PARADIGM Initiative is calling for applications from interested and eligible candidates for the second edition of its Digital Rights and Inclusion Media Fellowship.

“The Fellowship is a 4-month program designed to immerse outstanding, early career, journalists in digital rights and digital inclusion advocacy – and intervention efforts – in Africa,” the group stated on its website.

Selected journalists will work with Paradigm Initiative on various projects and contribute to improving public understanding of digital rights and inclusion issues.

While announcing the commencement of the application process, the group praised the Nigerian media for the improvement in the coverage of issues confronting digital rights and online freedom.

“The media has become a major partner in the efforts to ensure that human rights online are protected in Africa,” said Paradigm Initiative’s Communications Officer, Sodiq Alabi.

“As media practitioners are usually victims of digital rights violations including censorship, harassment and illegal surveillance, it makes perfect sense that they are now focusing their attention on increasing awareness around digital rights and holding governments and businesses accountable.”

Alabi added that the fellowship opportunity “is part of our effort to ensure this synergy is groomed and nurtured”.

“The Fellowship is, therefore, a 4-month program designed to immerse outstanding, early career, journalists in digital rights and digital inclusion advocacy – and intervention efforts – in Africa. This way, we help improve the quality of reporting on digital rights and inclusion by improving the expertise of reporters who cover the beat,” Alabi said.

Components of the Fellowship includes a 2-day Orientation and Digital Rights/Inclusion training, a 2-week residency at Paradigm Initiative’s offices in Nigeria, and a 4-month virtual collaboration with Paradigm Initiative.

“Fellowship may also include fully-funded local and international travels to participate in and cover relevant events.”

The Fellowship is open to early career journalists, with less than ten years of journalistic experience, working with mainstream print and online newspapers in Africa. Female candidates are especially advised to apply.

Deadline for application is May 6, 2019. the Fellowship will run from July to October 2019. Interested candidates can apply here.

Nigeria’s Victor Ekwealor (Techpoint) and Togo’s Emmanuel Vitus (GhanaWeb) emerged the pioneer fellows in 2018. Three fellows would be selected for the 2019 programme.