The Internet Governance Forum 2024 Support for Global South Journalists in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (Funded)

The Internet Governance Forum (IGF)’s first-ever support to journalists from the Global South is an initiative to promote insightful, balanced, and impactful journalism on digital governance and its dynamics, as they are discussed at the IGF. It aims to attract journalists from the Global South who have experience with digital issues to cover the 19th Annual IGF on “Building Our Multistakeholder Digital Future”, scheduled for 15-19 December 2024 in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Recognizing the critical role of journalism in shaping the global digital discourse, this initiative seeks to amplify Global South voices. Selected journalists will have the opportunity to highlight key issues such as digital inclusion, cybersecurity, data governance, digital economy, human rights online, and the ethical implications of emerging technologies. The initiative is supported by the IGF Secretariat and subject to availability of funding.

Narratives on digital governance often lack localized insights and the perspectives of those most affected. Enhanced journalistic focus through a local, national or regional lens can elevate coverage of urgent issues, foster more inclusive policy discussions, and ensure that global digital policies are informed by diverse voices and community contexts.

Journalists from the Global South are now invited to apply!

The overarching goal of the initiative is to enhance the quality and diversity of reporting on digital governance and policy.

Specific objectives include:

• To select a group of journalists passionate about highlighting digital issues from a Global South perspective.
• To promote in-depth, knowledgeable, and nuanced coverage of the 19th IGF and related digital governance topics.
• To have the coverage appear on diverse platforms with different audiences.
• To facilitate the building of a network of journalists from the Global South who can continue to share insights and coverage on digital governance issues beyond the IGF annual meeting.

• Table of Content
• About Internet Governance Forum (IGF)
• IGF Support for Global South Journalist
• Aim and Benefits of IGF Support for Global South Journalist
• IGF Support for Global South Journalist Courses
• Requirements for IGF Support for Global South Journalist Qualification
• Application Deadline
• How to Apply

About Internet Governance Forum (IGF)

The Internet Governance Forum (IGF) serves to bring people together from various stakeholder groups as equals, in discussions on public policy issues relating to the Internet. While there is no negotiated outcome, the IGF informs and inspires those with policy-making power in both the public and private sectors.

IGF Support for Global South Journalist

Application Deadline	18 Oct 2024
Country to study	Saudi Arabia
Type	Fellowship
Course to study	View courses
Sponsor	Internet Governance Forum (IGF)
Gender	Men and Women

Aim and Benefits of IGF Support for Global South Journalist

The initiative aims to generate high-quality reporting that captures the complexity and urgency of digital governance challenges and opportunities facing the Global South and/or from a Global South perspective, during and after the 19th IGF meeting.

A longer-term desired outcome is the establishment of a robust network of journalists from the Global South engaged in the digital policy discourse and contributing to sustained awareness of critical digital matters discussed at the IGF.

Why Participate?

Network – Participate in all IGF has to offer and connect with fellow journalists, policymakers, and experts on the digital issues of the day.

Learn - Gain insights into priority and emerging issues, including the development of digital cooperation frameworks like the Global Digital Compact (GDC).

Impact - Your reporting can drive positive change within the global digital discourse.

Benefits:

1. Selected journalists (the "Participants") agree to take part in the entire programme associated with this initiative, including any dedicated workshops held before and/or during the IGF and post-IGF reporting.
2. Participants consent to the use of their names, likenesses, and submitted work for promotional purposes in connection with the initiative.
3. The initiative will cover expenses associated with travel, accommodation, and a stipend as outlined in the acceptance letter.
4. The offer for successful applicants to participate in the 19th Annual IGF, to be held in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, from 15 to 19 December 2024, is non-transferable and there is no cash alternative.
5. Journalists taking part in the initiative agree to publish at least a total of five (5) stories in 2024 related to the priority areas of the 19th Annual IGF.

IGF Support for Global South Journalist Courses

• Journalism

Requirements for IGF Support for Global South Journalist Qualification

• A group of journalists that is passionate about highlighting digital issues from a Global South perspective.
• Be able to promote in-depth, knowledgeable, and nuanced coverage of the 19th IGF and related digital governance topics.
• Able to have coverage appear on diverse platforms with different audiences.
• Ability to facilitate the building of a network of journalists from the Global South who can continue to share insights and coverage on digital governance issues beyond the IGF annual meeting.

• Participants must be nationals of Least Developed Countries (LDCs), Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs), Small Island Developing States (SIDS), Low Income Countries (LICs), Lower Middle Income Countries (LMICs) or Economies in Transition [p.135] and at least 18 years old.

• Participants must be currently employed or freelancing as a journalist with at least three years of experience in journalism, including coverage of tech or digital issues, working for a recognized media outlet or freelancing, whose work has been regularly published by a recognized media outlet.

• By submitting an application, you hereby warrant that all information submitted by you is true, current and complete. The Organizers reserve the right to verify the eligibility of all applicants.

• The Organizers reserve the right to disqualify any applicant if there are reasonable grounds to believe the applicant has breached any of the Terms and Conditions.

Application Deadline

October 18, 2024

How to Apply

Interested and qualified? Go to Internet Governance Forum (IGF) on forms.office.com to apply

Any journalist who meets the eligibility criteria can apply for this opportunity by 18 October 2024, 23:59 UTC, using this link: https://forms.office.com/e/P5qfMb6F3P

Documentation

• Please find the Terms and Conditions, including Eligibility Criteria, here.
• The IGF 2024 Schedule is available here.
• The outline of IGF 2024 Themes is available here.

For more details visit: IGF website.