Deadline: June 3, 2022
Applications are open for the Vaclav Havel Journalism Fellowship 2023. 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 Václav Havel’s belief in the transformational role of journalism in challenging tyranny and oppression.
The Fellowship is a joint initiative of RFE/RL and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, and aims to strengthen media independence in Eastern Partnership countries and the Russian Federation. The program will help prepare the selected Fellows to be standard-bearers of their profession and leaders in their communities, online, on air, and in the world.
Program Details
The Fellowship is a seven-month program. 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. After Prague, Fellows will return to the bureau (if applicable) for a final month.
The main components of the program are:
- Professional mentoring alongside RFE/RL’s seasoned professionals.
- Training and development of journalistic skills on traditional, multi-media, and digital platforms.
- Participation in the daily editorial discussions that inform a professional and independent press.
- Independent work on a personal project.
- Understanding of the mission and practice of a professional, free, and independent media company.
Benefits
- A monthly stipend at the bureau and in Prague, housing, health insurance, and travel arrangements to and from Prague shall be provided.
Eligibility
- Eligible applicants will be from an Eastern Partnership country or the Russian Federation;
- Have a minimum of two years’ experience working as a journalist in their native language;
- Be committed to working as a journalist in, or for audiences in, their home country;
- Share RFE/RL’s mission; and be proficient in English;
- Applicants for a Fellowship position with Current Time must demonstrate native-level fluency in Russian, strong writing skills, and some TV and digital experience. They must indicate their wish to be assigned to Current Time in their application materials.
Application
A complete application includes the following materials:
- Personal statement
- 3 work samples
- 2 letters of recommendation
- Curriculum Vitae, including current contact information
- Letter to Václav Havel
In addition, please let them know how you learned about the Fellowship (e.g., RFE/RL’s website, Facebook, a professional or academic reference, etc.).
For more information, visit Vaclav Havel Journalism Fellowship.
