Media and Journalism Internship Programs in Palestine: Journalism is an incredibly important function of society, informing the general population of crucial information, holding leaders to account, and shedding light on important stories that impact the way we understand our world.
In conflict and conflict-affected areas like Palestine, journalism is crucial to keeping local populations informed of changing circumstances and documenting the real-world impacts and experiences of war. The media also plays a key role in raising awareness of human rights and political issues within the West Bank. Interns who come to Palestine for media and journalism help support this vital work, while also gaining valuable experience in ethical journalism practices.
You should apply for a media and journalism internship in Palestine if you are a media student, aspiring journalist, digital content creator, photographer, videographer, or writer interested in learning more about media and journalism in the context of Palestine.
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The Role of Media and Journalism in Palestine
Media and journalism play an important role in Palestine’s social, political and cultural landscape. Given the vast asymmetry of the occupation, and the relative lack of power and legitimacy of the Palestinian Territories as compared to a recognised state, good journalism is crucial to help tell Palestinian stories to the world.
Journalists in Palestine operate under challenging conditions, facing media restrictions, political pressures, censorship, and physical risks, particularly in conflict zones. Despite these challenges, Palestinian media remains resilient, with journalists often going above and beyond to provide accurate coverage of life in the Occupied West Bank.
Internships in Palestinian media organisations offer a mutually beneficial arrangement. Interns can help foster international connections, amplify the voices of Palestinian journalists, and offer insights from their home countries. By working alongside experienced journalists, interns gain firsthand experience in investigative reporting, multimedia journalism, and advocacy-driven storytelling, playing an active role in ensuring that Palestinian narratives can reach a global audience.
Types of Media and Journalism Internships in Palestine
The theme of media and journalism encompasses a wide range of skills and interests. From writing to image capture to interviewing to content creation, there are many different activities that are encompassed in a media and journalism internship program. Here are some of the things you might do:
- News Reporting Internships – Reporters play an integral role in finding the right angle for a story and delivering accessible information to thepublic. In an internship program like this, you might help support the coverage of local, national, and international news stories for your organsiation.
- Photojournalism and Videography Internships – A picture is worth a thousand words. Powerful photo and video content is incredibly important for capturing an audience. For an internship like this, you might collect impactful images and videos of daily life or newsworthy events in Palestine.
- Digital and Social Media Journalism Internships – Love it or hate it, social media is here to stay. When used well, it can be a really crucial tool to reach a wider audience, and many people get their news from social media platforms these days. In a program like this, you might manage online platforms or help create digital content
- Human Rights and Advocacy Journalism Internships – There is a strong crossover between advocacy and journalism. Human rights abuses must be recorded and shown to the world. In a human rights-focused internship, you might report on social justice issues, advocacy work, and human rights, or witness and document breaches to human rights.
Got something in mind that isn’t on this list? Feel free to pitch your own ideas to your internship organisation to see if it might be appropriate for the local context.
Key Organizations Offering Media and Journalism Internship Programs in Palestine
Looking for a media and journalism internship program in Palestine? Look for further! The following are some ideas that can help you on your path to finding the right internship program for you.
Local and international media outlets
- Ma’an News, a local Palestinian news site that reports on daily happenings in Arabic.
- Reuters, an international news agency with operations in the West Bank.
- Al Jazeera, an international news agency witha focus on the Middle East. Al Jazeera is no longer allowed to operate in Israel or the West Bank, but they still report on Palestine.
Engage in Palestine
A locally-run organsiation that has great contacts with local journalists and media organisations. You can meet with inspiring players in the Palestinian media and journalism landscape while living immersed in the Palestinian community in Hebron.
List of Media and Journalism Programs in Palestine
This is the list of Media and Journalism Programs in Palestine that are on offer with Engage in Palestine:
1. Volunteer in Media and Journalism in Palestine
The Media and Journalism volunteer program in the West Bank is an ideal opportunity for anyone interested in giving a voice to Palestinians on the global stage. Volunteers in this program will help raise awareness of the West Bank’s circumstances while learning about ethical journalistic practices. They will also have the chance to practice their interviewing and other skills depending on their background.
