media fellows

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The Dewitt Wallace Center's Media Fellows Program provides a unique opportunity for reporters, producers, editors and news executives to:

• take time out from daily deadlines to deepen their understanding of substantive issues, such as economics, politics, international relations, domestic policy, environmental affairs, or new media technology

• work on a special project, study another language, prepare for a new assignment

• design an independent study plan including regular University classes, special seminars, lectures and cultural events

• exchange information with other reporters, producers, editors and news executives from all over the world

• examine the rights and responsibilities of the news media in democracy

The Media Fellows Program invites news practitioners and policymakers from all over the world to study at Duke University for varying lengths of stay -- from a few weeks to an entire academic year. Fellows have included representatives from major print and broadcast media in the United States, Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America and the former Soviet Union. U.S. Fellows typically stay for one month each and regularly come from a variety of news outlets including The New York Times and The Washington Post, and other local and regional newspapers. International Fellows often stay for longer periods.

The purpose of the program is to enable print and broadcast journalists and news executives from the U.S. and abroad to come together in an academic environment to study substantive issues, exchange views with other journalists, and examine the role of the news media in a democracy.

The Program
This is a non-degree program, structured to allow Fellows to follow their personal and professional interests, with the help of the program director and appointed faculty advisors. Participants attend classes, special lectures, seminars, cultural activities, and other University events. They may get to know students, use the resources of the library, read, write and immerse themselves in the intellectual and cultural life of the University. Often they are invited to speak to classes, civic organizations, dormitory groups and off-campus press associations. Each Fellow has access to the full range of the University's faculty, courses, and facilities, including libraries, electronic databases, e-mail, the Internet, and language labs.

All Fellows participate in orientation sessions including a tour of the campus, an information meeting about courses and resources available to meet their specific interests, and a reception with faculty and students. In addition to their individual course of studies, Fellows meet together weekly for special seminars on a variety of topics such as U.S. domestic and foreign policy, economic and trade issues, politics, culture, and the role of the news media in democracy.

The program director can also arrange off-campus visits to media outlets, government agencies and nongovernmental organizations, businesses, industries and research facilities.

Reliable Sources: What previous media fellows say about the experience

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Selection

Applicants from sponsoring media organizations are selected by their respective companies, which provide funding support for the program. Other applicants are considered on a case-by-case basis, depending on both experience and financial support for expenses, including program fees, housing, transportation and living costs. Funding support from private foundations may be available for applicants from Eastern/Central Europe, and the former Soviet Union.

Arrangements

Most Fellows are housed in the same complex in fully furnished one-bedroom apartments close to campus. Other arrangements can be made for Fellows as needed. All Fellows share an office on campus with phones and a computer, with access to Internet and E-mail, information databases, fax and copy machines.

Application

An application to the fellows program may be accessed here.

An application in PDF format may be downloaded here. Adobe Acrobat is required to download the file. You may acquire the Adobe program free of charge. Please send the completed application to the address below.

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Fellowships

The DeWitt Wallace Center does not offer scholarships, but you may learn more about potential funding opportunities from the following organizations and web sites:

New! Alfred Friendly Press Fellowships
Each year the Alfred Friendly Press Fellowships awards approximately twelve fellowships to mid-career print journalists usually between the ages of 25 and 35 from developing and transitional countries with an emerging free press.

Fulbright Scholar Awards

RIAS Commission Fellowships
These fellowships are open to German journalists who work in electronic media, including the Internet.

The International Center for Journalists
This is a listing of a number of different fellowship opportunities for journalists.

The Ron Brown Fellowship Program
This program provides for one- and two-year training opportunities in the United States. Potential grant recipients should indicate to the program their interest in Duke University as their host institution.

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For additional information, please contact:
Laurie Bley, Program Director
DeWitt Wallace Center for Media and Democracy
Duke University, Box 90241
Durham NC 27708-0241
email: bley@.duke.edu