Inside International Justice

General info

Location: The Hague, The Netherlands

The course is organized together with the T.M.C. Asser Instituut.

Printable Info sheet (29 October - 23 November 2012)

Printable Info sheet (28 October - 22 November 2013)

Course aim

The course aims to provide working journalists with the relevant background and up-to-date knowledge, contacts and examples of best practices in order that they may report accurately, distinctively and independently on the work of the institutions that deliver international justice. Special emphasis will be placed on the International Criminal Court, the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia and the Special Court for Sierra Leone.

Who`s it for

Journalists have a crucial role to play in reporting on and monitoring the work of the institutions that are set up to deliver International Justice; informing their readers and audiences about what happens in the courts and tribunals, how the institutions are organized and run, what their impact is and how effective they are.

Learning outcomes

Short-term:

• To improve the working knowledge of the international legal framework pertaining to international justice
• To provide a unique insight into the functions and work of the international institutions based in The Hague
• To encourage a critical debate about the functioning of international justice together with its successes and failures
• To create a network among the participants and between the participants and organizers (including lecturers)
• To equip the journalists with practical tools of how to find and access relevant information, recognize potential pitfalls and how find ideas for stories
• To guide the participants through some of the major practical and ethical challenges facing journalists such as the politicisation of international justice and the protection of witnesses

Long-term:

• To contribute in creating a free and independent media
• To increase the awareness and relevance of international justice
• To enable journalists to report on the ‘changes’ taking place in their respective countries and thus contribute to respect for human rights, democratic values and stability
• To encourage media diversity

Course outline

On International Justice:

• International Law - What journalists need to know
• The role of various courts and tribunals

On International Justice & Journalism

• Pitfalls in reporting on International Justice
• Telling and selling difficult stories
• Ethical and political dilemmas

On resources & networking

• Sources and Resources; building a network in International Justice (IJ)
• Networking and collaboration with international colleagues

Working visits, a.o.:

• to the Peace Palace (seat of the International Court of Justice)
• to the International Criminal Court or International Criminal Tribunal for former Yugoslavia; offices of the Prosecutors, Judges, Victims and Witnesses

Assignments

• Interview with experts
• Cross-Media presentation
• Presentation of story assignments

Admission requirements

Applicants must meet the following admissions requirements:

1. You are currently working as a broadcast, print or online journalist and have a minimum of three years experience in journalism
2. You have successfully followed secondary education, and professional education or training in media
3. You are used to working with computers, using the Internet and have good computer skills
4. Your speaking and writing skills in English (the course language) are sufficient
5. You must submit a letter of motivation in English (150-250 words) explaining why you want to follow the course

English language proficiency:

Since English is the working language of the course, proficiency in English is an absolute necessity. Successful candidates will have a level of proficiency in English equivalent to scores of 550 (paper based) or 213 (computer based) for TOEFL and 6 for IELTS. Those whose first language is English or who come from countries in which English is their national language, and/or have completed higher education taught entirely in English will have the required level of proficiency. If you are in doubt about whether you are sufficiently proficient in English please contact RNTC at info@rntc.nl.

After submitting a motivation letter, a phone/Skype interview will be conducted with shortlisted applicants to assess the level of understanding of spoken English and discuss expectations for the course.   

Fees, costs and fellowships

The course fee of EUR 3,000 includes pick-up from the airport, insurance, and travel assignments. Participants must cover their own costs of travel, accommodation and meals. These costs are estimated at EUR 82 per day, or EUR 574 per week. More information on costs can be found here.

If you are looking for a fellowship to sponsor your study at RNTC then you must take a number of steps. RNTC will assist you in making it possible.

There are NFP fellowships available for this course.

Information and registration

For more information on registration, visit our 'How to apply' section.
For any questions, please contact us at info@rntc.nl.

RNTC
RNTC is a centre of excellence in the field of media, education and development. We design and implement courses supporting the development of the media sector and the effective use of media for development. RNTC is attached to the Dutch international broadcaster Radio Netherlands Worldwide, the international broadcaster of The Netherlands. www.rntc.nl

The T.M.C. Asser Instituut
Conveniently located in the ‘international zone’ of The Hague - the City of Peace and Justice, The T.M.C. Asser Instituut is a leading, inter-university research institute operating in the field of international law.  The institute’s international community of scholars is engaged in research, postgraduate training and dissemination of knowledge in furtherance of the purposes and principles of international law. www.asser.nl