ONA Weekly #465: Meet The 2023 MJ Bear Fellows

Meet the 2023 MJ Bear Fellows

Join us in welcoming the six journalists chosen as the 2023 MJ Bear Fellows:

Laura Anaya-Morga, Long Beach Post
Ugur Dursun, Bay City News
Bertin Huynh, Guardian Australia
Maria Mendez, The Texas Tribune
Blake Stoner, Vngle Grassroots News Agency
Alice Wilder, American Public Media Group

The fellowship identifies and supports journalists under 30 whose work represents the best of digital news. During the yearlong program, fellows will receive guidance and coaching on digital journalism projects, opportunities to network within the industry and chances to showcase their work to ONA’s global community. The fellowship will kick off at ONA23: Philadelphia.

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.

Manori Wijesekera on belonging in journalism
Photo of Manori Wijesekera in a turquoise top against a red backdrop

The ONA Community Award, which is now in its sixth year, has honored individuals who have had an outsized impact on journalism by creating a sense of belonging and space for digital journalists to push innovative work.

We recently asked 2022 Community Award recipient Manori Wijesekera a few questions about community building and her hopes for the future of journalism. Read what she had to say. ONA members, nominate your colleagues for this year’s award by June 22.

On the calendar

June 22: Deadline: ONA Community Award nominations
June 29: Deadline: ONA23 Scholarship applications
July 18: ONA NYC: Audience engagement strategies for newsletters
Aug. 23–26: ONA23: Philadelphia
Aug. 26: 2023 Online Journalism Awards Ceremony and Banquet
Sept. 28–29: ONA23: Onward (Virtual)

Career opportunities

ONA’s Career Center is an excellent resource for jobs, fellowships and internships in digital journalism. Recent postings include:

Technology Reporter, Business Editor, Real Estate and Housing Reporter and Audience Engagement Editor, The San Francisco Standard
President & General Manager, Capital Public Radio
Social Media Producer, Rewire News Group
Partner Engagement Manager, Covering Climate Now
News Supervisor, Access Framingham
Director of Membership, The Connecticut Mirror
HBCU Student Reporting Fellow, Open Campus
Trending Politics Reporter, Knoxville News Sentinel

On our radar

Online violence is trying to silence women journalists. Here’s how they’re fighting back, Devin Windelspecht for International Journalists’ Network
Prison agency rescinds censorship policy after New York Focus reporting, Chris Gelardi for New York Focus
Opinion journalism and sustainability: Publishers find out what works, Susan Benkelman for American Press Institute
An introverted journalist created a researched guide for other introverts in the industry, Omar Gallaga for Poynter
How to cover AI: A guide for journalists, Alberto Puliafito for The Fix

Directory spotlight

Graham Media Group

Graham Media Group is comprised of 7 local media hubs, Graham Digital, OMNE and Social News Desk. It is the authentic, local voice passionately informing and celebrating our communities.

Dozens of technology companies, foundations, consultants and journalism organizations contribute to ONA’s mission throughout the year. Explore our Industry Directory to discover new tools and potential partners, or learn how to get listed.

Support ONA

There are many ways to help sustain ONA’s mission to inspire and support innovation in digital journalism.

Share your ONA story
Join as an ONA member
Make a one-time donation
Explore options to reach the ONA community about your event, product, job opening or other opportunity
Invest in ONA programs: Contact Chief Strategic Partnerships Officer Jessica Strelitz, jessica@journalists.org, to learn about philanthropic and corporate support.