Beyond the Border: Covering the Immigration Phenomenon through Digital Media

The Scripps Howard Immigration reporting training program brings together journalists from the U.S. Spanish and English-language media for a week-long training on how to cover immigration issues using multimedia tools.

ICFJ is currently seeking applicants for the 2012 Scripps immigration reporting program. The program is scheduled to take place Sunday July 15, 2012 through Sunday July 22, 2012 in Washington, D.C.

The application deadline is Monday May 28, 2012.

The 2012 program will have a special focus on the U.S. 2012 presidential election and immigration. Participants will also be required to propose an immigration story idea when they submit an application. They will have the opportunity to work on this story idea while completing the program in D.C.

The program will feature panelists who are key immigration policy makers, researchers, and advocates on different sides of the immigration debate. This will help journalists understand that debate from legal, social, economic and political perspectives while building skills to cover this complex issue using the latest digital technology.

Participants will gain new multimedia journalism skills including shooting and editing video and how to use social media in the reporting process. ICFJ will provide all participants with video cameras. Participants will also receive training materials in English and Spanish.

The program produces more accurate, engaging and responsible reporting of the continuing struggle over immigration policy, enforcement and advocacy. An additional benefit is the lasting ties between Spanish- and English-language media in the United States that will enable cooperation on stories after this program ends.

In 2011, ICFJ selected 12 journalists to participate in the Scripps immigration reporting program that took place July 11 through July 15, 2011. Previous programs also included one in 2010 with 11 journalists from July 11 through July 17, 2010, and one in 2009 with 13 participants from July 8 through July 16, 2009.