Advocacy Intern

Summary

Join Freedom of the Press Foundation (FPF) as an Advocacy Intern and contribute to protecting press freedoms and whistleblowers. You will research and draft various content, including articles and letters, and prepare resources to combat government secrecy. This full-time, three-month internship (May-July or June-August) reports to the director of advocacy and may be remote (U.S. based). Responsibilities include researching issues, drafting content, responding to press freedom emergencies, assisting with legislation, pitching articles, and expanding FPF's audience. The internship offers a competitive hourly rate and requires a relevant undergraduate degree, graduate school experience, and strong writing and research skills.

Requirements

• An undergraduate degree in journalism, public policy, or a related field
• Completed a year or more of law school or public policy graduate school
• A passion for the First Amendment and protecting the press freedom rights of all
• Educational background or work experience in advocacy, journalism, First Amendment law, or a related field
• Familiarity through work, volunteer, or educational experience with one or more of the following areas: government secrecy and transparency, abuse of the Espionage Act, surveillance and other harassment of journalists, or the right to gather and publish news
• Excellent writing skills, especially in advocacy and opinion writing
• Excellent research skills
• Willingness to help us advocate on controversial or unpopular issues that affect the First Amendment rights of journalists
• Willingness to work with people across the political spectrum to achieve common legislative and policy goals

Responsibilities

• Researching issues and helping us draft blog posts, op-eds, newsletters, and social media campaigns
• Researching and preparing memoranda and other resources for the Ellsberg Chair’s use in leading the fight against government secrecy
• Helping us respond to press freedom emergencies, wherever they may occur, through strategizing, writing, and organizing
• Assisting in championing legislation that furthers press freedom at all levels of government (and vocally opposing legislation that does the opposite)
• Pitching articles and op-eds to the media, including both outreach to media contacts and plenty of cold calls
• Helping us expand our audience and influence on existing and new platforms

Preferred Qualifications

• Published work (including in law or academic journals, media outlets, student newspapers, etc.) on topics relating to our mission
• Experience working with the offices of elected officials
• Multimedia skills and knowledge of social media platforms

Benefits

This role pays $22/hour