The Freedomways Reporting Project
More time to Apply to Freedomways!
We’re thrilled by the amazing responses we’ve received so far and want to offer a few more days for folks to submit applications. Press On is extending the deadline to apply for the Freedomways Reporting Project to midnight – 12:00AM EST on May 6.
This fellowship is for people who are currently living in the U.S. South, and who are rooted in communities that have been under/mis-represented in news media, especially POC and LGBTQ+ communities.
We are excited to announce that we are seeking applications for our first Freedomways Reporting Project. We named this program in homage to the journal Freedomways, which published the work of journalists, artists, thinkers, and organizers who were integral to the Black freedom movement from 1961 until 1985.
The Freedomways Reporting Project will bring together eight journalists and storytellers with experienced mentors to pursue community-driven reporting projects. Over nine months (June 2019 — February 2020), participants will receive training and support from mentors and social movement partners to produce a series of stories that help advance justice.
In our aim to strengthen journalism driven by people who are building power within marginalized and oppressed communities, we encourage women of color and LGBTQ people of color who currently live in southern communities to apply.
Applicants that identify with any of the categories below are strongly encouraged to apply.
- Community Media: Those who work in or are affiliated with community and rural media outlets, including those from non-traditional outlets
- Organizers: Storytellers who produce narratives that drive power-building across social movements
- Freelance journalists: Independent reporters focused on community-driven storytelling looking to deepen their reporting on a local or regional issue or community
- Mid-Career journalists: Reporters transitioning from legacy news organizations to independent media with an interest in community-driven reporting
Freedomways participants will:
- Learn about the practice and history of movement journalism
- Develop a story pitch and reporting plan tailored to the needs of, and critical issues facing local communities
- Be matched with local, regional and/or national media partners that will publish and broadcast stories
- Develop an engagement plan to deepen the impact of their reporting
- Receive $6,000 in compensation for their participation in the program and production of a series of reported stories
During this period, participants commit to:
- Attend a two-day orientation on Monday June 17 and Tuesday June 18
- Attend six online trainings
- Spend about four hours per month developing or deepening relationships with the communities that are the focus of the reporting project (outside of reporting time)
- Complete a series of reported stories
- Carry out an engagement plan
We seek participants who are flexible, constructive and willing to help us improve this approach to shared learning and community building. The generosity of our funders allows us to cover travel expenses for the program.
EXTENDED DEADLINE to apply is May 6, 2019
Program Dates
June 17, 2019 – February 28, 2020