Media Advisory - Professional development fellowships - Call for applications

Deadline: March 8, 2010

VANCOUVER , Jan. 18 /CNW/ - The Jack Webster Foundation has issued today its Call for applications for BC journalists seeking professional development opportunities.

1. JWF Fellowships to the Poynter Institute for BC Print, Broadcast and Online News Journalists

Up to two BC journalists will receive fellowships to the Poynter Institute in St. Petersburg , Florida. With its goal of helping journalists to achieve excellence, Poynter has offered a wide-range of journalism programs since 1975. Recipients will have until February 28, 2011 to attend the seminar in which they have been accepted. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Poynter Institute's website at www.poynter.org to select a seminar of interest.

2. JWF Self Defined Fellowship

JWF Self-Defined Fellowships are available for those BC journalist who would like to apply for a self-defined opportunity for skills enhancement or research.

Deadline for submissions is March 8, 2010 . For complete details and an application form, please visit www.jackwebster.com/awards/fellowship-poynter-info.php or call or email the Foundation office.

2009 recipient, Caroline Arbour writes about her experience at the Poynter:

The Poynter Institute is a special place. A fellow attendee called it an oasis, where journalists are given the opportunity to recharge their batteries and rediscover why they love their craft. It was that for me and more. The week I spent there, participating in the TV Power Reporting seminar, energized and inspired me. It was comforting to be surrounded by about twenty other journalists, all concerned about raising the quality of what is put on the air and all facing the same challenges, not the least of which is having to do so much more with far fewer resources than what was available in the past.

The Jack Webster Foundation was established in 1986 to recognize and encourage excellence in journalism in British Columbia. The work of the Foundation is made possible by the generous sponsorship of Bell Canada , BCLC, CGA, CN, HSBC Bank Canada , Labatt Breweries, Terasen Gas, Port Metro Vancouver and WorkSafe BC.

For further information: Nora Newlands, Executive Director, Jack Webster Foundation, Tel. [phone], Fax [phone], Email: [email protected], Web site: www.jackwebster.com