MFWA Next Generation Investigative Journalism Fellowship 2023

Are you a young journalist or a fresh journalism graduate based in Ghana who seeks to specialise in critical, fact-based, in-depth, and investigative reporting?

Then here is an exceptional opportunity for you.

The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) invites applications for the 3RD edition of its Next Generation Investigative Journalism (NGIJ) fellowship programme. The Fellowship is an  initiative to promote public interest, accountability journalism in West Africa through mentorship and training of young promising journalism graduates as well as bolster quality journalism that advances transparency and accountability in governance, and the promotion of human rights.

About Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA)

The MFWA is a regional independent non-governmental organisation with a network of national partner organisations in all 16 countries in West Africa. It is the biggest and most influential media development and freedom of expression organisation in the region with UN ECOSOC (Economic and Social Council) Consultative Status and Observer Status with the African Commission of Human and Peoples Rights (ACHPR). The MFWA also has Equivalency Determination Certification with NGOSource that certifies the organisation as being the equivalent of a public charity in the United States.... read more

Next Generation Investigative Journalism Fellowship

Aim and Benefits of Next Generation Investigative Journalism Fellowship

Under the programme, selected fellows will be hosted in Ghana for a three-month comprehensive mentorship with Fact-Check Ghana and The Fourth Estate, both being MFWA’s public interest and accountability journalism projects made up of seasoned journalists. Fellows will receive intensive practical training to be able to conduct critical, high-quality, fact-based in-depth and enterprise reporting towards improving lives and promoting good governance through journalism excellence.

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.

Requirements for Next Generation Investigative Journalism Fellowship Qualification

An Applicant should be a young journalist or freshly graduated journalist between the ages of 21 to 30 years who has just completed national service or is an entry level journalist in a Ghanaian newsroom, whose schedules are flexible enough to allow for full participation in the fellowship in Accra, Ghana. Journalists based in other 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.

Interview date, Process and Venue for Next Generation Investigative Journalism Fellowship

This year’s fellowship will be 3-months. It will cover the period September to November 2023. Aside from trainings on fact-checking and investigative reporting, there will also be specific trainings focused on issues of progressive taxation, domestic resource mobilisation and illicit financial flows.

Application Deadline

How to Apply

Interested journalists should submit a letter of motivation stating why they want to participate in the fellowship, a CV including two referees, and a copy of any national identification not later than July 25, 2023. The documents should be sent to the email: [email protected].

Note: This call is open to Journalists based in Ghana. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

For further clarification, kindly contact Deborah Bempah on +233557341728.

For more details, visit MFWA website.