Call for applications for the selection of 20 participants for CFI’s Diversity & Inclusion Workshop in Almaty, Kazakhstan – September 2026
Media coverage of marginalised groups in Central Asia remains limited in scope and depth, and often lacks nuance, research, and a rights-based or legally informed approach when it does occur. Regional and minority-language audiences are underserved. Much of the information circulating in the media is published only in one or two dominant languages. This lack of minority-language coverage risks alienating entire communities. At the same time, coordinated disinformation campaigns spread misleading narratives that often target or instrumentalise these same communities.
The programme is built around hands-on skills-building, cross-sector dialogue between journalists and civil society, and the co-creation of stories and ethical collaboration frameworks with the communities concerned.
It will strengthen inclusive reporting practices, audience engagement, language and unconscious bias, ethical and trauma-informed interviewing, informed consent, and cultural sensitivity, while building practical skills in responsible use of digital and AI tools, information integrity and fact-checking, digital and physical safety, and source protection. Selected story concepts or pitch ideas developed by participants may receive further support beyond the workshop to ensure continued visibility and engagement.
The workshop will also help establish trust and a working relationship between newsrooms and civil society through a co-created collaboration charter and peer support group.
The workshop will cover the following areas
Representation & Gatekeeping: editorial decisions, newsroom diversity, agenda-setting
Language & Framing: terminology, unconscious bias, audience impact
Community & Participatory Journalism: co-creating stories with communities, informed consent
Ethical & Trauma-Informed Reporting: interviewing practices, source protection
AI, Data & Ethical Reporting: responsible AI in newsgathering and fact-checking
Online Safety & Digital Rights: digital and physical security, cybersecurity for journalists
Policy, Law & Media Regulation: regulatory gaps and press-freedom frameworks
Attendance for all three days of the workshop is mandatory.
The selection of participants will be based on clear and transparent criteria.
Please note that only retained candidates will be contacted.
Eligibility criteria
To apply for this workshop, you must
Be willing to share feedback with CFI on the workshop and its relevance to your work.
To ensure full participation, travel support will be provided to selected participants. Women and persons with disabilities are particularly encouraged to apply.