APPLY NOW | A Masterclass for Nigerian Journalists on Climate Solutions Reporting

The one-day masterclass, which will empower participants with the understanding of climate change and the various dimensions of the climate crisis and build their capacity on the principles of Climate Solutions Journalism (SoJo) and how to pitch climate SoJo stories, is targeted at young (18-35) Nigerian journalists from print and online newspapers, radio, TV, as well as bloggers, vloggers, and podcasters.

Preamble

Under the aegis of the African Newspage Journalism Masterclass Series, the One-Day Masterclass for Nigerian Journalists on Climate Solutions Reporting will offer hands-on capacity building for select Nigerian journalists from print and online newspapers, radio, TV, as well as bloggers, vloggers, and podcasters on climate change and the various aspects of the climate crisis—from a general understanding of climate change to various dimensions of the crises, namely climate injustice, climate mitigation and adaptation, climate migration and conflicts, climate and food security, etc.

The SoJo masterclass will also expose journalists to the principles of Solution Journalism (SoJo) and how to explore the reporting of innovative and community-driven solutions to the various fallouts of climate change—from climate injustice to climate migration and climate-induced droughts—so as to ensure their replication and subsequently build resilience and preparedness against climate emergencies. SoJo stories explore how a response was carried out and the intricate workings of the response, i.e., what was done and how it was done, so that anyone who reads it can replicate what was done.

Masterclass Objectives:

The specific objectives of the climate solutions reporting masterclass are:

• Empower participants with understanding of climate change and the various dimensions of the climate crisis, namely climate injustice, climate mitigation and adaptation, climate migration and conflicts, climate and food security, etc.
• Build the capacity of the participants from print and online newspapers, TV, and radio, as well as bloggers, vloggers and podcasters, on the principles of SoJo.
• Empower participants with the capacity to identify and pitch climate SoJo story ideas to editors and media funders.
• Empower the participants with skills and knowledge to use investigative and data-driven techniques to identify policies and practices that mitigate and prepare for climate emergencies.
• Empower the journalists to raise awareness about innovative solutions to the climate crisis to empower communities to become active players in preparing against the next climate emergencies.  

Eligibility Criteria

The masterclass is targeted at young (18-35) Nigerian journalists from print and online newspapers, radio, and TV, as well as bloggers, vloggers, and podcasters who fulfill the following criteria:

• At least two years’ experience as a journalist, blogger, vlogger, or podcaster in Nigeria and Africa.
• Basic familiarity and/or proven interest in Solutions Journalism (SoJo).
• Experience/and or proven interest in climate journalism.
• At least two well-researched and published feature stories, blogs, vlogs and podcasts.
• Availability to actively participate in the one-day SoJo masterclass during the first week of October in Kano, Nigeria.
• Willing to be a part of a network of climate solutions storytellers in Africa.

Masterclass Benefits

Participants in the SoJo masterclass will gain the following:

• A sufficient understanding of climate change as a phenomenon and the various dimensions of the climate crisis, namely climate injustice, climate mitigation and adaptation, climate migration and conflicts, climate and food security, etc.

• A clear understanding of the principles of Solutions Journalism and its Four (4) pillars.

• Ability to identify and pitch climate SoJo story ideas to commissioning editors and media funders.

• Ability to use investigative and data-driven techniques to identify workable policies and practices around climate mitigation, adaptation, and resilience building.

• Ability to raise awareness about innovative solutions to the climate crisis so as to empower communities to become active players in preparing against climate emergencies. 

• Opportunity to pitch your climate SoJo story ideas and get commissioned to produce the stories by African Newspage/Nigeria Health Watch. Successful candidates are advised to come prepared with Climate Solutions Journalism story ideas for potential development and support.

Location: Kano, Nigeria. The masterclass is non-residential. Non-Kano applicants should be willing to cover their transport and accommodation if selected.

Please see here the application link: https://bit.ly/3BeIzas.

Application Deadline: Submit your application on or before 11:59PM WAT on September 27, 2024. For inquiries, email us via african.newspage@gmail.com