Free Speech TV Internships

The purpose of the FSTV internship program is to provide the unique opportunity of working with a national television network, acquiring marketable skills while contributing to the movement for progressive social change. Interns will fill vital roles within the organization, making the experience one of great educational and professional value.

FSTV has a strong commitment to diversity within its staff and has designed the internship program to attract candidates of racial, ethnic, economic and geographical diversity. FSTV also seeks to involve other communities traditionally excluded from the mainstream media such as women, people of various sexual orientations and those with disabilities.

FSTV accepts internship applications from individuals interested in unpaid internship or university-credit internship positions available at it's Boulder CO office.

How to Apply

All applicants are asked to fill out the FSTV internship application form and submit it, along with a resume and a cover letter. Please send these items (preferably via email) to the attention of, Kate Eckhardt, Administrative Assistant. Email: sean at freespeech.org Phone: 303-442-8445 ext. 100, Fax: 303-442-6472, Mail: P.O. Box 44099, Denver, CO 80201

[Click here] to download the MS Word version of the internship Application
[Click here] to display and print a text version of the internship Application.

Application should be made by the following dates in order to be considered:

  • By April 1st for the summer session
  • By August 1st for the fall session
  • By December 1st for the spring session

An ideal candidate will possess:

  • A commitment to progressive activism.
  • Familiarity with current social, political, cultural, and environmental issues.
  • Familiarity with the independent media field.
  • Organizational and multi-tasking skills.
  • An ability to work collegially with other staff and partners to achieve common objectives.
  • A desire to learn new skills.

Internships are available in the following areas:

  • TV Production
  • TV Programming
  • Development
  • Operations
  • Web

    TV Production Internship

    Production Interns will assist FSTVs Production Department staff in many areas of in-house video production, including news, pledge drives, public service announcements and other on-air spots.

    Responsibilities:

    • Administrative assistance.
    • Shooting, video and sound editing.
    • Writing and researching news stories.
    • Video and production coordination.

    Preferred Qualifications:

  • An interest and enthusiasm in working in television production.
  • A background in video production, particularly Avid and Final Cut Pro editing.

    TV Programming Internship

    Programming Interns will assist FSTVs Program Department staff in acquiring single and serial programs for broadcast and webcast.

    Responsibilities may include, but are not limited to:

    • Research, review, selection, and licensing of progressive programs, both single and serial.
    • Cultivating relationships with independent producers and progressive activists.
    • Participation in the development of program-related web content and outreach materials.
    • Maintenance of producer/program database.

    Preferred Qualifications:

    • Familiarity with the organizations working on social, political, cultural, and environmental issues.
    • Sharp critical eye, with knowledge of media history and literacy. Experience licensing and curating film, video or television programs is desirable. Some production experience desirable.
    • Communication skills, including the ability to work closely with staff, volunteers, producers, and activists.

    Development Internship

    This position will be responsible for assisting the Co-Directors of Annual Giving (primary) and Development Director (secondary) with various projects within the Development Department. Such projects will include but are not limited to the following

    • Processing donations and inputting donor information into donor database
    • Maintaining and updating donation filing system
    • Corresponding via phone, mail and email with existing and potential donors
    • Providing general support to Co-Directors of Annual Giving during pledge drives
    • Helping to coordinate volunteers for phone banks, pledge drives and direct mailings
    • Other ad hoc assignments as needed from Co-Directors of Annual Giving and/or Development Director
    To apply for this position, please fill out an application on this page and email applications and resumes to madelaine at freespeech.org or fax to 303-442-6472. All applications must be submitted by 5 p.m. Friday, July 29th , 2005.

    Operations Internship

    Operations Interns will work with FSTVs Operations Department assisting with general office technical responsibilities, maintaining and managing television satellite upload and tape transfers.

    Responsibilities will vary depending on experience, but may include:

    • Encoding analogue tapes to mpeg format.
    • Administration and distribution of tapes to FSTV cable affiliates.
    • Video Editing
    • Management/Cataloging of the tape library
    • Computer systems networking
    • Playlist management
    • Ftp transfers

    Preferred Qualifications:

    • Basic computer skills.
    • Familiarity with various tape formats.
    • Familiarity with patch bay.
    • Photoshop, HTML, and video editing experience a plus.

    Web Internship

    Web interns will assist with production, promotion and E-commerce responsibilities associated with the FSTV Internet television website.

    Responsibilities will vary depending on experience, but may include:

    • Digitizing and managing database of video and audio.
    • Encoding and entering data.
    • Researching web to develop material on specific topics.
    • A variety of e-commerce responsibilities such as updating the store and fulfilling orders.
    • Communication with other websites for the purpose of promotion.
    • Establish and track links to other sites.

    Desired Qualifications:

    • Photoshop
    • Dreamweaver or other Web authoring program
    • HTML, PHP, SQL programming