Are you a female journalist working in a community newsroom with a passion for telling impactful stories? Do you want to gain solutions journalism skills or enhance your skills in reporting on rural economic issues with a solutions-focused approach? Apply now for our specialized training on Solutions-Focused Rural Economy Reporting for Community Journalists (Audio & Digital).
About the Training
This training is specifically for women and early-career journalists in community newsrooms or small newsrooms in urban news deserts who are interested in a career around the intersection of economy, gender equity, and solutions journalism in rural communities. It addresses a critical gap of coverage often underrepresented in training opportunities.
What is a News Desert? A news desert is a community with limited or no access to reliable local news and information. These areas often lack dedicated local newspapers, radio stations, or digital news platforms, leaving residents without essential coverage of local governance, economy, and social issues. News deserts are most common in rural and underserved urban areas, where financial constraints and media consolidation have led to the decline of independent local journalism.
The program will focus on:
Understanding the fundamentals of solutions journalism
Investigating and analyzing rural economic challenges
Highlighting innovative responses and their impact
Developing compelling audio and digital storytelling techniques
Producing well-researched, solutions-oriented content
What We Offer
Intersectional Focus: Rural economic issues are often reported in isolation from gender dynamics, missing the impact on women in agriculture, informal trade, and rural entrepreneurship.
Beyond Basics: This program goes past introductory-level solutions journalism training to offer advanced skills in uncovering underreported economic stories, using data analysis tools, and crafting impact-driven narratives in audio and digital formats.
Empowering Marginalized Voices: Women and early-career journalists from rural and semi-urban areas often lack tailored capacity-building opportunities. This program aims to elevate their voices and equip them with specialized storytelling skills.
Specific lessons will cover:
Introduction to Solutions Journalism and Rural Economy Reporting
Fundamentals of the Rural Economy and Story Framing
Investigative Techniques for Solutions Journalism
Audio and Digital Storytelling Techniques
Hands-on Story Development and Fieldwork
Who Should Apply?
We are looking for:
Women journalists working in community newsrooms (audio and digital)
Those with a keen interest in rural economy reporting
Journalists who want to strengthen their investigative and storytelling skills
Reporters willing to apply a solutions-oriented approach in their work
Why Participate?
By joining this training, you will:
Gain practical skills in solutions journalism
Learn from experienced trainers and industry experts
Receive mentorship and editorial support
Network with other community journalists
Produce impactful stories that highlight solutions to rural economic challenges
Commitment Required from Participants
Applicants must commit to:
Sending a pitch in the last week of the training
Sending us links to their published stories upon completion of this course.
How to Apply
Interested candidates should submit:
A short personal statement (max 300 words) explaining their interest and how this training will benefit their reporting
A sample of previous work (audio or digital article)
A brief resume with relevant experience
FILL APPLICATION FORM HERE
Deadline for Applications: 26th March, 2025
Training Starts: 21st April, 2025
Location: Virtual
For inquiries about submissions, please contact: nellylaoni@theradiomasterclass.com
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