Interested in covering drugs, drug policy reforms

THE Drug Policy Reform Initiative (DPRI), a network of advocates advancing humane drug policies in the country, is opening a media fellowship in an effort to shed light on the issues of drugs, drug use, and people and communities whose lives include drugs.

“Putting People First – Media Fellowship for Humane Drug Policy” is open to media practitioners who wish to strengthen their skills and knowledge when covering stories on drugs using the lens of harm reduction – the belief that the approach to drug use should be grounded on human rights, health, and justice; and telling stories about people who use drugs should be without stigma and discrimination.

DPRI Lead Convener Atty. Kristine Mendoza said that the Media Fellowship will help shape conversations surrounding drugs and drug use towards compassion and empowerment. She said that they hope to engage more journalists to end the perpetuation of harm and stigma for people and communities whose lives include drugs.

The Call for Stories opened last March 20 and is ongoing until March 29, 2023. The fellowship is open to Filipino editors, reporters, photojournalists, anchors, and news managers in the country who want to pursue empowering stories of communities and persons involved in drug issues.

Interested applicants should submit their application through www.tinyurl.com/DPRIFellowship with their latest curriculum vitae and proposed story to be pursued.

At least 20 successful applicants will be given a seed grant that ranges from P15,000 to P30,000 for the data-gathering and publishing of work. Media Fellows will also receive training, coaching, and feedback sessions with their peers and advocates. The Fellowship will run from April to May 2023.

The Media Fellowship is being conducted with the help of Gugma PR, a public relations group helping advocates build impact through communications.

The full mechanics of the Media Fellowship are available at: https://tinyurl.com/DPRIFellowshipMechanics. For additional information, you may check Gugma PR’s official Facebook page www.facebook.com/GugmaPR.

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