The Albanian Center for Quality Journalism (ACQJ), within the framework of the "Signal!" project, opens two six-month internship positions for journalism students who want to learn firsthand how a professional editorial office functions, how an investigative story is developed, and how modern multimedia journalism tools are used.
This program offers a complete experience: training + real-world practice, where participants will work alongside the center's journalists, participate in editorial meetings, and produce one story per month under the guidance of ACQJ mentors.
The internship is designed to combine theoretical learning with real-world editorial practice. Participants will be an active part of the daily work of the Albanian Center for Quality Journalism, going from the conception of an idea to the publication of a complete journalistic material.
Duration and commitment: The program will last 6 months, during which interns will be engaged at least 2 hours a day in the ACQJ offices in Tirana.
This schedule is intended to give students the opportunity to pursue their studies while participating in editorial meetings, practical training, and independent work under mentorship.
Story production: Each intern will be responsible for producing a story in two weeks, which they will develop from initial idea to publication, with the help of ACQJ mentors.
These stories can be news, analysis, accompanied by multimedia materials (videos, infographics, or visual explanations) related to the applied topics.
What will you learn during the internship?
1. Basics of Investigative and Ethical Journalism – You will learn how to think and act as responsible journalists:
- Basic principles of investigative journalism: verification, triangulation, and accountability.
- Code of Ethics for Albanian Journalists – case studies and practical discussions.
- How to identify and control fake news and disinformation (in accordance with the platform) Signal!).
- How to work with confidential sources and handle sensitive data with care.
- The role of transparency, editorial responsibility and corrections in a professional media.
2. Multimedia Storytelling and Video Production – In the age of visual journalism, you will learn to tell stories through video and images:
- How to build a storyboard and visual structure for a short explainer video.
- Basics of camera work: composition, lighting, sound, and visual dynamics.
- Introduction to Adobe Premiere Pro for professional editing.
- How to write a voice-over or text for video narration.
- How to produce short “Senjalizo!” videos that raise civic concerns about public transparency.
3. Field Reporting and Resource Development – Real journalism happens on the ground.
- How to prepare for interviews: preliminary research, question formulation and communication ethics.
- How to cover public events and institutions: municipal meetings, courts, environmental or social issues.
- How to build and maintain reliable and secure resource networks.
4. Writing, Editing and SEO for Online Journalism – You will also improve your style and way of communicating with the digital public:
- How to write news and analytical articles for online platforms.
- How to create strong headlines, engaging introductions, and a clear narrative flow.
- How SEO works and why it's important for the visibility of your stories.
- How to use WordPress and publish articles on various ACQJ platforms.
Benefits
- Total payment: 1,400 USD for the entire internship period.
- Additional support: reimbursement for communication and travel expenses for field stories.
- Final certificate from ACQJ and professional reference for your performance.
How to apply
Send by email to the address info@acqj.al (with the subject: “Application – Internship Report!”) the following documents:
- Letter of interest where you explain your motivation.
- CV.
- A short response integrated into the letter of interest (up to 200 words) to the question: “Why should we choose you and why do you want to be part of this program?”
Application deadline: November 20, 2025
Selected candidates will be contacted for a interview in ACQJ.
About the “Signal!” project
“Sinjalizo!” is an ACQJ initiative, supported by the National Endowment for Democracy, that aims to strengthen citizen journalism, increase transparency and public accountability in Albania. Through this internship, we aim to raise a new generation of journalists who report with integrity, professionalism and sensitivity to the public interest.
