head office in Accra on September 18, 2024.

During the event, the fellows were introduced to the management and staff of the MFWA. The fellows were also given a starter pack of learning materials they would need throughout the period of the fellowship.

Sulemana Braimah, Executive Director, MFWA

In his welcome address, Mr. Sulemana Braimah, Executive Director of the MFWA, emphasized the NGIJ Fellowship’s goal of empowering young journalists with professional skills to enable them to make significant impacts in their careers. Since its inception in 2021, the fellowship has trained journalists from across West Africa, many of whom have become influential in their fields. Mr. Braimah encouraged the fellows to draw inspiration from the successes of previous participants.

Rosemond Ebi Adwo-Aryeetey, Senior Manager of MFWA’s Media and Good Governance (MGG) programme, provided an overview of the Fellowship. She noted that this year’s edition, while continuing to build investigative journalism skills, is strategically focused on election-related reporting to prepare fellows for coverage of Ghana’s upcoming general elections in December 2024.

Senior Manager for Institutional Development, Rosemond Edi Adwo-Aryeetey making a point

Adizatu Moro Maiga, Senior Programmes Officer of the MGG, explained that the focus on election reporting aligns with NGIJ’s tradition of addressing timely, pressing issues. Past editions have centered on investigative journalism, Illicit Financial Flows, and climate change.

The 2024 Next Generation Investigative Journalism Fellowship admitted 10 budding journalists from Ghana namely Nakiba Moomin, Erich Odonkor, Esther Gyamaah Yeboah, Bernice Amanatey Korlekie, and Isaac Donkor. The remaining are Elizabeth Abena Egyin, Osman Abubakari-Sadiq, Vemmie Kamal, and Mensah Maxwell.

Since the NGIJ Fellowship’s launch, it has trained journalists from Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Ghana. The programme’s first edition was funded by DW Akademie, while subsequent editions received support from the US Embassy, the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, and OXFAM.

During the three-month period, fellows will be trained by Fact Check Ghana and The Fourth Estate, two MFWA journalism accountability projects. They will acquire skills in investigative journalism, fact-checking, conflict-sensitive reporting, and source cultivation among others. Additionally, the fellows will learn to leverage Ghana’s Right to Information (RTI) law, explore campaign funding mechanisms, and practice modern safety techniques for investigative journalists.

As part of their training, fellows will also undertake field visits and receive funding to develop and investigate compelling story ideas.

About NGIJ

The fourth cohort of the NGIJ Fellowships Programme

The Next Generation Investigative Journalism (NGIJ) programme is a training and mentorship programme that was innovated by the MFWA to empower young journalists with investigative journalism skills. The objective is to build a pool of next generation investigative journalists who will contribute to improving lives and promoting good governance through excellent journalism.

NGIJ builds the capacity of early-career journalists in the West Africa region to be able to conduct critical, high-quality, fact-based and in-depth reporting.

Every year, Fellows are recruited through a competitive process of selection including aptitude tests and interviews. The selected journalists are then put through months-long comprehensive training, and a mentorship programme with Fact-Check Ghana and The Fourth Estate, both being MFWA’s public interest and accountability journalism projects.

Three previous editions of the fellowship have equipped some forty (40) journalists across West Africa with modern investigative journalism skills, with some Fellows going to be impactful and productive journalists in their countries.

Prof. Naana Opoku Agyemang, Hajia Samira Bawumia, most abused female politicians online

Vivian Affoah
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Prof. Naana Opoku Agyemang, Hajia Samira Bawumia, most abused female politicians online

Findings from the monitoring of online gender-based violence on selected online platforms by the Media Foundation for West Africa show pervasiveness of the phenomenon in Ghana, particularly against female politicians.

The findings, which cover monitoring in the month of August 2024, show that the Vice-Presidential Candidate of the major opposition party in Ghana, the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Prof. Jane Naana Opoku Agyemang, and the wife of the Presidential Candidate of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), Hajia Samira Bawumia, were the most abused female politicians within the one-month period.

Other female politicians the findings cite as having been abused are Joyce Bawah Mogtari, Esq., aid to the NDC Presidential Candidate, Akosua Manu, NPP parliamentary candidate for the Adentan Constitutency, and Shamima Muslim of the NDC.

