"Seventeen journalists from the United States and five foreign countries have been named as next year's Nieman Fellows--free to study whatever academic subjects they choose.

The Nieman Foundation was established in 1938 to give mid-career journalists the chance to step back from their work and pursue other academic interests and consider the nature of their profession.

The only requirements are that, while enrolled in the program, Fellows must live in Cambridge, publish only in the Foundation's quarterly journal--Nieman Reports--and pass at least two courses in any area of the University. In return, they are each given a $12,000 stipend and extensive fringe benefits.

The 12 American Fellows are:

*Edwin Chen--legal affairs writer with The Los Angeles Times;

*Jerelyn Eddings--editorial writer with The Sun in Baltimore:

*Margaret Finucane news editor with Newsday on Long Island. N Y.

*Lucinda Fleeson-staff reporter with The Philadelphia Inquirer.

*Philip Hilts--reporter with The Washington Post.

*Deborah Johnson--producer for NBC News

*Joel Kaplan--reporter with The Tennessean in Nashville:

*Joe Oglesby--editorial writer with the Miami Herald.

*(Charles) Mide Pride--editor of the Concord (NH.) Monitor.

*Carol Rissman--news director of WBURFM in Boston:

*Pamela Spaulding--photographer with The Louisville Courier-Journal.