Fellowship on Children and Disaster Reporting

Although we're now experiencing El Nino (which means typhoon-related disasters MAY not hit us this year), it's laudable that Probe is holding a fellowship program on disaster reporting. Dito kasi sa Pilipinas, madalas lumubog ang barko, malason ang mga tao ng pagkain, magkaroon ng malaking sunog, etc., etc. And children/young people are often the victims of these disasters. Please note that the deadline for application is on August 31.

INVITATION TO PARTICIPATE
Children and Disaster: Philippine Media Response

The Probe Media Foundation, Inc. (PMFI), with the support of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) will hold a fellowship program for broadcasters on reporting on disasters and emergencies, with special focus on reporting on children entitled, “Children and Disaster: Philippine Media Response” starting October 2007.

The Philippines is one of the most disaster-prone countries: it ranks 2nd in Asia and 4th in the world. Yearly, the country encounters destructive typhoons, flood, landslides, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions or other man-made disasters that leave many dead, missing, displaced from their homes with damages amounting to billions of pesos. Media is quickly on the scene, together with disaster response and coordinating agencies. Reports are broadcast immediately and, most of the time, helped in getting aid and assistance to the affected persons and communities. However, there are also many instances where the manner in which media responds and the quality and sensitivity of the reports are questionable.

The “Children and Disaster: Philippine Media Response” fellowship helps broadcasters widen their understanding and improve their reportage on issues relating to disaster and emergency. It provides safety techniques and coping mechanisms for those who regularly cover these situations. Through UNICEF, the participants are provided with additional support to produce special reports.

The program is for fifteen (15) Filipino media practitioners working in radio and TV news and public affairs departments who are assigned to cover disaster and emergencies in their programs. Directors, Segment Producers and Reporters and writers below 50 years old are encouraged to apply.

Selected participants shall undergo the following activities:
- 3-day workshop in Manila on disaster/emergency, child issues and broadcast techniques (Oct 25 to 27, 07)

- Production of at least eight (8) minutes worth of segments relating to children and the issue of disaster/emergency in their own news/public affairs program (Nov 07 to Feb 08)

- 2-day Closing Workshop in Visayas to present and evaluate the produced and broadcasted segments (Feb/Mar 08)

Participants of the fellowship shall be provided with round-trip travel to the venues in Manila and Visayas for the two workshops, accommodations and meals, training including materials, and production costs for the delivery of the proposed projects/segments. The application form can also be downloaded from www.probefound. com.

Applications close on 31 August 2007.

Email completed application forms: info@probefound. com or probefound@yahoo. com

OR mail to: PMFI – Children and Disaster Fellowship
Unit 505 Sterten Place Condominium, 116 Maginhawa Street, Teacher’s Village East
Quezon City 1101 FAX: (632) 433-0457 TEL: (632) 433-04656