The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
Journalism Fellowship
2008-2009
Application Deadline: March 1, 2008
The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press will offer a fellowship for an experienced journalist with an interest in free press issues. The one-year fellowship begins in September 2008.
The Reporters Committee is a voluntary, unincorporated association of reporters and editors, dedicated to protecting the First Amendment interests of the news media. From its Arlington, Virginia, office, The Reporters Committee staff provides cost-free legal defense and research services to journalists and their attorneys throughout the United States, and also operates the FOI Service Center to assist the news media with federal and state open records and open meetings issues.
The Journalism Fellow will be responsible for ensuring that our publications are appealing to and understandable by our core readers -- journalists who do not have any special legal knowledge. The fellow will serve as the primary editor of our single-topic guides and our daily news product, making sure the web site is updated regularly. The fellow will be responsible for helping identify media law topics that should be addressed in analytical pieces or in enterprise reporting projects, drawing from his or her experience concerning what newsrooms need to know about developments in free press law.
In addition, the journalism fellow will write, edit and design for the Committee's flagship publications, the quarterly magazine, The News Media & The Law, and the bi-weekly newsletter, News Media Update. The fellow also will be able to audit a course on First Amendment/media law at one of the Washington-area law schools.
The fellowship lasts for one year (September to August), with a stipend of $40,000, plus fully paid health benefits. Candidates must have at least three years experience in the areas of news reporting, copy editing and design. A background in free press issues is strongly preferred.
There is no application form. Candidates should submit the following:
Please send applications to:
Application materials will be returned only if the applicant supplies a stamped, self-addressed envelope with sufficient postage. E-mail applications will not be accepted. Complete applications must be received at The Reporters Committee's office no later than March 1, 2008.