45 African journalists selected for 2024 digital infrastructure fellowship

45 journalists from four West African countries have been shortlisted for the 2024 Digital Public Infrastructure Fellowship.

The initiative is by the Media Foundation for West Africa, MFWA, and Co-Develop.

The MFWA in a statement on Thursday said that the fellowship’s second phase will help media in Benin, Ghana, Nigeria, and Togo boost public awareness and access to Digital Public Goods, DPGs.

Among the 20 journalists selected in Nigeria is Ibukun Emiola, a reporter with the News Agency of Nigeria.

The fellowship will strengthen the selected journalists’ ability to produce impactful stories on Digital Public Infrastructure, DPI, and DPGs, promoting inclusive, safe, and equitable adoption across West Africa.

“After a rigorous selection from 291 applicants, the 45 fellows, representing 28 men (62 per cent) and 17 women (37 per cent), will work with outlets comprising the Daily Trust, NAN, Punch, Leadership Newspaper, Premium Times, and Radio Nigeria.

“Running from November 6, 2024, to January 31, 2025, with follow-up activities until April, the programme will include DPI/DPGs training and editorial support for producing in-depth stories”.

It stated that a dedicated DPI/DPGs website will be available, featuring essential resources and impactful stories from the region.

Fellows will receive a monthly stipend of $250 for three months, and their newsrooms will receive $1,000 through the DPI/DPGs Newsroom Partnership Programme to support editorial production.

It added that fellows may also apply for DPI/DPGs Reporting Grants for additional support.

The statement noted that top-performing fellows will be eligible for travel grants to attend international training or conferences, further enhancing their DPI/DPGs expertise.

Each fellow is expected to produce at least two reports on DPI/DPGs per month, with at least three high-quality stories by the end of the fellowship.

Stories will be published by their respective media outlets, and successful fellows will receive a Certificate of Honour.

NAN