Daniel Pearl Fellowship Application

THE FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM

In the conviction that a strong, free press is essential to the healthy functioning of a democracy, the late Alfred Friendly, a Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter and former managing editor of The Washington Post, conceived a fellowship program that would both impart American journalistic traditions and respond to worldwide interest in the dissemination of fair and accurate news. It was Alfred Friendly’s belief that working side by side with reporters and editors is the best way to absorb the practical realities of journalism in this country and the instrumental role it plays in our society. Therefore, he created the program that bears his name to immerse journalists in American newsrooms. Since 1984 the Alfred Friendly Press Partners has trained 300 journalists from 80 countries.

About The Daniel Pearl Foundation

The Daniel Pearl Foundation was formed in memory of the Wall Street Journal’s South Asia Bureau Chief, journalist/musician Daniel Pearl, who was murdered in 2002 in Karachi, Pakistan.  The Foundation works internationally to promote cross-cultural dialogue and understanding, to counter cultural and religious intolerance, to cultivate responsible and balanced journalism, and to inspire unity and friendship through music.  In 2003, the Foundation teamed with Press Partners to offer special fellowships to journalists from South Asia and the Middle East to work in U.S. newsrooms to experience the dynamics of a free press environment first hand.  Since 2003, 20 mid-level journalists from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Egypt, Malaysia, Nepal, Pakistan, Tunisia, Turkey and Yemen have spent five to six months  at publications including: The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, San Francisco Chronicle, The Huffington Post, Houston Chronicle, ProPublica, The Berkshire Eagle and North Adams Transcript.

The fellowship program begins in March with a two-week orientation seminar in Washington, DC designed to prepare the fellows – both personally and professionally – for the challenges of living and working in the United States. At the middle of the program, fellows and staff come together for a week to attend seminars focused on writing, editing, multimedia reporting and investigative reporting/Computer Assisted Reporting. A final seminar in Washington reunites the fellows and allows them to compare and evaluate their experiences and discuss their impressions of the American media. Fellows return to their home countries in late August to begin sharing their knowledge and skills with colleagues, editors and publishers in their home newsrooms. In addition, the Daniel Pearl Fellows  spend a week at The Jewish Journal of Greater Los Angeles, where they work closely with Jewish colleagues. While in Los Angeles, they also participate in a panel discussion open to the public about their experiences in the United States and how America is perceived from abroad.

The fellowship covers all costs of program-related international and domestic U.S. travel, health insurance and provides a monthly stipend to cover basic living expenses. It is highly recommended that fellows bring additional money with them. While family members may visit, they cannot accompany the fellow for the duration of the fellowship.

PROGRAM GOALS

• To provide the fellow with experience in reporting, writing, editing, and editorial decision-making that will enhance future professional performance;
• To expose the fellow to the technological changes that are occurring in the  industry;
• To enable the fellow to gain a practical understanding of the function and significance of the free press in American society;
• To transfer knowledge gained on the program to colleagues at home;
• To foster continuing ties between free press institutions and journalists in the United States and their counterparts in other countries.

CRITERIA OF ELIGIBILITY

• Journalists who are citizens of Muslim-majority countries;
• Current full-time employment as a journalist for the news or editorial departments of independent newspapers, magazines, wire services, or online publications of general public interest;
• At least three years of full-time professional experience as a journalist;
• Early to mid-career status and between 25 and 35 years old;
• A demonstrated personal commitment to a career in journalism;
• Ability and desire to share what is learned on the fellowship with other journalists at home;
• Endorsement from the management of the home news organization;
• An excellent command of both written and spoken English as all activities are conducted in English.

For more information click "LINK TO ORIGINAL" below.