A total of 103 incidents of OGBV were recorded out of 336 reports. That is, out of every three reports, at least, one contained an OGBV. Of the five online platforms (Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, TikTok and Ghanaweb) monitored, Facebook, X and Ghanaweb recorded the 103 incidents of OGBV.

Worryingly, insulting and offensive comments constituted 68 percent (70) of the 103 OGBV cited. Also, 17 incidents of hate speech and three explicit physical threats were recorded.

Additional details of the findings of the OGBV report for the month of August 2024 can be found in this full report.

The monitoring of online gender-based violence (OGBV) forms part of activities of the MFWA’s project on Improving the safety and use of social media for female politicians in Ghana, which is being implemented with funding support from the Dutch Foreign Ministry through the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Ghana. The project is aimed at addressing women’s safety issues on social media, and building the capacity of female politicians to better use the internet in advancing their political ambitions, especially towards Ghana’s 2024 general elections, and beyond.

In addition to the monitoring and reporting of OGBV, a mapping report on OGBV against female politicians in Ghana has been produced to highlight the nature, prevalence and experiences of female politicians. The project is also supporting partner media organisations to discuss OGBV issues, including the OGBV monitoring reports, as a complementary effort in creating awareness, advocating against the practice and facilitating policy debates with evidence to inform policy and advocacy interventions.

Investigative story grant and training program for indigenous and tribal journalists

Kwaku Asante
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Investigative story grant and training program for indigenous and tribal journalists

EJN is offering reporting grants to Indigenous and tribal journalists globally to support the production of investigative, innovative and/or enterprise reporting on environmental and climate issues.

Please read the following sections carefully, as they contain important information on eligibility and the application process.

Overview

Indigenous-led investigations have reached new heights in recent years; collaborations across continents have produced powerful accountability reporting, while the growth of data sets by Indigenous and tribal journalists has deepened environmental coverage.

Impactful investigations include a global survey of anti-Indigenous movements from Canada to Guam, an in-depth look  at neglectful sewage dumping and impacts on fish farmers in Egypt, and an investigation into the public universities profiting from Indigenous ancestral land used for natural resource extraction and other industries.

At the same time, Indigenous data sovereignty—or the rights of Indigenous peoples to own their data and information, from traditional ecological knowledge to health records—means Indigenous communities and tribes are pioneering ways to gather and share data, with Indigenous journalists uniquely positioned to interpret and report this information.

However, more must be done to support Indigenous investigative journalists and media outlets, as they often operate independently, face limited resources and safety threats—or are even denied access to media permits or licensing required to do their work.

To increase Indigenous representation—and by extension, knowledge equity—in environmental reporting, EJN is launching a training program for up to 6 Indigenous journalists looking to investigate and produce stories about these varied issues.

As part of the program, supported by the Wikimedia Foundation, we’ll pair each selected journalist with an Indigenous journalist mentor, facilitate networking opportunities between experts and the selected journalists and offer a story grant of $2,500 to $3,000 each. Selected journalists will also participate in a virtual training program led by veteran media trainers to build their skills in investigative reporting techniques.

Story themes

We welcome story ideas from journalists who identify as Indigenous and/or belonging to a tribe (see the Eligibility section for more information on this) that present investigative, innovative or enterprise angles to underreported climate and environmental issues.

We are particularly interested in stories that:

  • Expose governments, corporations and other powerful actors who fail to meet commitments to include Indigenous Peoples or intentionally sideline them as leaders in decision-making around climate and environmental issues;
  • Investigate land rights and environmental sovereignty, including historical precedent, legal frameworks and data sovereignty;
  • Explore solutions proposed or implemented to curb climate or environmental challenges that may not be serving vulnerable communities or were conducted without their consent;
  • Utilize Freedom of Information requests or public data to investigate little-known or covered-up climate and environmental justice issues;
  • Develop land or environmental mapping projects or data sets that culminate in an investigative piece.

Proposals that focus on topics or stories that have not been widely covered are preferred. Issues that have already received a lot of media coverage or don’t provide unique angles to environmental challenges are less likely to be selected.

Eligibility

Applicants must self-identify as Indigenous or belonging to a tribe and will be asked to provide details on their Indigenous or tribal affiliations in the application. EJN is utilizing the ILO Convention No. 169 as a baseline for eligibility and will seek to establish a diverse cohort from a wide range of Indigenous and tribal communities and nations.

