IWMF announces new fellowship for international journalists

"The fellowship will offer international women journalists the opportunity to strengthen their journalism skills while learning first-hand about the U.S. media," said IWMF Co-Chair Lynn Povich. "Our hope is that by building journalists' skills and offering them the opportunity to work within a free press system, we are also arming them to return to their countries to help build stronger media."

Fellows will spend three months working with U.S. media companies. The program is open to women journalists who have participated in any IWMF or African Women's Media Center program, including journalists who have received the IWMF's Courage in Journalism Award. Past winners of the Courage in Journalism Award include Sandra Nyaira, the political editor of Zimbabwe's independent Daily News and Zimbabwe youngest political editor ever.

A successful applicant will be dedicated to a career in journalism, currently employed in a media organization and show a strong commitment to sharing knowledge and skills with colleagues upon returning home. Excellent written and spoken English skills are required. Expenses, including air fare and a stipend, will be covered.

The first fellowship will be announced in January 2004 and will run from April – June 2004. The fellowship will rotate between journalists working in the print and broadcast media, with the first year's fellowship going to a journalist working in the print media. Applications are being accepted until November 3, 2003.

The International Women's Media Foundation was launched in 1990 with a mission to strengthen the role of women in the news media worldwide, based on the belief that no press is truly free unless women share an equal voice. The IWMF network is more than 1,500 women in the media in more than 130 countries worldwide.

For further information and an application, visit the IWMF website, www.iwmf.org/programs/7666, or e-mail .