Global Press Reporting Certificate in Narrative Change Techniques
Bringing narrative change to your community
As a local journalist, you have the ability to change static and stereotypical narratives about your community. By learning easily applicable narrative change techniques, you can transform your own journalistic practice, better engage audiences and help people everywhere to better understand the world.
This month-long program will bring together 100 women and non-binary storytellers from across Africa. Together you will learn new techniques, collaborate and connect with members of your cohort and work with Global Press trainers and coaches. During this unique and practical program, participants will produce an original piece of journalism and will have the opportunity to place that story with partner news outlets and Global Press Journal. Participants will be expected to spend a minimum and 8 hours/week in the program and will receive and internet and communications stipend at the start and mid-point of the program.
We are currently recruiting women and non-binary applicants from across Africa to participate in the next English-language reporting certificate program, which runs from April 15 to May 10. Applications are due before April 4.
Apply before April 4.
About the program
What will I learn?
By participating in this program, you will be able to incorporate narrative change techniques into your storytelling by:
- Rethinking news value through the lens of narrative change
- Applying four narrative change techniques including sourcing, accuracy procedures, dignity-driven language and risk profiling
- Articulate positive impacts of narrative change to editors and audiences
What will I do in the program?
During the four-week program, you will be producing a story from idea to final draft. We will ask you to apply narrative change techniques during your story development, which we hope will inspire you to approach your practice differently. At the end of the program, you will have produced a story reviewed (by the Global Press community) gauging how you applied the narrative change techniques.
You will learn these techniques through a series of online courses in combination with unique opportunities to reflect on your storytelling practices and lessons learned. Online courses are self-paced to allow storytellers with busy schedules to take part.
During the program, you also will have the space to connect with others in your cohort. And you will have the option to discuss how you apply the techniques with a story consultant and receive support from our program success managers.
Global Press Senior Reporter Linda Mujuru collects notes from the field.
Why is Global Press offering this certificate?
Over the past few years, we’ve seen a hunger from newsroom partners and audiences alike for stories that advance a more comprehensive view of the world. We know that local journalists are uniquely capable of advancing narrative change by leveraging their proximity and access to the people experiencing the story.
We know that narrative change across the global news industry is a daunting task. Global Press has spent the last 18 years training local reporters around the globe to think about reporting differently. But over these years training reporters, we have developed some powerful and easy-to-apply techniques that anyone can use that advance narrative change.
Am I eligible to apply?
To be a successful applicant, you must:
- Be a woman or non-binary storyteller over the age of 18. There is no maximum age limit.
- Be fluent in English. (Note, this training program will be offered entirely in English and English language proficiency is required. Future programs will be offered in additional languages.)
- Be from and currently living in Africa.
- Have at least 18 months of experience as a storyteller, which includes:
- Formal or informal experience as a reporter
- Formal or informal experience in multimedia journalism (for example: radio, podcasting, photojournalism, video, etc.)
- Be able to commit to completing the four-week program. Please note,
- We estimate participants will spend approximately 8-12 hours over the course of the four weeks to complete online course work and approximately 60-80 additional hours over the four weeks to develop your story to final draft.
- Have or be able to obtain a computer with reliable internet connection for the duration of the certificate program.
- Produce final stories in .docx, .jpg, .mp3, or .mp4 formats.
- Be open to learning a different way of thinking and to having your previous assumptions or practices questioned.
- Be passionate about finding and telling powerful stories from your community.
What would I receive if I am accepted?
- Access to the full four-week online program in reporting skills for narrative change.
- One optional 30-minute session with a story consultant during the four-week period.
- A one-time communications and internet stipend of $200 USD at the start of the program.
What would I receive if I successfully complete the program?
- A second payment of $200 USD for program completion
- A certificate of completion from Global Press Institute
- A badge to add to your professional networking profile (i.e., LinkedIn)
- An opportunity to opt-in to join our network of publishing partners
- A chance to be considered for post-program employment opportunities with Global Press
If selected to participate in these opportunities, Global Press Journal and/or its partner news outlets may choose to review and provide feedback on stories, offer pitching opportunities, publish your stories, and/or discuss employment opportunities (selection is based on individual newsroom criteria and needs determined at the point the program has ended).
