A full fall ahead: A new look, new programs, and new ways we serve you
Fall always feels like the start of something: a new season of news coverage, a new class of interns, and new projects ahead as we bid farewell to summer.

This year, against the backdrop of the ongoing pandemic, social unrest, and uncertainty about the upcoming presidential election, every day can feel like a new start for journalists as you work to stay ahead of the issues affecting your communities. Since March, the Journalism Institute has offered 20 free programs that furthered important conversations on diversity and equity in newsrooms, on the personal and professional resilience of our colleagues in newsrooms large and small, and on skills necessary for storytellers right now. 

Because each day brings new challenges for journalism and journalists, we’ve revamped our daily newsletter, The Latest, as it has grown to cover your essential media headlines of the day, with practical tips for doing your job and taking care of yourself. We hope you’ll subscribe — and share your story ideas. 

And there’s more coming for you this fall: Along with the National Press Club, we invite you to celebrate a night with media luminaries as we confer the esteemed Fourth Estate Award to CBS News president Susan Zirinsky. You can register for an election coverage strategy session, a hands-on design workshop, writing programs that explore different storytelling forms, and equity programs. We hope you’ll join us in celebrating valiant press freedom efforts while continuing to fight injustice toward journalists. And we’ll help you stay up to date on the issues of most importance through our daily reporting in The Latest. 

We hope you’ll let us know how we are doing — and share new things happening in your newsroom this fall. 

Sincerely, 
Senior Director, National Press Club Journalism Institute
PROGRAMS AND EVENTS
Susan Zirinsky, president and senior executive producer of CBS News, will receive the 2020 Fourth Estate Award, the National Press Club announced Thursday. The Fourth Estate Award is the Club’s most esteemed prize and recognizes journalists who have made significant contributions to the field. Zirinsky is the 48th recipient of the award and will be recognized during a Nov. 18 virtual gala in her honor.  

Tickets are available for the Nov. 18 virtual gala, which will also recognize: 
 
● Maria Ressa, a fearless journalist convicted in the Philippines on trumped-up charges of cyber libel, with the 2020 international John Aubuchon Press Freedom Award; 
● Linda Tirado, an author and freelance photographer who was badly injured while covering the Minneapolis protests after George Floyd’s death, with the 2020 domestic John Aubuchon Press Freedom Award; and
● Ed Yong, the staff writer at The Atlantic who has been shaping our collective understanding of the coronavirus and its impact, with the 2020 Neil and Susan Sheehan award for investigative journalism.

The gala — attended by hundreds of members, guests, and media luminaries annually — raises the majority of the operating expenses for the Club’s nonprofit affiliate, the National Press Club Journalism Institute. This year's virtual gala — a historic first for the Institute — is an opportunity for journalists and supporters from around the globe to join the festivities for a steeply discounted rate. Purchasing your tax-deductible ticket is one way to show you value the Institute's programs, reporting and other work supporting journalists during this challenging year.

The Fourth Estate Award gala will be held 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 18.
Tickets are $50 per household; National Press Club members can purchase tickets at the further discounted rate of $25 per household. Tickets may be purchased online.

Show even more support: Ask your employer or company can sponsor the Fourth Estate Award gala. For more information, contact Julie Moos at jmoos@press.org.
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS

Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, the National Press Club Journalism Institute has waived registration fees for all programs — a savings of nearly $52,000 for all participants. If you've enjoyed our programs, please donate to help us continue to provide training like this.
REGISTER NOW

Sept. 16, 2020
Learn the challenges journalists face in the field, with insights from covering protests and the White House, and how to protect yourself and others.

Sept. 21, 2020
Learn how to reveal (or not reveal) “the personal stuff” as a journalist and about publishing during a pandemic.

Sept. 25, 2020
Learn how to prepare for the unexpected as political journalists play an election season simulation game. Co-sponsored by RAND Corporation and the National Press Foundation.

Oct. 2, 2020
Learn what it takes to turn your memories into a memoir, about the right time to write a memoir, and how to report on and fact-check your own experiences.

Oct. 9, 2020
Learn how to create charts that convey the information you want and can be used across platforms.
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHT


When do objectivity and neutrality mask inequity? How do journalists tell stories that root out racism in society? Moderator Juliet Beverly of BrainFacts.org and panelists Leah Donnella of NPR’s Code Switch, Cassie Haynes of Resolve Philly, and Robert Samuels of The Washington Post explored how journalists can practice antiracism in their everyday work at a Journalism Institute program on Aug. 21. Read the program recap or watch the video.

What people said: Because of this program ...

  • "I will be thinking of diversifying the 'audience on my shoulder' as I write, and I will also be thinking about 'neutrality' of language, especially as it relates to people versus a state that people are experiencing."
  • "I will immediately start implementing these anti-racist approaches in my story selection, reporting, writing, editing, and workplace more broadly."

You can find videos of previous programs on the Institute’s website. We recommend:  

NEWS & UPDATES
The Latest, the National Press Club Journalism Institute's daily newsletter, provides journalists with news and tools to help inform all of their work, whatever’s around the corner. Some of our recent top stories, leadership advice and self-care tips include:


If you’re not already a subscriber, you can view previous editions and sign up here.
The National Press Club Journalism Institute has provided all of its services — weekly programming, its daily reported newsletter, a daily writing group, and other support for journalists — at no cost since March due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Supporting Institute work helps us continue to provide low- or no-cost services for working media professionals. Please consider donating today.