New Fellowship opportunity for Hong Kong-based journalists

05 May 2015

We are very pleased to announce the establishment of a new fellowship for journalists normally resident in Hong Kong.The newly established Lion Rock Spirit Fellowship is supported by Sharon Cheung (張寶華) and enables one HK journalist per year to have the opportunity to join our Journalism Fellowship Programme in Oxford. The Fellowship Programme provides journalists with time to reflect and carry out media-related research. It is aimed at giving journalists new insights by allowing them the opportunity to carry out in-depth research into subjects that are relevant to the media industry. Cheung, herself an alumna of the Journalism Fellowship Programme, said: “I was inspired by the hardship and plight of reporters during the “Yellow Umbrella” social movement in Hong Kong last year. Some of them had to work 20 hours per shift under extremely high pressure when society was sharply divided in opinions. I believe journalists should be given greater support in their work. Accurate and trustworthy reporting is so important in a democratic society, and journalists need to be educated and encouraged to ensure their work is of the highest standard. I choose to name the fellowship Lion Rock Spirit because the Lion Rock Mountain is the symbol of Hong Kong and Lion Rock Spirit means the fighting spirit of Hong Kongers to overcome difficulties. I believe this name well represents the quality and spirit of Hong Kong journalists.” Cheung hopes to further extend the fellowship to mainland China once it has become established. RISJ Director Dr David Levy said “We are delighted that a former Fellow of the Programme has chosen to support its continuation and we look forward to hosting journalists from Hong Kong in the coming years”. The Fellowship is open to all Hong Kong based journalists with a minimum of five years’ experience, regardless of their age or political affiliation. The first Lion Rock Spirit Fellow will spend at least one term (three months) in Oxford in early 2016, where he/she will join a diverse group of journalists from other parts of the world. Journalist Fellows attend regular seminars and lectures relating to journalism and undertake a research project on a topic of their choice, leading to the completion of a 6000-8,000 word paper. They are encouraged to attend other academic and social events at Oxford University. For more information on the Journalism Fellowship Programme and how to apply for the Lion Rock Spirit Fellowship, please click here.  The deadline for applications is Wednesday 1st July.   Notes for editors: The University of Oxford enjoys a long and deep connection to Hong Kong and China. It currently has over 160 academics and more than 900 students from Hong Kong and China, forming the second largest group of international students at Oxford after the United States. Hong Kong is home to more than 1900 Oxford alumni, while 2100 alumni live in Mainland China. The University’s presence in this region is supported by the University of Oxford China Office, Oxford University Press (Hong Kong and China) and Isis Innovation Asia. Oxford is also home to one of the western world’s leading centres for the study of China which moved into its new premises last year, the Dickson Poon University of Oxford China Centre Building. Ms Sharon Cheung (張寶華小姐) is a graduate of the Chinese University of Hong Kong and was a Reuters Fellow in 2004-5. She is a journalist with over 20 years’ experience in the media industry working in various media companies, South China Morning Post, Hong Kong Cable Television Limited and Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK). Ms Cheung is now the Senior Vice-President of Media Asia Holdings and is in charge of the group's marketing and new media development. She is also a columnist of Hong Kong Economic Journal in addition to fiction writing. Ms Cheung was awarded Most Outstanding Professional Women Award presented by JCI City Lady in 2013.