Student Call: Get Research and Journalism Experience Working with CMDS Team

The Center for Media, Data and Society (CMDS) is accepting applications for part-time, unpaid intern positions at its Budapest office and remotely to work on our ongoing research projects. We are looking for inquisitive students interested in investigating who’s who in media, politics and technology who want to get experience as a bridge to their next career move.

More specifically, we are looking for students to work in the following projects:

1. Comparative analysis of findings and data from country reports published as part of the Media Influence Matrix, CMDS’ main research project. The work will focus on the following topics: a). State media and government funding; b). Trends in internet content and social media regulation; c). Journalism business models
2. Media Philanthropy: measuring impact of philanthropy funding in the media through case study analysis (cases of grants awarded by philanthropies to media outlets)
3. Political Power Brokers: a new CMDS project tracking businesses and individuals engaged in electoral communications and their sources of financing (see more in CMDS Strategy)
4. Who’s Who in Policymaking: a new CMDS project aimed at creating a database consisting of detailed profiles of media policymakers (see more in CMDS Strategy)
5. Digital News Report: a survey conducted by Reuters Institute in 38 countries, looking at trust, concern over misinformation, news avoidance, populism's impact, top brands, how people access news and much more. 

Main tasks include

• Participation in drafting analytical papers about topics covered by the Media Influence Matrix that will be published throughout the year by CMDS and its partners;
• Collection of information and data about philanthropies and interviews with representatives of media outlets funded with philanthropy money, and participation in drafting analytical papers about these outlets;
• Collecting data about policymakers involved in media policy (mostly at EU institutions and national levels in EU countries);
• Under CMDS’ supervision, participation in investigation of political consultancies involved in electoral communications and in drafting articles summarizing this work;
• Data analysis using Excel, and data visualization.

The responsibilities would include data gathering and analysis. Students will be expected to study government and corporate documents, market reports and databases as well as conduct interviews with relevant sources. CMDS works globally, hence we welcome students with diverse language skills and broad interests in international projects.

Interns will gain experience in data and information collection, writing of analytical reports, investigations and interviewing, and dissemination of research findings. At the same time, they will get acquainted with the operation of an international academic center. Through this program, CMDS also strives to facilitate interns’ access to NGOs, think tanks, universities and media outlets our center works with.

The duration of the internship will be agreed upon with CMDS.

Applications, consisting of a resume and a statement focused on the area/project of interest (max. 300 words) should be sent to Mihaela Groza, GrozaM@spp.ceu.edu. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. For further questions, please contact Mihaela Groza at GrozaM@spp.ceu.edu

About CMDS

CMDS is the leading center of research on media, communication, and information policy in Central and Eastern Europe. Based in the School of Public Policy at Central European University, CMDS produces scholarly and practice-oriented research addressing academic, policy and civil society needs. CMDS research and activities address media and communication policy, social media and free expression, civil society and participation, fundamental communication and informational rights, and the complexities of media and communication in transition.

The Center serves as a focal point for an international network of acclaimed scholars and academic institutions; offers innovative courses across several CEU departments; provides trainings and consultancies; and organizes scholarly exchanges through workshops, lectures and conferences on current developments in the field.

Our Center seeks to improve the quality of media policymaking through research and debate. This mission is part of Central European University’s commitment towards building open and democratic societies that respect human rights and human dignity.