Call for Applications
2025 Berlin Fellowship Program: Empowering Journalists in the Digital Field

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) Germany is calling for applications for its Berlin Fellowship Program for Digital Security for Journalists. RSF will invite six journalists from crisis areas to Berlin for a period of six months (May 2025 until the end of October 2025).

During their stay in Berlin, the fellowship holders can enjoy a break and will complete a comprehensive training program for digital security for journalists. Back home, they will become multipliers for digital self-defense for journalists.

The program is funded by the Berlin Senate Department for Economic Affairs, Energy and Public Enterprises.

The application deadline has passed; no further applications can be accepted.

What we offer

Every fellow will participate in a comprehensive training program in the field of digital security with experienced trainers for digital self-defense for journalists.

Reporters Without Borders Germany will cover

  • the travel costs
  • assist with all visa-related matters 
  • provide and pay for an apartment in Berlin for the duration of the fellowship
  • grant a monthly allowance of 1000€/month
  • pay for the health insurance and 
  • for the use of public transportation in Berlin.

Furthermore, during their stay in Berlin, fellowship holders will be given insights into the activities of Reporters Without Borders Germany, a globally-active journalist and human rights organization.

There will be many opportunities to network with German journalists and other actors from the German civil society.

Period of stay in Berlin 

The stay is limited to six months. It starts in the beginning of May 2025 and ends at the end of October 2025. The exact dates for the travel to and from Berlin will be communicated to the chosen participants.

Topics of the training program for digital self-defense

The main topics of the program will be

  • holistic security basics for journalists, bloggers, media professionals and citizen journalists at risk
  • operational security including risk assessments and security planning
  • online identity management for investigative journalists, including technical background and practical use of anonymization tools
  • secure online communication concepts, technology and tools, including secure online conferencing for interviews
  • password and account security and data protection on social media and other online accounts for media work
  • device security for computers and mobile phones of journalists at risk
  • website security for media websites under attack
  • secure online and offline data storage including encryption for media files
  • online information verification and Open Source Intelligence
  • digital violence (online gender-based violence, doxing, impersonation, trolling).  

Who can apply

Professional journalists, bloggers, media professionals and citizen journalists who

  • are exposed to digital threats of any form and (such as for example surveillance, hacking, doxing or impersonation)
  • want to educate themselves about digital security in order to improve their personal security and the safety of their sources and 
  • are interested in passing on the knowledge acquired during the fellowship program to colleagues in their home regions and, ideally, already have some experience in teaching or other areas of knowledge transfer and
  • are able and willing to fully participate in the program. We expect the applicants to be available for all activities of the program including the comprehensive training for digital security. Please plan with about 20 to 25 hours per week during the training period.
  • In the selection process, positive consideration will be given to applicants who work as investigative journalists on topics such as the climate crisis, corruption, labor rights or migration.

Requirements

If you want to apply you 

  • must have a very strong command of the English language, as the whole fellowship program will be conducted entirely in English and
  • must have adequate experience working as a journalist, be it as a professional journalist or as a citizen journalist and
  • must be able and willing to fully participate in all activities of the program (see above: Who can apply)
  • must show that you are willing to return to their home region after the fellowship in Germany
  • must show a strong interest in learning in-depth about digital security for journalists. A high level of proficiency in regards to digital security is not required. Anyone who is used to working with a computer and smartphone can apply.

 

The application deadline has passed; no further applications can be accepted.

Contact:

If you have any questions regarding the application process please contact us via

rsf.digitalfreedom@protonmail.com. If you do not have a ProtonMail account yet, you can create a free account here: https://proton.me/mail The communication between two ProtonMail accounts is then encrypted.

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