Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press - Internships

Interns are called on to provide significant contributions to our publications. Interns report and write on free press and media law issues for our quarterly digital magazine The News Media & The Law, website and guidebooks, and assist our staff and fellows in research.

The Reporters Committee also provides its interns with regular opportunities to interact with working journalists, media lawyers and policymakers through seminars around Washington, D.C. Interns may attend congressional hearings, hear arguments in the U.S. Supreme Court or other federal appellate courts, and visit newsrooms and government agencies where they can learn firsthand about free-press issues.

Students or recent graduates may intern during the spring, summer or fall semesters. Interns may receive college credit and are eligible to receive a competitive stipend from the Reporters Committee. Some interns may be enrolled in Washington semester study programs through their colleges or universities.

Legal Internships

Legal interns have the opportunity to work with Reporters Committee attorneys on litigation and amicus-related projects, conduct legal research, and gain hands-on experience addressing a broad range of media law issues.

Summer: The Reporters Committee offer full-time summer internships for current law students. Summer applications open Oct. 15; interns will be hired on a rolling basis.
Spring/Fall: We also offer part-time legal internships for current law students in the D.C.-area during the fall and spring semesters. Fall applications will be accepted starting July 15. Spring applications will be accepted starting Oct. 15. All applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Policy Internships

The RCFP policy department offer two different internship opportunities – general policy and tech policy.

Policy interns have the opportunity to work with the Reporters Committee policy team on press freedom projects that impact both federal and state policy. Applicants should be current undergraduate or graduate students interested in public policy and press freedom. The Policy intern will provide essential research on legislation and policies related to press freedom, along with updating policy documents and resources for our website. Interns will have the chance to experience policy-related events around Washington, D.C. as opportunities arise, such as attending congressional hearings, policy briefings and strategy meetings.

The Technology and Press Freedom Project at the Reporters Committee combines law, policy analysis and public education on issues such as reporter-source protection, content regulation online and electronic surveillance. TPFP offers one internship each semester and over the summer. Applicants should be students studying law though we will also accept applications from students in a STEM field with an interest in public policy.  Interns will have the opportunity to work broadly with all elements of the organization, including legal, policy and communications.

Summer: The Reporters Committee offer full-time summer internships for current students. Summer applications open Oct. 15; interns will be hired on a rolling basis.
Spring/Fall: We also offer part-time policy internships for current students during the fall and spring semesters. Spring/Fall applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Communications/Journalism Internships

The Reporters Committee’s communications team offers part- and full-time internships for college students and recent graduates in the fall, spring and summer semesters. The Communications/Journalism Intern will have the opportunity to collaborate with staff across the organization (legal, policy, development, and operations) as they support the communications team in raising awareness of and engaging more people with the Reporters Committee’s mission and work.

Interns will write about media law issues for the Reporters Committee’s website, support content creation for our social media channels and monthly newsletter, contribute to ongoing research, and help maintain key resources. Interns will also have opportunities to interact with and learn about free press issues from journalists, media lawyers, and policymakers through seminars, court hearings, and congressional hearings, as well as visits to newsrooms and government agencies.

Successful candidates will be detail-oriented, have a strong writing background, and be interested in expanding their knowledge about U.S. press freedom and media law issues.

Deadline: Applications should be sent by March 1 for the summer term; Aug. 1 for fall; and Nov. 1 for spring.