Foundation for Ecological Security-Infochange Reporting Fellowships 2010

The Foundation for Ecological Security and www.infochangeindia.org invite applications to a special round of fellowships to research and report on the subject of Common Property Resources (CPR).
Common property resources include forests, grazing lands, rivers, groundwater, irrigation systems, tanks, pastures, inland fisheries and coastal fishing, as well as traditional knowledge and seed/genetic resources.
In a world that is moving towards the privatisation of natural resources, and where common lands are erroneously viewed as “wastelands” and diverted for industry or agribusiness, it is important to underline the significant role of CPRs in ensuring food security and cushioning the livelihoods of the rural poor, dalits, tribals and other marginalised sections of society. In Indian villages, the commons provide food, fodder and timber to farming systems, animal husbandry, resource conservation, and recharge of groundwater. The poor derive upto 54% of their income from commons.
We are looking for proposals that explore the importance of CPR, issues related to control, management and governance of the commons, access to CPR, especially for the socially excluded, decentralisation and collective action around the commons, the impact of public policy, etc.
Five fellowships on CPR are being offered. Each fellowship must result in a series of five or more original articles (with accompanying photographs) on the proposed subject of research, totalling 7,500 words or more. The articles must be readable, written in a journalistic and not academic style, combining perspective and analysis with reportage and human interest stories and, when appropriate, views and information from experts. All content must be submitted in English.
All content will be uploaded on www.infochangeindia.org and used in advocacy and other material by FES and CCDS. All content submitted under these fellowships will be under the Creative Commons Licence and may be submitted for publication/dissemination elsewhere after upload on www.infochangeindia.org, with credit to FES and infochangeindia.org as the supporting institutions and the website where the material first appeared.
Duration
Applications to the fellowship must be received before February 28, 2009. The results will be announced by mid-March. Fellows are expected to complete their work in April-May, and submit all content by June 5, 2010.
Eligibility
The fellowship is open to independent journalists and researchers living in India only. Working journalists may also apply, provided their organisations endorse their application and allow them time off for this fellowship if selected.
Last date for submission of applications
Deadline for application extended to Feb 28, 2010
Funding support
These fellowships carry a grant amount of Rs 50,000. 50% of this amount will be disbursed on selection, to fund travel and research expenses. The balance will be released on successful completion of the project, and submission and acceptance of stories. Infochangeindia reserves the right to ask for revisions in articles submitted until its standards for upload are met.
Grants will be withdrawn and the advance refunded by the fellow if the fellow fails to complete and submit her/his project on deadline or if the quality of the work submitted is not acceptable. The decision of the editorial board on the quality of submissions will be final.
Application procedure
All applications must be accompanied by
A detailed proposal (not exceeding 1,000 words) clearly stating the aspect of CPR that is proposed for research, the applicant’s perspective on this subject, and expected output in terms of X number of articles etc.
A travel plan, detailing the travel likely to be undertaken for the research, with an estimated budget.
CV of the applicant.
Three samples of published work. If any of these are in regional languages, they must be accompanied by a summary of their contents in English.
Working journalists submitting applications must enclose a letter from their editor stating that they endorse the application and will allow the fellow time off for the research if selected.
One letter of recommendation from a writer/editor/academician or other appropriate referee endorsing the applicant’s interest/expertise in the chosen subject of research and the candidate’s ability to successfully complete the project.
Applications may be addressed to

FES-Infochange Media Fellowships 2010
Centre for Communication and Development Studies (CCDS)
301, Kanchanjunga Building, Kanchan Gully
Off Law College Road, Pune 411 004
Telephone: 020-26852845/25457371
Applications may also be sent by email to
mediafellowships@infochangeindia.org

Chameli Devi Jain Award 2009-10

The Media Foundation invites nominations for its annual Chameli Devi Jain Awards for an Outstanding Woman Mediaperson for 2009-10.

The Media Foundation is pleased to invite nominations for its annual Chameli Devi Jain Awards for an Outstanding Woman Mediaperson for 2009-10.

Journalists in the print, broadcast and current affairs documentary film media are eligible, including photographers, cartoonists and newspaper designers. Names and addresses of sponsors or references should be clearly mentioned with email and phone numbers.

