FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT Justin Silverman | 774.244.2365 | justin@nefac.org
The New England First Amendment Coalition launched today a new mentorship program for journalists working in the region.
The program — NEFAC Mentors — helps reporters, editors and producers looking for guidance in a variety of professional areas by matching them with a veteran journalist with relevant expertise.
The program is funded in part by the Rhode Island Foundation and will be open exclusively to those in Rhode Island newsrooms for the next six months. Beginning in 2023, all New England journalists will be eligible to apply.
“While we have provided informal mentorships in the past, this new program will help us better serve the specific needs of journalists throughout the region,” said Justin Silverman, NEFAC’s executive director. “We have a growing list of mentors from all backgrounds and different types of newsrooms available to help.”
Learn more about NEFAC Mentors and our growing roster of mentors and mentorship areas.
Mentorship focus areas include community storytelling, public records and open meetings, use of data in reporting, navigating the industry as a bilingual reporter, building relationships as a journalist of color, audio production and mining stories from beats.
“NEFAC Mentors will be an invaluable resource for all journalists but particularly those in smaller newsrooms or those covering underrepresented communities,” Silverman said. “We have over 20 mentors ready to give their time and expertise to help those in the profession.”
Mentors are required to provide at least an hour of their time each month for six months as part of the program, but mentees can agree to other time arrangements that work for both parties. Learn more about the application process here.
NEFAC was formed in 2006 to advance and protect the Five Freedoms of the First Amendment, including the principle of the public’s right to know. We’re a broad-based organization of people who believe in the power of an informed democratic society. Our members include lawyers, journalists, historians, academics and private citizens.
Our coalition is funded through contributions made by those who value the First Amendment and who strive to keep government accountable. Please make a donation here.
Leadership Circle donors include the Rhode Island Foundation, Hearst Connecticut Media Group, The Boston Globe, Paul and Ann Sagan, and the Robertson Foundation. Major Supporters include Boston University, the Academy of New England Journalists, the Society of Professional Journalists Foundation, Genie Gannett for the First Amendment Museum, Linda Pizzuti Henry, Connecticut Public and GBH-Boston.