Over the past nine months, 16 early-career journalists participated in the TFAS Media Accelerator Fellowship, learning from industry experts and sharpening their reporting and writing skills. The fellowship combines networking, professional development and academic discussions to help young writers and reporters identify and develop their beats and incorporate the principles of liberty into their work.
Charles Hilu ’23, ’25 of The Dispatch said the sessions provided essential skills for public-interest reporting and inspired him with the firsthand reports from each faculty member of uncovering stories, following ideas and unexpected sources.
“The Media Accelerator Fellowship equipped me with the tools to help keep the American people informed,” Hilu said. “But the greatest thing it taught me was the potential for excitement and adventure in a career in journalism. Such a line of work exposes a person to a network of interesting and intelligent people, and from that one can foster meaningful human connections that last for decades.”
Fellows engaged in monthly discussions with industry experts to analyze the current state of the media. Kurt Couchman ’02, ’07, a senior fellow in fiscal policy at Americans for Prosperity, joined the cohort to share expertise from his career and discussed how to break into economic and fiscal policy beats. Speakers Michael Warren of The Dispatch and Michael Sobolik of the Hudson Institute discussed beat exploration on politics, campaigns, national security and foreign affairs with the cohort. Monthly discussions also focused on legal reporting, culture and technology with Kevin Daley, Novak ’21, of South Congress Strategies, Peter Suderman, Novak ’10, of Reason and Megan McArdle of The Washington Post.
Spring and Fall Retreats
In November, the cohort traveled to Annapolis, Maryland, to hear from notable speakers about how to get ahead in the media business. Gerard Baker of The Wall Street Journal joined Andrew Kerr of The Washington Free Beacon and David Drucker of The Dispatch to discuss the art of the interview and how to bolster reporting. The retreat also featured sessions on turning reporting into longform writing, building a personal brand and media training. Fellows departed with a deeper understanding of how to foster a successful career in journalism.
In April, Fellows visited Richmond, Virginia, for their spring retreat on Liberty and Responsibility in the Media. Noah Rothman of National Review led the cohort through multiple sessions on the role of the journalist in a democratic society.
Fellows also toured historic St. John’s Church to explore the American founding and examine the necessity of freedom of the press in a democratic government. Rothman reflected on his time at the retreat, noting how it puts the future of journalism into perspective on The Editors Podcast.
“Every year I go to Virginia and join the up and comers who attend The Fund for American Studies retreat down there, and we talk about first principles, political philosophy, philosophy behind media coverage and basically how to do the job in an ethical way,” Rothman said. “It’s always so life affirming because these young professionals are really sharp, dedicated and passionate about the business.”
Fellows emphasized how the discussions and retreats provided an opportunity to engage in meaningful dialogue, build lasting connections and reflect on a journalist’s responsibility in advancing the principles of liberty. Through in-depth training and engagement with leading journalists and policy experts, Fellows sharpened their reporting skills. The young professionals honed their ability to incorporate the principles of liberty into their work, preparing them to lead with clarity and purpose in today’s fast-changing media environment.
Supporting the Future of a Free Press
Kaelan Deese ’25 of the Washington Examiner says the Media Accelerator Fellowship strengthened his work as a Justice Department Correspondent.
“In an era when public trust in the media faces significant challenges, programs like this play an important role in developing journalists who are committed to accuracy, intellectual honesty and a respect for the principles of a free society,” Deese said. “Through discussions with other experienced reporters and policy leaders, I have gained perspectives that will strengthen my work covering the Justice Department and the federal courts.”
The Media Accelerator Fellowship would not be possible without the support of generous TFAS supporters, who help equip young professionals with innovative programming and a thoughtful network of peers and mentors educated in conservative thought. To join TFAS in investing in courageous journalists shaping the future of media for years to come, please visit TFAS.org/support.
On November 10, TFAS will host its 33rd Annual TFAS Journalism Forum + Awards Dinner in New York City, an evening dedicated to honoring courageous journalists and celebrating the essential role of a free press in a free society. The event will include the presentation of the Kenneth Y. Tomlinson Award for Courageous Journalism, the Thomas L. Phillips Career Achievement Award, and the announcement of the 2026 Novak and Rago Fellowship recipients. To learn more visit TFAS.org/jawards26.
To learn more about the program or apply for the 2026–27 cohort, visit TFAS.org/MAF. The application deadline is July 15, 2026.