Newsroom FAQ
The program is open to all news outlets in Washington state, regardless of the media platform and can represent for-profit or nonprofit media, community and ethnic news outlets or news associations.
News organizations that produce original, local content in Washington state are encouraged to apply. Successful newsroom applicants will have demonstrated a strong commitment to expanding local news coverage into underserved areas or beats and developed a clear plan for how the fellow will extend and/or fulfill the communities’ information needs.
The mission of the program is to enrich Washington state residents’ understanding of civic affairs and to extend the host organization’s journalistic impact to new and existing audiences. Coverage and assigned beats might entail substantive reporting of local news and policy issues spanning health, education, economic development, environment, criminal justice and under-represented communities. Fellows might cover breaking news, but they should be more focused on issues within the community.
Prospective host organizations submit a proposal, specifying how a fellow would expand coverage of civic affairs to new and existing audiences, including residents in rural areas of Washington and/or underserved populations. Applicants detail a plan to provide editing and professional development support for their fellow, though the fellowship program also may provide some editorial support.
Washington State leaders first evaluate the candidates for minimal qualifications. Materials of eligible candidates are then shared with the host newsroom, based on the applicant pool and, if selected, works to recruit suitable candidates with skillsets and backgrounds likely to succeed on those beats.
Yes. News crosses geographic boundaries, so media outlets may pair to submit an application for a shared fellow. In such cases, the application should clearly identify a primary point of contact for the fellow, as well as clearly delineate information needs and news priorities for the reporter.
Nothing monetary. As administrator of the legislative funding, Washington State University formally employs the fellows. However, the “cost” will be to newsroom editors or supervisors who will direct and coach fellows on their story assignments and beats. The newsroom should provide a suitable workspace for the fellow as well as access to any required software or equipment outside of that provided by the university.
Murrow fellows receive $55,000 annually with benefits as WSU employees and observe the university’s holiday and vacation policies. They are expected to work full time with their news outlet, but rarely if ever more than 40 hours a week as overtime requires approval from a university representative. Leave should be planned in consultation with WSU’s program manager and the news organization’s point of contact.
The fellowship welcomes candidates committed to journalism careers in writing, digital, video, audio, photo and/or multimedia, preferring graduates of two-year, four-year, or master’s programs in Washington state.
The Murrow College provides ongoing training, culminating in a certificate in digital media. Fellows must complete the training and participate in discussions with thought leaders in journalism, media law, ethics, digital security, misinformation, civic information, community engagement, public information access, and related topics. This element of the fellowship occurs on their personal time away from the newsroom.
Onboarding and internal training will be up to the host newsroom. As part of the fellowship, the reporters will spend about two hours per week in training and professional development outside of their commitment to the news outlet. Most programming will be online and asynchronous to maximize flexibility for the fellows’ schedules. The fellowship likely will include two annual in-person gatherings, and the program will provide ample notice of those dates to newsroom partners.
In agreement with their supervisors, fellows may work remotely, but all fellows agree to move to the community to which they are selected. In the application, publishers indicate whether the fellow should have a vehicle to perform their duties.
No. Fellows are asked to commit to a two-year appointment with a newsroom. The goal is to make a match that is so fitting that neither party wants to curtail the two-year commitment.
Please email program manager Jody Brannon or murrow.news.fellowship@wsu.edu.