Fifth Call for Investigative Journalism Story Pitches: Community Focused investigative stories

Proposals invited from journalists from , Mashonaland Central, Mashonaland East, and Mashonaland West ONLY -please specify your province when you do send 

The Voluntary Media Council of Zimbabwe (VMCZ) is inviting and hereby makes a call to Zimbabwean journalists to pitch story ideas on investigative journalism (IJ) around community focused stories.

This call for investigative story pitches is part of VMCZ’s public interest journalism and will support detailed and well researched stories on any investigations that shed light on issues that affect the communities of Mashonaland Central, Mashonaland East and Mashonaland West provinces. An investigation that will result in a series of stories will be highly considered for funding.

The pitches shall be sponsored with small grants disbursed to the successful pitches. The support grants shall cover direct costs that shall be incurred by the journalists in the field on the production of investigative journalism stories that are limited to transportation, communication and lodging among other costs.

Pitches and investigative story ideas that will be supported are stories that break new ground and expose wrongdoing relating to and affecting communities and also having a national bearing, the stories can include – corruption, malfeasance, ignored or underlying issues affecting communities, or misuse or abuse of power – in the public and private sectors.

Each successful pitch will be supported with a ceiling payment of US $600. An average of two stories will be supported every month.

Applications from mainstream media and online publications should be done through the editor with a letter of commitment while freelance journalists can make their applications directly. Applicants in 400 words or less, should summarise their idea for the investigative story explaining the point of the investigation. Applicants should also state their anticipated date to start and complete the investigation stories.

The investigative story ideas should be submitted to; mediacomplaints@gmail.com and copied to; director@vmcz.co.zw

The deadline for submission of pitches is Thursday 4 August, 2021. Applications can thereafter be received on the 15th of every month. Those that submitted pitches that were unsuccessful and still feel they can be re-considered can also re-submit the pitches.

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