Skip to menu, Skip to content

česky  english 

Advanced search
Article notification Print Decrease font size Increase font size

Vaclav Havel Fellowship

03.05.2024 / 10:04 | Aktualizováno: 03.05.2024 / 10:06

The Vaclav 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 Vaclav Havel Journalism 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.

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: 

  • professional mentoring alongside RFE/RL’s seasoned professionals 
  • training and development of journalistic skills on traditional, multi-media, and digital platforms 
  • participation in the daily editorial discussions that inform a professional and independent press 
  • independent work on a personal project 
  • understanding of the mission and practice of a professional, free, and independent media company 

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. 

More information: https://about.rferl.org/rfe-rl-fellowships/vaclav-havel-journalism-fellowship/