Journalism Program

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The Institute of the Americas’ journalism program responds to challenges faced by reporters and editors in the Americas as well as discussing new techniques for groundbreaking news coverage. The workshops examine the essential value of a free press and the threat posed to fragile democracies by the rise in political, economic and physical reprisals against journalists. During each of the five-day sessions, there is a special emphasis on multi-platform storytelling as well as the dissemination of information through new media.

The Migration of HIV/AIDS

Latin American journalists learn about groundbreaking scientific research and engage in field discussions with health care providers and at-risk populations on the subject of HIV/AIDS. The journalists hear presentations from experts from Fundación Huésped and other international health organizations. The workshop includes field visits to Tijuana and to north San Diego County, in addition to scientific sessions that provide journalists a balanced perspective of the practical and theoretical issues involved in communicating information on this pandemic.

Freedom of Expression and the Rights of Journalists in Latin America

Journalists discuss the essential value of a free press and the threat posed to fragile democracies by the disturbing rise in political, economic and physical reprisals against journalists in our region. The workshop offers presentations by veteran journalists who have confronted attacks or worked in violent environments and includes a day-long field trip to Tijuana, where journalists work under constant threats from drug traffickers.

Digital Reporting

“On the Cutting Edge: Digital Reporting in the 21st Century,” focuses on multi-platform storytelling as well as the dissemination of information through new media. The workshop includes discussions with specialists on the issues of accuracy and credibility, libel and other legal questions, reporting ethics and the sourcing of information in electronic media. We also offer hands-on training sessions to give journalists new reporting tools.

Covering Natural Disasters

Latin American journalists learn new techniques for covering natural disasters such as the Haiti, Chile and Mexico earthquakes. Veteran journalists who have covered such events in Latin America instruct the group. The workshop includes a day-long field visit to San Diego’s Visualization Laboratory for a session on mapping natural disasters. Journalists also attend sessions on identifying credible sources of information and dealing with practical logistics issues such as lodging, food and travel while working in a disaster-ravaged area.

Pandemic Preparedness

Journalists hear from experts in the fields of H1N1 and HIV/AIDS epidemics, as well as touring the Naval Health Research Center, whose scientists confirmed the first two cases of A/H1N1 in the United States. Leading doctors from the Centers for Disease Control , the HIV/AIDS Antibody Lab at Scripps Research Institute and the US Department of Health and Human Services. They also participate in training sessions with journalists such as Jon Cohen, a correspondent for Science magazine. And they meet with health care professionals and human rights workers in Tijuana who are preparing to treat at-risk groups during the next wave of the influenza.

Climate Change

To provide journalists with a sustained and lasting understanding of climate change and its impact on the Americas, we host an intensive training program that offers both field trips to meet with experts on climate change and scientific sessions in the Institute's conference center. The workshop includes a day-long science workshop at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, where journalists participate in sessions with scientists in the Climate Research Division and in the Center for Marine Biotechnology and Biomedicine. During the visit, journalists hear from scientists specializing in global warming at the Center for Climate, Atmospheric Science and Physical Oceanography and they will tour three laboratories -- the marine medicines lab, the ice core facility and the invertebrate collection -- at the Institution.

Investigative Journalism

This workshop will offer training sessions on investigating financial/white-collar crime stories, organized crime, high-profile political figures and environmental abuses, as well as in-depth reporting on breaking, competitive stories.

The instructors will be working journalists whose presentations focus on ways to access sensitive information, on interview techniques and presenting investigative data that is both informative and compelling. The workshop will include journalism exercises that are designed as interactive sessions between the participants and the speakers.

Jack F. Ealy Workshop on Science Journalism

Latin American journalists meet with leading scientists from world-renowned research centers such as UC San Diego and the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. The journalists visit labs, have access to cutting-edge research, build a network of contacts in the region and receive a solid grounding on a variety of green issues. A strong emphasis is placed on climate change and its effects in Latin America, as well as making global issues understandable and relevant at a local level.

For more information:

S. Lynne Walker
Program Director
Biography