Intern with America’s Media Watchdog

Internship application form

Fall 2008 Internship Deadline:  September 1, 2008
Spring 2009 Internship Deadline: December 1, 2008

Do you have what it takes?
Our demanding and challenging internships will provide you with the hands-on experience you need to make it in the fast-paced world of media and public policy.
If you have…

• Excellent writing skills
• Knowledge of current events and politics
• The ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines
• A passion for politics, journalism, or research
• Possess a firm understanding of conservative principles based on limited government, individual liberty with responsibility, free enterprise, and a strong national defense

…then an MRC internship may be right for you. Exciting opportunities are available in all of our divisions!

Application Requirements:
Intern candidates must submit:

• Application form
• Cover letter
• Resume
• 2 to 3 brief writing samples
• A paragraph detailing why writing samples were selected for submission.

Applications may be emailed to jane@mediaresearch.org; faxed to (703) 683-9736 or mailed to:

Media Research Center
Attn: Jane Carter/Intern Coordinator
325 South Patrick Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
 

Available MRC Internships

News Analysis Interns
Analyze news and detect bias with the pros!
     News Analysis Interns work for one of three divisions, watching the news and exposing bias. Interns in the News Analysis Division combat liberal media bias; Business & Media Institute interns examine how the media cover business and economic issues, and Culture and Media Institute interns research how the media cover social and cultural issues.

News Analysis Division
     News Analysis Division (NAD) interns become part of the backbone of the Media Research Center. The original MRC division, NAD plays a key role in all of the organization’s efforts to document, expose and neutralize liberal bias.
     As a NAD intern, you will assist analysts and editors in the daily tracking of bias airing on the major network and cable news television programs, as well as print and online news outlets. Interns will also assist in writing and editing NAD publications like Notable Quotables, MRC’s Reality Check, Special Reports and its Web sites, MRC.org and Newsbusters.org.

Business & Media Institute
     As intern for the Business & Media Institute (BMI), you’ll be treated like a full-time employee. BMI interns do research for op-eds, stories and big projects. You will get a chance to write and work with experienced editors to improve your final product. Each intern gets assigned regular responsibilities to monitor different parts of the media and to write up those results.
     In addition, each BMI intern works on one major project. Previous projects have included a major analysis of media coverage of climate change going back 110 years; a look at how much TV Al Gore and his movie received in summer 2006 and an examination of how media hype downplays good economic news. All three of those projects resulted in major media hits for BMI, including TV appearances for BMI Director Dan Gainor.

Culture and Media Institute
     The Culture and Media Institute (CMI) is on the cutting edge of cultural and media issues, and as a CMI intern you’ll quickly find out your tasks will be anything but routine. Intern responsibilities include research, writing, attending events, clerical tasks and constituent services, plus all-around culture watching. Topics can range from Paris Hilton’s latest antics to judges who sue dry cleaners for $60 million for losing a pair of pants.
     With work vetted by two professional editors, CMI interns learn to write more clearly and effectively. Often, work goes beyond the CMI Website and is magnified by other MRC divisions, such as Newsbusters and CNSNews.com, or by editors on the Web and print publications.
CMI interns should have a strong belief in personal responsibility and a firm understanding of traditional moral principles.
 

Journalism Internships
Journalism interns work at the Cybercast News Service (CNSNews.com), the MRC’s News Division. At CNSNews.com, interns learn how to become objective journalists.

CNSNews.com
     As an intern with CNSNews.com you’ll find, research and write your own news articles that appear with your byline on Cybercast News Service -- CNSNews.com. You will work closely with other CNSNews.com staff to find ideas for articles and work through problems that arise in the research and writing process.
    Interns also attend weekly CNSNews.com staff meetings to report on the status of current projects and provide input regarding the direction of the organization.
 

Marketing Internships
Marketing Interns work in the MRC’s Marketing Department to promote the MRC’s activities.

Marketing
     As an MRC Marketing intern, you’ll work with the marketing department to track the MRC’s appearances in the media to evaluate how well the MRC is reaching its targeted audiences. You’ll also help develop messaging for MRC’s grassroots activists, help design ads and other publications (both print and online), and work with the MRC’s graphic designer and marketing coordinator on special projects.
     MRC Marketing interns have designed special report covers, created the MRC’s 20th Anniversary Logo, and help produce the weekly MRC in the News Report.
 

Public Relations Internships
MRC public relations interns work for one of two divisions to communicate the MRC’s messages to a variety of audiences. PR interns will get one-on-one training from communications professionals in the MRC’s CNSNews.com division or News Analysis Division to learn the ins and outs of pitching, op-eds and targeting messages to fit an audience.
 

Development Internships
The Development Department supports the entire organization by building, cultivating, and identifying supporters of the MRC.

Development Interns
     As a development intern, you’ll have the opportunity to research donors and foundations, while helping with the daily activities of fundraising. Additionally, interns assist with donor events and event planning. This position is a great opportunity for someone wanting to get their feet wet in the profession of fundraising.

Quick Links for more information:
About the Media Research Center
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)

Questions?
Please call 1-800-672-1423 or (703) 683-9733
and ask to speak with Jane Carter, ext. 127,
or e-mail jane@mediaresearch.org
Fax: 703-683-9736