A meeting of the working group under the CIS Broadcasting Council is being conducted in Dushanbe.

Representatives of the Council’s press center told Khovar news agency that the participants of the meeting are discussing the mechanism of joint activities, such as creation of thematic programs, documentaries and videos. They also consider the draft project on setting up the International Information Pool, and the preparation to a TV marathon beneath the walls of the Brest fortress on 22 June 2009. The participants also discuss technical possibilities of transition towards digital broadcasting, and creation of a “TV and Radio Programs Stock Exchange”.

The Council consists of representatives of seven countries – Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Tajikistan.

Khovar news agency

The U.S.-based Sundance Institute Documentary Film Program will award up to $1.5 million in grants to support documentary films focused on contemporary social issues. Interested participants must submit a copy of their film dialogue transcript along with an application by July 7.

The program encourages the exploration of innovative nonfiction storytelling, and promotes the exhibition of documentary films to a broader audience. Awards will be announced in November.

To apply, applicants must complete an application, available at http://www.sundance.org/pdf/DocFundApp082206.pdf, and send materials to: Sundance Institute Documentary Film Program, 8530 Wilshire Blvd. 3rd Floor, Beverly Hills, CA 90211.

For additional information, contact sdf@sundance.org or Tel: (310) 360-1981.

IJNET

The Humphrey Fellowship Program offers a ten-month stay at a leading American university to study journalism and undertake professional affiliations at top U.S. news organizations.

The non-degree program includes financial support for studies, travel, workshops and seminars, a monthly stipend, funds for books and a computer subsidy.

Fellows take classes in journalism, public affairs, government, or other fields of their choice. Humphrey Fellows from different professional fields are assigned to 15 different U.S. campuses. Most Humphrey journalists are assigned to the Philip Merrill College of Journalism at the University of Maryland, one of the top journalism programs in the U.S. Fellows participate in field trips, workshops, lectures and many other offerings available in the metropolitan Washington, D.C. area, only a 30-minute subway ride away. Fellows often use some of their professional stipend for travel within the U.S.

Applicants should have a minimum of five years of substantial professional experience, limited or no experience in the U.S., demonstrated leadership qualities and commitment to their communities. Most applicants have good English skills and university degrees.

To apply: Contact the Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy or the Fulbright Commission in your home country.

Deadline: Varies by country, but usually June to September for the following year (Now for the 2009-2010 year.)

For more information: http://www.humphreyfellowship.org and/or http://www.journalism.umd.edu/Humphrey/

http://by102w.bay102.mail.live.com/mail/mail.aspx?n=2002025751&wa=wsignin1.0

Editors of newspapers, wire services, or online news outlets have until June 1 to apply for the opportunity to spend five weeks in the U.S. working in a professional newsroom.

Administered by the International Center for Journalists in partnership with the American Society of Newspaper Editors, the “International Journalism Exchange” program (IJE) is open to editors who have worked in journalism for at least five years, are proficient in English, but have little substantial previous travel to or training in the U.S.

The five-week program will begin October 10 with an orientation in Washington, D.C., followed by a newspaper assignment that offers exposure to all the departments of a U.S. newsroom. The program concludes with a two-day session in New York City that consists of professional group activities, including visit to The New York Times and final evaluation of the program.

For more information, visit http://www.icfj.org/OurWork/Fellowships/InternationalJournalismExchange/tabid/336/Default.aspx or email ije@icfj.org. Submit applications online at https://app.formassembly.com/forms/view/667, or via email (the application documents can be downloaded at http://www.icfj.org/OurWork/Fellowships/InternationalJournalismExchange/tabid/336/Default.aspx ). Or fax or mail to International Journalism Exchange, International Center for Journalists, 1616 H Street, NW, Third Floor, Washington, D.C., 20006, U.S.A.; Tel: +1-202-737-3700; Fax: +1-202-737-0530.

http://www.ijnet.org/Director.aspx?p=Announcement#a100

A seminar being held for broadcast journalists in Geneva, Switzerland from June 23 and 24 will explore the latest trends in media networks and how such networks support media production and broadcast. The deadline to apply is June 16.

