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The Václav Havel Journalism Fellowship is available to aspiring, independent journalists in the European Union's Eastern Partnership countries and the Russian Federation. The purpose of the Fellowship is to help aspiring journalists from the region pursue their profession in support of media pluralism and independence. Launched in 2011, the Fellowship is inspired by the late Czech president’s belief in the transformational role of journalism in challenging tyranny and oppression and builds on RFE/RL’s legacy of promoting more open societies through journalism. The Fellowship is a joint initiative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic and RFE/RL, which is co-funded by the Ministry.
Opportunity Details
The Fellowship is a seven-month program, which equips Fellows with cutting-edge journalistic skills and involves them in the daily editorial debates and discussions that inform a professional and independent press. Fellows spend six months at RFE/RL’s headquarters in Prague, where they are 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 spend a final month at a local RFE/RL bureau (if applicable).
The main components of the program are:
The Fellowship also features workshops on journalistic practices and tools; discussions with government officials, civic leaders, and regional analysts; visits to local media and news agencies in Prague; and professional development opportunities in the Czech Republic and abroad. Fellows will be expected to represent themselves and the Fellowship in English at public events and in discussions relating to media freedom in their country.
In addition, applicants may apply to be assigned for the term of the Fellowship to Current Time, the 24/7 Russian-language digital and TV network.
A monthly stipend at the bureau and in Prague, housing, health insurance, and travel arrangements to and from Prague shall be provided.
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.
Fellowships are awarded on a competitive basis.
A complete application includes the following materials:
Interested and qualified? Go to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) on www.lmcg2.com to apply
All application materials must be in English.
Please submit them in the form of attachments through the online application portal.
In addition, please let us know in the online cover letter how you learned about the Fellowship (e.g., RFE/RL’s website, Facebook, a professional or academic reference, etc.).
Shortlisted candidates will be contacted and asked to participate in a telephone, online or in-person interview as part of the application process.
For more details visit: RFE/RL website
Apply for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) 2023 Václav Havel Journalism Fellowship