Our partner news outlets are local, regional and international news organizations that have made a commitment to support Certificate Program graduates. Global Press cannot guarantee graduates will receive employment or publication with external outlets or Global Press Journal. Ultimately, we see the greater value in the program as learning the techniques. These additional opportunities are a bonus!
Interested in this opportunity?
What do I need to do to complete the program?
To complete the program, you must:
- Sign the program agreement prior to the program start date
- Successfully complete all learning activities and assignments by their due dates
- Comply with all expectations outlined in your program contract
- Achieve a passing score on your final project
What’s next?
Apply before April 4. Please note, we will begin reviewing applications on March 29 on a rolling basis. This form will be closed on April 3 at 11:59 p.m. East Africa Time.
If you are selected for the certificate program you will be notified via email by April 5, 2024. Please note, we will only contact those who are selected for the program.
The Training Program runs from April 15 to May 10.
Important Things to Know
Program Participation Format
The program is an asynchronous online learning experience. This means that while you complete learning at your own pace, you are still required to meet program due dates. There are no live sessions in this program. This program is offered entirely in English.
Technical Requirements
The program is built using the Thinkific platform. Please review Thinkific’s System Requirements and Supported Browsers.
Learning Platform Access
You will complete this program using our online learning management system, Global Press Institute’s Professional Certification School (built using the Thinkific platform). If you are accepted into the program, you will receive an invite to access the platform before the program starts.
Come join us!
Other Commmonly Asked Questions
What medium does Global Press Journal work in? Do I have to work in these mediums to participate in the program?
At this time, Global Press Journal publishes written stories and photojournalism. You can absolutely join the certificate program and learn useful techniques even if you do not primarily work in these two mediums.
How do I know if I’m selected for the program?
You will receive an email from Global Press (look out for emails from an @globalpress.co or @globalpressjournal.com address in your inbox) by April 5.
I’m a man, can I apply?
No. Global Press is committed to training women and non-binary reporters at this time.
What is the cost of the program?
There is no cost to participating in this program. To ensure that those who want to participate are able to, we provide all participants with a 200 USD communications stipend.
At Global Press we also believe in payment for your work and efforts. While we cannot guarantee employment for the participants of this program, we will provide an additional 200 USD stipend for those who graduate.
What is narrative change?
Narrative change in the journalism industry is a shift away from what the traditional news industry deems newsworthy and the shift towards a new way to tell fuller stories. Narrative change requires investment by the journalists that make up the majority of the industry—to exercise agency in determining what is newsworthy, to advocate for themselves and their audiences, to bring new voices and experiences that are closest to the stories we share, and to facilitate access to the stories that help our audiences make meaning.
What outlets are in your “Partner news network”? What are my possible opportunities with these outlets?
Global Press is building a network of partner outlets to support training graduates, including Bird and African Arguments and a growing list of others. Our team is in the process of reaching out to other local, regional and international outlets to invite them to join this program as a partner outlet.
Partner outlets have agreed to review stories produced by graduates from this program. All program graduates will receive access to a rolodex of values-aligned outlets that they may reach out to and pitch to.
Interested in this opportunity?
Who owns the story idea and story produced through this program?
You own the story ideas and stories produced through this program. If you opt in to be considered for existing and future opportunities through our Partner news network or at Global Press, Global Press reserves the right to first refusal for publication of the story produced through the program. Partners may gain access to your story to review, but our agreement with partners requires that they work with you to publish your story.
What do you do with the work I do in this program?
Global Press may review your responses and work to improve the learning experience for future iterations of the program. Any trends we see in participant responses may also give us a better understanding of the needs and challenges of journalists in your cohort. Global Press may identify content you submitted as helpful to include in future iterations of the program or in the information we share about the program. If this information does not summarize a common sentiment shared among participants in your cohort, we will reach out to you for permission for use.
What happens if I need more time to meet due dates in the program?
We are not able to extend due dates for the program. If you are experiencing any hardship that will prevent you from completing the program, please reach out to the program success managers to discuss your specific situation.
What happens if I do not complete the certificate program?
Only participants who successfully complete the program (See “What do I need to do to complete the program?” on the main page for details) will be eligible to receive a Certificate of Completion, a second payment of 200 USD and potentially considered for publication with Global Press Journal or partner outlets.
What do you consider when you select participants for the program?
We will consider your location, your experience and primarily we will evaluate your story ideas.