The Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ) invites applications from mass communication or journalism students from the University of Lagos, Lagos State University and Yaba College of Technology for a training on local reporting.
The center, in a statement signed by Motunrayo Alaka the Executive Director/CEO at WSCIJ said that the opportunity, which is part of the center’s Collaborative Media Engagement for Development Inclusivity and Accountability (CMEDIA) project, is open to second-year students (ND II or 200-Level) and higher classes of the three institutions.
It added that selected students from the institutions will learn how to effectively report local development issues to demand accountability for government at state and local government levels.
“Application opens from Monday 16 to Friday 27 October 2023. Interested students may apply here.
“This activity is a direct response of WSCIJ to findings that many stories in the news media are focused on national issues, and the state and local governments are neglected. The students will be trained, mentored, and receive stipend support to pursue stories in their localities.
“Pro-Engage is an initiative of WSCIJ designed to engage students of journalism, to enhance their skills in investigative journalism and prepare them for their careers in journalism. We have used the initiative in the past to canvas for the investigative journalism desk and promote the reportage of basic education and electricity among students.
“This time, we have incorporated Pro-Engage into Collaborative Media Engagement for Development, Inclusivity and Accountability (CMEDIA) project, which works to improve public awareness and the ecosystem for transparency, accountability and good governance in states and local government and amplify marginalised voices through 26 direct media partners and tens of other media organisations and reporters.
“The incorporation will help us work with student journalists in the CMEDIA project thereby enabling one of CMEDIA’s mandate to include young people. The project is supported by the MacArthur Foundation.”
