The Online News Association today announced the 2023 MJ Bear Fellows, digital journalists under age 30 whose innovative work represents the best of the industry.
The yearlong MJ Bear Fellowship is designed to provide support as early-career journalists work on an innovative digital project. Fellows benefit from guidance on a digital journalism project, networking within the industry, complimentary ONA membership for three years and opportunities to showcase their work to ONA’s global community. From Aug. 23–26, they will attend the 2023 Online News Association Conference (ONA23) to learn alongside peers and industry leaders focused on audience engagement, product and digital business strategy.
The 2023 MJ Bear Fellows are:
Maria Mendez, a service and engagement reporter at The Texas Tribune running a texting line to engage with their audience.
Honorable Mention
The selection committee decided to award an honorable mention to an applicant whose project and potential they felt very strongly about:
- Katerina (Katia) Patin, Multimedia Editor, Coda Story
2023 Selection Committee
- Laura Amico, MJ Bear Committee Chair, 2011 MJ Bear Fellow
- Anand Katakam, Reuters, 2018 MJ Bear Fellow
- Jake Carpenter, TellTail
- Jody Brannon, Center for Journalism & Liberty
- Denise Ajiri, Investigative/Data Journalist, 2012 MJ Bear Fellow
- Amy Eisman, Director, Journalism Division, School of Communication, American University
The MJ Bear Fellowship is made possible through generous contributions by the MJ Bear Estate, friends of MJ Bear and ONA, MSN International and Microsoft.
The Online News Association was founded in 1999 as a forum for digital news pioneers to collaborate on common challenges and encourage the highest journalistic standards. Become an ONA member or make a donation to sustain our mission to inspire and support innovation and excellence in digital journalism.
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