Vaclav Havel Journalism Fellowship 2019 – 2020

Published by sanja

Deadline: 2 June 2019
Open to: people who have a minimum of two years’ experience working as a journalist in their native language
Benefits: a monthly stipend at the bureau and in Prague, housing, insurance, and travel arrangements to and from Prague shall be provided

Description

Applications are currently being accepted for the 2019 – 2020 Václav 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 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 aimed at strengthening media independence in Eastern Partnership countries and the Russian Federation. It is generously supported by the Dagmar and Václav Havel Foundation VIZE97.

The program will help prepare the selected Fellows to be standard-bearers of their profession and leaders in their communities, on-line, on air, and in the world.

Fellowships are for a term of approximately 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 two weeks before the term in Prague, Fellows may be assigned to a local RFE/RL bureau to gain an understanding of RFE/RL’s local role and editorial practices and meet the local staff. After Prague, Fellows will return to the bureau for the final month of the program.

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; have a demonstrated commitment to journalism as a profession and 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.

The Fellowship accepts applications from journalists in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine, and the Russian Federation, to be assigned for the term of the Fellowship to one of those language services.

Fellowship

A monthly stipend at the bureau and in Prague, housing, insurance, and travel arrangements to and from Prague shall be provided.

How to apply?

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.

To apply, please fill the application form here.

For more information, visit the official website.