CFAs: IGF Support for Global South Journalists 2024

It aims to attract journalists from the Global South who have experience with digital issues to cover the 19th Annual IGF on “Building Our Multistakeholder Digital Future”,  scheduled for 15-19 December 2024 in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Recognizing the critical role of journalism in shaping the global digital discourse, this initiative seeks to amplify Global South voices. Selected journalists will have the opportunity to highlight key issues such as digital inclusion, cybersecurity, data governance, digital economy, human rights online, and the ethical implications of emerging technologies. The initiative is supported by the IGF Secretariat and subject to availability of funding.

Aims and Objectives

• The overarching goal of the initiative is to enhance the quality and diversity of reporting on digital governance and policy.
  • Specific objectives include:
    • To select a group of journalists passionate about highlighting digital issues from a Global South perspective.
    • To promote in-depth, knowledgeable, and nuanced coverage of the 19th IGF and related digital governance topics.
    • To have the coverage appear on diverse platforms with different audiences.
    • To facilitate the building of a network of journalists from the Global South who can continue to share insights and coverage on digital governance issues beyond the IGF annual meeting.

Themes

• The meeting will be hosted under the overarching theme: Building our Multistakeholder Digital Future. The programme will be developed around the following themes:
  • Harnessing innovation and balancing risks in the digital space.
  • Enhancing the digital contribution to peace, development, and sustainability.
  • Advancing human rights and inclusion in the digital age.
  • Improving digital governance for the Internet we want.

Outcomes

• The initiative aims to generate high-quality reporting that captures the complexity and urgency of digital governance challenges and opportunities facing the Global South and/or from a Global South perspective, during and after the 19th IGF meeting.
• A longer-term desired outcome is the establishment of a robust network of journalists from the Global South engaged in the digital policy discourse and contributing to sustained awareness of critical digital matters discussed at the IGF.

Eligibility Criteria

• Participants must be nationals of Least Developed Countries (LDCs), Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs), Small Island Developing States (SIDS), Low Income Countries (LICs), Lower Middle Income Countries (LMICs) or Economies in Transition [p.135] and at least 18 years old.
• Participants must be currently employed or freelancing as a journalist with at least three years of experience in journalism, including coverage of tech or digital issues, working for a recognized media outlet or freelancing, whose work has been regularly published by a recognized media outlet.
• By submitting an application, you hereby warrant that all information submitted by you is true, current and complete. The Organizers reserve the right to verify the eligibility of all applicants.
• The Organizers reserve the right to disqualify any applicant if there are reasonable grounds to believe the applicant has breached any of the Terms and Conditions.

Selection Criteria

• Applicants must submit their applications before the deadline via the official form here.
• At no stage in the application process will there be a fee charged for entry.
• All information and/or documents must be submitted in the format outlined in the application form.
• Applications must include at least two links to recently published stories (print, web, TV, radio) by the applicant. Stories must be carried by a recognized media outlet.
• Stories must cover digital-related issues.
• Stories can be submitted in any language. Stories in languages other than English must be accompanied by an English translation.
• Incomplete applications or those submitted after the deadline will not be considered.

For more information, visit Internet Governance Forum.