Kwame Karikari Fact-Checking and Research Fellowship: Applications are invited from qualified journalists and researchers for the Kwame Karikari Fact-Checking and Research Fellowship 2021 designed to promote accountability of public institutions in the West African sub-region.
The twin-track programme offers a six-months fellowship for journalists (fact-checkers) to incorporate fact-checking into their work; and another six-month fellowship for scholars (researchers) to conduct original research for publication in contribution to building knowledge around information disorder.
Fellowship Sponsor(s): National Endowment for Democracy and the Heinrich Boll Stiftung Foundation
Host Institution(s): Premium Times Centre for Investigative Journalism/ Information Disorder Analysis Centre
Number of Awards: Several
Study Level: All levels
Duration: Six months
Nationality: Africans
Recommended: Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program 2022-2023 (Fully Funded to the United States)
Kwame Karikari Fact-Checking and Research Fellowship | DETAILS
The fellowship was inspired by the need to tackle and curb the spread of mis- and dis-information to rural and urban societies, to institutionalize a culture of fact-checking across the globe, and to build knowledge around the menace of information disorder in Africa. Th fellowships are supported by the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) and the Heinrich Boll Stiftung Foundation (HBS) and they both offer a monthly stipend to cover all costs of the investigation and research project for fellows.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the Kwame Karikari Fact-Checking and Research Fellowship, applicants must meet the following criteria:
Fact-Checking Track:
- Be journalists in new media platforms (online blogs), print media, radio, and TV stations in Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone and The Gambia.
- Be interested in pursuing fact-checking of stories pertaining to politics, economy, health, governance, business, media etc.
- Be willing to think about ways to expand the reach of verified information to grassroots communities that are targeted constituencies for political, social, and cultural disinformation.
- Have proficient computer skills.
- Be working in a media organization willing to cross publish with Dubawa.
Selected applicants will be expected to:
- Write (online and print media) or broadcast (radio and TV) three (3) fact-check stories related to politics, health, economy, media etc. And one (1) media literacy article/ explainer on a monthly basis.
- Promote fact-checking on all social media, print, online, radio, or TV platforms as necessary.
- Train colleagues in their newsrooms on the theory and practice of fact-checking.
- Assist their newsroom to set up fact-checking desks upon completion of the programme.
- Cross-publish fact-check reports on their platform and Dubawa.
See Also: Pfizer Breakthrough Fellowship and Internship Programs 2021
Scholars (Research) Track:
- Be graduates, postgraduate students, post-doctoral candidates, or persons who work in academia in Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone and The Gambia
- Have at least intermediate level of IT skills
- Have good analytical skills
- Possess wide and demonstrable prior-experience in conducting research (on any subject).
- Have genuine interest in learning and contributing to the development of knowledge around the IDAC project.
- Be willing to give sufficient time or attention to the fellowship.
- Be willing to meet up with the required deliverables.
Prospective applicants for this track must choose from one of the following areas during the fellowship:
- Policy on Press Freedom
- Politics and its influences on the information disorder ecosystem
- Policy on social media, data, and new-age technology.
- Social media, legacy media, and audience communication behaviours
- Nature, perception, and impact of information disorder
Application Procedures
How-to-Apply: Interested applicants for the Kwame Karikari Fact-Checking and Research Fellowship 2021 are to apply online.
Applicants for the Fact-checking track are to complete the online application.
Applicants for the Research track are to complete the online application.
Application Deadline: 7th May 2021