Looking for the Future of Kenyan journalism

The world over, there’s always been a need for bold newsrooms populated with ethical, rigorous, committed, intellectually curious and gifted reporters, editors, designers, social media managers, producers, illustrators, production managers, shoot-edits, and more. However, we’d like to cautiously posit that in today’s politically turbulent, economically uncertain and socially anxious globe, the need for this kind of rare-breed journalist and journalism is even more urgent – one where the journalist believes in and relishes their vocation, giving it their finest possible shot; one where everything goes back to the story, and even more importantly, the storytelling; one where audiences are supreme, getting the best in news, analysis, reportage, opinion, and more. These are not airy utopian aspirations. Others have done it before. Now it is our singular mission to do it, together, for the sake of our society, our country, our region and our profession. 

This is why we are currently, and will continue looking for the future of Kenyan journalism. 

We will keep updating this page every three to six months with our different apprenticeships, so please visit again if you are keen to be part of our ambitious reporting and storytelling project(s). 

For now, we are eagerly looking to enroll for the following apprenticeship slots. 

Please follow the instructions and show us what you’ve got. We will hopefully see you soon!

*All advertised positions come with requisite market-rate compensation packages.

 

We are looking to give a very strong start to aspiring writers and reporters who may have started out or are starting out and are ambitious and ready to learn, grow and take off. With a journalistic bias, much as the writing will matter most, the art of reporting – going to the field, seeking and finding sources and working these interviews and insights into pieces – will be of even greater emphasis. To say, if one already has an idea of what they want or where they are going as a writer, this program will prove extremely urgent in as far as expanding their horizon into journalism. Ideally, this program will form a primary pipeline for journalists who will join newsrooms and flourish instantly for someone with their kind of early career experience. 

The Candidate 

Eager, ready, collegial, and sees themselves having a long, successful future in a newsroom. Should not be distracted by short term endeavours but be willing to play a long journalistic game and become the best at what they do. Should be extremely generous with feedback and give it openly, fairly and elaborately, and should be open to receiving the same if not more. Should be interested in building a league of comrades with whom they will grow together in the profession, holding each other’s hands editorially to usher in a new generation of storytellers. Should not be afraid to seek assistance in any matter, and should communicate clearly and in a timely manner.   

Requirements
  1. One published/unpublished story.
  2. One well-reasoned op-ed pitch.
  3. One elaborate feature pitch.
  4. One detailed and currently relevant reportage pitch.
  5. One special project pitch (could be a series or standalone).
  6. Resume (with current referees).  

*Each intern will workshop and develop their pitches and projects during the program.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Midnight, September 20th.  

APPLY HERE.

We are looking to revisit the age-old art of reporting and storytelling, not by whiling away behind desks and screens, but by folding our sleeves and engaging society in all its forms and shapes, and coming out with real tales about real people living real lives in real places. We seek to give our audiences stories that they yearn for and those that they will not know they needed until after we have delivered them. And so we seek to develop cohorts of reporters and storytellers who will work together and work separately to contribute to a pool of stories and storytelling projects that go to the heart of society and its needs, pleasures, anxieties, nuances, aspirations. If there will be one story anyone would want to read or watch or listen to on any given day, that story should be a story done by an alumnus of this program, because they will be the best at it.

The Candidate 

We are looking to build a strong pipeline of reporters and storytellers to undergo rigorous practical newsroom reporting and training, with a primary focus on pitching, turning the pitch into a story, before turning the story into a formidable work of journalism first through self-editing – working on structure, storytelling, narrative, language, fact-checking, and more – before working with an editor or editors to complete the magic. The other half of the program will explore the arts of pursuing and examining story ideas, building story pipelines and repositories, and getting commissioned for regular and special assignments, and more. The apprenticeship will also entail the undertaking of practical newsroom operations, where beyond the story, the apprentices will learn and participate in other elements of whatever keeps the lights on and makes a newsroom tick.     

Requirements
  1. Two published stories.
  2. Two well-reasoned op-ed pitches.
  3. Two elaborate feature pitches.
  4. Two detailed and currently relevant reportage pitches.
  5. Two special project pitches (could be a series or standalone).
  6. Resume (with current referees).  

*Each apprentice will workshop and develop their pitches and projects during the program.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Midnight, September 20th.  

APPLY HERE.

We are looking to build a strong pipeline of multifaceted, multigifted editors who will go back to basics, master the basics, and limitlessly grow their editing craft and editorial interest across Debunk’s various areas of coverage and its various pivots. Those accepted into the program will undergo practical newsroom editorial training, with a primary focus on the actual act of turning a piece of reporting into a formidable work of journalism by working on structure, storytelling, narrative, language, fact-checking, and more. The other half of the program will explore the arts of soliciting and examining pitches, building story pipelines and reporter repositories, regular and special assignment commissioning, and more. The apprenticeship will also entail the undertaking of practical newsroom operations, where beyond the story, the apprentices will double in other elements of whatever keeps the lights on and makes a newsroom tick.     

The Candidate 

We are looking for curiosity, determination and commitment. Someone who has no qualms meeting deadlines, understands the need for collegiality and purposes to work well with their colleagues at all levels, and is ready to lead and be led intellectually and editorially. Should be someone who understands how institutions work (especially in a creative and professional setup) and believes in institution building for posterity. Should be a strong believer in teamwork, and not a blind pursuer of personal glory. Should at least have an undergraduate qualification (postgraduate qualifications are welcome), but in lieu of this, should have a formidable body of work as a writer and or reporter. Should see themselves as having a future in a newsroom.

Requirements
  1. Three published stories.
  2. Three well-reasoned op-ed pitches.
  3. Three elaborate feature pitches.
  4. Three detailed and currently relevant reportage pitches.
  5. Three special project pitches (could be a series or standalone).
  6. Resume (with current referees).  

*Each apprentice will workshop and develop their pitches and projects during the program.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Midnight, September 20th.  

APPLY HERE.

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