Harbingers’ Magazine Washington D.C. Newsroom 2024

  • Intermediate Journalism Conference

    • July 2 - July 13, 2024

      Open
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Ahead of this year’s US Presidential Election, Harbingers’ Magazine opens a pop-up newsroom for eight students in Washington D.C. While witnessing the US Independence Day and the NATO Summit, we will prepare a team of teenage journalists who will cover the election and its aftermath in the upcoming academic year.

Like all global editorial offices, each of the ten conference days in Washington will begin with an editorial meeting. We will focus on American and international politics, culture, and society to provide you with the knowledge and expertise necessary to cover a significant political event at speed.

Your interests will drive your work, but at every stage of the process, you will be supported by our mentors – experienced journalists from international media – who will push you to learn more and ensure that your article meets the editorial standards.

If you work honestly, you will not only have three articles published but also secure an invitation to continue working with us on covering the Biden vs Trump battle for Harbingers’ Magazine.

Please note: this conference is only open to students who have completed the Essential Journalism course (see Application Requirements)

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Learn from professional journalists...

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    Stas Skarzynski

    Founder
    CEO

    Stas Skarzynski

    Founder
    CEO

    During a career of over 15 years, Stas was a co-founder and deputy editor-in-chief of the NGO-run fact-checking and investigative journalism outlet OKO.press, the managing editor of the Gazeta Wyborcza opinion section and its UK and international affairs correspondent. Between 2010 and 2016, he was the producer of political interviews at Radio ZET.

    He graduated from the Warsaw University’s Institute of Applied Social Sciences with a specialisation in political philosophy. His writing appeared in Die Welt, Le Figaro, and The Diplomat; he also commented for the BBC. In 2016, he won the Grand Press News Award for an investigation into corruption at the Ministry of Defence of Poland, and the Green Prus Award.

    In 2021, after a year of research, Stas founded the Oxford School for the Future of Journalism and its Harbingers’ Magazine project.

    kimberly yanez

    Kimberly Yanez

    Managing editor
    Head of communications

    Kimberly Yanez

    Managing editor
    Head of communications

    Kimberly Yanez is a seasoned Venezuelan Communications Specialist based in Canada. Her career has seen her transition seamlessly between the fast-paced world of beat journalism, where she covered everything from community issues to national crises, and the creative realm of copywriting, crafting compelling narratives for products and brands.

    Whether reporting on the ground or developing engaging content strategies, her work is characterized by a commitment to storytelling that resonates with diverse audiences.

    She holds a Joint University Master’s Degree in Journalism, Media, and Globalization from Aarhus University and the University of Amsterdam, a testament
    to her academic pursuit of understanding the media’s intricate dance with society.

    But beyond the degrees and accolades, it’s the stories that have shaped her – the whispered confessions of a community in crisis, the triumphant tales of brands
    breaking barriers. Now, she pretty much loves passing her knowledge to a new generation of ethical writers at Harbinger’s Magazine.

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    Lucy Martirosyan

    Multimedia editor

    Lucy Martirosyan

    Multimedia editor

    Originally from Boston, now based in Yerevan, Lucy is a freelance, multimedia journalist reporting on human rights issues across Eastern Europe, the South
    Caucasus, and Central Asia. Previously, they investigated backlash against LGBTIQ and women’s rights in Europe and Eurasia for openDemocracy.

    Before that, Lucy produced radio for a daily American foreign affairs show, “The World”, a co-production of PRX/PRI, GBH, and formerly the BBC World Service in Boston.

    Lucy holds a dual master’s degree in journalism and international human rights and humanitarian action from Sciences Po in Paris. They speak English/French/Russian and are currently learning Armenian.



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    Tatev Hovhannisyan

    Editor-in-chief
    Academic director

    Tatev Hovhannisyan

    Editor-in-chief
    Academic director

    Based in Armenia, Tatev is an international investigative journalist and editor with 13 years of editorial experience. Until August of 2023, she was openDemocracy’s Europe and Eurasia editor. Her writing has appeared in numerous international media outlets, including the BBC, Euronews, and the Guardian.

    Tatev is also a lecturer at the Yerevan Brusov State University of Languages and Social Sciences.

    In 2023, Tatev received the Journalists for Human Rights 2023 award for her investigation into illegal adoptions. In 2022, she won an Emma Goldman Award for innovative research on feminist and inequality issues in Europe – the first time a journalist has won the award.

…and special guests from the leading American media

During the conference, we will host three special guests who will lecture on their experience in covering all aspects of American politics. Over the last two years in Oxford, we have hosted Kasia Madera and Lucy Ash from the BBC, Matthew Campbell (The Sunday Times), James Meek (The London Review of Books), Liz Moseley (Tortoise Media), James Richings (Newsquest), and others.

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Application & Requirements

The newsroom is open to students aged 16-18 interested in politics and international affairs, and developing their writing, data analysis, and critical thinking skills. The programme is strictly limited to eight students.

Students are required to have completed OXSFJ’s Essential Journalism course.

Applying students will be required to write a motivation letter outlining their interests in the programme. Preference will be given to students who intend to join Harbingers’ Magazine after the conference. 

Accommodation

Full board, single ensuite room at Georgetown University Campus. Two adult supervisors will be present onsite overnight and will assist students throughout the conference.

The location of the newsroom is yet to be confirmed.

Timeline

Tuesday, July 2: Arrivals, check-in, and inauguration dinner.

Daily plan, July 3 – July 12: Breakfast (7.30 – 9.30 am); Editorial, lecture, and writing session (10 am – 2 pm); Lunch (2 – 3 pm), Special guest’s workshop / additional writing session / editing (3 – 5 pm); Dinner (6 pm). The daily plan will be modified to accommodate other activities: cultural events, sports, and visits to Washington D.C. landmarks.

Saturday, July 13: Breakfast and departure.

Fees & Contact

The 2024 attendance fee is available upon request.

The fee covers all reasonable costs related to the programme, including tuition, full board accommodation, cultural events, and transportation to and from Dulles International Airport (IAD) and throughout the stay.  Please note that the fee does not cover US visa fees, plane tickets, and medical/travel insurance.

To arrange an online meeting with a member of our team, please email us at office@oxsfj.com or fill out the enrolment form.

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