I joined the Institute four months ago. Every day is an evolution.
Starting a new job during the pandemic has taught me so much. I joined the Journalism Institute in March — 10 days after we launched the Covering Coronavirus newsletter and started working remotely. 

It’s rewarding to watch our audience grow, now spanning 48 states and 22 countries. 

Along the way, I discovered how wonderful this community is. Within a week, I met several of our supporters through our daily Writing Through writers’ group. It’s been a pleasure to showcase the next generation of journalists as they forge into a challenging job market. We’ve also added new, free community conversations with topics ranging from newsroom leadership in the age of Black Lives Matter to the art of the interview . 

I’m honored to be part of such a talented team as we continue to find new ways to better serve journalists. In just the last month, we’ve reported on how J-schools can help improve newsroom diversity ; the launch of the Trans Journalists Association ; how journalists can add context to protest coverage ; a flow chart for newsrooms on correctly identifying Black Americans ; and Atlantic staff writer Ed Yong’s sage advice for emerging journalists .

The industry is undergoing both difficulty and transformation, grappling with economic pressure while reckoning with the need for journalism to be more diverse, equitable and inclusive. We’re here for you during this time of uncertainty and change. Let us know how we are doing, and how we can help . 

I’m thrilled to meet you via this newsletter — and hopefully one day soon in person! 

Learning Manager
PROGRAMS AND EVENTS

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 consider making a donation to help us continue to provide training like this.
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July 17, 2020
Explore the challenges and opportunities of interviewing during current circumstances from Terry Gross and Michael Barbaro .

July 24, 2020
Learn how to develop journalists to run investigative teams and
how diverse investigative teams shape coverage, build trust & engage community.

July 29, 2020
Learn how to hone a point of view and how to pitch columns and opinion pieces from Sewell Chan , Erika Smith , Nikole Hannah-Jones and Jake Silverstein .

August 5, 2020
Learn to build sound strategies and approaches to requesting and obtaining public records using the Freedom of Information Act and state open records laws.

August 21, 2020
Learn how to reframe the way journalism works so it's actively antiracist and how to broaden reach and audience by working more inclusively with communities..

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.

COMING SOON

Covering justice: Reimagining the cops, crime, courts beats

Equity & community in local news - Lessons learned in 2020

Write what you know: ‘Fix What You Can’ and 'Love You Hard'

Design Hacks: How to create charts when it's not usually your job

Career Connection: Defining your digital footprint

Design Hacks: How to create maps when it's not usually your job
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHT


The pandemic, economic struggles and demands for social justice have forced newsrooms to account for their own failures at diversity, inclusion and representative coverage. 

The  News Leaders Association  and the National Press Club Journalism Institute hosted a conversation July 10 with executive editors  Katrice Hardy  of the Indianapolis Star and  Mary Irby-Jones  of The (Jackson) Clarion-Ledger on how they are leading their newsrooms in light of Black Lives Matter. Gannett executive  Mizell Stewart III  moderated the program.

What people are saying: Because of this program ...

  • "I know I have a lot of work to do on keeping dialog open in newsrooms. I have a good idea on how to advise small organizations to start the conversation and be better listeners."
  • "I will work to better support Black journalists and be more mindful of unconscious bias."


IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

You can find videos of previous programs on the Institute’s website or by following the links below:  


WHAT PEOPLE ARE LEARNING

I realize how valuable using your lived experience can be in your reporting. It's an interesting antithesis to the idea that good journalism is 100% objective.

I have a solid approach to creating graphics, good graphics, that will the enhance the story, and make it clear and helpful to readers.

I have a fresh perspective on focusing and know I’m not the only one struggling.

I now am reminded that every detail has to have a job, helping to convey essential qualities such as urgency or status. 

I learned about different ways to handle grief through writing. And, that our communicating styles are not the same and that is ok.

I have already found several new ways to monitor courts at an important time.

Have an idea for a program? Suggest it!
PRESS FREEDOM NEWS
The National Press Club has selected Maria Ressa and her Rappler colleagues as its international 2020 John Aubuchon Press Freedom Award honorees.

Ressa, a Fulbright scholar, Princeton graduate and former CNN bureau chief, has been the target of repeated efforts by the government of President Rodrigo Duterte to silence her. 

Ressa, the executive editor of Rappler, and former Rappler researcher-writer Reynaldo Santos Jr. were convicted in the Philippines last month on trumped-up charges of cyber libel.

Their conviction on June 14 prompted an outcry from press freedom organizations across the world, including the National Press Club and the National Press Club Journalism Institute . They could face up to six years in prison. In addition to the "cyber-libel" case, Ressa and Rappler have been accused of tax evasion and of violating laws barring foreign ownership of local media.

The John Aubuchon Press Freedom Award is named after a former Club president who fervently advocated for press freedom. The Club will confer the 2020 Aubuchon awards later this year. Read more.
The National Press Club  and the  National Press Club Journalism Institute  urge the United States Agency for Global Media and its new executive, Michael Pack, to renew expiring visas for foreign journalists working in the U.S. for Voice of America's international services.

According to reports, Pack has paused the visa renewals, placing dozens of journalists under a cloud of uncertainty and threatening not only their job security but their personal safety as well. If USAGM decides not to renew these visas, many journalists would be forced to return to countries whose totalitarian regimes have been critical of VOA reporting. Read more.
This year's national Night Out For Austin Tice , originally set for July 14, is postponed until further notice amid concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the National Press Club has announced.

“While restaurants in many parts of the country are opening back up, it is still early and challenging to try to have a special event like Night Out For Austin Tice,” said Bill McCarren, Executive Director of the National Press Club.

Austin Tice, an award-winning journalist, was working for McClatchy and The Washington Post when he was detained in Syria in 2012. Austin is a Georgetown University graduate, a native Houstonian, and a United States Marine who served three tours of duty. Today, he is currently the only U.S. journalist being held overseas, and after more than seven years, has endured the longest detention of any U.S. journalist to date. Read more .
The National Press Club Journalism Institute has added weekly programming, a daily reported newsletter, a daily writing group, and other support for journalists since March, and has waived fees for everything due to the COVID-19 pandemic. If you value what you’ve been learning from the Institute during this time, please consider a gift to help us continue to provide this type of training and community.