Applications sought for Sasakawa Pacific Journalism Fellowship

Nominations and applications are being sought from journalists working in the Pacific Islands for the 2008 Sasakawa Pacific Islands Journalism Fellowship, a joint project between the Sasakawa Pacific Island Nations Fund and Pacific Magazine.

The competitive fellowship will be awarded to three senior Pacific Island journalists to work in Japan for a week under the guidance of an experienced editor. The Sasakawa Pacific Islands Journalism Fellows are expected to produce a series of stories in Japan while working one-on-one with the editor.

This year’s fellowship theme will be “Fisheries,” and will examine current Japanese fisheries policies, as well as the country’s fisheries culture and marketing system. Potential Fellows are asked to, as part of their applications; specify at least three stories around the theme of fisheries that they would like to report on in Japan.

The fellowship will accept nominations of and applications from photojournalists who work full-time for newspapers, magazines or online news services in the region. Photojournalists are also encouraged to apply for the fellowship. Photojournalism applicants must submit a portfolio of at least 10 but no more than 20 images in digital format, or printed on photo-quality paper, in addition to the other required materials. Completed applications and nominations must be at Pacific Magazine’s offices in Honolulu, Hawaii by July 11, 2008.

The fellowship trainer/mentor will be Pacific Magazine publisher Floyd K. Takeuchi, a journalist with more than 30 years experience, most of it in the region. He has worked on four newspapers; managed a radio news department; served as a radio and television anchor for Bloomberg News based in Tokyo, Japan; and managed a group of magazines. He will be assisted by Sasakawa Pacific Island Nations Fund project coordinator Rieko Hayakawa, who has worked for many years on foundation programs in the Pacific Islands.

The fellowships will be awarded based on a competitive process. A selection committee will make the final selection. Fellows will be expected to travel to Japan in October 2008.

The fellowship will pay for a Fellow’s airfare, and transit costs, cover hotel and transportation costs in Japan and provide a stipend. Fellows will be expected to pay for the cost of a visa or other documentation necessary to take part in the program.

Fellows will also be expected to have an Internet-capable laptop computer, and are strongly encouraged to bring a digital camera.

Last year’s Fellows were Agnes Donato, senior reporter of the Saipan Tribune; Moffat Ghala Mamu, senior reporter of the Solomon Star; and, Suzanne Chutaro, senior reporter of the Marshall Islands Journal.

For more information on the fellowship and application materials, please send email to Floyd Takeuchi at floydt@pacificmagazine.net. [B][I](Pacific Magazine)[/I][/B]