Newspaper Reporter - India

Product Details

Introduction:

Depending on your interests you can divide your time between reporting, where you will be creating and chasing stories for features, and editing, where you will be helping with the design and presentation of the paper.

Location:

Bangalore: Bangalore has ancient buildings and parks while also being described as India’s answer to Silicon Valley. It’s nothing unusual to see Bollywood stars visiting Bangalore to indulge in the vibrant nightlife and the progressive music scene.

Chennai: Previously known as Madras, Chennai is the capital of the south Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Chennai’s history dates back to before the English merchants of the East India Company and is now India’s fourth largest city, home to the world’s longest beach – the 12km Marina Beach.

Cochin: also known as Kochi, Cochin is Kerala’s most cosmopolitan city. Over the years, it has been influenced by the Portuguese, Dutch and British, as well as Chinese and Arab traders. Called ‘The Queen of the Arabian Sea’ this ancient city spreads across the mainland and onto several islands.

Project Life:

After arriving at the airport, a driver will be waiting to take you to your accommodation, where your host family will ensure that you settle into your new home. Starting on Saturday evening, our local coordinator will host an induction for all recently arrived volunteers. You will also have an opportunity to tour the city and take in the sights and sounds of your new home. Regular social events are also held, giving you the opportunity to meet other volunteers and local people, including a free weekend trip on your second weekend.

About the newspaper: With offices all over the country, the New India Express covers an area almost half the size of India. As well as the daily newspaper, regular supplements are published covering city life, health, and women’s issues, as well as a special publication for children and teenagers.

As a reporter you will be working on features, from lifestyle to culture and the local tourist industry. Working under the news editor, you will have the freedom to chase your own stories and write your own articles. The newspaper is particularly keen to have foreign perspectives on local issues. Working as a reporter requires a pro-active approach using initiative to familiarise yourself with the local area, events and people.

You can also get involved in editing. You could be rewriting stories and designing pages on their in-house design software. This is a great opportunity to develop existing skills or for those new to editing to learn. It particularly provides a great opportunity to develop skills in editing software.

Accommodation & Food:

• Wherever possible you will stay in an Indian home, otherwise share an apartment with other volunteers. Home-stay hosts are carefully selected and you would normally share a non air-conditioned room with another volunteer.
• Breakfast and evening meals are provided by your host family.

Dates & Duration:

• Minimum duration - 1 month
• Maximum duration - 3 months
• Programmes start on the 2nd Monday of every month.
• Please arrange your flight to arrive anytime between Thursday and midday Saturday on the weekend immediately before your projectstarts.
• Please be aware that projects often reduce or close their operations over Diwali, which is normally in Octoberforapprox 7- 10 days, and the school holidays between mid May - end of June.
• The hottest months are May - June and wewould recommend you take part outside of these months
.

Flights & Transportation:

• International flights are not included.
• On arrival at the airport, our local coordinator will arrange transport to meet you in the arrivals lounge and take you to your accommodation.
• In the event that you need to use local transport around the city, the local rickshaw service is very efficient and cheap (approx £0.40p for a journey within the city).
• A volunteer visa is required - we will provide you with an Invitation from the Project and a Sponsoring Organisation Letter. UK residents, please click here to download the Visa Application Form from the Indian High Commission in London (visa costs £30).

Safety & Insurance:

• All of Twin’s volunteer placements are in partnership with recognised charities, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) government ministries or registered agents, giving you the confidence to work with reputable organisations.
• Comprehensive insurance is available for each of the volunteer placements.
• Our local partner provides 24-hour support.

Eligibility &Skills:

• There are no specific skills required to participate on this programme.
• Volunteers need to be mature and confident and demonstrate initiative.
• Previous journalism experience is not necessary.
• Minimum age 18 yrs, no maximum age.
• Good spoken / written English is also required.