Ten years later, RFI commemorates the double assassination of its reporters, Ghislaine Dupont and Claude Verlon, who lost their lives while reporting in Mali. On November 2, 2013, these two renowned journalists were on a mission in Kidal when jihadists kidnapped and then murdered them. To mark this dark anniversary, RFI is launching the tenth edition of the Ghislaine Dupont and Claude Verlon Scholarship, aimed at training and supporting young journalists and technicians from the African continent.
The Ghislaine Dupont and Claude Verlon Scholarship is an initiative that pays tribute to the two murdered reporters and aims to pass on their professionalism and their passion for journalism to the new generation. Applications are open to young journalists and technicians under the age of 35 residing in one of the 25 French-speaking countries of Africa. The training will take place in Abidjan and applications can be submitted until August 25, 2023.
This tenth edition of the Bourse will offer selected participants intensive training in Abidjan, from October 16 to 29, 2023. Journalists will have the opportunity to produce a report, while technicians will focus on producing a sound element. A jury made up of representatives from RFI, the Ivorian press, the Sciences Po School of Journalism and INA will select a winner in each category.
The award will take place on November 2, 2023, a day declared by the United Nations as the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists. This ceremony, which will take place in Abidjan, will mark a strong moment to honor the memory of Ghislaine Dupont and Claude Verlon.
Fellowship winners will also have the opportunity to benefit from a one-month training in Paris, offering them a unique experience to develop their skills and career in the field of journalism.
This tenth edition of the Ghislaine Dupont and Claude Verlon Scholarship symbolizes RFI’s desire to perpetuate the legacy of the two deceased reporters by supporting and inspiring the new generation of information professionals in Africa. This initiative will serve as a reminder of the importance of journalism in society and RFI’s commitment to press freedom and the safety of journalists