Call for Applications: Two-Day Training Course on Investigative Reporting and Fact-Checking

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BIRN Kosovo has opened a new call for applications for its second two-day training course on investigative reporting and fact-checking, as part of the EU-funded project ‘Strengthening Quality News and Independent Journalism in the Western Balkans and Turkey II’.

Photo: BIRN Kosovo

BIRN Kosovo has opened a new call for applications for the second two-day training course on investigative reporting and fact-checking, as part of the EU-funded project ‘Strengthening Quality News and Independent Journalism in the Western Balkans and Turkey II’.

​​Fake news and well-planned disinformation campaigns have affected elections in both established and emerging democracies recently, undermining international responses to crises like the COVID-19 pandemic and the conflicts worldwide. Disinformation and fake news are a global problem that has recently affected Western Balkan nations as well.

Fake news is spreading more widely on social media as a result of the conflicts taking place currently, as nations aim to gain more sway over one another in the area. Aside from the conflicts, regional media outlets have taken advantage of any chance to disseminate false information, especially when it comes to the dynamics among the Western Balkan nations.

As one of the only media organisations in Kosovo that is part of the International Fact-Checking Network, the mission of BIRN Kosovo is to extend its fact-checking policies and knowledge to other national and regional media outlets.

This training course will help tackle fake news and unverified reporting by helping journalists learn how to spot fake news and provide verified information that adheres to journalistic standards. The knowledge delivered will be of a practical nature and will draw on the unique experiences of journalists who have successfully developed such skills in similar environments.

BIRN will invite different regional and international media professionals to administer the training course and share their knowledge and experience with the participants. 

Note:

Following the training, participants will have the opportunity to be part of a Fellowship Program for writing articles on cross-border investigations and fact-checking.

 Who can apply?

Final-year journalism students, recent graduates, and young and professional journalists from the Western Balkan countries including Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia.

How to apply?

All applications should be submitted in English before September 15, 2024, at midnight Central European Time to [email protected] along with the following documents:

  • Applicant’s CV
  • Motivation Letter (up to 500 words)

Applicants who do not have any published work can submit their student assignments from practical courses in journalism. The motivation letter should provide information regarding the applicants’ opinion and knowledge on the topic and should not exceed 400 words.

Location:

The training will take place in Kosovo. Details regarding the specific location, agenda and accommodation will only be provided to selected participants.

Deadline for applications: 12:00, Central European Time, on September 15, 2024

Date of the training course: 11-13 October 2024

Remarks:

Travel costs and accommodation will be covered by BIRN.