2. Volunteer With Palestinian Refugees In The West Bank
Volunteer With Palestinian Refugees In The West Bank: The Palestinian Refugees Program is a great opportunity for a wide range of people, from students to retirees, who are passionate about human rights and wish to work directly with Palestinian refugees in the West Bank. Volunteers will primarily work with Palestinian children, youth, and women to enhance their skills and provide education in one of the nearby Palestinian refugee camps.
3. Palestine and Israel In Context Internship
The Palestine and Israel in Context internship is for students (undergraduate and graduate level), professionals, retirees, or anybody interested in the political history and present-day reality of Palestine and Israel. This internship program in the West Bank targets humanities and social sciences students looking for ways to understand the Israeli/Palestinian situation firsthand.
4. Write About Palestine Internship
The Volunteer Program for Writing Articles about Palestine is open to individuals who enjoy writing and wish to share stories. It’s designed for those keen on journalism and reporting in various styles who love narrating human experiences. This program isn’t just an opportunity; it also motivates you to immerse yourself in Palestinian culture by connecting with people in Hebron, West Bank.
5. The Internship In The West Bank, Palestine Program
The Internship in the West Bank, Palestine Program offers international participants the chance to immerse themselves in Palestinian culture and daily life and learn about human rights, Palestinian refugee situations, and politics in Hebron, West Bank. The internship opportunity involves participating in a highly respected community development initiative run by Engage in Palestine.
NGOs and grassroots organizations focusing on human rights and media freedoms
- Al Haq, a Palestinian human rights organization that may accept proposals for internships.
- Internationl Solidarity Movement: collects, documetns and reports on human rights and international law infringements in the West Bank.
Independent Palestinian media outlets and online platforms
- WAFA is a Palestinian news agency reporting on everyday events in the West Bank from the Palestinian perspective.
- Institute for Palestine Studies offers seasonal internships, advertised through their website.
Remember that not all internship programs are advertised. If you know of an organisation you would like to work with, you can always contact them to ask about the possibility of interning with them!
Internship Responsibilities and Tasks
Internships look different depending on which organsiation you’re with. Some are highly structured, and some offer more flexibility and tailoring. Despite their differences, there are some common things that you might be doing in a media or journalism internship in Palestine.
Writing and editing
Under the guidance of your internship organisation, you might produce or edit written content like articles, blogs, or reports on local news, based on the organisation’s editorial guide.
Assisting with research for stories and news coverage
Good reporting deals in facts, and that’s why researching for publications is incredibly important. You might be tasked with finding the sources needed to get a story ready for publishing.
Creating and managing social media content (posts, videos, live reporting)
The rise of smartphones and social media means that content is now a significant part of sharing information. You might help translate stories into content pieces that catch the eye and impart important information.
Interviewing locals, activists, and experts for feature stories
While facts are invariably important, so is the sharing of human experience or expertise through interviews. Stories help to communicate in a way that dot points cannot. You might spend some of your time collecting and sharing these stories.
Documenting events, protests, and significant social issues via photography or videography
Visual aids like images and videos not only help to tell a story but also act as evidence when it comes to infringements against human rights. You might use your skills to help capture important moments.
Benefits of a Media and Journalism Internship in Palestine
Palestine’s media landscape is active and resilient, but any support that it can receive from international interns is greatly appreciated. Through your internship program, you will be helping to shed light on the Palestinian situation. But you’ll also gain a lot from the experience yourself.
Hands-on experience in a dynamic media environment
As you build your career (or transition into a new one), experience is worth its weight in gold. An internship in Palestine is a great way to build up practical skills, but it is also an invaluable setting to work in, especially for those interested in media and journalism in conflict-affected areas.
Learning how journalism operates in a region with complex political and social issues
While the heart of media and journalism might look the same across the world, the day to day operations and application in a place like Palestine comes with its own considerations. Here, you willl learn how to work in a complex and sensitive setting, and what journalistic best practice looks like from people who have oeprated within it for years.
