In the conviction that a strong, free press is essential to the healthy functioning of a democracy, the late Alfred Friendly, a Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter and former managing editor of The Washington Post, conceived a fellowship program that would both impart American journalistic traditions and respond to worldwide interest in the dissemination of fair and accurate news. It was Alfred Friendly’s belief that working side by side with reporters and editors is the best way to absorb the practical realities of journalism in this country and the instrumental role it plays in our society. Therefore, he created the program that bears his name to immerse approximately ten journalists each year for six months in American newsrooms. Between 1984 and 2008, the ALFRED FRIENDLY PRESS FELLOWSHIPS (AFPF) has trained 258 journalists from 78 countries.

In addition to the six month newsroom experience, the program provides an allowance for journalism books, conferences, short-term professional visits and a journalist exchange; offers a Training the Trainer class to prepare our Fellows to share what they’ve learned on the program with colleagues at home; works closely with home and host news organizations to create specific plans for the Fellows; offers specialized fellowships by topic (business, health, investigations, etc.) and region (Muslim world); and teaches newsroom management skills. Our goal is to increase the level of effectiveness and excellence of the AFPF program in the 21st century and to broaden the impact of the program on countries that are working to understand press freedom.

Sharing the goals of AFPF, the Daniel Pearl Foundation (www.danielpearl.org) partnered with AFPF in 2003 to offer special fellowships to honor the life and work of journalist Daniel Pearl – The Wall Street Journal South Asia bureau chief who was kidnapped and murdered in Pakistan in 2002. Daniel Pearl Fellows – four from Pakistan and one each from Egypt, Nepal, Turkey and Yemen – have worked at The Berkshire Eagle/North Adams Transcript, Los Angeles Times, The New York Times, San Francisco Chronicle and the Washington DC bureau of The Wall Street Journal. Applicants for the DANIEL PEARL FELLOWSHIPS (DPF) come from areas that Daniel Pearl covered as a journalist – the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia. Daniel Pearl Fellows are also Friendly Fellows and participate in all fellowship activities. They may receive opportunities, not offered to other Friendly Fellows, in line with the mission of the Daniel Pearl Foundation – to encourage dialogue among people of different cultures, reduce cultural and religious tensions and create a platform for responsible and creative journalism.

The fellowship program begins in March with a two-week orientation seminar in Washington, DC designed to prepare the Fellows – both personally and professionally – for the challenges of living and working in the United States. At the middle of the program, Fellows and staff come together for a week at The Poynter Institute in St. Petersburg, Florida for seminars focused on writing, editing and newsroom coaching. A final seminar in Washington reunites the Fellows and prepares them to train other journalists upon returning to their home countries. It also allows Fellows to compare and evaluate their experiences and discuss their impressions of the American media. Fellows return to their home countries in early September to begin sharing their knowledge and skills with colleagues, editors and publishers in their home newsrooms.

The Fellowship covers all costs of program-related international and domestic U.S. travel, health insurance and provides a monthly stipend to cover basic living expenses. It is highly recommended that Fellows bring additional money with them. While family members may visit for up to one month, they cannot accompany the Fellow for the duration of the Fellowship.