The Kurt Schork Memorial Fund (KSMF) is welcoming submissions from freelance journalists, local reporters, and news fixers worldwide for the 23rd edition of the Kurt Schork Awards in International Journalism.
These awards pay tribute to the memory of Kurt Schork, an American freelance journalist who lost his life in Sierra Leone in 2000 while working for Reuters. They honor the bravery of journalists who courageously take on significant personal risks. Often with little recognition or reward, to uncover the truth and hold those in power accountable. The awards acknowledge outstanding reporting on conflict, corruption, injustice, and human rights violations.
Benefits
- The Awards are split into three categories. Each winner will receive a cash prize of $5,000.
Eligibility Requirements
Three award categories are available for print and online journalists, which were particularly admired by Kurt Schork:
- Freelance Award: This category acknowledges the efforts of freelance journalists who venture into conflict zones worldwide, often facing significant personal risks, to witness and report on the impact and consequences of these events.
- Local Reporter Award: This award recognizes the often overlooked work of journalists in developing nations or countries undergoing transitions, who cover events and issues within their own homeland.
- News Fixer Award: This category highlights the contributions of local journalists or experts who are typically hired by foreign correspondents. These individuals provide invaluable guidance and local knowledge, playing a crucial but often unrecognized role in enabling international coverage from challenging, dangerous, or hostile locations.
Application Procedure
Freelance Award And Local Reporter
- Applicants for the Freelance Award need to submit three published articles. With the publication dates falling between June 1, 2023 and May 31, 2024.
- Acceptable media for submission include print-based mediums like newspapers, magazines, and established online publications. However, blogs, personal websites, social media pages, or channels will not be considered.
- The submitted articles should cover topics such as war reporting, human rights issues, cross-border conflicts, corruption, or other controversial issues affecting people’s lives. Judges will assess entries based on professionalism, high journalistic standards, and evidence of dedication and courage in obtaining the story.
- To address issues with scanned entries and broken links in previous years, each article must be provided as a text file in MS Word (.doc or .docx). You can submit your text in a similar file format, such as a .rtf file, or as a PDF of a text file.. Entrants may provide a URL link to the article or a scan (in PDF or JPG format) as supporting evidence. But failure to submit the required text files will result in disqualification.
Along with the articles, applicants must supply
- A CV detailing their education and journalism career
- A passport-quality photo in JPEG, GIF, or PNG format (with a file size not exceeding 250Kb),
- A high-quality English translation if the original articles are not in English, and a brief statement explaining the efforts made to acquire the story.
- The maximum file size for text submissions or scans is 5Mb. Entrants must complete the online entry form, or an alternative PDF form for printing and posting if necessary.
News Fixer Award
- Applicants for the News Fixer Award need to provide three references from foreign correspondents they collaborated with between June 1, 2023 and May 31, 2024.
- The references should include links to the stories resulting from the applicant’s contributions.
- A reference template is available for download, which applicants can share with the foreign correspondents. For completion before uploading them along with the entry form.
- Submitted articles should cover topics such as war reporting, human rights issues, cross-border conflicts, and corruption. Or other controversial issues affecting people’s lives.
Along with the references, applicants must submit:
- A CV detailing their education and career background.
- A passport-style photo of the applicant in JPEG, GIF, or PNG format (with a file size not exceeding 250Kb) is also required.
To Apply click here
For More Information visit the Official Website of the Kurt Schork Memorial Fund Awards in International Journalism.
Application Deadline
May 31, 2024.
CHECK THESE OUT:
- Empowering Media Professionals: DW Akademie Workshops in Mauritania and Algeria
- UK – Germany Bilateral: Collaborative R&D Round 3 | Apply Now for Funds
- Bureau of Land Management Utah Wildlife Resource Management Program | Apply Now for Funds
- Evidence-Based Policy Implementation in Advancing the Care Economy in Kenya | Apply Now!
 is welcoming submissions from freelance journalists, local reporters, and news){kind=link}