Early to mid-career Australians of Chinese heritage with experience or an interest in journalism to undertake an eight-week program working in mainstream newsrooms.

Media Diversity Australia is calling for expressions of interest from early to mid-career Australians of Chinese heritage with experience or an interest in working in journalism, to undertake an eight-week program working in mainstream newsrooms.

• The program is designed to improve journalism coverage of Chinese communities in Australia, by increasing the number of journalists with strong Chinese cultural connections. 
• It will provide Chinese-Australian professionals with the knowledge and skills to navigate climbing the ranks of editorial leadership, and mid-career Chinese-Australians working in other professions with flexible journalism work that may lead to a potential career pivot.
• The three (3) secondments will take place in Australian major cities.
• Secondees will undertake a rigorous selection criteria process based on skill set, experience, personality, cultural fit, and geographical location.
• Once confirmed, each Secondee will be matched with a mainstream newsroom to arrange working hours that are mutually beneficial.
• Any content produced by secondees and published by participating newsrooms will be free of the oversight or influence of any government agencies.
• The secondments are scheduled to commence in September 2022.
• The secondment recipients will be mentored and supported by an MDA Mentor.

THE EIGHT-WEEK PROGRAM WILL INCLUDE

• Working in mainstream Australian newsrooms on weekdays, after hours, or on weekends in agreement with applicants and newsrooms.
• Networking (virtual) sessions between secondees and Media Diversity Australia
• Multiple check-ins with MDA mentors throughout the eight-week placement
• “Getting to know you” profiles on MDA’s social media
• Google News Training sessions
• Opportunities to attend and speak at an MDA networking event and/or be featured in MDA’s monthly newsletter.
• Competitive weekly stipend for the duration of the Secondment.

EXPECTED PROJECT OUTCOMES

• Content produced by Secondees will be at the host newsroom’s discretion. Stories pitched by Secondees on China and geopolitical affairs and those affecting the Chinese-Australian community will be specially considered. 
• Better relations between Chinese communities, community media and mainstream media outlets.
• Improvement in the host newsroom’s access to the Chinese-Australian community.
• Increased diversity in the host newsroom’s commentary and interview subjects on stories relevant to the diverse Chinese-Australian communities.
• New pathways for community media journalists, professionals with strong writing and presentation skills, and interest in news and current affairs to enter the mainstream media with improved knowledge and understanding of mainstream media and journalism.

HOW TO APPLY

• Applicants must have the right to work in Australia and provide evidence if requested.
• Applicants will ideally have Chinese heritage
• Applicants will preferably be proficient in Mandarin or Cantonese
• Applicants will preferably have experience working in community media, new media or demonstrated strong writing or presentation skills
• You must address all of the following to be considered for this program:
• In 500 words or less, please tell us about you, your media and communication experience, your interest in China or Chinese diaspora story ideas, your leadership qualities and aspirations, and why you should be an MDA Secondee.
• Please attach a CV and at least one written reference.
• Applications open on Friday, July 1, 2022, at 9 am AEDT and close on Friday, August 12, 2022, at 5 pm AEST. 
• Successful candidates will be announced in August 2022 after an interview process.

Applications now closed.