Ten years later, RFI commemorates the double assassination of its reporters, Ghislaine Dupont and Claude Verlon in Kidal, in northern Mali. A tragic event that has deeply marked the journalistic landscape and reminds us of the dangers that media professionals can face in the exercise of their profession.
On November 2, 2013, Ghislaine Dupont and Claude Verlon, reporting to prepare a series of programs devoted to reconciliation and the reconstruction of Mali, were kidnapped by jihadists in the center of Kidal. A few minutes later, they were brutally murdered a few kilometers from the city. Their disappearance aroused great emotion and underlined the need to guarantee the safety of journalists in conflict zones.
Ten years after this tragedy, RFI continues to pay tribute to Ghislaine Dupont and Claude Verlon by launching the tenth edition of the Bourse which bears their name. This scholarship aims to transmit their know-how and their passion for reporting to young African journalists and technicians. Applications are open to the 25 French-speaking countries of the continent and the training will take place in Abidjan.
The Ghislaine Dupont and Claude Verlon Grant is aimed at young journalists and technicians under the age of 35, who have already worked in the field of radio for at least two years. Selected candidates will have the opportunity to participate in intensive training in Abidjan, from October 16 to 29, 2023. The workshops will be followed by the production of a report for journalists and a sound element for technicians. A jury made up of representatives from RFI, the Ivorian press, the Sciences Po School of Journalism and INA will meet to select the winners, who will then benefit from a one-month training course in Paris.
This Ghislaine Dupont and Claude Verlon Scholarship is a way to perpetuate the memory of these two talented journalists and to promote excellence in the field of journalism in Africa. Beyond commemoration, it is about giving young professionals the tools and skills to continue to inform the public in a rigorous and independent way.
The double assassination of Ghislaine Dupont and Claude Verlon remains a sad reality which reminds us of the dangerousness of the profession of journalist in certain regions of the world. It is crucial to do everything possible to ensure the protection of reporters and respect for press freedom, so that such events do not happen again. The Ghislaine Dupont and Claude Verlon Fellowship is a commendable initiative in this direction, which helps to train and support future generations of African journalists