Full fall ahead: New programs announced, Fourth Estate Award Gala tickets on sale |
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From covering the pandemic and delta variant to the worsening signs of climate change, from gun violence to voting rights, from schools reopening to the Olympics and mental health, the work journalists are doing is vital — and we thank you.
This summer at the Institute, we learned from journalists, editors, and communicators across the country on how to rebuild trust in news; how to improve coverage on hate crimes; how to report on housing through an equity lens; and more. We also hosted workshops on craft, from creating attention-grabbing visuals to re-energizing your writing. Be sure to check out our daily newsletter, The Latest, to help you stay up to date on program highlights and the most pressing issues in the industry.
As we look to the fall, we’re excited to share new equity and inclusion programs funded by a generous grant from the Gannett Foundation, in addition to a series of community conversations for journalists looking to connect.
We’re also thrilled to announce the Fourth Estate Award Gala! Along with the National Press Club, we invite you to celebrate a night with media luminaries as we present the esteemed Fourth Estate Award to NBC News’ Lester Holt. This will be an unforgettable evening — in person and virtually — to commemorate excellence in journalism. We hope to see you there.
Signed,
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NBC News’ Lester Holt, whose seasoned career in journalism over four decades and role as anchor of “NBC Nightly News” has earned him the title as most-trusted anchor in America, will receive the National Press Club’s most acclaimed prize, the Fourth Estate Award, at a gala in his honor on Oct. 20, 2021 in Washington, D.C. Holt will be the 49th recipient of the Fourth Estate Award.
The 2021 Gala will occur in two parts: A virtual celebration that will include the presentation of the National Press Club’s press freedom and investigative journalism awards — which will be announced soon — and an in-person celebration of Lester Holt live at the National Press Club. The schedule and ticket information is available here, along with current safety protocols for in-person guests.
The fundraiser, attended by hundreds of members, guests, and media luminaries, raises the majority of the operating expenses for the Club’s nonprofit affiliate, the National Press Club Journalism Institute. The Institute advocates for press freedom worldwide, equips journalists with skills and standards to inform the public in ways that inspire civic engagement, and provides scholarships to aspiring journalists. We hope you’ll buy your tickets or make a donation today.
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EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS
The Institute has produced 16 digital education programs this year, drawing more than 2,662 individuals to sign up for sessions focused on diversity and inclusion, writing and editing, press freedom, and career skills. These are a few highlights:
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REGISTER NOW
August 20
Learn techniques for uncovering and sourcing stories driven by the voices of those underrepresented in education coverage.
September 10
This virtual meetup is for journalists to explore where their personal and professional lives intersect.
September 24
Discover tips for broadening the voices you feature and the audiences they reach.
October 1
Meet with peers who are pondering if it’s time for a job or career change in this virtual community meetup.
WORKSHOP BUNDLES
If you missed our Pro Tips writing or Design Hacks workshops, don’t worry: You can still access each of the sessions.
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PROGRAM HIGHLIGHT
Millions of residents in the U.S. are at risk of losing their housing even as a new eviction moratorium is in place temporarily. Panelists Michael Brice-Saddler of the Washington Post, Alexandria Burris of the IndyStar, Lauren Lindstrom of the Charlotte Observer, Dan Reed, a writer, urban planner, and community advocate, and moderator Kriston Capps of CityLab shared tips for covering the housing beat through an equity lens. Read their top strategies or watch the video.
What people said:
“Great and informative webinar that really dived deep into issues related to reporting on racial equity!”
“Because of this program, I have a deeper understanding of housing inequality issues and challenges journalists face when reporting on it.”
“I have waited decades for these conversations — so I am hopeful!”
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PROGRAM TESTIMONIALS
“I always hope to walk away from a workshop with at least one idea that pushes me further in my craft. I walked away with so many more — and inspiration.”
-- Robin Tricoles, Writing Through member and Institute donor
“I share these events with my colleagues and they love them too. There are so many of these webinars out there including some awful ones, but if NPC Journalism Institute is sponsoring, you know it will be worthwhile and informative.”
-- Joan Coyle, National Press Club member
“The speakers explained things in comprehensible ways and translated their knowledge into identifiable pieces that we journalists can use in our work. The tone was good, inviting a sense of camaraderie and learning. Such a gift! I gained so much in one simple hour! These kinds of programs truly help improve the quality of journalism nationwide.”