The cost to attend the event, being held by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), ranges from US$541 to $1,082, depending on EBU membership status. The seminar will be held in English.

To learn more, go to http://www.ebu.ch/CMSimages/en/Networks08_programme_tcm6-59811.pdf.

http://www.ijnet.org/Director.aspx?P=Article&ID=307677&LID=1

The International Center for Journalists (ICFJ) and the Media Development Loan Fund (MDLF) announced on May 12 a new partnership, the Knight-MDLF International Journalism Fellowship Program. Selected fellows will spend a year implementing a detailed training project for journalists.

The partnership will draw on the work of the two organizations. MDLF helps build independent media in emerging democracies. It provides low-cost loans and other business assistance. ICFJ’s Knight International Journalism Fellows work on projects designed to make lasting, visible change in the world of journalism.

Fellows must speak the language of the target country. They must have at least 10 years’ news experience, the ability to plan a specific, detailed training project and the time to spend a year making it work.

The new partnership bolsters MDLF’s long-term strategy of adapting best media management practices to the needs of local news outlets in the developing world

MDLF will accept detailed proposals from clients by April 30 each year. MDLF and ICFJ will review the proposals to select those that meet the criteria. MDLF and ICFJ will announce the winners by July 31 of each year.

For more information, go to http://www.icfj.org/PressBox/PressReleases/PR51208/tabid/770/Default.aspx

http://www.ijnet.org/Director.aspx?P=Article&ID=307682&LID=1

The Second International Conference on Religion and Media will be held in Tehran and Qom, Iran, from November 9 to 12. The deadline for registration is August 30. Paper proposals should be submitted by June 15.

According to the conference Web site, the gathering is aimed at exploring the interaction between religion and the media and discussing the latest research in the field, and will emphasize broadcast journalism. A few scholarships are available to partially subsidize the costs of participants with selected papers.

The conference is organized by IRIB, Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting, which is Iran’s state-run radio and television organization.

For more information, go to http://www.religion-media.ir/.

http://www.ijnet.org/Director.aspx?P=Article&ID=307669&LID=1

Open Society Institute selects participants for a workshop on civic journalism and new media methodologies

Rukhshona Olimova, coordinator of the OSI Media Program told Asia Plus that the training course will be dedicated to the use of media tools (blogging, web-building, etc.)

The purpose of this training is to promote media instruments among journalists, workers of NGOs, public relations officers and university students.

Candidates have to present a brief essay describing the idea of creating a private web site or a blog, to attach a CV and a copy of civil passport. The deadline for submission of documents is 26 May.

http://www.asiaplus.tj/

This year, the International Publishers Association (IPA) gave its main award to a Turkish publisher who refused to stop his human rights campaign even after he received a three-year sentence.

Since 1977, when Ragip Zarakolu and his wife founded the publishing house “Belge”, he has been facing anger of the Turkish authorities. Ragip and his wife were imprisoned; their library was confiscated; they were fined. However, Zarakolu refused to stop his campaign on the freedom of speech stating that he “promotes respect towards various viewpoints and opinions in Turkey”.

The annual award «Freedom of Publishing Activities” is given to individuals or organizations that make prominent contributions in protection and support of publishing activities. Zarakolu will receive his award in September in Amsterdam, Holland, at an international seminar on contemporary methods of censorship.

Additional information is available at: http://tinyurl.com/5lell6

http://tinyurl.com/5lell6

European Initiative on Democracy and Human Rights is looking for a specialist to work with the local media

The announcement says that the Regional Coordinator/Expert will be based in Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic, to render assistance in the implementation of the ВВС World Service Trust Program.

Main professional requirements: editorial skills, communicative skills, sound knowledge of English, experience in management.

Detailed information on the vacancy announcement is here: http://www.nansmit.tj/?page=events&id=71

NANSMIT Monitoring Service