Deadline: June 6, 2016
Applications are now being accepted for the 2016-2017 Vaclav Havel Journalism Fellowship. The purpose of the Fellowship is to support aspiring journalists from countries lacking media freedom and independence to pursue their profession in support of pluralism. It is inspired by former Czech President Vaclav Havel’s belief in the transformational role of journalism in challenging tyranny.
The program will help position the selected Fellows as standard-bearers of their profession and leaders in their communities, online, on air, and in the world. The Fellowship is a joint initiative of RFE/RL and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, and is generously supported by the Prague Freedom Foundation and the Dagmar and Václav Havel Foundation VIZE97.
Fellowship Details
Fellowships are for a term of eight months. Fellows will spend six months at RFE/RL’s headquarters in Prague, where they will be placed with an appropriate language service to receive daily, on-the-job training and mentoring while working alongside RFE/RL’s seasoned professionals. For one month before the term in Prague, Fellows will be assigned to a local RFE/RL bureau to gain an understanding of RFE/RL’s local role and editorial practices and meet local staff. Fellows will return to the bureau for the final month of the program.
The Vaclav Havel Journalism Fellowship is made up of five main components:
- Professional development alongside RFE/RL’s seasoned professionals;
- On-the-job training, to include daily multi-media programming and reporting;
- New skills development;
- Participation in the daily editorial debates and discussions that inform a professional and independent press;
- Public outreach.
Fellowship
- A monthly stipend, housing, insurance and travel arrangements to and from Prague shall be provided;
Eligibility
- Eligible applicants will be from an Eastern Partnership country (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine) or the Russian Federation;
- They should have a minimum of two years experience working as a journalist in their native language;
- Have a demonstrated commitment to journalism as a profession; and
- Be proficient in English.
Application Process
A complete application includes the following materials:
- Personal statement;
- 3 Work samples;
- 2 letters of recommendation;
- Curriculum Vitae, including current contact information;
- Letter to Vaclav Havel;
- Completed applications must be submitted in English to: [email protected] by 0600 CET on June 6, 2016;
- Candidates may be contacted and asked to participate in a telephone, Skype or in-person interview as part of the application process.
For more information, visit Vaclav Havel Journalism Fellowship 2016 – 2017.
