Community Journalism Mentoring Programme 2027 – Call for Applications
Community Journalism Mentoring Programme 2027
Call for Applications
Programme Overview
Joey Off-Air invites applications from passionate students of tertiary institutions across Benue, Nasarawa, and Plateau States for the maiden edition of its Community Journalism Mentoring Programme.
This four-month fellowship is engineered to bridge classroom journalism education with practical, real-world newsroom experience. Designed specifically for university and tertiary students in Nigeria’s North Central region, the programme builds core competencies to promote social accountability, fight misinformation, foster social cohesion, and drive public service delivery.
Key Objectives
Fellows will acquire hands-on skills to:
Expose Service Delivery Gaps: Uncover and report critical shortcomings in public infrastructure and community services.
Drive Institutional Accountability: Hold duty-bearers and institutions accountable using evidence-based reporting.
Combat Misinformation: Counter fake news, rumors, and mis/disinformation through verification and fact-checking.
Promote Social Cohesion: Highlight stories that cultivate mutual understanding and peace across local communities.
Build Professional Portfolios: Produce publishable, high-impact stories under direct guidance from experienced editors.
Training Curriculum & Core Modules
Participants will complete intensive training across seven specialized tracks:
Reporting & Storytelling – Foundations of investigative and feature reporting.
Audio-Visual & Multimedia Storytelling – Video, podcasting, and digital media production.
Journalism Standards & Ethics – Professional integrity, fair reporting, and ethical standards.
Fact-Checking & Misinformation – Open-source intelligence (OSINT), verification tools, and debunking techniques.
Social Accountability & Public Interest Reporting – Civic tech, budget tracking, and public interest journalism.
Conflict-Sensitive Reporting & Social Cohesion – Ethical coverage of sensitive community issues.
Policy Writing & Public Communication – Demystifying policy documents for general public consumption.
Participant Benefits
Selected fellows will gain:
Dedicated Mentorship: Personalized feedback on ethical storytelling and digital reporting.
Masterclasses: Interactive sessions led by leading African journalists and media professionals.
Portfolio Development: Structured support to build a strong professional journalism portfolio.
Publishing Platform: Opportunities to publish stories on Joey Off-Air media platforms.
Editorial Experience: Hands-on editorial feedback mimicking a modern newsroom.
Mini Story Grants: Direct financial reporting grants awarded to three top story pitches.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must meet all of the following criteria:
Must be a registered student at a tertiary institution in Benue State, Nasarawa State, or Plateau State.
Must demonstrate a strong passion for building a career in journalism, media, storytelling, or public interest reporting.
Key Dates & Timeline
Application Deadline: 15th November 2026
Programme Duration: January – April 2027
🔗 How to Apply
Qualified candidates should submit their application through the official portal before the deadline.
