To mark World Refugee Day on 20 June, Reporters Without Borders is paying tribute to those journalists who manage to continue working as journalists after being forced to flee their country. By so doing, they defy those who tried to silence them.

Journalists from many different countries were interviewed for the report, entitled Forced to flee but not silenced – Exile media fight on. Whether from Burma, Sri Lanka, Rwanda or Cuba, their accounts describe the plight of their fellow journalists and the violation of rights and freedom in their country. Their personal stories are often secondary.

These journalists feel compelled to keep reporting, in order to prevent a veil of silence from being drawn over their country, in order to thwart the press freedom predators who took pleasure in forcing them to flee abroad.

Reporters Without Borders is proud of the fact that it has been able to support some of the initiatives of these exile journalists, whether by providing funding or my helping to make others aware of what they are saying.

This report also includes a summary of what the Reporters Without Borders Assistance Desks in Paris and Berlin have done so far this year.

http://en.rsf.org/forced-to-flee-but-not-silenced-17-06-2011,40475.html

Beginning journalists seeking digital skills can take these free courses.

MulinBlog Online J-School is offering two massive open online classes (MOOCs) over the summer: Writing for the Web, June 10 – July 7, and Audio Slideshow Storytelling, July 1 – Aug 10.

The school is a free, open, online program for people of all backgrounds, especially those who are «absolute beginners,» seeking Web-based training in digital skills.

All courses are open to anyone who has an Internet connection.

For more information, click here: http://www.mulinblog.com/mulinblog-online-j-school-course-schedule/

Aspiring journalists can participate in a film festival.

PLURAL+ invites video makers 9 to 25 years old to submit short clips that address migration, diversity and social inclusion issues. Partners include the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations and the International Organization for Migration.

Recognizing youth as powerful agents of social change in a world often characterized by intolerance and cultural and religious divisions, PLURAL+ invites youth to address key challenges related to migrant integration, inclusiveness, identity, diversity, human rights and social cohesiveness, both at local and global levels.

There will be three winners selected from the three age categories (9-12, 13-17, 18-25) and each winner will be flown to New York in December to present their video at the PLURAL+ 2013 Awards Ceremony.

See the winning videos of the 2012 contest here.

The deadline for submissions is June 30.

For more information, click here: http://pluralplus.unaoc.org/

Journalists of any nationality from print, Web, photo, TV or radio can apply.

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit, the Forum of Environmental Journalists in India and The Third Pole are seeking entries from journalists reporting on environmental issues in India.

The entries should deal with the protection and management of air, water, soil and other resources. The entries can also relate to how cities and industries are coping with climate change. Entries with positive examples, opportunities and solutions are encouraged and should be clearly associated to India.

The entries should have been published/broadcast between July 1, 2012 and June 30, 2013, and must be accompanied by an endorsement letter from the editor/news editor of the media house in which the respective report has been published. Entries in languages other than English should be accompanied by an English summary of about 500 words.

There will be a first and second prize in each of the five categories — print, web, photo, TV and radio. The first prize in each category is $50,000 Indian Rupees (US$862) and the second prize is $30,000 Indian Rupees (US$516).

The winner in the print media category will participate in a two-week workshop on advanced environmental reporting, organized by Deutsche Welle Academy in Warsaw.

The deadline is June 30.

For more information, click here: http://www.igep.in/e48093/e55248/

Journalists who want to create innovative approaches to social issues can apply for this fellowship.

The Open Society Fellowship seeks “idea entrepreneurs” from across the world who aim to challenge conventional wisdom and are committed to achieving democracy and accountability.

Project themes should cut across at least two areas of interest to the Open Society Foundations. Among these are human rights, government transparency, access to information and to justice, and the promotion of civil society and social inclusion.

Applicants should be fluent in English and possess a deep understanding of their chosen subject, along with a track record of professional accomplishment.

The application deadline is August 1.

For more information, click here: http://www.opensocietyfoundations.org/grants/open-society-fellowship

Online journalists, digital news organizations and students worldwide can apply for an award.

The Online News Association (ONA) and the University of Miami School of Communication are accepting entries for the 2013 Online Journalism Awards recognizing excellence in digital reporting.

This year, ONA is incorporating non-English entries into all categories, which include: breaking news, planned news/events, explanatory reporting, topical reporting, online commentary, feature, student projects, technical innovation, innovative investigative journalism, watchdog journalism, public service and general excellence in online journalism.

Of the 29 awards, nine offer a total of US$37,500 in prize money, including a new US$5,000 award honoring the best in watchdog journalism.

Awards will be given at the Online News Association Conference & Awards Banquet in Atlanta, Georgia. The OJAs, launched in 2000, are the only comprehensive set of journalism prizes honoring excellence in digital journalism.

The entry fee is US$100 for ONA members, US$175 for non-members, US$15 for student members and US$50 for student non-members.

Entries published between June 16, 2012, and June 15, 2013 are eligible. Apply by June 21.

For more information, click here: http://journalists.org/awards/

Candidates native in one of 11 languages — Arabic, Bengali, English, Hausa, Hindi, Persian, Portuguese (for Brazil), Russian, Spanish, Turkish and Urdu — can apply for the program, in which participants will learn how to be journalism trainers.

The international training, to be conducted in Bonn, Germany, is specially designed for young journalists from the regions to which Deutsche Welle broadcasts.

The program starts in May 2014 and lasts 18 months. It consists of three rounds: journalism training seminars, practical training and culture of Germany through lectures and country tours.

A very good working knowledge of German is also required. Selected participants will be paid.

Apply online by June 30.

For more information click here: http://www.dw.de/dw-akademie/international-traineeship/s-12132