The United States Studies Centre at the University of Sydney has awarded its 2012 media fellowship, in partnership with the World Press Institute, to David King from The Australian newspaper.

King was selected from a strong field of early to mid career Australian journalists to travel to the United States in August this year where he will join ten international World Press Fellows for two months of immersion in US politics, business, culture and media.

“In an era of global media, the 24-hour news cycle and convergence of media platforms, having an international perspective is becoming a prerequisite for the best journalism and editorial practice”, says chief executive of the Centre, Professor Geoffrey Garrett.

“David King is already very talented in his field and the fellowship will provide an invaluable opportunity for him to further enrich his understanding of American institutions and culture, while meeting and working alongside journalists from around the globe.”

King was awarded a cadetship at The Australian in 2001 and has covered business, general news and politics for the paper in New South Wales and Western Australia. He has been the paper’s Sydney Bureau Chief and is currently the National Chief of Staff.

The fellowship, based at the World Press Institute in Minneapolis-St Paul, Minnesota, will see King travel to Washington DC, New York and other major US cities as part of a program of study, travel and interviews.

This is the second year that the United States Studies Centre World Press Institute Fellowship has been awarded. Last year’s recipient was the ABC’s Siobhan Heanue.