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On Wednesday, May 28, Abraji and I’Max announced the journalists selected for full fellowships — professionals working in local journalism, many of them in regions with little journalistic coverage. 15 people will have all expenses paid to participate in the 20th International Coverage of Investigative Journalism.
The fellowships are the result of a partnership between Abraji and I’Max — a press mailing and release distribution platform in Brazil — and aim to support journalists who run local news sites or work in regions classified as news deserts (areas with little or no consistent journalistic coverage).
This is Abraji’s first time offering fellowships specifically for local journalism outlets. All recipients will have full fellowships including a travel grant, accommodation, a stipend for meals and entry to the event. Abraji will be contacting each selected participant via email in the coming days.
“Journalism is essential in major cities, in decision-making centers that impact large populations — but it is equally vital in small towns and remote regional hubs far from metropolitan areas. That is why Abraji is concerned about news deserts and is committed to creating strategies to help retain journalists in such territories. These local journalism fellowships are one more step towards that direction”, said Katia Brembatti, president of Abraji.
The initiative aims to strengthen local and independent journalism as part of the “Mais Pelo Jornalismo” (More for Journalism) program, created by I’Max to provide technological support to hundreds of small news outlets across Brazil. According to Fernanda Lara, CEO of I’Max, the platform has designated 2025 as a year to fight the weakening of journalism through technology.
“Over the past 10 years, we have seen more than 13,000 news outlets shut down in Brazil. These were well-structured organizations that kept small towns informed and employed skilled journalists. We created ‘Mais Pelo Jornalismo’ as an emergency response to support up to a thousand local news platforms. We’re joining forces with journalists from across the country to show that there are other ways to distribute content and sustain journalism. With such a mission, we couldn’t be left out of Abraji’s Congress, especially since our sponsorship has been converted into fellowships, allowing more journalists from distant cities to join us in São Paulo”, said Lara.
The Abraji Congress is the biggest gathering of journalists in Brazil, with in-person and online activities, as well as live broadcasting of some of the event’s sessions. In this special anniversary edition, it will be held from July 10 to 13 at ESPM’s Álvaro Alvim Campus in São Paulo.
See the list of selected candidates:
• Abidias Martins Da Silva Filho - Alagoas
• Aldair Silva Dos Santos - Minas Gerais
• Angelo Batecini - Rio Grande do Sul
• Antonia Nadia Juvêncio Magalhães - Ceará
• Elenize Ramos Oliveira - Mato Grosso do Sul
• Fernanda Da Silva Lima Conceição - Rio de Janeiro
• Francisco Da Silva Costa - Rondônia
• Jhayne Geovana Santos Lima - Mato Grosso
• Luiz Loureiro - Minas Gerais
• Marcio Silvestre Levi Nogueira - Acre
• Mirella Dê Lima - Pernambuco
• Rogerio Lima De Araujo - Pará
• Thales Lima - Amapá
• Victor Moura - Pernambuco
• Wescley Camelo De Brito - Acre
In total, five people were selected from Brazil’s North region, four from the Northeast, two from the Midwest, three from the Southeast and one from the South.
Support diversity at the 20th Congress
You can also support us in promoting inclusion and diversity by donating any amount to help us bring more people to the Congress. This is how we will be able to make this a more plural and accessible event to journalists and students from all regions of Brazil. If you’d like to contribute to increasing diversity at Abraji’s 20th Congress, please contact us at [email protected].
