Training the Watchdogs of Tomorrow

The Franklin Center is committed not just to providing the hard-hitting investigative journalism of today, but investing in the watchdogs of tomorrow. This year we’ve taken a huge step toward fulfilling that mission by hosting our inaugural Journalism Internship Program, a full-time, paid internship program for college students and young professionals pursuing a career in investigative journalism.

We inherited the program from the Institute for Humane Studies (IHS). During a re-organization of their programs, IHS decided that their longstanding Journalism Internship Program no longer fully fit into their mission.

Learn more about the internship program here.

Dear Reader,

As part of our mission to keep watchdog journalism alive and well, we understand that in addition to working in the statehouses right now, we need to help cultivate a new generation of journalists to pick up the mantle of free speech and accountability. That's why we recently decided to step in and take over the journalism internship program previously run by the Institute of Humane Studies.

I'm wildly optimistic about the future of journalism, and the students we've been able to help train in this program are a big reason why. They represent the tip of the spear in the next wave of reporters passionate about government transparency. They're eager to shine a bright light on our government institutions. As the watchdogs of tomorrow, they're starting to make a difference today - at their campus newspapers, and in newsrooms that have brought them on as part of the Franklin Center Journalism Internship. I can't wait to see what they do next.

Best regards,

Jason Stverak
President, Franklin Center for Government & Public Integrity

P.S. If you would like to help us keep up the fight for a free press, you can donate here!