Date/Deadline/Posted: September 29

Region/Country: Afghanistan

On September 9, kidnapped New York Times reporter Stephen Farrell was rescued in northern Afghanistan. His fellow Afghan reporter and interpreter, however, 34-year-old Sultan Munadi, was killed in the raid.

The article examines how come that in the business of war reporting, local reporters and translators working with foreign news outlets often are the unfortunate victims of story gathering, especially in recent years.

Deadline: October 30 

Region/Country:  Russia

A competition in Russia seeks outstanding online resources developed for a young audience. Submissions should be interesting, useful and positive. Deadline: October 30.

Eligible Web sites will demonstrate importance for community, and be educational and innovative. They must be protected from viruses and free of aggressive advertising.

The first prize winner will receive RUB 400,000 (about US$13,000). Winners will be announced on November 25. The competition is supported by the Ministry of Communications of the Russian Federation, the Russian Committee of the Year of the Safe Internet, RU-Center and others.

For more information (in Russian), go to http://saferinternet.ru/index.php?page=5&db=124

Date:  2009

Region/Country: Egypt

Three academics from Cairo University, and three from other Egyptian academic institutions are currently being mentored in the development of Reporting Diversity Curricula, by Naomi Sakr and Rasha Abdullah, two prominent academics from the UK and Egypt respectively.

Date:  7-16 November 2009

Region/Country: Cairo, Egypt

Ten young Egyptian journalists will participate in a production orientated training event, organised by the Media Diversity Institute. With help from experienced UK and local tutors, they will produce articles on diversity issues, to be placed in leading Egyptian newspapers.

Date:  2-4 November 2009

Region/Country: Morocco

Young journalists in Morocco will be trained in inclusive journalism, by Richard Cookson, a journalist working for UK TV Channel 4, and Moroccan journalist Mounia Belafia, who contributes to France 24. Topics to be discussed include: the importance of giving voices to all segments of society, not only the mainstream; the importance of alternative sources (not only official ones); basic principles of reporting diversity; managing prejudice, avoiding stereotypes and the use of language; and the importance of building bridges with civil society.

Posted: 21-23 November  

Region/Country: Latin America

Latin American journalists are invited to attend a forum that will discuss the communication challenges in covering HIV/AIDS in Latin America and the Caribbean.

The conference, scheduled for November 21 to 23 in Lima, Peru, will include workshops on various aspects of covering HIV/AIDS, including techniques and good journalistic practices.

The forum is an initiative of Grupo de Cooperación Técnico Horizontal de América Latina y del Caribe (GCTH), which gathers directors of AIDS programs from 21 countries in the region. 

More info: http://www.forovih2009.minsa.gob.pe/