Position Description

Freedom of the Press Foundation (FPF) is a nonprofit organization that protects, defends, and empowers public-interest journalism in the 21st century.

FPF works through a variety of avenues to preserve and strengthen the free speech and privacy rights guaranteed to the press, including developing encryption tools, training newsrooms on digital security practices, advocating for the public’s right to know, and documenting attacks on the press through our U.S. Press Freedom Tracker.

We’re seeking an intern for the digital security training team, which serves a multifaceted approach to educating journalists on relevant digital security issues, including in-person training and online content. Our internship will focus on the latter aspect of our work, writing, and updating content for our digital security blog, online guides, social media, and other outlets. The ideal candidate will be an undergraduate or graduate student interested in cybersecurity as a potential reporting beat and a willingness to dive deep into the complex and rapidly evolving world at the intersection of technology, surveillance, and privacy.

As an intern, you’ll have the opportunity to learn from experts across our organization, including cybersecurity experts, and will leave empowered with enhanced cybersecurity reporting skills and a strong understanding of the modern state of journalism, threats to it, and paths to protecting it.

More about the digital security training team

Our intern will work a full-time schedule (40 hours/week) for approximately three (3) months from May-July or June-August depending on our chosen candidate's availability. Note: This role pays $16/hour.

Responsibilities

• Creating and editing drafts for FPF content, including website guides, blog posts, and social media posts
• Editing existing FPF content for editorial style consistency
• Fact-checking and updating existing FPF content in response to changing developments in cybersecurity
• Assisting in email newsletter drafts and story development
• Researching emerging topics in cybersecurity and writing on their intersection with journalistic work
• Assisting in the development of materials used in digital security training sessions

Qualifications

• Familiarity with online privacy tools and practices;
• Familiarity with standard journalism practices and ethics;
• Familiarity with contemporary issues in cybersecurity and surveillance;
• Strong understanding of emerging and established social media platforms, and ability to craft compelling content for them;
• Current enrollment in a university journalism or other major (juniors, seniors, and graduate students eligible to apply);
• Excellent written and verbal skills.

Working with us

This role does not require U.S. citizenship, but you must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. to be considered. FPF does not sponsor employees for work authorization at this time, and the selected candidate will be required to submit proof of authorization.

FPF is strongly committed to creating a diverse and inclusive community. We warmly welcome members of traditionally underrepresented communities to apply, including people of color, LGBTQ+ folks, and people with disabilities.

FPF does not discriminate on the basis of an individual’s sex, age, race, color, creed, national origin, alienage, religion, marital status, pregnancy, sexual or reproductive health decisions, sexual orientation or affectional preference, gender identity and expression, disability, genetic trait or predisposition, carrier status, citizenship, veteran or military status, and other personal characteristics protected by law.

Many people, especially those identifying as part of structurally marginalized groups, tend to apply to jobs only if they meet all of the listed qualifications. No candidate ever meets all of the qualifications, and we encourage you to apply if you are excited about the role! Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until we find the right candidate for the position.

More about FPF

How to Apply

If you think you’d like to be a part of our team, please submit your résumé and a cover letter (both no longer than one page).

After an initial application review, FPF’s hiring process involves a phone screen and an interview with members of our digital security team.