The C. Edwin Baker Media Policy Fellowship is the premier fellowship program for graduate students interested in the intersection between media and communications scholarship and policy advocacy. Graduate students are given the opportunity to connect their research and coursework to the critical media policy issues of our time. C. Edwin Baker Fellows practice engaged scholarship, building the intellectual foundation for public interest-driven media policy. Fellows work closely with our policy, research and campaign teams, and receive mentoring and training throughout their term.

The C. Edwin Baker Media Policy Fellowship Program is supported through a generous gift from Baker’s estate.

Each year, Free Press awards two fellowships for graduate students interested in gaining practical experience in media policy research and organizing. The fellowships last approximately 12 weeks and are based in either Free Press’ Washington, D.C. or Florence, Mass. office. Stipends of up to $4,500 are available. Fellowships are primarily designed for summer, but we will consider spring and fall placements.

Fellows support Free Press research projects and participate in education and organizing to engage the public in media policymaking. Fellows are also expected to put their research into action by participating in outreach opportunities, attending strategic meetings and contributing to Free Press blogs.

The ideal candidate embodies the values of C. Edwin Baker, who was not only a widely respected First Amendment scholar but also an active proponent of public interest-driven media policy.

We encourage applications from candidates of all academic disciplines. Applicants should understand the nature of Free Press’ work, which includes public interest advocacy, coalition building, grassroots outreach, conference organization and website production and maintenance. Interns must be prepared to work in a fast-paced environment where staff must be responsive to shifting circumstances in Washington and elsewhere. Excellent organizational, communications and research skills are essential. Some knowledge of federal legislative and regulatory processes is required. A working knowledge of media issues is highly recommended. Excellent writing and public speaking skills, as well as facility with word processing, spreadsheets and Internet software, are vital.

How to Apply: Complete our online internship and fellowship application. Applicants must also fulfill their academic institution’s requirements for securing credit for the internship. We accept applications on a rolling basis but strongly recommend submitting applications by Dec. 1 for spring opportunities, by March 1 for summer opportunities and by Aug. 1 for fall opportunities.

About C. Edwin Baker

C. Edwin Baker was one of the country’s preeminent media policy and First Amendment scholars. As the Nicholas F. Gallicchio Professor of Law and Communication at the University of Pennsylvania Law School, Baker was a respected authority in the fields of constitutional law, communications law and free speech. However, his impact did not end at the campus gate. Baker was a tireless advocate and public intellectual who testified regularly on Capitol Hill, advised numerous nonprofit organizations and helped shape some of the most pressing debates of our time. Baker advised Free Press on numerous occasions and was instrumental in the establishment of our Save the News campaign, now housed on the Free Press site. Read our remembrance of him here.

Questions? Please email Internship Director Candace Clement.

About Free Press: Free Press is building a powerful nationwide movement to change media and technology policies, promote the public interest and strengthen democracy. Free Press advocates for universal and affordable Internet access, diverse media ownership, vibrant public media and quality journalism.