The Ben Bagdikian Fellowship Program 2018, USA

Publish Date: Mar 05, 2018

Deadline: Apr 01, 2018

The Ben Bagdikian Fellowship Program

So you want to be a journalist. You want to learn how a great magazine comes together, how to cover breaking news, how investigations happen, how awards are won. You want skills, you want experience, and you wouldn’t mind cash. Well, you’ve come to the right place.

The Ben Bagdikian Fellowship Program offers a crash course in investigative journalism. Mother Jones fellows dive deep into every aspect of a national multimedia outfit—from making news to making it pretty, ensuring its impact, and mastering the inner workings of nonprofit publishing. Fellowship positions include:

  • Editorial fellow
  • Online editorial fellow
  • Social media fellow
  • Digital media fellow
  • Strategic communications fellow

Mother Jones fellowships are full-time positions lasting six months, with the opportunity to extend the position for an additional six months after that. New fellowship cohorts begin twice a year, on June 1 and December 1, and applications for each cohort are due on April 1 and October 1, respectively, unless otherwise noted (see below for more details on the application). Those who are still in school or are only available part-time are not eligible, nor can fellowships be used for course credit. Mother Jones is unable to furnish work visas for those applying from outside of the United States. With additional questions regarding eligibility, please email at fellowships@motherjones.com.

Fellows receive a $2,275 monthly stipend, supported by grants from the Irving Harris and Lannan Foundations and by the generosity of their contributors.

Mother Jones believes that a diverse newsroom strengthens the quality of workplace and reporting. It strongly encourages people from all backgrounds to apply.

Position Descriptions

Editorial Fellowship (San Francisco and DC): The editorial fellowship is a research-intensive foray into investigative journalism. Fellows work closely with reporters and editors on everything from fact-checking and researching to reporting. You’ll receive training in every aspect of the editorial process, from research tools and tactics to libel law and reporting strategies. You’ll attend regular skill-building sessions covering topics that span the operations of a media organization.

Editorial fellows in San Francisco office,  headquarters, work closely on award-winning bimonthly print magazine. By fact-checking investigations, author Q&As, and front-of-the-book reported pieces, fellows re-engineer a reporter’s work and learn what it takes to report and put together a magazine story. Fellows in San Francisco also work on the website and are expected and encouraged to write for the web on subjects including politics, climate change, criminal justice, reproductive rights, and culture.

Online Editorial Fellowship (San Francisco): Are you obsessed with digital media and eager to strengthen the accuracy and quality of what gets passed around the internet? Online editorial fellows work alongside editorial fellows to fact-check, produce, and improve content, but they also work under the direction of the web production team to build and test new digital-based projects that keep website looking fresh. Online editorial fellows are expected and encouraged to write for the web on subjects including politics, climate change, criminal justice, reproductive rights, and culture. Applicants should have experience with the back end of at least one CMS, a working knowledge of HTML and experience with Photoshop, and social media mastery of at least two platforms.

Editorial fellows in DC office get a research- and reporting-intensive foray into the life of investigative beat reporters and editors covering Washington. An immersive and fast-paced mix of fact-checking, web production, research, and blogging, the fellowship means working closely with the team of more than a dozen reporters and editors in the Beltway to learn the ropes of reporting breaking news, delivering investigative content, and promoting stories through social media and other outlets.

Social Media Fellowship (San Francisco): All-star social media fellows create web content, keep editors current on social platforms, and enhance coverage of breaking news. This fellow will work closely with Mother Jones’ digital news team across our three offices. You’ll learn about every aspect of modern online publishing, collaborating alongside seasoned editors and reporters. Aside from helping promote Mother Jones stories, you’ll help fact-check our website. You’ll also attend regular skill-building sessions covering topics that span the operations of a media organization. Applicants should have experience with the back end of at least one CMS, a working knowledge of HTML and Photoshop, endless enthusiasm for digital storytelling languages, and facility and deep familiarity with social media.

Digital Media Fellowship (New York City): The digital media fellow helps keep Mother Jones current on social platforms and enhances multimedia coverage of breaking news—especially with snappy, smart video. This fellow works closely with the digital and multimedia news team to learn about every aspect of modern online publishing, collaborating with seasoned editors and reporters. You’ll also attend regular skill-building sessions covering topics that span the operations of a media organization. Applications should have experience with video editing; familiarity with Adobe Creative Cloud suite (especially Premiere); evidence of hands-on production, including for video and shooting in the field; comfort with content management systems; a zeal for online news and media; and a working knowledge of HTML and experience with Photoshop.

Strategic Communications Fellowship (San Francisco): This fellow will work with Mother Jones’ communications strategist—in collaboration with staff across the organization—to build buzz for Mother Jones investigations and breaking news, increase impact, and engage with the audience. The communications fellow will assist in pitching television and radio appearances, building communication with key organizations and influencers, and identifying events and speaking opportunities for MoJo staff. He or she will help plan and promote Mother Jones events and test out new ways to engage with its readers, while also tracking Mother Jones’ impact and helping submit its journalism for prestigious awards.

This is a unique opportunity to learn and practice strategic communications, project management, and audience engagement skills while helping a major investigative reporting organization tell important stories and increase its impact.

How to Apply

Mother Jones accepts new fellow cohorts twice a year, on June 1 and December 1, unless otherwise noted. Applications are due two months in advance of the start date, on April 1 and October 1.

To apply to our editorial, online editorial, and social media fellowship positions, please submit the following to fellowships@motherjones.com:

  • In a single PDF, please send a cover letter, résumé (including the names and numbers of two references), and two writing samples.
  • In your cover letter, please clearly state: which position, and in which office, you are applying for, as well as which start date you are interested in.
  • In the body of your email, please clearly state: which position, and in which office, you are applying for, as well as which start date you are interested in.

To apply for the Digital Media Fellowship, please submit the following to fellowships@motherjones.com:  

  • A cover letter and résumé, including the names and numbers of two references.
  • Two videos you have worked on, describing what role you played in their production (i.e. editor, shooter, producer, etc.).
  • Two writing samples (links to online versions preferred).
  • In the body of your email, please clearly state: which position, and in which office, you are applying for, as well as which start date you are interested in.

For more information click "LINK TO ORIGINAL" below.


This opportunity has expired. It was originally published here:

https://www.motherjones.com/about/ben-bagdikian-fellowship-program/?utm_source=ARMACAD.info&utm_medium=ARMACAD.info#apply1

Similar Opportunities


Disciplines

Journalism

Media

Social Media

Writing

Study Levels

Research

Opportunity Types

Fellowships

Study

Eligible Countries

International

Host Countries

United States