Expanding student-journalists' access to EurekAlert!

In an effort to give aspiring journalists hands-on practice in the science news ecosystem and help prepare them for a successful professional career, EurekAlert! is expanding journalist-memberships to applicants working at student news publications, such as campus newspapers and radio stations. 

EurekAlert! has historically granted journalist-memberships to full-time journalism students, interns, and fellowship recipients who work at accredited media outlets under the guidance of experienced members. All approved journalist-members receive the same access to embargoed materials. 

"As the advisor to MIT's student newspaper, The Tech, one of the first things I proposed to the student science journalists there was to enroll with EurekAlert!,” said Deborah Blum, director of the Knight Science Journalism Program at MIT. “It's one of the best ways I know for them to learn about the wide range of research ideas available to journalists, to explore science studies, and to find smart story ideas.” 

“We have witnessed firsthand how the ways people produce and consume news differ and change over time around the world,” said Seth Rose, Editorial Content Manager at EurekAlert! who oversees the journalist-membership application process. “To demonstrate our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in science journalism, we’ve updated our policy to include student reporters from campus outlets among the roles eligible for EurekAlert! journalist membership.” 

This expanded eligibility policy aligns with EurekAlert!’s broader, ongoing mission to foster quality science journalism that is more inclusive, accessible, and attainable for all. It also puts into practice some of the knowledge gleaned through various efforts to reach journalists from all regions of the world.  

A good example of these efforts is the EurekAlert! Travel Awards program (formerly called the Fellowships for International Science Reporters) for early-career science reporters in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), which have recognized dozens of science journalists from China, India, Latin America, the Middle East, Africa, the Balkans, and Eastern Europe since 2004. Winners receive travel funding and logistical support from EurekAlert! to attend AAAS Annual Meetings, where they have opportunities to cover the latest scientific research and make connections with scientists, public information officers, and fellow journalists from around the globe.  

“Through this program – and the many other interactions with journalist-members – we have come to better understand how news production and consumption habits in many parts of the world don't always mirror the news media norms and structures in North America and Europe,” said Jennifer Holshue, Deputy Director of EurekAlert! who oversees the travel award program.  

“This is why we want to provide more opportunities to editorially independent editors and journalists that may fall outside of the global north ‘mainstream,’ and see an expansion of embargoed access to student journalists as a part of that effort."   

To help prepare new student-journalist members, EurekAlert! is also launching a new webinar series for journalist-members. The first webinar, “Embargoes 101” will provide an overview of the embargo system, how science news embargoes work, and what journalist-members should be aware of when accessing and using embargoed content obtained from EurekAlert!.  

The monthly webinar series is open to all EurekAlert! journalist-members, and is required for all new student-journalists. To sign up, visit: https://airtable.com/appWv6drseoMHYOY1/shryzp9oaMBRZjElk. 

Here’s how the application process will work for all student-applicants, including student reporters and journalism students, interns, and fellowship-recipients. Applicants will need to: 

1. Digitally sign an agreement to abide by EurekAlert!’s embargo policy, as all EurekAlert! Members must.

2. Provide confirmation from a professor, editor, or other faculty supervisors that the registrant is engaged in journalism for their campus publication in the “supporting documents” section of the application. 

3. Attend EurekAlert!’s Embargoes 101 webinar for a short virtual training session on press embargoes and their role in scientific publishing and news reporting. 

If you’re a journalist at a student publication interested in joining EurekAlert!, visit www.eurekalert.org/register to get started. Email webmaster@eurekalert.org if you have any questions about the process.