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SECOND ROUND OF INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING GRANTS FOR JOURNALISTS COVERING THE OIL, GAS, AND MINERAL SECTORS IN GHANA

  • SOURCE: | qwesa2big
  • rwi new logoAIM:These grants aim to ensure that high quality investigative stories about the extractive sectors of oil, gas, and minerals are reported consistently by the Ghanaian media and that they generate constructive public debate and action by people in position to cause change. The grants will fund individual journalists, selected through a competitive process, to pursue promising ideas and produce compelling stories using applicable journalistic tools, techniques, and resources.

    AWARD CRITERIA:An independent vetting panel of seasoned journalists will evaluate story proposals that hold promise in terms of:

    Originality and enterprise

    Relevance and significance

    Investigative potential

    Analysis and depth

    Potential to promote accountability in governance of the extractive industry

    GRANT AMOUNT: Interested journalists may apply for up to GHS 3,000 (three thousand Ghana Cedis) for one story proposal at a time. However, the vetting panel reserves the right to recommend a lower amount than requested if it considers the applicant’s budget unjustified.

    KEY DATES: Applications for this second round of grants are open until August 31. Grants for the successful applicants will be awarded by September 15 and the stories will be due by November 15.

    APPLICATION PROCEDURE:To apply, write to africatemprwi@resourcegovernance.org and kofi@penplusbytes.org with the following:

    1. A concise proposal of not more than 600 words that provides the following: (a) a catchphrase or working title that summarizes the story; (b) the specific issue you intend to investigate or what the story is about; (c) the significance of the story; (d) what your preliminary research or information about the issue reveals; and (e) the investigative or reporting methods you intend to use.

    2. An estimated budget that itemizes your anticipated expenses under the following categories or budget lines as applicable: (a) accommodation, (b) meals and incidentals, (c) transportation, (d) communication – e.g. phone, internet etc., (e) materials – e.g. stationery, printing, photocopying etc., (f) research – e.g. information gathering, field work etc., (g) others – specify.

    3. A brief work plan outlining the steps and timeline you will follow from start to submission of the completed story to your editor or editorial supervisor.

    POINTS TO NOTE:

    It is your responsibility to seek your editor or editorial supervisor’s approval of your story proposal prior to submitting the application.

    If you received a grant in the first round, you may not apply for this grant if you have not completed the story for which the previous grant is outstanding.

    Your story will be considered completed only when it is submitted and acknowledged by your media organization. As proof of submission, you will ask the editor or editorial supervisor who received your story to confirm with an email to the address below.

    The story is your independent professional work and you are accountable for it to your media organization which approved the proposal. The role of NRGI and its partners is to support your good story ideas with funding that complements the resources of your media organization; it is also to provide you with access to mentors who will be available if you wish and choose to seek their independent professional advice and guidance. Do not therefore send a copy of your story to NRGI until it is published or broadcast.

    Mentors will be available to advise and guide you through the execution of your assignment. The mentors will only provide advice if and when it is solicited. Further information about the mentorship arrangements will be communicated if a grant is awarded.

    You are expected to observe the professional ethics, principles, and standards of journalism practice, including applicable rules, regulations, and laws.

    BACKGROUND:

    The goal of NRGI’s capacity development program for Strengthening Media Oversight of the Extractive Sectors in Ghana and other countries is effective and consistent oversight by the media of extractive resources and revenues, contributing to their improved use for the public good. Journalists can fulfill their oversight role only through informed analysis and reporting, high quality and thoughtful comment, and investigative efforts. In turn, this requires solid reporting skills, understanding technical issues, and access to information and experts. Since 2010, NRGI has run the program in partnership with Penplusbytes

    STAR-Ghana is supporting this capacity development program. Within the context of increasing accountability and responsiveness of government, traditional authorities, and private enterprises to Ghanaian citizens, STAR-Ghana aims to increase the influence of civil society organizations, parliament, and the media in the governance of public goods and service delivery.

    FOR FURTHER INQUIRIES

    Email claudia@penplusbytes.org

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