Roger Williams University Journalism Student Participates in 2025 Gloria L. Negri First Amendment Institute

BRISTOL, R.I. – A Roger Williams University sophomore is turning classroom learning into professional opportunity through hands-on experience with the Gloria L. Negri First Amendment Institute.

Addison Mason, a Journalism major from Atkinson, N.H., was one of just seven students selected to participate in the 25th annual Negri Institute, held in October at Boston University. The highly competitive fellowship brings together emerging and established journalists from across New England to deepen their understanding of First Amendment principles and contemporary reporting practices.

Mason credits the experience with helping her secure a summer 2026 internship at the Concord Monitor, a daily newspaper serving central New Hampshire.

Offered by the New England First Amendment Coalition, the intensive, weekend-long program featured academic presentations, networking sessions, and in-depth discussions with journalists, editors, and professors. Fellows explored topics including press freedom, ethical reporting, and the evolving role of journalism in a changing media landscape.

“The days were very long,” Mason said. “On Saturday, I woke up around 6 a.m. and didn’t get back to my room until 9 p.m. But overall, it was a great experience. It was really cool sitting and listening to other journalists.”

Beyond the academic sessions, the institute emphasized professional development and relationship-building. Mason said those connections directly influenced her next career step.

“I made it a point to seek out journalists from New Hampshire,” she said. “In doing so, I ended up securing an internship for the summer at the Concord Monitor.”

Mason also connected with reporters and editors from several regional news organizations, including local television and print outlets – relationships she believes will be valuable as she prepares to enter the profession.

“I met a representative from WPRI and journalists from other local publications,” she said. “Those conversations will definitely help me get my foot in the door when I’m looking for a job in the future.”

Mason said the experience was both rewarding and unexpected, and she credits RWU faculty mentorship for helping make it possible.

“It was an honor to be part of this,” she said. “This was my first semester taking a class with Professor Prado, who gave me this opportunity after hearing strong recommendations from Professor Motta. I was also the only student there from Roger Williams, so I felt like I was representing the entire program.”

For Mason, the Negri Institute exemplifies the kind of experiential learning that defines her education at Roger Williams University – connecting classroom instruction with real-world journalism and meaningful professional outcomes.