Applicants can be from anywhere in the world.

Journalists who have previously received Indigenous Story Grants from EJN in 2021 and 2022 are eligible for this opportunity, but preference will be given to those who have not yet received support.

Journalists who are neither Indigenous nor have tribal affiliation are not eligible for this opportunity; however, we will accept applications from pairings or teams of Indigenous and non-Indigenous journalists. In these cases, the Indigenous journalist must be the lead applicant for the application to be considered. Lead applicants are responsible for communicating with EJN and receiving funds on the group’s behalf, if awarded. Please note non-Indigenous journalists are welcome as collaborators in the story grant but will not be eligible to participate in the other networking or training opportunities that are part of this program.

For the purposes of this grant opportunity, we will only be accepting applications in English. Unfortunately, we do not have the capacity to consider applications in other languages at this time. Applicants must have a sufficient understanding of English to participate in the training program, which will be held in English.

Applications are open to journalists working in any medium (online, print, television, radio) and other expert media practitioners with investigative reporting experience and a history of covering environmental issues. We encourage applications from freelance reporters and staff from all types of media organizations—international, national, local and community-based.

Applicants are required to be transparent about the use of generative AI tools, if any, to revise their proposals. EJN reserves the right to disqualify applicants from consideration if they have been found to have engaged in unethical or improper professional conduct, including, but not limited to, submitting AI-generated content as their own.

Please note: For this call, EJN invites applicants to pitch their story ideas in the form of a short video or a written proposal. You may select your preference in the application form.

Story logistics

We expect to award up to 5-6 grants with budgets between $2,500-$3,000 each.

We plan to issue grants in November with the expectation that all stories will be published by July 2025 at the latest. Applicants should consider this timeline when drafting their workplan.

Safety: Journalists reporting on these issues, particularly in territories facing conflict or government crackdowns, may face threats to their physical and digital safety. Applicants should also seek to travel in groups, avoid conflict areas whenever possible and practice digital safety best practices at all times. This guide from Reporters Without Borders and these resources from the Thomson Reuters Foundation are useful aids for journalists developing security plans for reporting.

When developing a pitch for this program, applicants should carefully consider the tools they’ll need to ensure their own safety and security and that of their intended sources. Please include the necessary resources in the budget. Please note safety and security training will be included in the virtual training program.

We also encourage reporters to follow best practices for Covid-19 and other infectious diseases when out in the field so you do not endanger yourself or the people you’re interviewing. If needed, you should include any public health-related costs, such as tests or personal protective equipment, in your budget.

Language of publication: Stories can be produced in any language. However, applicants who intend to write or produce stories in their local language need to also include an English translation. Please include the cost for translation in the budget, if necessary.

Story budget: All applicants are required to provide a detailed budget with justification for the amount requested using the template provided. We ask that the budgets be reasonable and account for costs necessary for reporting, such as travel and accommodation. Please also note on your budget form if you are receiving funding from any other donors for the story.

Generally speaking, applications with smaller budgets will be more competitive, but we will consider larger grant amounts up to $3,000 for stories using innovative, collaborative or investigative approaches that may be more resource-intensive and time-consuming.

We expect that proposals will largely reflect what equipment the applicant already has access to (including cameras, drones, lighting, tripods, etc.) and will not consider budgets that heavily focus on procuring new equipment.

We will consider a stipend for the reporters’ salary, particularly if the applicant is a freelancer. Please estimate the time you’ll need to complete this story and propose compensation you believe reflects a fair market rate. We ask, however, that this comprises no more than 30% of the total budget.

Acknowledgement of EJN support:  Published stories and/or broadcasts must disclose EJN support by including this tagline: “This story was produced with support from Internews’ Earth Journalism Network.

Republication rights: Internews’ EJN, its partners and Wikimedia Foundation will be granted rights to edit, publish, broadcast and distribute grantees’ stories freely. In recognizing the importance of knowledge equity and free access to information, EJN and the Wikimedia Foundation encourage selected grantees to license their investigative project through Creative Commons. We recognize that grantees’ media outlets may utilize paywalls or similar subscriber-driven revenue models; if the publishing outlet permits, we would ask that an exception be made for the outputs of this grant to remain freely accessible. Outlets are free to choose any of the six Creative Commons licenses; please let us know at the time of applying whether this raises concerns related to data sovereignty or would be in violation of the publication’s editorial policies.

