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

Radio program “Rudaki chang bigriftu navokht” produced by the national Tajik radio won the grand prix at the international festival “Radio – the Voice of Cultures”
Committee on Radio and Television under the Government of Tajikistan informed the Khovar news agency that this program was produced by Shakhobiddin Khaknazar, editor of musical programs and by Khairullo Ibrokhim, artistic director. The festival took place in the Iranian city of Isfakhan. There were 13 different nominations.

The Tajik program was acknowledged the best among other 54 programs from different countries presented under the nomination of “Persian Classical Poets”. This international event was held under the auspices of UNESCO. The purpose of the festival was to promote diversity of cultures.

Khovar news agency

Appeals of the Tajik government to manifest civic duty and make charitable donations have become systematic

It has become almost fashionable to ask citizens to share their salaries with the government that needs to build something new and luxurious. However, people are curious – they wish to know where does the money go, and what kind of “charitable needs” it is being spent for.

In July 2007, Emomali Rakhmon registered the Public Charitable Fund. The president appealed to citizens asking them to help disabled people, orphans, elderly, etc.

Last week, Vetcherny Dushanbe weekly applied to this Fund with a question about its activities. Journalists wanted to learn how much money has been donated so far, and how these funds are being used. After the first application to the Fund in April, functionaries promised to arrange a meeting after the holidays. However, on 6 May, deputy chairman of the Fund said that they refuse to provide any information.

In this regard, journalists applied to the President’s Office, and the answer was: “…maybe they are not in a good mood”.

The president keeps reminding to the ministries and government institutions that they must be transparent in their activities and provide the media with all required data.

http://www.gazeta.tj/

President of Tajikistan Emomali Rakhmon has approved the Concept of the State Information Policy, which presents the system of official opinions of Tajikistan on goals, tasks and principles of activities in the sphere of information

Saidali Siddikov, head of the Information-analytical Department under the President’s Office told the Khovar news agency about the Concept’s main provisions. He said that the idea of the Concept belongs to the President, and it was voiced in April 2006. The adoption of the Concept pursues protection of Tajikistan’s interests in the sphere of information in conditions of globalization.

Khovar News Agency