Daily Dot FOIA Intern - Fall 2023

The Daily Dot is the web’s most comprehensive source for original internet news and is among the sharpest, most relevant media companies in the world. We tell the story of the internet each day with uninhibited reporting on the people, apps, memes, and movements that are shaping the internet generation.
Summary

The Daily Dot seeks candidates who are passionate about unearthing government secrets (both federal and local) to apply for our Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) internship. This unique position will focus entirely on mastering the art of FOIA, from filing requests, making appeals, and generating scoops from government documents around the intersection of the internet, technology, and politics. Ideal candidates will have some prior experience filing transparency requests, a keen eye for FOIA opportunities, and a nose for stories that may be lurking in the background, as well as strong reporting and writing skills.

Most important though is a desire to produce stories no one else is reporting on.
Roles and Responsibilities

Work with Daily Dot editors to generate FOIA and state-level transparency request ideas
File multiple FOIA requests each week
Maintain a database of ongoing FOIA requests
Develop relationships with agency FOIA officers to ensure timely records receipts
Report out stories based on received documents
Help reporters file FOIA requests based on stories they are working on
Adhere to journalistic standards for fact-checking, accuracy, and fairness

Interested? Here’s what we’re looking for:

You have at least two semesters of college or high-school-level newsroom experience
You meet deadlines
You have experience making contacts and securing interviews
You are skilled in multitasking and prioritizing in a rapidly changing environment
You are comfortable in a small, intense, and fast environment
You understand and know the Daily Dot brand, internet culture, online communities, and current internet trends
Experience working as part of a virtual team is a plus