Judging criteria

Applicants should consider the following points when devising their story proposals.

  • Relevance: Does the proposal meet the criteria and objectives of the call? Why does this story matter and to whom? Is the main idea, context and overall value to the target audience clearly defined?
  • Angle: If the story has been covered, does your proposal bring new insights to the topic or offer a fresh angle?
  • Reach: Does the proposed media outlet have a wide reach? Journalists publishing their work at outlets that typically restrict content behind paywalls are encouraged to secure commitments to publish from additional outlets or request an exception to ensure their EJN-supported story remains accessible to audiences.
  • Impact: Does the proposal have a compelling narrative or investigative element that will inform and engage, draw attention, trigger debate and spur action?
  • Innovative storytelling: The use of creative approaches, multimedia and data visualization will be considered a plus.
  • Plan for timely publication: Reporters, whether freelance or employed at a media outlet, will need to include a letter of support from an editor in their application, committing to publish the stories by July 31, 2025. Extensions can be granted on a case-by-case basis.

Application process

  • Click the ‘Apply now’ button at the top of the page.
  • If you have an existing account, you’ll need to log in. Since we recently updated our website, you might have to reset your password by clicking the “Forgot password?” link in the log in page. If you don’t have an account, you must register by clicking “Log in” on the top right of the page and click the “Sign up” link at the bottom of the page that opens. Click here for detailed instructions on how to create an account, and here for detailed instructions on how to reset your password.
  • If you start the application and want to come back and complete it later, you can click ‘Save Draft.’ To return to the draft, you’ll need to go back to the opportunity and click ‘Apply now’ again to finalise the application.
  • Applications should provide a detailed budget in an Excel spreadsheet with justification for the amount requested. Download the budget template now by clicking on this link.
  • All applicants will be asked to provide a signed letter of support from their editor, explicitly stating that the media outlet will publish the stories produced as a result of this grant.
  • Applicants will also need to submit two samples of stories or links to relevant work.

Note: You’ll be asked to upload these supporting documents once you start the application process, so please have them handy.

If you encounter difficulties with submitting your application or have questions about the grants, please email [email protected]. Do not contact any other Internews email regarding this opportunity, as we will not receive it.

Applications submitted after the deadline will not be considered.

Banner image: A news crew in Mexico / Credit: Thayne Tuason via Wikimedia Commons. 

This story is originally published on the website of Earth Journalism Network

Indecent Expression on radio in August: Pro-NPP, pro-NDC radio station show hosts top list of offenders

Kwaku Asante
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Indecent Expression on radio in August: Pro-NPP, pro-NDC radio station show hosts top list of offenders

The August edition of the Media Foundation for West Africa’s monitoring of indecent campaign language on radio in Ghana reports that hosts of political analysis and current affairs show on stations aligned to two main political parties in Ghana—the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the main opposition, National Democratic Party (NDC)—are worst perpetrators of abusive language. With less than 100 days to the 2024 general elections, the report highlights a disturbing rise in inflammatory rhetoric on radio, the most accessible source of information in the country.

Topping the list of worst offenders is Mugabe Maase, host of Inside Politics on Power FM, who recorded 19 (29%) instances of indecent expressions out of a total of 65 documented in the report. Following Maase were Yaw Amofa Boakye, host of National Agenda on Oman FM, with nine infractions, and Nana Bobie Ansah, host of The Citizen Show on Accra FM, who was responsible for seven indecent expressions. Power FM, Oman FM, and Accra FM were flagged as the most problematic stations, with much of the inappropriate language linked to discussions surrounding elections, corruption, and development projects.

The report emphasizes that hosts, who are entrusted with guiding public discussions, are the main culprits of indecent speech. Instead of setting a professional tone, some are contributing to the spread of harmful rhetoric.  This raises critical concerns about the role of moderators and show hosts in shaping responsible and respectful discourse during such a crucial time leading up to the December 2024 general elections. The situation also calls into question the effectiveness of media oversight and the need for stricter regulation of on-air behaviour.

In the previous month, Nana Bobie Ansah of Accra FM, topped the chat with Oheneba Boamah Benie and Mugabe Maase, both hosts on Power FM following. Also, in June, Mugabe Maase and Nana Bobie Ansah recorded the highest number of violations. This underscores the consistency of these show hosts in flagrantly abusing media professional ethical standards at the crucial time of elections.