THE CRITERIA FOR SELECTION will be excellence, analytical skill, social concern, insights, style, innovation, courage and compassion. Other things being equal, preference will be given to small town/rural and Indian language journalists. The entries will be evaluated by an independent panel of jurists whose verdict shall be final.

Nominations should include a bio-data (with complete postal address, telephone, fax numbers and email address, for facility of communication), together with three or four samples of work done during 2009-10 in the form of clippings/tapes/CDs. These should be accompanied by a brief appreciation of why the candidate is especially deserving of recognition.

Nominations addressed to B.G.Verghese, C-11 Dewan Shree Apartments, 30 Ferozshah Road, New Delhi -110001 should be received not later than February 18, 2010. The Award will be announced some days before the Award is presesented at the India International Centre Auditorium in Delhi on March 17, 2010.
B.G.Verghese
Chairman
Tel: 2335 5099; 98189 16923
bgverghese@gmail.com

Rajasthan Patrika print journalism award

Entries invited for the Third International KCKulish International Award for Excellence in Print Journalism- 2009

Rajasthan Patrika announces the Third KC Kulish International Award for Excellence in Print Journalism-2009. This annual award, instiuted in 2007, in the sanctified memory of the founder of the newspaper group Karpoor Chandra Kulish, is aimed at recognizing efforts of the teams of journalists working in daily newspapers with a committment to upholding professional values as well as protecting and promoting rights and freedom of the people for better quality of life.

The theme of this year award is 'Inclusive Development', seeking to honor journalists who have contributed most compelling stories in print impacting the lives and meeting the aspirations of marginalized groups of the community.

The award is open for entries till 15th Feburary 2010. Winning team is awarded cash prize US $ 11,000 and a medal and certificate to each team members. The trophy and prize money is awarded to the institution or team leader (in case of independent team) on behalf of the team. Ten entries also receive special award of merit and given certificate & medal.There is no entry fee for the award. The entries should be based on published stories i n daily newspaper between 1st January 2009 to 31st December 2009.

Former President of India APJ Abdul Kalam graced the first award ceremony in 2008 and Loksabha Speaker Meira Kumar bestowed the prizes to the winners of the second KCKulish International award last year. Harinder Baweja and her team recieved the second KC Kulish award and Dawn and HT recieved joint award in 2007. The ceremony for the Third award will be held in the month of March this year. The application procedure and related details can be accessed on www.patrika.com/kckaward

Award for best reporting on TB

This year, two awards of Rs 30,000 each will be presented for the best writing on TB by a print journalist in English.

In the run-up to World TB Day 2010 on 24th March, REACH, a Chennai-based non-profit has announced the REACH-Lilly MDR-TB Partnership MediaAwards. These will be awarded to journalists who have produced effective, in-depth and relevant stories on Tuberculosis (TB), and have conveyed these to a wide audience.

This year, two awards of Rs 30,000 each will be presented for the best writing on TB by a print journalist in English. In addition, the best work on TB by a journalism student will be awarded Rs 15,000.

All entries submitted by working journalists must carry a by-line and have been published in a news publication in India between January 2009 and January 2010. Stories must highlight aspects of TB or TB-related complications in a sensitive and accurate manner.

All submissions will be evaluated by an eminent panel of specialists and the awards will be presented in February. The jury includes Dr. L.S. Chauhan, Deputy Director General (TB), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Govt. of India; Dr. Nevin Wilson, Director, The Union, South East Asia; Dr. P. R. Narayanan, Former Director, Tuberculosis Research Centre; Dr. Jaya Shreedhar, Technical Health Advisor, Internews Network and Dr. Arjun Rajagopal, President, REACH and Medical Director, Sundaram Medical Foundation.

Informed and accurate journalism can have a significant impact on public understanding of tuberculosis, a crucial public health concern in India. India bears one-third of the world?s global TB burden; in addition, there is growing disposition to multidrug resistance, increasing public health costs. All of this is compounded by a general lack of awareness of TB and its consequences ? most of all, that TB is completely curable.

Through this initiative, the REACH-Lilly MDR-TB Partnership Media Project seeks to highlight the vital role played by the media in informing the public and decision-makers about TB prevention and care.

The last date for submission of entries is 31st January. To find out more or to submit applications, please contact REACH at 9791017202, email reach4tb@gmail.com or visit www.media4tb.org