Partnership with the Media, Against Human Trafficking
The Media is a powerful tool to raise awareness about human trafficking. In some cases, the media can even play a significant role in locating missing persons through investigative reporting and prompting action from authorities.
Journalists are critical agents in exposing the clandestine problem of human trafficking and bringing the issue to public attention. The media’s influence on shaping public and political discourse about human trafficking is widely recognized by international bodies, governments, and non-governmental organizations.
Just as the Media act as key drivers of information on human trafficking, it also contributes to the spread of misinformation on the issue. Sensationalist reporting, simplistic representations, and insensitive commentary falsely depict individual stories and encourage misguided perceptions about the overall issue. Bad practices of reporting on human trafficking can be damaging to victims and survivors, whether by exacerbating trauma by insensitive questioning, or violating individual privacy.
Too often, reporters are not equipped with comprehensive knowledge of human trafficking and the complexities of the issue.
Today, journalists faced with the challenges of reporting on human trafficking do not have access to adequate understanding of the laws and legal protocol around dealing with trafficked cases and persons.
In addition, they are not equipped with insights that help understand the deep psychological impacts of human trafficking, are not appropriately sensitized to issues of gender, and can falter when dealing with people who have been affected by human trafficking.
To prevent and combat human trafficking, we need to raise awareness of the factors that drive it. Journalists have a vital role to play in investigating the root causes behind this problem and in ensuring that the voices of victims and survivors are heard when telling their stories.
That is why we are inviting early-career and mid-career journalists from Bangladesh, Myanmar, Nepal and India with a keen interest and experience in reporting on cross-border human trafficking to apply to take part in the Impulse Model Press Lab Cross-Border Human Trafficking Journalism Fellowship program.
As part of the Impulse Model Press Lab initiative, we will award one-year fellowships to four early-career journalists and four-week fellowships to mid-career journalists from each country to report on cross-border human trafficking in the region.
Purpose
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The Impulse Model Press Lab aims to bridge the gap between journalistic training, and sensitization to the issues surrounding human trafficking.
It will help improve media coverage, and bring informed, impactful reports to the public.
Fellowship & Training
Impulse Model Press Lab – Agami, Ideal Prize
Impulse Model Press Lab – Four Week Fellowship
Impulse Model Press Lab – One Year Fellowship
Impulse Model Press Lab Fellows 2018 – 19
The Impulse Model Press Lab One-Year Fellowship 2018-19: Chandan Kumar Mandal (Nepal) | Harsha Pareek (India) | May Kyawt Oo (Myanmar)
The Impulse Model Press Lab Four-Week Fellowship 2018-19: Hninwai Wainwe (Myanmar) | Kalpana Bhattarai (Nepal) | Min Htet San (Myanmar) | Pari Saikia (India) | Rakesh Prasad Chaudhary (Nepal) | Sanjoy Ray (India)
Core Committee
The Impulse Model Press Lab Core Committee steers the project’s planning and implementation, in line with the goals and objectives of the Press Lab envisioned by its multi-national partners.
The Core Committee consists of media professionals and journalists from Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, and Nepal; and one representative from Impulse NGO Network.
The Core Committee Includes (in alphabetical order): Amit Patro | Amrita Anmol | Bidhayak Das | Hasina Kharbhih | Kapil Kafle | Karma Paljor | Kunal Majumdar | Sein Win | Zyar Hlaing
Management Team
The Impulse Model Press Lab Management Team consists of a Project Manager, various Program Managers, and one Core Committee Team Leader to liaise and coordinate with media and journalists.
Our Management Team includes (in alphabetical order): Emarine Kharbhih | Nyein Nyein | Rosly Pokharel Uprety | Tatum Street
The Management Team will be assisted by a dedicated team of secretarial, administrative, human resources, and technical staff.
Advisors & Country Partners
The Impulse Model Press Lab Advisors and Country Partners are a team of technical experts in the fields of law, psychology, and gender. The team also includes Impulse NGO Network’s country advisors, with expertise in issues of security, governance, law enforcement and human trafficking in India, Myanmar, and Nepal.
Our Advisors and Country Partners provide technical guidance and advice to the Press Lab. This panel also has informal associations with representatives from the relevant embassies in each country.
Our Advisors and Country Partners are (in alphabetical order): Archana Tamang | Dr. Govind Thapa | Krishan Varma | U Maung Maung Win | Mehernosh Shapoorjee | Col. (Retd) Rallyan Mone | Dr. Neel Konwar | Sunil Mow | Tashi Rapten Barfungpa