-- Ruth Ebenstein, freelance journalist and Writing Through member
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Last Wednesday, Austin turned 40, which means that he has spent nearly a quarter of his life held hostage.
“It is a piercing sense of loss to consider that Austin has spent almost all of his 30’s deprived of his liberty and the pursuit of his dreams,” said his parents, Marc and Debra Tice, in a statement released on his birthday.
“As with the past nine years, we continue to plead for the American and the Syrian governments to sincerely engage in a serious dialogue focused on Austin’s secure release and safe return,” said Austin’s parents.
The National Press Club is urging people to sign a Change.org petition encouraging the Biden Administration to prioritize Austin’s safe release.
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The National Press Club and the Journalism Institute have issued the following press freedom statements:
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Nearly two dozen journalists from across the country explored ways to cope with the cost of practicing journalism during the first virtual meetup of “You Are Here” on Aug. 6. The come-as-you-are community encourages conversations about how journalists’ personal and professional lives intersect.
“It's rare to hear journalists talk about the costs of the job,” said one participant. “Usually, we hear a ton of excuses as to why the job is worth it. It was therapeutic to simply focus on the costs and learn ways to deal with those feelings rather than ignore them.”
The next gathering will be Friday, Sept. 10 at 11:30 a.m. ET. The topic will be, “What’s bringing you joy in journalism right now?” Click here to sign up.
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The National Press Club Journalism Institute's reading group will start its third book on Thursday, Aug. 26: "An Ugly Truth: Inside Facebook's Battle for Domination" by New York Times reporters Sheera Frenkel and Cecilia Kang.
Reading Through began in the spring as a place for people who love journalism and books and want to discuss them both. Regular attendees include journalists, educators, communicators, and members of the public not involved in journalism — all are welcome. Click here to sign up.
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The National Press Foundation and the National Press Club Journalism Institute in July awarded $57,049 in grants to journalists who plan to cover environmental justice.
The grantees and projects selected by the judges are:
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Agya Aning, Inside Climate News – How the historically Black community of Wedgewood in West Florida became surrounded by landfills ($4,400)
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Yvette Cabrera, Grist Magazine – How legacy lead contamination in soil poses a major threat to marginalized, poor, communities of color, focusing on the predominantly Latino city of Santa Ana, Calif. ($12,649)
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Tasmiha Khan – How Muslim Americans are fighting for climate justice, particularly in trying to prevent the construction of a pipeline by Enbridge Energy in Minnesota ($10,000)
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Shira Laucharoen, Boston Institute for Nonprofit Journalism – How systemic racism and nativism create daily dangers to the health of East Somerville, Mass., residents ($10,000)
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Kristi Tanner, Detroit Free Press – How the principles of environmental justice, community input, and disproportionate impact are (and are not) included in the permit approval process ($10,000)
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Brett Walton, Circle of Blue – When to strengthen national and state drinking water standards by examining how nitrates in water (and their removal in some towns) are affecting people in Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, and farmworker communities in the Central Valley ($10,000)
“The work of these journalists will reveal the environmental consequences of longstanding inequities in communities across America,” said Julie Moos, Executive Director of the National Press Club Journalism Institute. “We anticipate it will also lead to greater accountability for creating the safe neighborhoods everyone deserves.”
The Kozik Grants are funded by a 1991 gift from the late Dr. Franklin Kozik in honor of his deceased son Robert Kozik. A second round of grants to support environmental justice reporting will be offered in early 2022.
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Help us continue the important work of providing craft, career, and community support for journalists and communicators through a tax-deductible contribution to our general fund today. Your contribution — in whatever amount works for you — will help produce high-quality training, press freedom advocacy, and our daily newsletter, among other initiatives.
Prefer to have a longer-term impact? Consider a recurring gift, or include the Journalism Institute in your estate planning. Contact us to learn about the financial benefits of your generosity.
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The National Press Club Journalism Institute promotes an engaged global citizenry through an independent and free press, and equips journalists with skills and standards to inform the public in ways that inspire civic engagement. As the non-profit affiliate of the National Press Club, the Institute serves as a beacon for journalism in the public interest. |
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National Press Club Journalism Institute
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