Fund for Investigative Journalisme in Haiti IMS 20, Ave. Lamartinire Bois Verna, complxe plaza culturel fijhaiti@gmail.

com

New Funding for Investigative Journalism

Port-au-Prince, 17 November 2011 The International Center for Journalists (ICFJ) and International Media Support (IMS) are pleased to announce Haitis first Fund for Investigative Journalism in Haiti (FIJH). Why an investigative fund? An integral part of a free and just society is an independent press that strives to provide accurate, balanced and meaningful information. It is vital to create a corps of investigative journalists who have the capacity to report on society in a way that holds government officials, aid agencies and others accountable, especially in the reconstruction period following the January 12, 2010, earthquake. The Fund for Investigative Journalism in Haiti (FIJH) will give Haitian journalists an opportunity to produce indepth, investigative stories by providing short-term financing to cover the journalists costs (including salaries). In addition, the FIJH will offer one-on-one coaching to build the capacity of the participating journalists. The goal of FIJH is to instill a culture of investigative reporting, provide the financial means for journalists to do investigations, improve the quality (as measured by accuracy, use of multiple sources and reliance on research and hard data) of reporting and help jumpstart a public demand for accountability. The Fund is open to print, radio and television journalists full-time and working as freelancers. Journalists can apply individually or in groups of two or three. The theme for the two-month pilot project is financial and material assistance for recovery and reconstruction following the January 2010 earthquake. The funds pilot project will begin by November 18, 2011, with the distribution of information about the project and an online application. All journalists interested in applying are encouraged to visit the website http://www.journalismeinvestigationhaiti.blogspot.com to download the application and to attend an information session on Wednesday, November 30, 2011, 10:00 a.m. - noon at the Press Center (rue Butte, #8), Bourdon. Note: the session will begin promptly at 10 a.m. All applications must be filled out in full and filed electronically by December 16, 2011 to fijhaiti@gmail.com. The document must have the name of the applicant and the term fondsapp. For example: valcourt.andre.fondsapp.doc Applications that are submitted without all of the required information will automatically be disqualified. Winners will be announced on January 3 and attend a mandatory meeting January 10. Investigations must be completed by February 28. Judging will be done by representatives from Haitis Independent Media Association (AMIH), the Haitian National Media Association (ANMH), Groupe Medialternatif and the Association of Haitian Journalists (AJH). For more information about the fund, including its financing, and for an application please go to: http://journalismeinvestigationhaiti.blogspot.com/