Military Veterans in Journalism is pleased to announce Navy veteran Chris Janaro’s selection for a nine-month fellowship with City Limits, a nonprofit newsroom identifying urban problems and exploring solutions through the lens of New York City. Thanks to support from Craig Newmark Philanthropies and help from the Institute for Nonprofit News, this fellowship will allow Janaro to expand his portfolio after graduating from the City University of New York’s Newmark J-School.
This fellowship is part of a collaborative effort between MVJ, CUNY and INN that began in 2021. Veterans who are members of MVJ apply to attend Newmark J-School’s 16-month M.A. in Journalism, M.A. in Engagement Journalism or M.A. in Journalism with a bilingual concentration. Upon graduation, these MVJ members are hired by newsrooms that are members of INN — a national network of nonprofit, nonpartisan news organizations. The fellowships allow these individuals to build portfolios of journalistic work and form a network of peers, while the educational component gives them the foundation for career success.
MVJ member and Navy veteran Chris Janaro will join the City Limits team after his recent graduation from Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY. Photo courtesy of Chris Janaro.
“As a career changer, I am grateful for MVJ’s support and encouragement since day one of this incredible program for aspiring veteran journalists,” said Janaro of this opportunity. “I am excited to work for such an esteemed non-profit newsroom as City Limits, which will allow me to seamlessly transition into a full-time reporting role that serves the common good. Knowing this serves as a great motivator, and I can’t wait to get started!”
As a fellow with City Limits, Janaro will cover zoning, land use and development in the New York City area, with a special focus on how these issues affect the city’s veterans. He is the first MVJ member to receive a fellowship under this program.
“Veterans are vastly under-represented in the news media despite our nation having been at war for more than 20 years,” said Zack Baddorf, MVJ’s executive director. “This partnership creates a unique opportunity for military vets to get a jump-start into the news world, where their lived experience, expertise and public trust are desperately needed.”
Craig Newmark Philanthropies has previously supported MVJ in partnership with the Poynter Institute with a fellowship program and online educational training. Most recently, the philanthropic organization has supported MVJ’s Counter-Disinformation Program, which aims to counter the spread of disinformation and extremist propaganda within military and veteran circles.
One fellowship slot remains in this program for veterans interested in furthering their career and education. Interested applicants should first apply with Newmark J-School and plan to complete their 16-month master’s degree program. For more information, please see our earlier release on this program.
About the Institute for Nonprofit News
The Institute for Nonprofit News strengthens and supports 300 independent news organizations in a new kind of media network: nonprofit, nonpartisan and dedicated to public service. From local news to in-depth reporting on pressing global issues, INN’s members tell stories that otherwise would go untold – connecting communities, holding the powerful accountable and strengthening democracy. Learn more at inn.org.
About the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY
The Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism, founded in 2006, is a public graduate journalism school based in the heart of New York City’s media capital. With affordable tuition and extensive scholarship support, it prepares students from diverse economic, racial and cultural backgrounds to produce high-quality journalism. The school offers 16-month master’s degree programs: M.A. in Journalism, M.A. in Engagement Journalism, and M.A. in Journalism – Bilingual Program (English/Spanish). Through the school’s J+ division, which offers online and hybrid executive training programs, seasoned journalists gain the skills to step into leadership roles and launch modern business models and news products. The Newmark J-School is also home to three unique centers and initiatives: the McGraw Center for Business Journalism; the Center for Community Media; and the Journalism Protection Initiative.
About Military Veterans in Journalism
Military Veterans in Journalism is a professional association that builds community for vets, supports their career growth, and advocates for diversifying newsrooms through hiring and promoting more vets. Learn more at www.mvj.network.
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