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Creator Program for Independent Journalists

The creator program for independent journalists is an innovation fund that is part of YouTube’s commitment to supporting a thriving digital news ecosystem. The creator program provides support for independent journalists, and, in particular, journalists reporting on current affairs that rely on digital video and emerging technologies. This program offers a series of trainings on YouTube best practices, video production, and entrepreneurship with peers around the world, grants to fuel capabilities, and access to dedicated support from specialists.

Program Overview

This yearlong program provides comprehensive support to independent journalists looking to build a presence and audience on YouTube:

  • Grant: Selected participants will receive a grant of $20,000 to $50,000 USD, depending on their country of residence.
  • Best practices training: Selected participants will receive training covering a range of topics, including YouTube best practices, video production, and entrepreneurship. YouTube plans to develop and deliver the curriculum in partnership with Northwestern University Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications.
  • YouTube specialist support: Selected participants will receive one-on-one coaching and support from a YouTube specialist. These specialists are located around the world and have extensive experience working with newsrooms and creators to build their audiences and businesses on YouTube.

The goal is that journalists complete the program with a strong, practical understanding of video production, content strategy, and building an online audience. At the conclusion of the program, journalists will work with YouTube to compile best practices for independent journalism on YouTube so the learnings from the program can extend to the broader news industry.

Selected Participants

49 partners around the world are currently working closely with YouTube.


Ahmed Ali Akbar
United States
Aidil Ichlas
Indonesia
Alejandra Padilla
Mexico
Anubha Bhonsle
India
Anushree Dave
Canada
Arnaud Gantier
France
Barış Soydan
Turkey
Büşra Cebeci
Turkey
Caroline Coutinho
United States
Chris Vazquez
United States
Christopher Müller
Germany
Crystal Andrews
Australia
Diogo Rodriguez
Brazil
Emmanuelle Saliba
United States
Enny Pichardo
United States
Fuki Kamai 構 二葵
Japan
Günel Cantak
Turkey
Hazem AlMazouni
Jordan
Hugo Clement
France
Ipek Yezdani
Turkey
Jamal Jordan
United States
Jo Crawford
United Kingdom
Joaquin Sanchez Mariño
Argentina
Juliene Moretti
Brazil
Jun Hori 堀 潤
Japan
Léa Bello
France
Marcel Thee
Indonesia
Marie Brière
France
Marvin Neumann
Germany
Mathias Herwix
Germany
Muhammad Lila
Canada
Yusuke Murayama
村山祐介

Japan
Nana Takamatsu
たかまつなな

Japan
Nathalia Restrepo Hernández
Argentina
Nebiye Arı
Turkey
Noemi Dado
Philippines
Noran Morsi
Egypt
Pari Saikia
India
Prema Sridevi
India
Qasa Alom
United Kingdom
Rohit Upadhyay
India
Sehar Qazi
India
Sheikha Aldosary
Saudi Arabia
Stefanie Helbig
Germany
Tanzil Asif
India
Tasnim Nazeer
United Kingdom
Travis Radford and
Rafqa Touma

Australia
Umur Ali Birand
Turkey
Warren Nettleford
United Kingdom