Pennsylvania would place paid journalism fellows in local newsrooms

The program administrator would select journalists competitively and place them in approved newsrooms. Fellows would be early-career journalists. Hosts must be Pennsylvania-based nonprofit or independent newsrooms serving local or regional audiences, with original reporting supporting civic participation, public accountability, or community-informed journalism. Host approval would consider editorial oversight, mentoring, professional development, program goals, and community information needs. Placements would favor underserved communities with limited local news.

Fellows and host newsrooms would keep sole control over their reporting. These protections would cover content, assignments, and publication decisions. Administrators could still decide eligibility, placement, and funding under neutral program rules. The act would take effect 60 days after enactment.

The program administrator would publish an annual report and collect public comments. Reports would cover placements, community results, and fellows’ later employment. Demographic information would describe groups rather than individuals. Reports would include public feedback, the administrator’s response, and any program changes adopted. The administrator would seek comments at least annually and send its annual report to the Governor and General Assembly.