31 Jan 2022 Summer Internship Program
The Fallen Journalists Memorial Foundation is accepting applications for its 2022 Summer Internship Program. Up to three (3) students will be selected for the program, which will provide a unique opportunity to be part of a small team that is developing the first national memorial to commemorate America’s commitment to press freedom and those who died advancing it around the world.
The Foundation’s mission is laid out in the Fallen Journalists Memorial Act (Public Law 116-253), which was passed by Congress and signed into law in December 2020. It specifically authorizes the Foundation to “establish a commemorative work on Federal land in the District of Columbia and its environs to commemorate America’s commitment to a free press by honoring journalists who sacrificed their lives in service to that cause.”
Projected to be completed in 2027, the Memorial will educate, engage, and inspire visitors around the importance of a free press as a pillar of a vibrant democracy. It will serve as a lasting signal of our commitment, setting an example for the world, galvanizing future generations of advocates, and honoring fallen journalists throughout history.
In the first year following enactment of the Fallen Journalists Memorial Act, the Foundation achieved a number of milestones toward building the memorial within seven years. This includes completing a site selection study, kicking off a successful capital campaign, and establishing our Board of Advisors to include a diverse group of exceptional leaders across journalism and free press advocates. In 2022, the Foundation, in collaboration with Pulitzer Prize-winning architecture critic Paul Goldberger, will develop a process to determine the design of the Memorial and the selection process for the architect. The Foundation will also further establish itself as an educational resource to help further public understanding about the history and importance of press freedom.
The Foundation’s Summer 2022 interns will help to develop educational programming and digital resources for a wide range of stakeholders and diverse audiences to amplify the history of the First Amendment and the free press, and to portray the courage of individual journalists who sacrificed their lives. The work can take the form of database reporting, long-form stories, podcasts, video essays or other projects. The internship is intended as a complement to each intern’s educational program. The internship program will consist primarily of virtual projects and activities, although some in-person functions may be included should pandemic-related protocols be lifted.
The Foundation will provide a $2,500 stipend towards the educational pursuits of each student selected. The Foundation anticipates that the start and end dates of the internship will be coordinated with the intern’s academic schedule. The internship is a temporary, time-limited position, and the Foundation does not anticipate offering a full-time position following conclusion of the internship.
Requirements and Responsibilities
Applicants must be a rising college junior or senior or a graduate student in a journalism or media-related degree program. The Foundation intends for this internship to be closely coordinated with the intern’s educational program, and the specific responsibilities and schedule for the internship will be dependent on the requirements of the intern’s educational institution. Applicants who will receive degree credit for their internship are preferred, though receipt of credit is not required.
Potential Projects and activities
- Conduct research on and develop written audio or video materials on relevant matters, including portraits of diverse journalists who have passed away in the field in a format that showcases the historical significance of the Memorial, as well as certain trends.
• Create content for students and others who want to learn the basics of what press freedom entails and why it’s important to a successful democracy.
• Contribute to the Foundation’s strategic planning on ways to build engagement with students and educational institutions.
Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Qualities
- Excellent written and verbal communications skills.
• Interest in journalism and press freedom.
• Ability to think both strategically and creatively.
• Strong work ethic and attention to detail.
• Proficient in social media platforms and Microsoft Office.
To apply for the internship program, please submit by February 28 a resume and cover letter of no more than 600 words describing what a Fallen Journalists Memorial means to you and how it can serve as an educational resource. Submissions should be sent to Rick.Hutzell@fallenjournalists.org.
The Fallen Journalists Memorial Foundation is an equal opportunity employer and students from communities traditionally underrepresented in the field of journalism are encouraged to apply. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
For more information about the Fallen Journalists Memorial Foundation, go to www.fallenjournalists.org.