Learning Programme

MEDIA UP
TMF believes that there is no better way to become a good journalist than to grapple with the real-life challenges and opportunities that journalists face every day.

This is why we designed Media Up, a skills programme for TMF grantees that emphasises learning by doing.

At every stage of the Media Up programme, grantees take responsibility for their own learning.

Our mentors do not lecture; instead, they pose real-world questions and challenges, supporting learners as they think through problems and arrive at reasoned conclusions. Grantees are encouraged to set goals, to focus on results, and above all, to apply their new skills and insights to their work in the field.

They also receive valuable personal support as they strive to discover their professional strengths and weaknesses and develop the habits and skills of a life of inquiry.

A 3-STAGE PROCESS
Media Up provides skills trainings in three stages:

1. Preparing
Before beginning a story, grantees participate in group sessions focused on developing practical journalism skills. Through role-plays and scenarios based on their actual projects, grantees learn how to seek out quality sources and how to ask good questions.

2. Learning by Doing
Throughout their projects, our grantees have access to expert support and mentorship. As a result, grantees become better researchers, news analysts, and writers!

3. Reflection
After grantees have published or broadcast their stories, they participate in reflection sessions about their experiences and the quality and real-world effects of their work. Sessions include open, candid peer-review and one-on-one mentoring.

ONGOING BENEFITS
Following grantees participation in the reflection session, grantees become part of the TMF alumni community.

As alumni, grantees can continue to take advantage of Media Up through free admission to ongoing training sessions and free use of Media Up’s online learning portal (available in 2009).