U.S. Media Immersion Program for Central Asian Broadcast Journalists

Broadcast media professionals from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan are invited to apply for one of two programs this summer aimed at sharpening their broadcast journalism skills and immersing participants in cutting-edge digital journalism in the United States.

For one program, ICFJ will select six English-speaking broadcast journalists for a four-week fellowship. The program will start in Washington, D.C., with an intensive orientation that will expose participants to U.S. digital media trends, hone their broadcast skills, and show them how to use social media and digital tools to engage audiences effectively. The selected journalists will then spend three weeks at a U.S. media organization, where they will gain new insight into the latest broadcast operations and procedures.

For the other program, ICFJ will select four journalists for a 15-day U.S. study tour. The participants will not be required to be fluent in English. Their tour will also begin with a three-day orientation in Washington, D.C. The participants will then depart for an 11-day tour visiting digital media start-ups, media organizations, and journalism schools in cities with large media markets and digital organizations. Translation and interpretation will be furnished for the duration of the program.

Each group will finish their respective program in New York City, where they will gather to discuss what they have learned. Each group will gain a greater understanding of the U.S. media ecosystem, knowledge of the latest digital tools, more-polished broadcast journalism skills, and an understanding of journalism ethics in the digital age.

Broadcast journalists and editors from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan may apply. Selection will be based on the applicant’s professional qualifications, background, relevant experience, and leadership potential.

The program is funded by the U.S. Department of State: U.S. Embassy Astana.

Program Dates:
Orientation in Washington, D.C for both groups: June 1-3, 2016
Attachment phase for English-speaking group: June 6-24, 2016
NYC Debrief for English-speaking group: June 27 and 28, 2016
NYC Debrief for non-English-speaking group: June 12-15, 2016