FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 12, 2008

ICFJ CONTACT: Dawn Arteaga, Communications Director

T/ 1.202.349.7624; E-mail

MDLF CONTACT: Peter Whitehead, Communications Director
T: 44 1904 785 007, E-mail

New Partnership to Build Independent News Media

Fellowships To Give Journalism in Emerging Democracies a Better Chance to Succeed

Washington, D.C. – The International Center for Journalists and the Media Development Loan Fund today announced a new partnership, the Knight-MDLF International Journalism Fellowship Program.

The partnership takes advantage of the strengths of the two organizations. MDLF helps build independent media in emerging democracies. It provides low-cost loans and other business assistance. ICFJ’s Knight International Journalism Fellows work on projects designed to make lasting, visible change in the world of journalism.

“The creation of self-sustaining independent media is a powerful way to change a country’s journalism,” said ICFJ President Joyce Barnathan. “Our task will be to ensure that these news businesses survive and thrive by helping them with just the right fellow to just the right newsroom at just the right time.”

Fellows must speak the language of the target country. They must have at least 10 years’ news experience, the ability to plan a specific, detailed training project and the time to spend a year making it work.

This new partnership bolsters the Media Development Loan Fund’s long-term strategy of adapting best media management practices to the needs of local news outlets in the developing world. “This partnership will enable us to expand our capacity to provide world-class consultants to leading independent news businesses in transitional countries,” said MDLF Managing Director Sasa Vucinic. “Fellows will help our clients launch projects that will help ensure long-term success.”

MDLF will accept detailed proposals from clients by April 30 each year. MDLF and ICFJ will review the proposals to select those that meet the criteria. MDLF and ICFJ will announce the winners by July 31 of each year.

The International Center for Journalists, a non-profit, professional organization, promotes quality journalism worldwide in the belief that independent, vigorous media are crucial in improving the human condition. For more information, visit www.icfj.org.

Media Development Loan Fund is a not-for-profit investment fund providing low-cost financing to independent news media in emerging democracies. At work in Africa, Asia, Latin America, the CIS, and Southeast Europe, it seeks to secure a strong and independent press in countries with a history of media oppression. In 12 years, it has provided more than $70 million in financing to 161 projects for 64 independent media companies in 21 countries. For more information, visit www.mdlf.org.

The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation promotes journalism excellence worldwide and invests in the vitality of the U.S. communities where the Knight brothers owned newspapers. Since 1950 the foundation has granted nearly $400 million to advance journalism quality and the freedom of expression. Knight Foundation supports ideas and projects that create transformational change. For more, visit www.knightfdn.org.