Young WASH Media Fellowship 2019

on
17 November 2019
In
Bangladesh
cover/fellowship

Mass media, including print, radio, television, internet and social media play a crucial role in framing public discussions and debates. Journalists have the power to be the voice and shape public and policymakers’ perceptions. With growing WASH challenges in Bangladesh, there is a dire need for young journalists to play a meaningful role and have the courage to discuss, debate and investigate WASH issues. The Young WASH Media Fellowship will develop and support young professionals understand and promote WASH rights of the country’s marginalised populations, and bring transformative change where it is needed most. 

Clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene are basic human rights. They should be a normal part of daily life for everyone, everywhere – but they aren't. That's why we're here.
We change millions of lives every year, working in 28 countries to provide clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene.

In Bangladesh, over 4 million people lack access to an improved water source, over 85 million don't have access to improved sanitation, and over 2,000 children under five years of age die from diarrheal diseases each year caused by poor water and sanitation. That is why we have been working in the ground since 1986 to implement programmes that bring lasting change. 

This fellowship will find young and energetic journalists who have the will to set themselves apart through demonstrating courage and commitment to the community. This fellowship will provide an opportunity for the selected journalists to take a deep dive into Bangladesh’s multifaceted WASH landscape. Young media professionals to gain insight into local and global WASH issues, receive guidance and feedback from experienced and renowned journalists and experts in the sector. They will have the opportunity to gain firsthand experience of the ground-level scenario. Fellows will represent their work in both print and digital media forums and cover stories showcasing change that will affect millions of lives in Bangladesh. 

  • Young journalists (between the age of 18-35) with proven interest or activism in WASH issues locally, nationally or internationally
  • Over 2 years of experience working as a journalist in print, television or online media
  • A minimum of 5 on social issues news published/broadcasted over the past 2 years
  • Can be based anywhere in Bangladesh but willing to travel countrywide
  • Strong hold and fluent in either one language: English or Bangla 
  • Able to commit to 5 months of engagement with WaterAid (November 2019-March 2020), and continue working relationship beyond the timeline of the fellowship

We are looking for dynamic, creative minds who want to produce content that matters –
content that is unbiased, out of the box, and most importantly, throws light on neglected and uncovered issues.

Fellows will be selected based on their application, previous experience in WASH-related work and media competency. Once selected, fellows will have to attend introductory workshop(s) with WaterAid where they will receive first-hand learning on WASH issues and development journalism from designated experts. Fellows will be required to travel to a minimum of two field sites in the country where WaterAid is currently implementing its WASH activities within the first 2 months of fellowship.

Post the field visit, fellows will be expected to publish/broadcast investigative/human interest stories, features or photo essays. Each fellow is to publish a minimum of three stories during the fellowship period of 5 months. In case of print or online stories, the stories should preferably be in long format with a minimum of 400-600 words for print dailies and 1,000 words for online dailies. In case of video, it should be an exclusive long format content for broadcast platforms. 
WaterAid along with the mentors will support the fellows with WASH-related information while preparing their own stories if necessary. Fellows must acknowledge WaterAid’s support as and when they publish or present their stories. 

The fellowship will be of an amount of BDT 50,000, and participants will be presented with a certificate of appreciation at the end of the fellowship.

  • Application forms are now available on our website: http://bit.ly/YWMF_Registration
  • Application deadline: 5.00 pm on 5 December 2019

For further details/queries regarding the Young WASH Media Fellowship Programme, please contact Samia Mallik at [email protected] on or before 
5 December 2019.
 

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