Author Archives: Dave Poulson

MSU students eligible for tuition help

Michigan State University journalism or digital storytelling students who contribute to diversity are eligible for a roughly $1,800 fall scholarship to take an environmental journalism class that can count toward graduation requirements.

Environmental expertise or experience is not required.

Eligible students are those majoring in journalism or digital storytelling, contribute to diversity and are enrolled in the fall of 2024. Diverse newsrooms report on environmental stories that otherwise may be missed – stories like those relevant to racial justice, civil rights, the values of Indigenous people or those involving underrepresented groups.

Students could contribute to diversity through their racial, ethnic or cultural identity or through their lived experience.  You do not need to be a hunter, camper, ecologist to activist. Environmental issues also encompass urban issues, health issues and social issues like civil rights. The environment is the world’s most important beat – one that cuts across all issues.

The scholarship is for taking JRN 472, Environmental, Science and Health Reporting.  For questions, contact Knight Center Senior Associate Director David Poulson, poulsondavid@gmail.com.

To apply:

Before 5 p.m. Sunday, March 17 , 2024, send a message with the subject line “EJ Scholarships” to MSU Knight Center Senior Associate Director David Poulson, poulsondavid@gmail.com.

NOT in the body of the email, but as attachments submit:

  • no more than 300 words on how your identity, background, lived experience or other characteristics help you diversify environmental reporting.
  • a resume
  • copies of or links to up to three stories you’ve produced for publication or class.

Freedman named to Michigan Journalism Hall of Fame

Eric Freedman

As a legislative aide to a New York congressman nearly 50 years ago, Eric Freedman quickly realized that journalists had more fun than any group of people with whom he interacted.

So the newly minted law school graduate became a reporter instead of pursuing a legal or political career.

Was it the right move?

“Oh, absolutely,” said Freedman, 74, who on Friday was named one of six journalists to be inducted into the Michigan Journalism Hall of Fame in 2024.  “I applied for legal jobs and newspaper jobs. Fortunately, I got the newspaper job first and I haven’t looked back.”

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Paid summer reporting internships available for MSU students at five Michigan news organizations

Michigan State University students who contribute to diversity are eligible for five paid internships this summer at major multi-media Michigan news organizations.

These internships through MSU’s Knight Center for Environmental Journalism meet the MSU J-School’s internship requirement. Environmental expertise or particular interest is not required. But you’ll gain both.

The application deadline is midnight Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024.

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MSU students can get paid scholarships, internships and jobs reporting on social justice

L.A. Times reporter and MSU J-School alum Tony Briscoe explains how MSU J-School students who contribute to diversity can  get paid right now while gaining experience and improving their resume and portfolio.

And he explains how his reporting in Los Angeles and Chicago on the intersection of social justice  and the environment got him in on the hottest story around. See Tony here and read on for more information about how you can, too.

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