Inclusive Media for Change, a CSDS-based initiative, invites applications from journalists in English and Hindi for Inclusive Media - UNDP Fellowships 2014. The Fellowships are given to increase and sharpen media coverage of rural distress/ development and the issues of the marginalized people. The fellowships are aimed at promoting democratic social change, particularly through empowerment, participation and good governance.
The Inclusive Media for Change runs a clearing house of ideas, information and alternatives on India marginalised (
www.im4change.org ), conducts research and organises media capacity-building workshops.
The ideal candidates would be willing to take time off from routine journalism and spend at least two to four weeks with rural/ marginalized communities and write/ produce series of stories that require wider coverage and public attention. The fellowships will cover travel and incidental expenses subject to an upper limit of Rs 150,000. It intends to cover costs of news gathering and logistics for a total number of six fellowships in Hindi and English. (Please read Fellowship terms and conditions below)
The Inclusive Media - UNDP fellowships are open to journalists working for mainstream newspapers/ magazines/ radio or TV channels. Those working for well-known media websites are eligible to apply though a maximum of one fellowship can be given for really well-known new media platforms. Free-lancers can apply only if they can produce letters of support from mainstream papers with an undertaking to publish their output.
A jury of well-known editors and development thinkers will select the fellows on the basis of brief project proposals (Please read ‘how to apply’ and ‘terms and conditions’ below) and story ideas. The projects should be about happenings/ positive interventions/ alternatives and success stories on issues of livelihoods, agrarian crises, hunger/ malnutrition, public health, and the MDGs. An ideal candidate will have genuine interest in rural development/ issues of the marginalized people and will be willing to spend time in rural areas for field work. The fellows will be given a chance to refine their project proposal after their selection if the jury so recommends.
The applicant must get a supporting letter from her/his media organization with an undertaking to publish the fellowship outcome in their publications in a format of their choice (i.e., series of reports, travelogues, edit/ op-ed articles, investigation, documentary film or TV/radio packages). Entries without the editors’ undertaking will not be considered.
The last date for applications is July 15, 2014.
How to Apply?The applications for Inclusive Media – UNDP Fellowships should include a cover letter and the candidate’s CV (strictly within 3 A4 pages) along with the following:
1. A clearly defined project proposal with clear title (Within 500 words)
2. A break up of at least 5 story ideas based on the project proposal (within 250 words)
3. An idea of the geographical region selected for field work, and a rough break-up of travel/ boarding requirements with an approximate expenditure. (within 100 words)
4. Two samples of published work (or Radio/TV programmes) in English or Hindi
5. A supporting letter from the editor assuring leave for 2 to 4 weeks and agreeing to use the fellowship output in the publication
(Free lancers must procure a supporting letter from the editor of a reputed publication/ channel agreeing to use the fellowship output)
6. A letter of recommendation about the candidate’s past record, journalistic abilities and suitability for the project from an eminent journalist, editor or supervisor giving an idea of the candidate’s suitability for the Inclusive Media - UNDP Fellowships.
(We strongly recommend that the candidates must read terms and conditions below before applying for the fellowships)
INCLUSIVE MEDIA - UNDP FELLOWSHIP 2014 (RULES AND REGULATIONS)