Building a professional portfolio with published content and projects
An essential part of building a career in media and journalism is establishing a portfolio of work. This shows any potential employers that you’re not just talk, and that you have a body of work to back up what you say. An intership in Palestine can help get this off to a great start.
Networking with local journalists, editors, and international media professionals
Spending time in Palestine means networking with professionals attached to local or international outlets. This is a great opportunity to build your professional network within a relatively small ecosystem and boost your future prospects. Some internships can even lead to jobs if you make the right connections.
Gaining cultural insights and firsthand experience of Palestinian society and media landscape
An internship in Palestine is also rewarding for the opportunity to gain firsthand insights and experience of the Palestinian situation. You will be immersed within the community with a great chance to learn from the people around you and their stories.
Testimonials from Former Interns
Meet Esther
Esther from Spain speaks about her experience in a media and journalism program in Palestine, including the people she was able to meet, the places she was able to visit, and what she got from the experience:
Hear from Ludovico, Ben, and Dayton
Ludovico from Italy, and Ben and Dayton from the US speak about their time in the media and journalism program, including visiting radio and television stations, meeting with journalists, and the importance of speaking about Palestine to the world:
Charlie and Tara’s media projects
Charlie and Tara from the United States talk about their time working on their respective media and journalism projects while in Palestine, including telling the stories of local women and creating a piece of content to take home and spread the ork about day to day challenges in Palestine.
Cultural and Personal Experience in Palestine
Coming to do an internship in Palestine isn’t just all about the internship itself – it’s also about the experience of living here. Most interns talk about how rewarding and fulfilling they find their time in Palestine. These are some of the things you might expect:
Living and working as an intern in Palestine: adjusting to the local environment
Adjusting to the local culture is easy with an open heart and open mind. Palestine is an incredibly friendly and welcoming place where it’s easy to feel right at home despite the differences. You will likely be invited to tea, coffee, or even a meal at people’s houses (especially during Ramadan).
Despite the lovely disposition of the people, Palestine is still under military occupation, which is very visible and an everyday part of people’s lives. As an international traveller, you will likely only experience the wait times at checkpoints and the occasional ID check by a soldier, though this can take a little getting used to! It can also be difficult to hear about so many stories from people whose lives are affected by the occupation. However, the strength and the resilience of the Palestinian people are a constant inspiration.
One thing to note is that the West Bank is a Muslim majority area, so long loose clothing and limited displays of affection between members of the opposite sex are incredibly respectful towards your host community.
Interacting with Palestinian communities, learning about daily life, traditions, and resilience
One of the best parts about spending time in Palestine is getting to meet a lot of the local people and being exposed to their daily lives. Through Engage in Palestine, interns will usually meet with a wide array of local activists, artists, social entrepreneurs, business owners, teachers, and more, and hear about their resilience and the different ways they resist occupation. You’ll also gain an insight into Palestinian life and culture, including how it intertwines with faith, and sample a lot of delicious traditional foods.
Traveling within Palestine to report on different regions
Palestine is a place with a very rich history and a lot of religious significance. During your time here, there is the possibility to travel to and report on happenings from different parts of the West Bank, including cities like Ramallah, Nablus, Jerusalem, Jericho, and Bethlehem.
Local transportation, mostly large shared taxis called Services (pronounced Servees) are an easy and affordable way to get from place to place.
Conclusion
Whether you’re just starting out in media and journalism, looking to gain some experience in a new country, or pivoting into the industry, an internship in Palestine is an incredibly valuable experience. With work opportunities from writing to visual media to focusing on human rights, there’s something for everyone.
More than that, you’ll get to experience the deep friendliness and resilience of the Palestinian people and work on an incredibly important cause.
It’s really easy to apply for a media and journalism internship through Engage in Palestine. Simply send an email expressing your interest to apply at Info@ecpalestine.org.
Contact Us
Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at:
WhatsApp: +972 599 479 880
Website: https://ecpalestine.org/
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Tags: international media internships Palestine, journalism internships in Palestine 2025, media training opportunities in Palestine, Palestinian journalism experience for students
