Building a Citizen Journalism Network of Young Leaders in Southeast Asia

Applications are now closed.

The International Center for Journalists (ICFJ), in collaboration with the U.S. Embassy in Phnom Penh, aims to foster a regional network of citizen journalists who can advance dialogue on transparency, accountability and good governance within and across their borders.

About the Program

The program starts with a six-week online workshop focused on blogging, citizen journalism and fact-based reporting. Through participation in the workshop, 60 members of the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) will gain a practical understanding of citizen journalism as well as the resources to produce quality, evidence-based reporting. The workshop will include a mix of informational and seminar sessions to cover key topic areas and facilitate discussions among participants and trainers. These sessions will cover topics such as:

Understanding citizen journalism and the free flow of information;
Ethical and newsworthy reporting;
Raising public awareness about citizen journalism; and
Resources for citizen journalists.

ICFJ will subsequently implement cross-border reporting tours for a selection of participants to report projects that they will choose and refine with ICFJ’s help.

Participants will belong to a regional network of citizen journalists upon completion of the online workshop, offering them the opportunity to work collaboratively to report on common issues across the region. Journalists who wish to gain blogging, citizen journalism and fact-based reporting skills are strongly encouraged to apply.

All travel, lodging and program activity costs are fully funded by the U.S. Department of State.

Eligibility

English-language proficiency;
Live in an ASEAN member country (Brunei, Burma, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand or Vietnam) or Timor-Leste;
Be registered as a YSEALI member. Applications to become a YSEALI member can be found here.
Be between the ages of 25 and 35 at the time of the workshop; and
Have knowledge or experience in journalism fields, communications, citizen journalism, blogging.