The Africa Fact-Checking Fellowship for 2024 is now accepting applications.The Africa Fact-checking Fellowship – Ethiopia (AFF-ETH) seeks to create a network of Ethiopian citizen fact-checkers who are adept at identifying and dispelling misleading information. Alumni who complete the fellowship successfully will be more knowledgeable content creators who will impart their expertise to peers and colleagues. As a result, as individuals learn more about the detrimental effects of false information, they will be more driven to create and disseminate verified information. As prominent supporters of digital rights, they will endeavor to enhance the accuracy and integrity of information found online that is founded on the truth.
The fellowship is designed to help individuals and organizations working in media, peace-building, civic engagement, conflict resolution and diaspora or refugee Ethiopian community engagement better understand hate speech and how it can be mitigated in Ethiopia. The fellowship will gather multipliers of active influence in the community on combating hate speech and creating counter-narratives for awareness-raising against hate speech. The fellows will represent various societal stakeholders, notably youth movements, educational organizations, local authorities, equality bodies and human rights CSOs.
The fellowship will result in building digital resilience as the fellows and the people they reach after the training will have a deep understanding of the effects of online propaganda, fake news, fear and hate speech, which will, in turn, enable them to employ counter-strategies which will foster digital democratic resilience.
Methodology
The fellowship will adopt a hybrid approach, featuring weekly two-hour online sessions and several in-person sessions during the fellowship duration. Accepted fellows will engage in a virtual learning environment, utilizing resources shared on Google Classroom and participating in ongoing fellowship mentorship through a dedicated Telegram group for team updates outside of session hours.
Virtual sessions throughout the fellowship will be held in English and the local language specific to each region, facilitated via Zoom.
Eligibility:
- Age should be 18 – 35
- Basic skills in computer
- Possession of a smartphone, personal computer or both with regular internet access.
- Digital presence with at least two social media profiles
- Fluent in English and at least one Ethiopian native language.
- Demonstrable experience and expertise in media, peacebuilding, civic engagement and conflict resolution
Ideal fellow
The fellowship targets young content creators with an influential presence in traditional media and/or Social Media Activists, community leaders, Journalists, lawyers, and artists. Individuals are willing to work towards creating positive societal change through digital media and advocacy.
Target Audience
- Students
- Content Creators (Bloggers, Journalists, social media influencers, artists)
- Civil society activists
- Community leaders
- Academia (Teachers and Researchers)
N.B.: Selected applicants will be notified by email of their selection for the program by April 18th, 2024
Click here to apply Visit the Official Webpage of the Africa Fact-checking Fellowship – Ethiopia
