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Participants will take part in three immersive weekends across multiple U.S. cities, receiving training, mentorship, and access to leading experts in the field.
By Shula Rosen
A Los Angeles couple has launched a journalism fellowship to strengthen reporting on Israel, antisemitism, and Jewish life, aiming to address what they see as persistent inaccuracies and bias in mainstream coverage.
The Karsh Journalism Fellowship — created by Jacki and Jeff Karsh in partnership with Jewish Federation Los Angeles — will select 10 early- to mid-career reporters for an intensive program beginning in January 2026.
Participants will take part in three immersive weekends across multiple U.S. cities, receiving training, mentorship, and access to leading experts in the field. Applications are open until September 1.
Organizers say the initiative is designed to give journalists the background knowledge and analytical tools needed to report with accuracy, depth, and context on issues that have become increasingly prominent in global news.
The fellowship will also focus on countering misinformation and harmful narratives that can distort public perception and influence policy.
The program was conceived after Jacki Karsh — a six-time Emmy-nominated multimedia journalist — was struck by what she describes as serious reporting failures during the Gaza war, particularly in the immediate aftermath of the October 17, 2023, explosion at Gaza’s Al-Ahli Arab Hospital.
Early reports, including those on The New York Times‘ front page, blamed Israel and cited hundreds of deaths, figures provided by the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry.
Later investigations determined the blast was caused by a failed Palestinian Islamic Jihad rocket launch, killing dozens.
“The story was reported incorrectly, and the correction was so muted,” Karsh said. “If there had been one person in that newsroom saying, ‘We need to wait,’ the narrative might have been different.”
She added that the fellowship is meant to ensure reporters covering Jewish and Israeli topics have the expertise to handle them with rigor.
“This is a pivotal moment to invest in accurate, responsible journalism on Jewish issues,” she said.
The Karshes hope the program will build a network of journalists committed to delivering fact-based, well-informed coverage on subjects often at the center of global controversy.
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