National Press Foundation Elections Journalism Fellowship in Detroit, Michigan 2024

Fair and free elections have always been the bedrock of American democracy, yet public confidence in the process is set to be tested as never before in 2024.

States are scrambling to guard their operations against cyberattacks and disinformation campaigns. Local election administrators and poll workers – the increasing targets of harassment and threats – are bracing for a new storm as November draws near.

The election also represents a decisive moment for journalism, facing a public confidence crisis of its own. To help meet the challenge, the National Press Foundation will hold a training conference in Detroit, Michigan, July 28-30. This three-day training will be a deep dive on covering elections themselves, not horse-race politics.

NPF has assembled a team of expert speakers and instructors to help prepare journalists for what promises to be one of the most taxing election cycles in history, providing lessons learned from key battlegrounds, such as Michigan. Topics include:

Election infrastructure
Election safety and security
Voting rights and changes in voting laws
Ranked choice voting
Voter disinformation
Lessons learned from 2020

Aim and Benefits

NPF offers this professional development opportunity for journalists to enhance skills, increase knowledge and recharge their reporting.

The foundation will cover airfare, hotel costs and most meals.

Requirements

This is a competitive program open to U.S. journalists only.
We greatly value diversity in all our programs and particularly seek applications from local and nonprofit news organizations, Black, Indigenous and other journalists of color; and those who do public interest reporting in undercovered areas.
Attendance is mandatory for all sessions, and editors must commit to freeing their reporters from daily news obligations during the conference.