The MFWA recommends that regulatory bodies enhance their mechanisms to foster media professionalism. Managers and owners of radio stations are encouraged to establish clear guidelines for show hosts and ensure decorum during discussions. Radio stations should uphold standards of professionalism and maintain respectful discourse. Political leaders are urged to focus on advocating for discussions centred around issues.

The full report is available here.

For media inquiries, contact:

Daniel Kwame Ampofo Adjei

daniel[@]mfwa.org

0243767263

State Broadcasters from ECOWAS States commit to mis/disinformation fight

Kwaku Asante
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State Broadcasters from ECOWAS States commit to mis/disinformation fight

Heads of the State-owned broadcast media from member states in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have pledged commitment to countering mis/disinformation in the West Africa sub-region.

This commitment was contained in a communique issued at the end of a two-day strategic meeting jointly organised by the ECWOAS and the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) that brought together leaders and representatives of several state-owned broadcast media in West Africa. The strategic meeting held on September 5 and 6 at the ECOWAS Commission in Abuja, Nigeria deliberated on the critical role state broadcasters play in enhancing public education and awareness about the ECOWAS and its activities and regional integration.

The two-day strategic meeting organised for the heads of State-owned broadcast media followed an earlier strategic planning meeting held on September 3 and 4 between the leadership of the ECOWAS Commission and the management and national partners of the MFWA and other Civil Society representatives across the sub-region to deliberate on strengthening democratic values and media freedom in the region. The two events mark a key milestone in the implementation of the historic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the MFWA and the ECOWAS Commission which underscores the critical role of media in achieving ECOWAS’ vision of “peace and prosperity for all” by 2050.

The Communique issued at the end of the strategic meeting of heads of state broadcaster also detailed their commitment to contributing to good governance, regional peace and security in the West Africa sub-region.

Kindly click here to read more about the Communique.

MFWA, ECOWAS hold strategic meeting to strengthen media and democracy in West Africa

Kwaku Asante
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MFWA, ECOWAS hold strategic meeting to strengthen media and democracy in West Africa

Abuja, Nigeria – September 4, 2024

The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have taken another significant step towards strengthening democratic values and media freedom in the region.

This follows a two-day strategic planning session held on September 3-4, 2024, at the ECOWAS Commission in Abuja, Nigeria. The event marks a key milestone in the implementation of the historic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the two organizations in December 2023, which underscores the critical role of media in achieving ECOWAS’ vision of “peace and prosperity for all” by 2050.

The strategic planning session, officially opened by Abdou Kolley, Director of the Cabinet of the ECOWAS Commission President, brought together representatives from ECOWAS, the management of the MFWA, National Partners of the MFWA and other Civil Society representatives, communication experts, the media, and policymakers across the sub-region. The session focused on key thematic areas outlined in the MoU, including enhancing media capacity to uphold democratic norms, countering violent extremism and mis/disinformation, and promoting media freedom and access to information across West Africa. These discussions are particularly timely, as the region continues to face challenges such as polarization, radicalization, and the rise of anti-democratic narratives.

Sulemana Braimah, Executive Director of the MFWA, emphasised the need to collaborate to address key challenging issues in the West Africa sub-region |Photo: ECOWAS 

In his opening remarks, MFWA’s Executive Director, Mr. Sulemana Braimah, highlighted the importance of the partnership, noting that it provides an opportunity to synergize efforts in addressing these pressing issues.

“This collaboration allows us to leverage each other’s strengths and resources to effectively confront the critical challenges facing our region,” Mr. Braimah said.

The session also saw contributions from key ECOWAS officials, including the Acting Director of Communications, Joel Ahofodji, who emphasized the strategic role of media in shaping public opinion and promoting peace and stability in West Africa.

Participants engaged in group discussions and presentations on various themes such as increasing citizens’ awareness of ECOWAS and its activities, improving media freedom and digital rights, and the media’s role in realising the ECOWAS Vision 2050.

The outcomes of these discussions will be consolidated into a work plan that will guide future collaborative efforts between ECOWAS and MFWA.

