Program is funded by
 
 
Program for journalist training:
INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING -Organised Crime Stories -
Journalists from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia and Serbia and Montenegro may apply for a five-month education program to specialise in investigative reporting focusing on organised crime topics. Program is organised by NetNovinar – Centre for Investigative reporting and media education (founders: Mediacentar Sarajevo and Investigative Journalism Centre, from Zagreb).The 2006 program is attended by 3rd and 4th classes of students.
Application process for 4th class of students is ongoing. Application deadline is 31 July 2006. 
Information on eligibility and application process available below.
 
NetNovinar – Centre for Investigative Reporting and Media Education www.netnovinar.org
Founders:
 www.media.ba
 www.investigativejournalism.org  Partner:
 www.enet.edu.ba
PROGRAMME DESCRIPTION
Situation: • Journalists and editors lack long term, systematic and practical education providing necessary skills for working on investigative stories, in line with professional and ethical standards   • Stories published by print media as investigative often do not meet the basic professional standards   • A large number of journalists is interested in advancement in the field of investigative reporting and cooperation with the colleagues from the region
Approach:
• The program is intended primarily for journalists from print media, however electronic media journalists, as well as freelancers and journalism students are also eligible to apply
• Education cycles are designed so they do not interfere with the journalists regular work tasks
• Innovative approach to journalist’s education through using new technologies. Traditional training / workshops are combined with periods of distance learning through the internet   • Program advantage is parallel gaining of theoretical knowledge and practical work on concrete investigative stories focusing on organised crime topic   • A group of 10 to 15 participants goes thought the five-month education cycle   • Participants who successfully complete the program shall receive certificates   • Program chief trainers are Saša Leković, experienced investigative reporter, and Branko Čečen, journalist and editor. Four specialised trainers from the South-Eastern Europe shall cover the following areas: searching commercial databases, media legislation, ethics, advance internet search techniques and computer assisted reporting
Aims of the program:  • The education program allows the journalists – participants to develop investigative reporting skills, so that at the end of the program they are capable for independent work on complex investigative stories   • Program is designed so in advances skills in the following areas:
1. Research process 2. Organising and conducting a journalistic research 3. Ethics in investigative reporting 4. Laws and investigative reporting 5. Internet and database search techniques 6. Writing investigative stories (about organised crime) • During the entire program the participants shall advance the research and writing process through intensive work on their own investigative story, with constant supervision and mentorship of the trainer. Stories shall be published on the web portal for journalists in South-Eastern Europe NetNovinar (www.netnovinar.org/ir), as well as in the newsrooms of print media outlets whose editors confirm in writing they shall publish the story
 
Advantages of the program: • Program is designed so it can be attended along with regular work in the original media outlets   • Program organisers are providing scholarships for the participants by covering all program expenses, including transport and accommodation costs in Sarajevo during the workshops
• Participants shall acquire investigative reporting knowledge and skills in line with the highest professional standards, and write a story about organised crime that is going to be published
• The participants shall become a part of the network of investigative reporters in the South-Eastern Europe (www.netnovinar.org/ir)  
Main phases of the program (4th class; May 2006 – January 2007):
May – July 2006Application of the candidates
August 2006Selection of the candidates and preparation period (online work with the trainers) September 2006Training no. 1 (duration: 5 days) in the Mediacentar Sarajevo September – November 2006Online education  December 2006Training no. 2 (duration: 4 days) in the Mediacentar Sarajevo December 2006 – January 2007Online education and finalising work on the investigative stories   • Application deadline is 31 July 2006.  • Application and detailed information on the programme available at NetNovinar.org web portal ( www.netnovinar.org/ir )  • Selection of the candidates shall be conducted by the representatives of the Net Novinar – Centre for Investigative Reporting and Media Education.  • All candidates shall be informed by email or telephone about the selection results by 15 August 2006, at the latest.    • For any questions on the program or application process please contact:
Maša Hilčišin DerviševićMediacentar Sarajevomasa@media.ba++387 33 715 840
 
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Program for journalist training:
INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING -Organised Crime Stories -
• All active journalist with at least 3 (three) years of work experience are eligible to apply. In case a large number of candidates apply, journalists working for the print media shall be given advantage. • Program working language is B/C/S (Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian), with some basic knowledge of English required as well. • Candidates must have Internet access throughout the program duration.
• Candidates must send their application to the organisers by email.
Application must include (in electronic form):
1. Email with:Candidates’ personal information: Full NamePlace and Year of Birth Current Residence
Contacts: Email address Telephone number
2. Professional CV With a list of professional engagements, and contact details for at least one editor from each of the media outlets where the candidate had worked – for the purpose of reference check
3. Supporting Essay – up to 3,500 characters The essay explains the candidate’s motivation to participate in the Program and it should cover the following topics: • Description of the status of investigative reporting in the country/ local region of the candidate • Candidate’s motives for applying to the Program• Expectations from the Program• Areas of candidate’s interest within reporting on the organised crime topic • Personal good and bad sides• (anything else the candidate wishes to mention)
4. Own work At least 5 (five) published pieces of work by your own choice, including investigative stories – if the candidate had published any.(to be sent in electronic form or by mail)
5. Investigative stories by other authorsAt least 3 such pieces of work, which according to preference and opinion of the candidate represent good examples of investigative journalism. Each story should include the explanation detailing why you consider the enclosed pieces of work as good investigative stories – some 1,000 characters for each story
6. Written agreement by the editor-in-chief of the print media consenting the newsroom shall publish the investigative story(ies) of the candidate produced during the Program.
7. Written agreement by the editor-in-chief of the media outlet for which the candidate works that the newsroom supports and shall enable the candidate to participate in the program work for its entire duration (including one week stays in Sarajevo – in September and December 2006).
Address for sending applications:
masa@media.ba
Application deadline: 31 July 2006.Selection: by 15 August 2006 (short listed candidates / interviews / final selection)Start of the program: 01 September 2006End of the program: 31 January 2007
The candidates shall be selected by representatives of the Net Novinar – Centre for Investigative Reporting and Media Education. All candidates shall be informed on the selection results in writing detailing reasons for either acceptance or rejection. A contract shall be signed with all selected candidates, in which Mediacentar Sarajevo shall pledge to provide scholarship for their participation in the program in the entire amount of 5,000 Euro by covering all their costs of tuition, transport and  accommodation in Sarajevo, as well as to issue a certificate to all those who successfully complete the program. By signing the contract, the attendees commit to returning 50 percent of the scholarship to the Mediacentar Sarajevo, in case of ungrounded decision to leave the program. Serious illness or death is not considered ungrounded decision to leave. Note: Scholarship does not cover any living expenses of the attendees during the seminar. It covers exclusively the training program expenses, namely the tuition, and is not paid directly to the attendees.