The International Center for Journalists is opening applications next month for an exchange program which will have two dozen young journalists from the US work in Russian newsrooms while two dozen Russian journalists gain experience in American newsrooms. The exchange is being funded for two years by a $250,000 grant from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.
“This exchange will help establish professional relationships between the young journalists from two nations, both important in the world, yet once dire enemies,” said Eric Newton, senior adviser to the president of Knight Foundation.
The Young Media Professionals Exchange Program is an outgrowth of the US-Russia Bilateral Presidential Commission’s working group on media.
“Knight Foundation brings a wealth of expertise and knowledge in the best of American media practices and values to the Young Media Professionals Exchange Program,” said Dawn L. McCall, Coordinator, US Department of State’s Bureau of International Information Programs. “The exchange provides opportunities for US and Russian journalists to share experiences and strengthen their journalistic practices, which benefits both our countries.”
At the beginning of the exchange, Russian journalists will spend several days meeting officials and media leaders in Washington, while their US counterparts do the same in Moscow. They will then work at media organizations for as long as one month.
The International Center for Journalists will coordinate the selection of suitable US news organizations for the Russian journalists, and the Moscow Union of Journalists will find hosts for the Americans. The Moscow Union of Journalists will plan the program and cover the costs for participants in Russia.
The first 24 participants will be selected in February 2012. The first exchange will take place in April 2012. Applicants must be under 30 years of age, with at least three years of experience. Strong preference will be given to candidates who speak English and Russian.
Applications will be accepted on November 15 at www.icfj.org. For more information, contact ICFJ’s Robert Tinsley at [email protected].
