Third group of bursaries awarded

Bursaries have been awarded to three diverse journalists after they impressed a panel of editors with their passion and commitment to journalism.
Rebecca Bastable, Charlene Cole and Selina Ditta will each receive a bursary from the Journalism Diversity Fund to cover the cost of their journalism training at an NCTJ-accredited centre and a contribution towards expenses. Rebecca will study the Diploma in Journalism at Highbury College and Charlene and Selina will study the Newspaper Journalism course at News Associates, London.

Interviews took place at the Guardian on Friday, 2 December and the panel, which consisted of Geoff Martin, editor, Ham & High; Donna McConnell, showbusiness editor, Mail Online; Jason Gibbins, editor, Banbury Guardian; Hugh Muir, diary editor, Guardian; and Malik Meer, editor,G2 quizzed interviewees on their passion for journalism, financial need and diversity.

The deadline for the fourth and final round of bursaries is Friday, 16 December.  This is the last opportunity to apply for funding for journalism training starting in the academic year September 2011 – August 2012.

Next year’s schedule will appear on the Journalism Diversity Fund website in the new year.