Call for Applications: Environmental Journalism Fellowship

Kwaku Asante
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Call for Applications: Environmental Journalism Fellowship

The Media Foundation for West Africa is rolling out the maiden edition of its Environmental Journalism Fellowship. The Fellowship is an initiative to promote public interest in environmental reporting, particularly, issues related to environmental sustainability and governance, challenges of environmental and human rights violations related to the extractive sector, and the impact of reserve-based lending by Government transactions on revenue collections, through mentorship and training of young and promising journalism graduates.

Fellows will receive intensive theoretical and practical training through mentorship from experts on the areas of focus, distinguished journalists from Fact-Check Ghana and http://www.thefourthestategh.com to be able to conduct investigations and report on issues that aim at holding duty-bearers accountable, safeguarding the environment, and amplifying human rights concerns of marginalised communities towards improving lives and promoting good governance.

Criteria:

An Applicant should be a young journalist or freshly graduated journalist or related field between the ages of 21 to 35 years who has just completed national service or is an entry or middle-level journalist in a Ghanaian newsroom, whose schedules are flexible to allow for full participation in the fellowship in Accra, Ghana. Journalists based in Regions other than Accra are encouraged to apply.

Applicants must be available to fully participate in the three-month fellowship; attend all in-person and virtual training sessions and carry out all assignments throughout the duration of the Fellowship.

Fellows will also be supported to produce compelling investigative and/or fact-checking reports and expected to deliver at least one significant report each by end of the programme. Fellows will receive a Certificate of Honour upon successful completion of the programme.

Sponsorship and Duration of Programme:

Sponsored by OXFAM in Ghana and NORAD, the maiden edition of the Environmental Journalism Fellowship will run from September to November 2024. The Fellowship is residential.

To apply, submit:

  1. a motivation letter stating why you want to be part of this fellowship
  2. a sample of a published news story, preferably on environmental, or climate change-related issues
  3. a CV with 2 referees
  4. a national identification card

to [email protected] no later than September 15, 2024. This call is open to journalists based in Ghana.

For further information, kindly contact Paul Gozo at paul[@]mfwa.org.

MFWA, Partners call on Nigerian gov’t to release Journalist Pelumi’s remains, investigate his death

Kwaku Asante
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MFWA, Partners call on Nigerian gov’t to release Journalist Pelumi’s remains, investigate his death

September 3, 2024

Nearly four years after the killing of journalist Onifade Emmanuel Pelumi, we, the undersigned organizations committed to promoting and defending press freedom, call on Nigerian authorities to ensure Pelumi’s body is released to his family and that those responsible for his death are identified and held to account.

Pelumi was a student of the Department of History at Tai Solarin University of Education, Ogun State, and an intern at Gboah TV, an online television channel based in Lagos. On October 24, 2020, Pelumi was hit by a bullet while covering the #EndSARS protests for Gboah TV. The injured journalist was reported to have been seen in the custody of the police who were part of the Lagos State Task Force. The police later took him away in their vehicle, alongside several people arrested for allegedly infiltrating the protests to loot a COVID-19 relief facility. About a week later, on October 30, 2020, the body of Pelumi was found in a mortuary in Ikorodu, Lagos. 

Authorities have yet to provide an official account of what happened to Pelumi and the need for greater transparency was underscored by a recent Lagos court order in a case brought by Nigerian press freedom group Media Rights Agenda, which directed the government to ensure the journalist’s death was investigated.

In February 2024, we, the undersigned organizations, sent letters by email and post requesting action on Pelumi’s case. The letters were sent to the offices of:

  • Fayoade Adegoke, Lagos State Commissioner of Police;
  • Lawal Pedro, Lagos State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice;
  • Gbenga Omotoso, Lagos State Commissioner of Information and Strategy; and,
  • Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, Lagos State Governor.

The only response we received was on March 20, 2024, from the Lagos State government, indicating that an “internal investigation” was underway and the findings would be communicated in “due course.”

This answer, after nearly four years of waiting for investigations into Pelumi’s death to conclude, is insufficient and only extends his family’s trauma. After years of waiting, it echoes a statement from November 11, 2020, by the spokesperson for the Lagos state police command, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, who said that Pelumi’s death had been reported to a new judicial panel of inquiry investigating allegations of police brutality, but declined to comment further. Pelumi’s family has not received any direct update on these investigations, nor have they been given any indication of when Pelumi’s body will be returned to them for burial.

