Fairfax Launches Search For Journalism Interns

Fairfax Media Launches Search For 2008 Journalism Interns

Fairfax Media, New Zealand's largest newspaper, magazine and web publisher, is again seeking the country's bright journalism prospects.

Through the Fairfax Media journalism intern scheme, interns will undertake training before starting careers at their chosen publications throughout the country.

Fairfax Editor-in-Chief Peter O'Hara said applications for this year's intern scheme will open on July 2, 2007. Applicants will undergo an on-line written test and from that, would-be interns will undergo other written tests before interviews by representatives of their chosen publications or website and journalism schools.

Fairfax Media's journalism intern scheme was initiated last year, and has been an outstanding success, Mr O'Hara said. The 17 interns chosen were now undergoing training before starting work at their selected news sites at the end of this year.

"Our intern scheme allows a fresh approach to the hiring of young journalists," he said. "It has been an excellent example of co-operation between editors at Fairfax, participating journalism schools and above all the interns themselves for the benefit of all.

"It allows us to build on the commitment of Fairfax and our editors to editorial excellence. The intern scheme allows us to find and develop interns with our preferred journalism schools and we can continue to foster them through ongoing training and, later, successful career paths."

Fairfax, which owns nine daily newspapers including The Dominion Post and The Press, two national Sunday newspapers, magazines, a magazine publishing business, internet operations, and more than 50 community newspapers throughout the country, would be seeking a similar number of interns for 2008.

They will undergo year-long training for a Diploma or Graduate Diploma in Journalism at one of five institutions that Fairfax would be working with - the University of Canterbury, Christchurch, Aoraki Polytechnic, Timaru, Massey University, Wellington, the Waikato Institute of Technology, Hamilton, and the Auckland University of Technology (AUT). Where possible, successful applicants will be trained in the institution of their choice.

Among other things, the scheme offers participants:

* The opportunity to study for a year at one of the five participating institutions
* Work experience during course holidays at one of Fairfax's publications;
* Reimbursement of course fees to successful applicants
* Employment with a Fairfax publication at the conclusion of the course.
* On-going training and career development.

Jim Tully, Head of the School of Political Science and Communication at the University of Canterbury said: "We have enjoyed working with Fairfax Media to provide a strong grounding in journalism skills for its interns. It has been a most harmonious relationship reflecting a high level of mutual respect. Our independence as a quality tertiary provider has not been compromised in any way.

"Canterbury has always valued its strong links with the news industry. The intern scheme is an opportunity to work even more directly with a key media company that is committed to training and professional development."

Wintec editor-in-residence Venetia Sherson said: "The internship scheme sits well within Wintec's journalism training programme. The interns have the benefit of a full programme of studies with the added incentive of guaranteed employment when they complete their diploma. "

"We have been very pleased with the calibre of the first Fairfax interns. They come from diverse backgrounds and are mature and focused. We expect them to be very good journalists.

"Wintec's journalism programme is focused on reducing the gap between classroom and newsroom. Wintec students are involved in a range of ongoing projects with local media, including Fairfax's Waikato and Auckland community and daily newspapers. The programme means the students can learn their craft and practice their skills in real situations which results in greater understanding and better quality of work."

Massey Journalism head Grant Hannis said the Fairfax intern scheme has been a great success. Massey's course is a partnership between the University and the journalism industry, and the Fairfax Intern scheme has enhanced that relationship by allowing Massey to work directly with a leading news media company in the selection of its future recruits.

Fairfax interns work as hard at Massey as any of our other talented students. Fairfax has helped ensure that students who are not part of the scheme continue to enjoy all the opportunities they always had on our course," Dr Hannis said.

Aoraki Polytechnic fully supports the Fairfax Intern Scheme for the extra dimension it brings to journalism training, School of Journalism co-ordinator/tutor Peter O'Neill said.

"The scheme demonstrates early faith and investment in budding journalists, and gives them some security as they embark on an exciting career. The intern scheme fits well with Aoraki's highly regarded diploma programme, due to its focus on the print media and credibility within the industry.

"I look forward to being involved with the Fairfax scheme again in 2008, and trust successful interns will look to Timaru as an excellent training choice,'' Mr O'Neill said.

AUT journalism curriculum leader, Associate Professor Martin Hirst said participation in the scheme is a sign of strength in journalism education in this country.

"The AUT journalism programme is one of the longest-running in New Zealand and we are pleased to participate in the Fairfax Media intern scheme in 2008. Our Graduate Diploma in Journalism is recognised as one of the strongest in the country," he said. "We are looking forward to working closely with the Fairfax editors on the training of the next generation of talented and committed journalists."

Mr O'Hara said one of the aims of the scheme was to encourage a greater diversity of student to consider taking up journalism, and that had occurred in the 2007 intake.

"We were delighted with both the skills and the diversity of the interns, and we're looking to continue this during 2008," he said. "The scheme gives us the opportunity to influence the type of graduate we're looking for and our editors need to be assured they do get the best available people.

"Journalism has become an even more exciting career prospect. We are at the stage where what were formerly seen as print journalists are starting to use audio and video on the rapidly-evolving web as part of their everyday news coverage tools, as well as print. This is a great time to be a journalist."

Once again, the selection process will include an on-line application form including at least four written exercises. These will be marked and applicants judged to have the aptitude to make good journalists will be selected to sit a two-hour writing and general knowledge exercise designed to test journalistic aptitude at cities throughout the country. After that process, editors will choose those they wish to interview according to the publication and school preferences of the applicants.

Representatives of the participating schools take part in and approve all selected interns.

During course holidays, participants will be employed by one of Fairfax's publications. During this time, they will work with experienced journalists and have a mentor to offer support and guidance.

On the successful completion of their course, participants will be reimbursed for their course fees. Successful applicants will be bonded to Fairfax for two years.

"We said when we launched this scheme that it was an acknowledgement that recruitment, training and retention of staff is the responsibility of Fairfax Media. We cannot expect others to do it for us. But through this scheme, our relationship with our preferred training institutions has become much stronger."

For further details, go to www.fairfaxnz.co.nz/careers

ENDS

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