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WHRO Internships
invaluable hands-on reporting and audio production experience!
WHRO Public Media offers two internship opportunities for William & Mary undergraduates to work alongside award-winning journalists and editors in Summer 2027 as a City Hall reporter in Newport News or Chesapeake, Virginia. These internships offer invaluable hands-on reporting and audio production experience!
The internship lasts 10 weeks, from June 1 to August 6, 2027. William & Mary Journalism & Democracy Fellowship interns will receive a $5,000 stipend.
Applications for summer 2027 open Nov. 1 and will be due by 11:59pm on Dec. 1, 2026. Please contact Ted Maris-Wolf (edmari@wm.edu) with questions regarding Journalism & Democracy fellowship internships.
Chesapeake City Hall Reporter
Get hands-on reporting and audio production experience by becoming WHRO’s Chesapeake City Hall reporter.
The Chesapeake City Hall Reporter intern will assist WHRO News in covering local government, public policy and community issues in the City of Chesapeake. The intern will gain hands-on experience in local journalism while learning how municipal government decisions affect residents and communities.
The intern will attend and monitor Chesapeake City Council meetings and other public meetings; identify potential news stories; research local policies, budgets and government actions; conduct interviews with elected officials, city staff, community leaders and residents; and assist in producing stories for WHRO News’ digital and broadcast platforms.
Working with WHRO News editors and reporters, the intern will learn the fundamentals of local government reporting, including developing sources, understanding public records, identifying newsworthy issues, conducting interviews and translating complex government processes into clear and accessible journalism.
Responsibilities may include:
· Monitor Chesapeake City Council agendas, meetings and other public proceedings for newsworthy developments.
· Research city policies, budgets, development proposals, public records and other government documents.
· Develop story ideas about issues affecting Chesapeake residents and neighborhoods.
· Conduct interviews with public officials, subject-matter experts and community members.
· Write news stories and assist with producing audio or multimedia journalism for WHRO News.
· Develop and maintain a diverse range of sources throughout Chesapeake.
· Work with editors to fact-check, revise and prepare stories for publication or broadcast.
· Follow WHRO News standards for accuracy, fairness, independence and ethical journalism.
Learning Opportunities:
The internship is designed to provide practical experience in beat reporting and local accountability journalism. The intern will develop skills in news judgment, interviewing, public-records research, local government reporting, deadline writing, source development and multimedia storytelling. The intern will also receive regular feedback and editing from professional journalists in the WHRO News newsroom.
Preferred Qualifications:
Applicants should have an interest in journalism, local government, public affairs or community storytelling. Strong writing, communication and organizational skills are preferred. Previous journalism experience is helpful but not required. Applicants should be curious, dependable, comfortable speaking with people from a variety of backgrounds and interested in learning how local government works. This position will require transportation to the city of Chesapeake approximately once a week.
Other Details:
The intern should expect to provide their own transportation to and from Chesapeake on a regular basis (at least once per week).
WHRO will loan the intern necessary audio equipment and if needed, a laptop for WHRO production and work.
Newport News City Hall Reporter
Get hands-on reporting and audio production experience by becoming WHRO’s Newport News City Hall reporter.
The Newport News City Hall Reporter intern will assist WHRO News in covering local government, public policy and community issues in the City of Newport News. The intern will gain hands-on experience in local journalism while learning how municipal government decisions affect residents and communities.
The intern will attend and monitor Newport News City Council meetings and other public meetings; identify potential news stories; research local policies, budgets and government actions; conduct interviews with elected officials, city staff, community leaders and residents; and assist in producing stories for WHRO News’ digital and broadcast platforms.
Working with WHRO News editors and reporters, the intern will learn the fundamentals of local government reporting, including developing sources, understanding public records, identifying newsworthy issues, conducting interviews and translating complex government processes into clear and accessible journalism.
Responsibilities may include:
· Monitor Newport News City Council agendas, meetings and other public proceedings for newsworthy developments.
· Research city policies, budgets, development proposals, public records and other government documents.
· Develop story ideas about issues affecting Newport News residents and neighborhoods.
· Conduct interviews with public officials, subject-matter experts and community members.
· Write news stories and assist with producing audio or multimedia journalism for WHRO News.
· Develop and maintain a diverse range of sources throughout Newport News.
· Work with editors to fact-check, revise and prepare stories for publication or broadcast.
· Follow WHRO News standards for accuracy, fairness, independence and ethical journalism.
Learning Opportunities:
The internship is designed to provide practical experience in beat reporting and local accountability journalism. The intern will develop skills in news judgment, interviewing, public-records research, local government reporting, deadline writing, source development and multimedia storytelling. The intern will also receive regular feedback and editing from professional journalists in the WHRO News newsroom.
Preferred Qualifications:
Applicants should have an interest in journalism, local government, public affairs or community storytelling. Strong writing, communication and organizational skills are preferred. Previous journalism experience is helpful but not required. Applicants should be curious, dependable, comfortable speaking with people from a variety of backgrounds and interested in learning how local government works. This position will require transportation to the city of Newport News approximately once a week.
Other Details:
The intern should expect to provide their own transportation to and from Newport News on a regular basis (at least once per week).
WHRO will loan the intern necessary audio equipment and if needed, a laptop for WHRO production and work.
Application Requirements
- Cover Letter
- Resume
- The names/emails of three references
Sample of work - PDF copies of 3 published work samples. You may also add links to your application if you have online-only samples. Feel free to include any good work you’ve done, even if it doesn’t fit the “traditional mold.”
Here are some things to think about when writing your cover letter:
- Why you wish to intern for WHRO Public Media.
- Your goals and expectations for the internship.
- Your personal qualities that make you suitable for this opportunity.
- How this internship relates to your career and academic goals.
- What makes you the best candidate?
- What you hope to gain from this experience.
Selection will be based on portfolio, experience (college and professional), cover letter, and references. Finalists will be interviewed.
Have a question?
Applications for summer 2027 will open Nov. 1 and will be due by 11:59pm on Dec. 1, 2026. Please contact Ted Maris-Wolf ([[edmari]]) with questions regarding Journalism & Democracy fellowship internships.
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