Nairobi, Kenya

Offered by Reuters, this course will focus on the challenges and techniques involved in covering international-scale crises and disasters, using Reuters and other world news organisations as a model. The course will concentrate on natural disasters and humanitarian crises of all sorts, and the special problems that can arise in covering them. Through briefings and practical writing exercises against deadlines, the course is designed to help journalists improve their skills and recognise problem areas within an interactive group environment.

The focus of the course is on reporting and editing news about crises and disasters. Key topics include:

• techniques for structuring an ongoing story for a broad international audience;
• tips to write clear, simple, balanced, and eye-catching copy under pressure;
• crisis news editing;
• locating good news sources in an emergency;
• dealing with the emergency relief services; and
• interview techniques, especially problem areas involving trauma victims.

Click here for more information about the course.

Deadline for application: September 15 2008

All applicants for this course must be currently working as full-time journalists for African media organisations. They must also be able to demonstrate a commitment to a career in journalism in their country. Applicants must have at least two years' professional experience and must have a good level of spoken and written English.

Reuters Foundation offers full bursaries for journalists from the developing world/countries in political transition working for organisations with no resources for training. Bursaries would include travel expenses (economy class), accommodation, and a modest living allowance. This arrangement is subject to variation.

Applications must include:

• a biography of up to 250 words outlining applicant's career;
• two recent examples of published work, preferably relevant to the course;
• a statement of between 250 and 500 words describing any factors affecting individual’s work as a journalist; and
• an explanation of how the applicant hopes to benefit from the course.

Click here to apply online.