The continued refusal to release Pelumi’s body violates the family’s customary right to custody of the remains of their deceased kin so that they can provide a proper burial. The lack of disclosure on the exact circumstances of the journalist’s death also contravenes the UN Principles on the Effective Prevention and Investigation of Extra-legal, Arbitrary, and Summary Executions, which state, “There shall be thorough, prompt and impartial investigation of all suspected cases of extra-legal, arbitrary and summary executions…”

Our calls for justice similarly align with the Nigerian government’s obligations under various other laws and international instruments, including: 

  • Section 33 of Nigeria’s Constitution, which affirms the right to life; 
  • Article 2(3) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which affirms effective remedy when rights are violated;
  • Article 66(2)(c) of the Revised ECOWAS Treaty, which ensures respect for the rights of journalists;
  • The UN Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity, under which governments have a responsibility to adopt effective measures to protect and guarantee the safety of journalists; and,
  • Principle 20 (1, 2, and 4) of the Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information in Africa, which places an obligation on governments to protect journalists, guarantee their safety, and ensure effective investigation and accountability when journalists are attacked.

Without accountability, Pelumi’s case will add to several other unresolved killings of journalists in Nigeria, perpetuating a culture of impunity and promoting self-censorship. In this context, we request that your office act to ensure:

  • Onifade Emmanuel Pelumi’s remains are released to his family;
  • An effective and impartial investigation into the killing of the journalist and that those responsible are held to account; and,
  • Rights-respecting policing in Lagos.

Signed:

Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ)

International Press Institute (IPI)

Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA)

Call for Applications: MFWA DPI Journalism Fellowship – Phase II

Kwaku Asante
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Call for Applications: MFWA DPI Journalism Fellowship – Phase II

The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), with funding support and in partnership with Co-Develop, is launching Phase II of the Digital Public Infrastructure Journalism Fellowship Programme. This initiative aims to elevate public awareness, stimulate debates, foster inclusivity, and encourage participation and uptake of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) and Digital Public Goods (DPG) issues across West Africa.

The fellowship seeks to host a cohort of 60 experienced journalists from Benin, Ghana, Nigeria, and Togo. These journalists will acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to produce high-quality, impactful reports on DPI/DPGs. Ultimately, the work of these journalists will contribute to increased public access to information, greater public awareness, and more robust engagement in DPI/DPGs policy development and implementation throughout the West African region.

Programme Details:

Selected journalists will participate in a three-month fellowship from November 2024 to January 2025. The fellowship will involve training workshops, mentorship, and story production. Upon completion, fellows will continue to engage in network activities and further reporting on DPI/DPGs for three months.

The fellowship includes both virtual and in-person, country-specific capacity-building sessions for the selected fellows. Quarterly virtual follow-up refreshers will also be held for both the first and second cohorts, facilitating knowledge-sharing and collaboration on DPI/DPGs issues.

By the end of the Fellowship, each fellow is expected to have produced at least five significant stories on DPI/DPGs. Fellows will be required to publish their stories in their respective news media organisations. Fellows will also receive a certificate of participation.

Benefits:

  • Training and mentorship opportunities
  • Reporting grants for Fellows (up to US$300 per story)
  • Monthly stipend of $250 per Fellow for the first three months of the Fellowship
  • Partner newsrooms will be supported with $1000 under a DPI/DPGs Newsroom Partnership Programme
  • Travel Grants to support best DPI/DPG Reporters to participate in international trainings or convenings that will further enhance their knowledge and capacity on DPI/DPG issues

Required attributes:

  • Ability to work cooperatively in diverse groups and to respect the opinions of others
  • Strong social and communication skills
  • An energetic, positive attitude to work; and
  • Proven record of diligent journalistic reporting backed by research

Basic knowledge, interest, or professional experience in ICTs and digitalisation issues

Application Process:

Interested candidates must complete the fellowship application form for their respective countries:

Applications should include a 350-word statement of interest, a CV with two referees, a statement of support from the applicant’s media organization, and a copy of a national ID. The deadline for applications is September 30, 2024.

Please note: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted via email.

For further clarification, kindly contact the MFWA at [email protected] or Dora B. Mawutor at dora[@]mfwa.org and Vivian Affoah at vivian[@]mfwa.org.

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