TheCable

The Ripples Centre for Data and Investigative Journalism (RCDIJ) has announced its 2021 data masterclass for journalists.

The training, which will hold on August 5, will target 30 journalists from across Africa.

According to the centre, selected participants will receive first-class training and learning resources to support the practice of data journalism.

The centre has encouraged media organisations across Africa, as well as freelancers with experience in data and investigative journalism, to apply via the RCDIJ website.

According to the centre, the selection of participants will reflect inclusiveness and diversity.

Applications for the masterclass opened on July 5, and will run till July 15.

The masterclass training is in partnership with Ripples Nigeria, Code for Africa, BudgIT, Tracka, The Journalism Clinic, and Jet Motor Company, and will hold at Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos state.

Speaking on the forthcoming training, Samuel Ibemere, executive director of the centre, said “geo-journalism” is the focus area of this year’s masterclass.

Ibemere said the motivation is to guide African journalists in the area of geojournalism, towards an impactful and far-reaching practice of the profession.

“Our goal is to empower journalists to understand geodata and effectively report on the environment, with special focus on climate change and the place of strategic intervention. Beneficiaries of our training will learn how to integrate data collection, analysis, visualisation and reporting for a holistic coverage of the environment,” he said.

“We believe empowering journalists to provide this service will help in the great cause of reversing the effects of climate change and boosting environmental sustainability.”

The centre added that training will be conducted in strict compliance with the COVID-19 protocol.